Break fluid questions

[ltlfeat]

The breaks work fine but.........The ABS flashing lights started coming on last fall in the cold weather but would clear after a wrm up period and a restart. I spoke with sercice tech at a local BMW dealership and was told as long as it would clear itself not to be concerned it was common.......ok
Now its summer and it has started again. Checked fluid level for the front break reservoir and found it is overfull to the very top. Put the cover back on and went to check the rear reservoir under the seat.......How the heck do I get the cover off.........without removing tupperware ?........Ive read here somwhere there is a 2nd rear break reservoir ?
Any and all help is greatly appreciated

[was]

Hey, Steve. I haven't heard of the ABS self-check procedure being affected by ambient temperature before, and clearly that diagnosis is incorrect since it happened when the cold weather started in the fall and now is happening again with hot weather. Had it stopped in between? To have an idea about what you should look for with the rear reservoir it would help to know the year the bike was built. Also any other history regarding the ABS, brakes, etc. would be helpful.

[jzeiler]

Steve if you had the lights and they went away you must have an 01 or later with integral brakes. 01 to 04 the rear reservoir is the only one (two chambers) that is monitored. And yes you just about have to remove tupperware to easily get to it. Add a little to both chambers to be safe as one feeds the front wheel circuit and one feeds the rear wheel circuit and rear M/C.

On the front reservoir - to accuratly set the level you need to take off the handle bar cover and the switch assy. Then loosen the clamp and level the reservoir top(it naturally slopes down) then set the level of the fluid to the notch at the front. This reservoir is not monitored by the ABS system and is best checked by looking in the sight at the side of the reservoir.

[jsdietri]

Steve,

I have a 2002 LT and I've found that I have to remove the rear set of screws on the right side tupperware to get a good at the rear reservoir. You can then flex the tupperware (gently!) to get in there. It appears to me the reservoir has two chambers and there are also two screw off tops. You can then open the tops, get a good visual, and add a little fluid.

I had a service done last fall and found that I had to add a little fluid three times (in ever increasing intervals) when I received an alarm. Now it has been about 6 thousand miles without a recurrence. My guess is that the tech left some air in the circuit that has "burped" its way back to the reservoir, but that's thoroughly uneducated guess. In any event, the brakes never stopped working, and all seems well now.

Next time - different tech.

-John
Parker, Colorado
2002 K1200LT

[SilverBuffalo]

I had a service done last fall and found that I had to add a little fluid three times (in ever increasing intervals) when I received an alarm. Now it has been about 6 thousand miles without a recurrence. My guess is that the tech left some air in the circuit that has "burped" its way back to the reservoir, but that's thoroughly uneducated guess. 2002 K1200LT
It's been my experience that the fluid level goes down as the brake pads wear,
so possibly that might explain the flashing lights that went away by adding a little fluid.
It only takes a couple of minutes to 'pull" the pads to check their thickness if it's a concern.

[McAllister]

I haven't heard of the ABS self-check procedure being affected by ambient temperature before, and clearly that diagnosis is incorrect since it happened when the cold weather started in the fall and now is happening again with hot weather.

His diagnosis may very well be correct. It has happen to me before. Usually at the Falling Leaf Rally in Missouri right when the weather turns cooler. I can almost count on getting the same indication when the temps start dropping and I have an occasion to let the bike sit outside rather than in a garage overnight. Once the sun is up and the temps rise the flashing stops. A quick "top off" of both reservoirs (or "chambers") and I'm good to go. It is entirely possible that he could see the original indication in the fall due to the temp change (viscosity change) and again in the warmer weather when the brakes had worn enough to lower the fluid levels. There may be one indication but there can be multiple causes for that indication.

[ltlfeat]

It is a 2002. The lights will clear after a warm up period and restart,same as last fall .Im going to try to access the rear break reservoir under the back seat this weekend ,top it off if needed and hope for the best. Any other advise before I start is appreciated also
Thanks