New Guy with a question about ABS

[601sparky]

Good Evening Everyone.
I just subscribed to the forum, although, I have been a BMWMOA member for a few years.
Now for the question. It is in regards to the antilock brakes light on my dash of my 92 K100 RS. I just pulled it out of the shed, charged up the battery (a week ago) and went for a small scoot (after I checked all of the fluids and tire pressure).The ABS light did not quit flashing or go out after I touched both brakes.
I had a problem a couple of years ago with a blown tail light, and I checked that, they were fine.
Any one else have any ideas as to what it might be? Perhaps a slightly discharged battery (which is 2-3 years old)?
Thanks,
Ray

[knary]

Good Evening Everyone.
I just subscribed to the forum, although, I have been a BMWMOA member for a few years.
Now for the question. It is in regards to the antilock brakes light on my dash of my 92 K100 RS. I just pulled it out of the shed, charged up the battery (a week ago) and went for a small scoot (after I checked all of the fluids and tire pressure).The ABS light did not quit flashing or go out after I touched both brakes.
I had a problem a couple of years ago with a blown tail light, and I checked that, they were fine.
Any one else have any ideas as to what it might be? Perhaps a slightly discharged battery (which is 2-3 years old)?
Thanks,
Ray

Did you try shutting down and restarting the bike (no, I don't spend too much time on the computer :D) to see if the problem continued after it warmed up? How cold was it?

[601sparky]

Did you try shutting down and restarting the bike (no, I don't spend too much time on the computer :D) to see if the problem continued after it warmed up? How cold was it?
Yes, I did shut down and restart. How cold was it? Are you referring to the bike or the weather? If it's the weather, not too cold. About 12 degrees Celcius. The bike, well, it was at operating temperature.
I am going to try and charge up the battery, clean the posts and give 'er another try.
Thanks,
Ray

[bmwmick]

Ray,
You probably have a 'persistant' fault. Go here: http://tinyurl.com/72r8k
and read about how to read the fault code and reset the ABS control unit.

You have ABS-I (like my '93 K1100LT) and it is NOT very sensitive to battery voltage but it IS sensitive to spinning the rear wheel once the system has self-tested. If you have the alternating lights as soon as you turn the key on, you have a fault that needs to be cleared.
Keep us posted on your progress.

What part of Alberta?

[601sparky]

Ray,
You probably have a 'persistant' fault. Go here: http://tinyurl.com/72r8k
and read about how to read the fault code and reset the ABS control unit.

You have ABS-I (like my '93 K1100LT) and it is not very sensitive to battery voltage but it IS sensitive to spinning the rear wheel once the system has self-tested. If you have the alternating lights as soon as you turn the key on, you have a fault that needs to be cleared.
Keep us posted on your progress.

What part of Alberta?
Thanks for the tip. I will have a look for the diagnostic hook up.
I am in the S.E. part. A little town called Hanna.
It's about 200 km East of Calgary.
Ray

[RedBeem]

My 98 K12RS recently put me through the wringer with the ABS system doing a good job of messing with my head. I picked up the bike from the dealer in early March in order to go to Daytona. When I unloaded the bike from the truck and fired it up the ABS lights flashed as they normally do, but after the wheel rotation they continued to flash. When I got back home I brought the bike in to the dealer and was informed that the ABS computer was defective and had to be replaced. The part lists at $2865.00 Cdn and requires 9 hours of labour to change. I decided to ride the bike without ABS while searching for a used part. Once I got the bike off the truck I started it up, cycled the wheels and BINGO, the bike had healed itself. Everything works. My guess is that there are only 2 options. 1. The fault is intermittent or 2. The mechanic did not properly diagnose the problem.
That having been said I spent a lot of time on the internet researching this problem and it appears that the most common cause of ABS failure indication is low battery voltage followed by rear wheel spinning. I'm not sure because it was months ago, but I suspect that I did spin the rear wheel when loading the bike into my pickup. Anyhow, everything works now.

[601sparky]

Red,
Well as it turns out, my battery is toast. I will be picking up a replacement tomorrow. AS for the spinning wheel, no such thing here. I know that the rear wheel was rotating as it sat there on the centre stand. Usually does that. Hopefully that will cure my ills, if not, I will try resetting the 'puter.
I will keep you abreast of what happens.
Ray





My 98 K12RS recently put me through the wringer with the ABS system doing a good job of messing with my head. I picked up the bike from the dealer in early March in order to go to Daytona. When I unloaded the bike from the truck and fired it up the ABS lights flashed as they normally do, but after the wheel rotation they continued to flash. When I got back home I brought the bike in to the dealer and was informed that the ABS computer was defective and had to be replaced. The part lists at $2865.00 Cdn and requires 9 hours of labour to change. I decided to ride the bike without ABS while searching for a used part. Once I got the bike off the truck I started it up, cycled the wheels and BINGO, the bike had healed itself. Everything works. My guess is that there are only 2 options. 1. The fault is intermittent or 2. The mechanic did not properly diagnose the problem.
That having been said I spent a lot of time on the internet researching this problem and it appears that the most common cause of ABS failure indication is low battery voltage followed by rear wheel spinning. I'm not sure because it was months ago, but I suspect that I did spin the rear wheel when loading the bike into my pickup. Anyhow, everything works now.

[RedBeem]

So you know how to reset the computer? I don't. If it's anything like this bloody home computer of mine, it will require a hammer to adjust. :D

[601sparky]

Red,
If you go to this address http://tinyurl.com/72r8k
it give an explanation on how to reset the computer.
Now as for your home 'puter use a BIG hammer.
Ray

[bmwmick]

So you know how to reset the computer? I don't. If it's anything like this bloody home computer of mine, it will require a hammer to adjust. :D

Red,
Go back and read this entire thread (including the links). Just remember, you have ABS-II and no easy way to reset it yourself unless you dig into the wiring harness a little. This is because bmw deleted the ABS rocker switch from the dash on the K12RS early bikes. The later K12RS got the I-ABS brakes (Integral ABS or 'wizzy' brakes('wizzy' because the brakes are applied by an electric servo motor and NOT your brake levers)).

Mick

[RedBeem]

Thanks for the info but I'm missing something it seems. The link doesn't seem to cover the 98 K12RS which as I understand it has ABS II. There appears to be no fault code description for that bike and since I don't have the reset button I don't know what to do next. (This all presupposes that the fault will re-occur)

[601sparky]

Well, I tried resetting the computer. Nothing. Although, I have not goe for a ridse yet to see if it worked or not. :dunno
Not too sure if I should have done it, because due to some of the descriptions, I am not too sure if I had a problem, or if I could solve it myself.
Only th light in the Speedo (left side of the dash) area flashed. When I started riding , they both started flashing- togeather. They never flashed alternately.
I hope to heck that this doesn;t mean a trip to the dealer. :cry
Thanks,
Ray