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Hi,

I am new here having bought an 02 BCR in November last year.

Yesterday on my way home my brakes developed what appears to be a major fault.

I have searched these forums and found brake issues but not the same as this.

The brakes went into what i think was 'residual braking' mode (having googled this to death since)

On top of this the ABS activated without the wheels locking up


I limped the bike home. Today i took it out to test them.

The brakes went through the start up sequence fine and i rode round for ten minutes ish and all was fine, as i came up the path home the lights came on (the exclamation mark light was on with the brake failure light flashing rapidly)

As this happened the ABS kicked in with a clunk. but at least this time the servos were assisting the brakes!

I rode round for ten mins or so like this (if i stop the engine the brakes start up ok then after a few mninutes the lights flash again) the brakes worked ok i.e. there is proper braking force however the ABS kicks in too eagerly with a clunk.

I am scared that this is going to cost a small fortune.

Also i am a little concerned that electronics can cause a brake failure like this.

Any ideas what this might be???

First thing to check with ABS/warning light problems; is the battery in the best of health? Make sure it's fully charged. Someone here had an ABS sensor fail causing problems - just as they were selling the bike before Christmas? I cant remember who or exactly what it was.
I took the ABS (1999) out, it was more noise/trouble than it was worth.
And I gained about 2 HP with the energy used/weight saved.

Ask RoLoo. I believe he's had a similar experience. Dunno how he solved it / what caused it.

HJ

Thanks for the quick replies chaps.

I bought a brand new gel battery 6 weeks ago and use an optimiser, so am confident the battery is good.

Oyster - I am thinking of taking the ABS off as i love this bike, but don't trust tthe brakes anymore. How hard is this? i think it is the iabs system...


hjr1100s - will pm RoLoo - thanks.

klunk

I had the same problem and it was a problem with the front abs sensor but only happened now and again so was hard to check and my local steeler.

Symptoms weren't exactly the same but my ABS problem was a misaligned rear ABS sensor. It happened the day before it sold it. The dealer diagnosed and fixed it for £50, which I count as a lucky escape .

Cheers

Ian

klunk wrote:...will pm RoLoo...

...here's the story : click-click
...it must be here also, somewhere, but couldn't find it...

...the whole ABS unit, with a few bits and pieces, was replaced for a new one, under full BMW warranty…

…did I lost faith in the ABS system : no…
…both bike have it, and strange enough I hardly think about the problem anymore…

…after the repairs the 1100 felt save again…

…BTW ; the whole repair was around 2.400 Euros…(I’m glad BMW paid for it…)

Me to roloo i think the system is very good and i had an early non abs and a servo bike and the brakes are in a different league . i still trust the brakes no question

ian

Mine is an early, pre servo bike. My ABS was, I believe, only to prevent lock up. Later models have servo boost too. Taking the ABS out is easy, just disconnect everything, take out the dedicated ABS relay and fit direct brake lines. I do not know about the newer systems.
My advice, check the air gap between the toothed wheel and sensor, both front and rear. Feeler guage for this is in the tool kit. Check the sensor wire plug connectors all the way up. Then dealers.
Good luck.

This link here was probs I had that ended up with brake issue probs & a final invoice of £3k. Luckily the total tab was picked up by Vines under warranty. At the time I was so pissed that I wanted to offload the bike, that was back in Nov 05. I've still got the same bike, done another 12k since in all weathers with no probs, but if the ABS gives again I'll be looking to ditch it off the bike & run without.

It's tempting not to bother with cleaning the bike in this shitty weather, but ultimately you're asking for problems with the brakes, a general washdown to get the dirt & roadsalt off takes no more than half hour tops.

Nero

Thanks for the replies.

Does anyone know if i can remove the servo ABS system?

If so how difficult/expensive is it?

Also is there anywher i can go for further advice, i have searched and searched and found very little.......................

quick report for all those who replied.

I washed the abs sensor thoroughly, i.e. got rid of a couple of weeks of salty build up and the brakes have been perfect since!!!


be warned abs owners don't let the bike get dirty!!!