[plonk]

Dear All,

I hope this will not be "another" ABS question. Need valuable advise from you folks here. I'm lost...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~History~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bought a 2000 LT 3 weeks ago with a alternate flashing ABS.
Went to the dealer and found out that the valves in the ABS unit were jammed.

After 4 tries, the computer they attached to the socket below the seat managed to free up the valves. After the motronic reset, I was happily e-brake either the front or rear when the street is empty behind me, just so that the ABS can be "exercised" more often. That cost me like 30 USD. I'm in Singapore by the way.

So 3 weeks, ABS kicks in every day I ride, did the emergency brake couple of times each ride, all sweet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~How it was gone today~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At start stop traffic, when I begin to pull off in first gear, I would hear a loud "DING".. sounds very much like the side stand of any bikes being snapped back by the spring. Sound just came on today and it's not everytime I move off. It happened a couple of times and just before I clear off the jam, the alternating ABS started again immediately after pulling off slowly and hearing the last "DING". That was it. Alternate flashing ABS.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~What I guess I should do~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1)I think I should check and clean the ABS sensors first. Wouldn't hurt anyway.

2)The battery had been replaced a year back. I have no problems starting the bike each morning (about 26 degree Celcius here). The lights does go off for a moment (less than a second) each time the starter motor turns though.. Weak battery?

3)The cruise control is working fine. So i guess it's not the cable that's tied to the swing arm.

4)Buy a new ABS unit? That will cost me more than a month's salary. It's really not my option now. It's not myself to leave something not working as it is either, especially when it's yelling "ABS failure" right in front of you each time you ride.

The dealer told me that they had cases when ABS failed and they managed to reset it, it will fail again soon.. some failed in weeks, others in months. Don't know if whether resetting it again will help this time. Have to wait till Monday.

Does anybody know how the ABS unit work? I saw the unit before, it had two valves on top and understand that there's a PCB controller inside the unit. Really wish to know why the loud "DING" sound came on today.

I'm lost... please help? Many thanks.

 

[jrlakin]

same problem

I have the same problem on my 2000 LT. I purchased it last October with 8500 miles on it, and rode it all last winter and spring with no problems. When I took it for the 12000 mile service, I had to have rear brake pads, and a front fork seal replaced. I when I picked it up, the abs lights were flashing, and the tech put it on the computer reset it. He said the computer said it was working properly. I rode it for about 3000 miles, and they started flashing again. I just recently had it reset, and thus far it is fine. But, I can't seem to get an explanation as to why it happens. Meaning, the tech doesn't know. I also found out a new abs unit costs $1600, plus about 4-6 hours of labor to replace. For that price, I won't have abs brakes. jrlakin

 

[jzeiler]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~What I guess I should do~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1)I think I should check and clean the ABS sensors first. Wouldn't hurt anyway.

2)The battery had been replaced a year back. I have no problems starting the bike each morning (about 26 degree Celcius here). The lights does go off for a moment (less than a second) each time the starter motor turns though.. Weak battery?

On #1 It couldn't hurt.

#2 That is the load shed relay - it removes the lighting load during cranking of the engine - Normal.


You may be able to salvage the unit with a good flush of brake fluid, as the temps and humidity at your locale will rapidly deteriorate the fluid ( I've been there a few times). Even if you do end up replacing the unit - consider frequent flushes on the fluid. It will make the new unit last a lot longer.

 

[sglover005]

FLush Flush Flush at he pump and the Calipers. Use fresh DOT 4 (old fluid can have moisture in it, should be kept sealed tight). I purchased an air operated vacuum pump to do the flush. After dealer ran a retest, pump started functioning normally. I had a piston failure code. My fluid was dark and probably had never been flushed. Don't forget to flush your vehicles too.
2001 K1200LT 50K

 

[Kieth]

I am tired of the problems, I am just going to remove the abs unit, make up regular brake lines and run regular brakes.........It works on a all other motorcycles why not the LT?

 

[JPSpen]

I am tired of the problems, I am just going to remove the abs unit, make up regular brake lines and run regular brakes.........It works on a all other motorcycles why not the LT

Good Luck with that...:wave

Take lots of pics and document your procedure..
I'm sure there are others here who might do the same if it works out well for you..

John

 

[motoverda]

I just did the ABS removal on my 1999 R1100S. It is not that complicated and it will give you a chance to clean up the engine area. I bought stainless lines form Spiegler.

 

[edmann]

i replaced an abs unit on my '01 with 53000 miles. After reading about other people's abs problems i really think BMW has a major problem with these units.It's a shame because the unit is so expensive.

 

[grabitanrun]

Re: ABS unit

Hi All,
I've had problems with my unit for a few years, usually after riding for a while it would work, but this year it seems to have gone completely. Now someone suggested removing the unti and converting back to 'non-ABS' brakes, but I'm also having a problem with the engine fans not cutting in and BMW seem to think that the ABS control unit has dual functions - if you remove the control unit, do you have to fit a manual fan switch?

In the UK these units (incl fitting) are about £2000 ($3000USD), outrageous and seems to be more common than I'd realised. I've been looking round for a replacement, but they seem as rare as hens teeth. I've had my bike from new, it's done no mileage and is always garaged.

Any help appreciated.

Grabbit

 

[grabitanrun]

Interestingly the fan issue now cured, my Independent BMW engineer (who was my local BMW chief engineer for 20yrs) sorted it out.

Now trying to get the flipping ABS to work - really tempted to sell as my R1200C Cruiser also is awful - never taken out in the rain and ALL the chrome has gone - cost to replace £2400 - oh and BMW said, don't bother, its such poor quality it will only go again in a few years........

Blimey now there's an advert for a brand!!!!

Also the place were I get mine worked on has a constant line of problems with LT's Crusisers and GS's - was talking to a guy there a few weeks ago who has virtually spent the same amount on repairs for his 1200GS as he paid for it.

Really not impressed, I bought 4 bikes at the same time (3 Beemers), the only one without a fault is the Kawasaki - says it all really

Grabbit