This morning when heading off to work I noticed the brake warning light kept flashing and the ABS assist servos wouldn’t come on when I applied the brakes, leaving me with just the residual braking function (BMWs words, not mine).
Normally when switching on a BMW R1200GS the Brake failure light with flash quickly (4 times per second) for a few moments and then flash slowly (once per second) until the bike has started moving and the ABS self-test has completed. Also, during the bikes ignition start up, the brakes servo motors for start and then stop quickly, another self-test feature.
If there is a problem with the ABS system, the Brake failure light will keep flashing quickly (4 times per second) and the ABS servos will not start. This is what happened to mine this morning. Whilst the bike still has the residual braking function, i.e. no ABS and no power assist, it is still possible to ride the bike and the rider’s manual says to take the bike immediately to a BMW garage for them to run diagnostic tests.
However, experience has told me that BMW garages charge a lot of money and there is a simple 2 minute test you can run yourself to try to get the ABS re-enabled. Note: this should be done on firm level ground.
- Switch the bike off.
- Flick the brake levels (front and rear) several times.
- Switch the bike on.
- If servos still do not work:
- Switch bike off.
- Whilst pushing front level out & holding rear lever up…
- Switch bike on.
- If servos still do not work:
- Switch bike off.
- Check the rear brake light switch by the back level, ensure there isn’t any grit in it.
- Switch bike on.
The reason for doing these checks is to ensure the bike doesn’t think the brakes are engaged when the bike is being switched on. As indicated in the rider’s manual:
Warning: Self-diagnosis is not performed unless both brakes levers are in their fully released positions. Only the RESIDUAL BRAKING FUNCTION is available until self-diagnosis is completed.
The mostly likely time for this to occur is during or after off-roading when dirt and grit can become lodged in the switches. However, I have known it to happen for seemingly no reason at all. So before you spend your hard earned money at a BMW garage, run a few simple tests yourself.
This exact situation happened to my 1200GS yesterday and your reset procedure solved the problem. I will have to wait to see if this problem reoccurs but for now it is fine. Thanks for the help as I am on a road trip and finding service is difficult.
Don,t know how you found out that this proceedure works, but it does, saved me a headache, call for a drink next time around chesterfield derbyshire uk
Glad it saved you a trip to the garage! Taking the bike off road, I always try to fix things myself before taking it to the garage, otherwise I’d spend a fortune on it.
thanx muchly aide,i had exact same fault on my way home from work yesterday,parked my bike on level solid ground did the test procedue and wnen pulling away the brake failure light went off as per normal,must give her a good clean now!!!!! lol
great advise.keep up the good work mate.cheers!!
Are we taking about the red light, mine seems to stay on all the time once the bike is started and moving, The BMW workshop says that the servo is the problem and it will cost R26,000.00 to repair.I will obvously try these steps you mention and will see if that fixes the problem.
My 2005 model with integral ABS does the same but all is well while it does the diagnosis pre-start. However, once you use the brakes the ABS light flashes at 4HZ and the warning light comes on. Seems the rear servo pump has packed up (no pressure in rear circuit says diagnostics) according to BMW, a US$2500(!!) repair. What a stupid design to have electrics embedded in a expensive component. Any electric motor is a high wear component and should b serviceable. Wonder if that’s the reason why they changed it in 08/2006?!