97 RT ABS - Help!!

[JCS97RT]

OK......I have gone as far as I know to go. 97RT with 38K and an ABS fault on take off. Key on - Simultaneous flash. Crank - Alternating flash. Take off - Alternating flashing continues. (None of the clicking on take off that told me ABS was checking out) Have successfully locked up the front wheel. Back seems to modulate as normal. Brakes and fluid are good. Battery has a full charge and is a one year old WestCo AGM on trickle charger. Sensor area for front wheel is clean and according to spec on clearance.

Any help would be appreciated.

Carl

[lawman]

I know that you believe that you have a fully charged battery but I had the same indications (as well as an erratic clock); while having routine maintenance, I had the dealer install a new battery and I have had no problems since; BTW , mine is a 2000RT; good luck...wj

[JCS97RT]

Thanks Lawman - Just got back out of the garage. Getting a weird reading on the charger that indicated I may have been a little too confident about the battery and all may not be well. Rechecked all connections and now it appears the battery is taking a charge and has been for about an hour. I am going to give it overnight and see what happens tomorrow.

[kbasa]

It's most likely your battery. You've described the classic symptom set.

[bmwmick]

OK......I have gone as far as I know to go. 97RT with 38K and an ABS fault on take off. Key on - Simultaneous flash. Crank - Alternating flash. Take off - Alternating flashing continues. (None of the clicking on take off that told me ABS was checking out) Have successfully locked up the front wheel. Back seems to modulate as normal. Brakes and fluid are good. Battery has a full charge and is a one year old WestCo AGM on trickle charger.
Carl

Carl,
That is just the 'normal' low voltage fault. Once you have a fully charged battery, it will occur less frequently. Usually it will reset by riding for 15 minutes or so and then doing a restart.
Have you peeled the label back on that WestCo to see if it's a Panasonic or a BB battery? I heard that WestCo recently went to the BB battery instead of the Panasonic LC-X1220P.

[cruisin]

I can typically let mine run for only about a minute then restart and the fault will go away. YMMV.

[R11S]

01AUG2004 - Over the last week I've noticed that the two ABS Indicator Lamps have seemed somewhat erratic in their operation. I've wondered what all the blinking ON/OFF has meant. Sometimes they've alternatively blinked during an entire ride. I've read about complaints from other owners too. Well, I think I've got a handle on it now. If I don't start the Engine with a certain sequence of steps, the ABS Indicator Lamps will blink alternatingly ON/OFF…which I suspect means that the ABS is in some kind of error mode and has disabled itself. I now use the following 4-Step sequence to start the Engine:

1) Select the Headlight Low Beam (lower current draw than High Beam) and make sure the Heated Grips are switched off.

2) Turn the Key Switch to ON position.

3) Wait a moment for the Fuel Pump to Run and then Stop (about 3 to 4 blinks).

4) Crank the engine…the ABS lamps continue to blink simultaneously and then turn OFF once the wheels start turning.

I suspect that Battery Voltage level is a strong factor in the ABS Power-On-Self Test (POST). Anything that can prevent a drop in voltage level during the test is to be encouraged…hence the 4-Steps outlined above.

[stone]

I am currently having a similar problem ('99RT). At the beginning of cold weather last fall, my ABS lights began alternately blinking during cranking on the first start in the morning. I put a non-Westco jel battery in the bike and the problem was worse. I returned the battery, insisting that the next battery be fully charged immediately before installation. It was not much better. The mechanic suggested I have the computer checked at the dealer which I did. The dealer found no problem with the bike nor the battery but suggested using a trickle charger (BMW, of course). I purchased it and still the problem exists, although with some improvement. The initial mechanic feels there is a short in the system, especially since he personally uses this battery in his K1200LT w/o problem and has other satisfied customers. I am waiting for warmer weather before going further. I still believe the more likely problem is the battery but am not willing to throw $95 at it. If it continues into warmer weather, guess I will go after the short.

[JCS97RT]

Thanks to all that replied. Got the bike out this morning after all night on the charger with the tightened connections. Everything worked great. No alternating lights and ABS lights went out on take off. I am fully functional and waiting for the rain to let up around Dallas.