Dealer Can't Fix Brakes

[Brettendress]

After a trip to my dealer Yesterday to solve ABS failure lights I"m still having the problem. The Bike was hooked up to the computer and It could not tell what was wrong. I trust the dealer and the master mechanic who worked on the bike but what to do now. The bottom light comes on and then the top brake light starts flashing. I have to turn off the bike and restart it to get the lights to go out. The brakes seem to work except when they drift occasionally when stopping then the lights come on or they will just come on when riding sown the road under no braking. I have lost all confidence in my 04 r1150Gs with 70,000 miles. All new pads, all systems checked ok, all lines were checked and the system was pressure tested and the print out showed all ok. The Mechanic also rode the bike 13 miles hard and tried to create a failure but 40 miles after I left same problem. He reset the faults etc. $309.00 invested in the dealer visit and no answers. What Now, Replace a year old battery? New ABS sensors. Help!! please Sell the bike!

Brett Endress
Altoona PA

[henzilla]

Helen's 02 R1150R had occasional fault light coming and going, took it to dealer to read codes before I got the GS911. Took three trips,two diff techs and three resets to finally determine bad front wheel sensor.

[PETDOC]

Don't know if the dealer did it, but if not you should test your battery under a load. Get a digital voltmeter and hook it up to the battery then start your bike. Resting voltage should be around 12.8 v, and during start up it shouldn't go below 9 v.

[Brettendress]

Thanks Guys both are what I was told to start with. Front sensor and battery. He said to try starting with PIAA and high beams off and said if not the battery front sensor so I figure I will start with the battery test and then replace cheapest option first. Battery did test well at dealer but he said even though it is new it could not be good enough.

Thanks a bunch
Brett

[Red100RT]

I got the solution......:D

[OfficerImpersonator]

Do you keep your bike on a battery tender ALL THE TIME?

I ride daily, so you'd think my battery would be properly charged by the alternator - especially as I have an RTP with the beefier alternator - but it isn't.

If I go a week of commuting without the bike on the battery tender every night, the battery will discharge to the point that by Thursday or Friday I'll have to roll-start the bike to get home. Of course, this low battery voltage plays havoc with my ABS system - not to mention having to reset the freakin' clock!

So, I put my bike on the tender when I get home each night and avoid the problem altogether.

I've also experienced the fault from grinding down my brake pads - sounds like you've eliminated that variable. As the pads wear down, more fluid volume is required to push the pads into the discs. If the fluid gets low enough, you'll get the brake warning lights ruining your ride.

A previous poster mentioned getting the GS911 fault code reader. Next time I have $100 burning a hole in my wallet, I'll be getting one of those. Always nice to plug the bike into a computer that tells you what's wrong with your bike!

Do you have any independent BMW mechanics in your area, or another dealer you can try? Not trying to say your guy is an idiot, but maybe another set of eyes and ears will turn up something that's been missed so far.

I know my independent wrench has the GS911 device, and it's a piece of cake for me to ride up, pop my seat, plug in the bike, and find out what's causing the lights to flash.

Good luck!

[1963rgs]

This will sound dumb but I had a similar problem with my 04 RS and it turned out to be the brake light. The bulb still worked but I would randomly get faults right after I put on the brakes. I also had to turn the bike off to clear the fault. Changed the bulb and the problem went away. Food for thought......

[Brettendress]

Again guys thanks. The battery is 1 year old and is a gel battery. I ride the bike almost everyday and do not use the charger much except in the winter. I'm starting to believe that it is the ABS sensor on the front wheel since it feels like a front wheel drift when on the brakes sometimes at slow speed. I will check the battery and then put my bulb back in the rear taillight where I have a blinking back brake light now before I spend more. The dealer did say that could be the problem. Now up to three things to try. Back bulb, battery test and then replace front sensor. Hope I get it thanks again.

Brett Endress
Altoona Pa

[bikerfish1100]

Do you keep your bike on a battery tender ALL THE TIME?

I ride daily, so you'd think my battery would be properly charged by the alternator - especially as I have an RTP with the beefier alternator - but it isn't.

If I go a week of commuting without the bike on the battery tender every night, the battery will discharge to the point that by Thursday or Friday I'll have to roll-start the bike to get home. Of course, this low battery voltage plays havoc with my ABS system - not to mention having to reset the freakin' clock!



you really should not have to do that under normal riding conditions. Hyper cold winter riding, with heavy electrical draw (vest, grips, etc) and short commute, maybe. but i know your commute is long enough to recharge the battery from each start.. and during summer season (that's most of the year in Seattle, right?) you really should be fine. I'd be looking for a short or a charging issue- does not sound normal at all.