ABS light flashing intermittently?

ABS light flashes intermittently, usually first ride in the morning. Will often go off if I turn off the ignition then restart.

Any ideas as to what might be causing this?

 

Maybe try cleaning some contacts? Is it parked outside where perhaps condensation is getting in there? Fluid levels OK?

Don't own an ABS bike, so throwing random thoughts out there. Was also randomly wondering why is the sky blue? How do they ship Styrofoam? What's another word for thesaurus?....

 

My ABS light on my 6th gen comes on when first started but extinguishes after I get into gear and start rolling. Its done this since new, some 115,000 miles ago. But it does not flash.

Now when I was on this springs marathon ride, the light started flashing after I ran it for a few moment from cold, then continued all while I was ridinging it. Bike's battery kept going dead and was not recharging while I was running. Broke down in Regina and discovered my stator was fried. So that could be a good item to check out.

 

Could indeed be an impending charging system problems as per Randy's comment. Voltage instability can upset the ABS system as it tries to digitally monitor inputs from sensors whilst the ignition is on. It may be time to "do the drill". The ABS goes through a short system test when you first switch on but the ABS light should then stay on (not flashing) until the bike reaches above 6kmh at which point it should go out and stay out. Normally if the ABS light comes on after that, you have a system fault unless of course you are manically braking and the ABS braking is actively working to help stop the bike.

Just a thought - I am sure you meant the ABS lamp - But just in case - if it was the FI light flashing then it could be a MIL/Fault Code ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpHK7gMx2WY&list=UULPQanMaSMRas5gY1JCSaog

If it is the ABS light illuminating, then its probably worth cleaning the bike thoroughly and taking time to check for obvious things like dirt around the sensors, damage to wiring and badly worn pads, before heading to a dealer to get it checked. Personally I won't take risks with brakes.




SkiMad

 

Thanks Guys, I keep the bike pretty clean but will give it a good going over this weekend.

Skimad - Its the ABS light that flashes, its on as usual when you first start the ignition, then instead of going off as you pull away it then flashes and continues to flash until you turn off the ignition then turn back on at which point it goes off as normal.

Do you know where the various sensors are on the bike?

 

I had this issue with mine, was a temperamental O2 sensor heater circuit resistor. Caught it mid conniption fit one day and pulled over to count the flashes.

 

I had the same issue with mine a couple of years ago. I did everything I could to solve the problem, even changed the pads -it was almost time anyways- and cleaned as many connections as I could. Just about when I had my mind made up to take it to a dealer, and pay lost of money, I called and inquire about recalls not performed on this bike yet, turns out the main wiring harness needed to be changed at no cost to me.
Find out if yours has any recalls before you heed the great advice by these fine people on this forum.

 

OK I just wanted to be certain which light was flashing. Anyway in case you have not realised YES the ABS system has its own sneaky fault code diagnosis system, which is why your ABS light is flashing, and the code can be read by following the instructions set out in part 16 of the full service manual. If you already have a copy you will find a schematic on page 16-2 which shows where things are located. Pages 16-4 to 16-7 tells you how to retrieve the last two stored ABS fault codes, how to clear codes and what the code(s) mean... The biggest advice I can give is to follow those instructions PRECISELY.

Good luck with that if you do decide to try to decipher the ABS fault message - obviously the dealership staff are trained to do that so you could save a few hours of labour time if you can home in on a defect. If it points to a specific sensor - don't assume it is faulty - it could be the wiring to that sensor has sustained damage and could be causing intermittent or no signals to reach the ABS control unit. So depending on what fault code comes up you may need to review related components.

If you do not have a service manual, then send me a PM with your email as I may be able to help - but beware we are talking about a document well over 600 pages long so the file is massive and will take me ages to send and some email services tend to automatically reject messages with 200MB+ attachments, so please check your mailbox will allow that!




SkiMad

 

I have a burned copy just sitting here that I prepared for someone a week ago who no longer needs it. You can PM me with your addy and I can send it in the mail. Cheap too. Free.

 

Wow, thanks guys. Randy pm incoming.

Help on the forum is awesome!

 

Yes. Its good here But now that I have your addy, you had better be keeping a couple bottles of Highland Park 25 year old up in them cupboards for when I come over there again.

 

Ach, it's bottles of Tobermory and The Macallan in my cupboard.

 

From past posts I suspect The Macallan will pass muster... :smug:

 

Have had a couple different Macallans in there and yes, nice indeed. But I like them a bit sweeter. Love Drambui. HP reminded me a lot of that. Also like to shake things up a bit with the occasional bottle of Lavagulin. Far end of the scale from HP. A bottle of 12 year old Glenmorancie found its way up there last week. That is nice too. Hell, if is is scotch and single malt, its good.

 

Received the manual with much thanks. There's a wee whisky or 12 awaiting your next trip to Scotland!