1 ABS starts flashing during ride (>5000 rpm) Sun Dec 07, 2014 8:10 am
Born Again Eccentric
Life time member
Here's one for you learned people....it's been bugging me for a while (OK - most of the year).
I have ABS on my '91 K100LT (8V) and it all does exactly what it is supposed to do right up to the point where I get my revs somewhere over 5000 rpm and then it starts flashing at me as if to tell me there is a fault and my ABS is disabled. Turning off the ignition resets the ABS unit and it all behaves as it is supposed to until I get above 5000 rpm again.
In normal riding:
This is exactly what is supposed to happen.
However, regular as clockwork, if I get on an open stretch of road and crank open the throttle, somewhere between 5000 and 5500 rpm the ABS and RLM warning lights start to flash at me. At times, I can even be sitting at steady revs above 5000 rpm but sooner or later, the ABS/RLM will start to flash. Using the ABS switch on the dash, I am able to stop the flashing and get the steady red warning lights for a period of time after which they start flashing again and need another push of the switch.
My initial thought was it was some problem with the ABS sensor gap - but that doesn't explain it working perfectly for 99% of my riding (1000 - 5000 rpm). My second thought was that it was a vibration issue (a combination of engine vibration and vibration induced by the road surface) - at higher revs, could this affect the ABS brain, electrical connections or the sensors? As the ABS brain resets as soon as the ignition turns off, I haven't determined any fault codes....is there a test set up I could fix up to identify the fault code while riding (a lash up that I could safely use on a clear straight section of road)? My third thought was ignore it - accept that it will happen and accept that, when it does, the ABS will be inoperative, although it is distracting having red lights glaring at you - especially at night.
On longer distance rides, I have got in the habit of turning the ignition off to clear the fault whenever I pull up at traffic lights etc. I have even tried turning the ignition off and on again while riding at a good road speed and effectively bump starting the bike again - it works....but it's not the safest operation and probably not too good for the bike either.
I have only experienced this problem in 5th gear....mainly because that's the gear I am in when doing the sort of speeds that 5000+ rpm give you in 5th. Is it worth cranking up to 5000+ rpm in a lower gear to see if the same fault occurs. I reckon I get the usual amount of vibration from the engine at higher revs for a K100, certainly nothing extraordinary or uncomfortable. Is the ABS brain (located in the duck tail) particularly susceptible to vibration - should I add some rubber padding to the mount to help isolate it more?
Has anyone else experienced this fault? Any suggestions what the problem is and what to do about it?
Sorry for the 1001 questions...but as I said, this fault is bugging me!
I have ABS on my '91 K100LT (8V) and it all does exactly what it is supposed to do right up to the point where I get my revs somewhere over 5000 rpm and then it starts flashing at me as if to tell me there is a fault and my ABS is disabled. Turning off the ignition resets the ABS unit and it all behaves as it is supposed to until I get above 5000 rpm again.
In normal riding:
- ignition on - ABS flashes, Rear Light Monitor (RLM - Triangle indication on instruments) steady red.
- operate front & rear brakes - ABS and RLM both flash in unison.
- move off - ABS and RLM lights go out
This is exactly what is supposed to happen.
However, regular as clockwork, if I get on an open stretch of road and crank open the throttle, somewhere between 5000 and 5500 rpm the ABS and RLM warning lights start to flash at me. At times, I can even be sitting at steady revs above 5000 rpm but sooner or later, the ABS/RLM will start to flash. Using the ABS switch on the dash, I am able to stop the flashing and get the steady red warning lights for a period of time after which they start flashing again and need another push of the switch.
My initial thought was it was some problem with the ABS sensor gap - but that doesn't explain it working perfectly for 99% of my riding (1000 - 5000 rpm). My second thought was that it was a vibration issue (a combination of engine vibration and vibration induced by the road surface) - at higher revs, could this affect the ABS brain, electrical connections or the sensors? As the ABS brain resets as soon as the ignition turns off, I haven't determined any fault codes....is there a test set up I could fix up to identify the fault code while riding (a lash up that I could safely use on a clear straight section of road)? My third thought was ignore it - accept that it will happen and accept that, when it does, the ABS will be inoperative, although it is distracting having red lights glaring at you - especially at night.
On longer distance rides, I have got in the habit of turning the ignition off to clear the fault whenever I pull up at traffic lights etc. I have even tried turning the ignition off and on again while riding at a good road speed and effectively bump starting the bike again - it works....but it's not the safest operation and probably not too good for the bike either.
I have only experienced this problem in 5th gear....mainly because that's the gear I am in when doing the sort of speeds that 5000+ rpm give you in 5th. Is it worth cranking up to 5000+ rpm in a lower gear to see if the same fault occurs. I reckon I get the usual amount of vibration from the engine at higher revs for a K100, certainly nothing extraordinary or uncomfortable. Is the ABS brain (located in the duck tail) particularly susceptible to vibration - should I add some rubber padding to the mount to help isolate it more?
Has anyone else experienced this fault? Any suggestions what the problem is and what to do about it?
Sorry for the 1001 questions...but as I said, this fault is bugging me!
__________________________________________________
Paul
"Heidi" K100LT 1991 (Grey) (VIN 0190172 Engine No. 104EB 2590 2213) - 5th owner. January 2014 (34,000 - 82,818 miles and counting....)
"Gretel" K100LT 1989 (
"Donor" K100LT 1990 (Red) (VIN 0178091 Engine gone to Dai) - 6th & final owner (crash write-off now donor bike). June 2012 (73,000 miles) to November 2013 (89,500 miles)