ABS Pressure Modulator
Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 12:59 pm
I live in the UK and I own a 2007 R1200R which I bought new. It has covered approx. 17k miles.
I decided to take it and fill up with fuel before a recent trip to Snetterton. To my horror the brake failure light did not go out when I set off up the road.
The brakes worked fine but I assume with no ABS.
The brake failure light did not flash when the ignition was turned on as it is supposed to.
Had a look at the internet, as one does, and everything seemed to point to sticking brushes in the ABS Modulator motor. One suggestion was to lightly tap the motor case with a hide mallet. I tried this and the light started flashing which seemed to confirm the sticking brush diagnosis. I also checked the fault codes with my GS 911 which showed 2 codes described as faulty electrical supply to ABS Modulator which were no longer present when the brake failure light started flashing again after 1 tap with a mallet. Breathed a big sigh of relief, deleted the fault codes and prepared for a test ride. The brake failure warning light lit up and stayed on immediately so back to square one.
This is where it turns ugly. No one at BMW or the main dealer network accepts that the ABS modulator can be repaired. All they offer is a new unit at well in excess of £1k plus VAT plus fitting plus VAT. In all you are staring at a bill in the vicinity of £2k!! Ouch !! All because of sticking brushes! Even people using main dealer servicing once out of warranty were reported as being offered goodwill of the order of £300 towards the cost which is not a generous offer in my view.
Back to the internet and I discover that this is a significant problem widely reported by other riders with bikes fitted with the "integral" ABS system. Obviously becoming more common as the bikes age. The problem therefore applies to a wide range of bikes. There were several reports of BMW refusing to accept that there is a problem!
Life is too short to start arguing with the talking heads at BMW so I start searching for an alternative approach. I find a post on U-tube of a guy who has fixed the problem himself by separating the motor from the valve unit and opening it up to access the brushes. That is too high risk for me!
I find a guy in the USA that fixes the problem with better quality brushes and gives a 2 year guarantee. However the cost of postage, insurance, re-import vat and duties makes it a lot more expensive than at first appears. Then I found a firm at Rochester in Kent called BBA - Reman which is an international concern that fixes ABS units along with lots of other things for all sorts of vehicles. They provide a complete rebuild service and deal with known "issues" on specific units to a point where they give a lifetime warranty for as long as you own the vehicle. I used them to sort out my unit. Removal and replacement of the unit was fiddly but straightforward with the right tools. Draining and bleeding the brake lines was straightforward but a little tedious.
Unit fitted and test driven and all good, for about a quarter of the price BMW wanted. My GS911 confirmed that no faults were present and the brake failure light goes out once the bike exceeds 5mph. Plus I have a lifetime warranty and I have not bought a new unit which has every chance of the same problem recuring once out of warranty!
I have no connection with BBA - Reman other than as a satisfied customer. I have gained a great deal of personal satisfaction in not adding to the revenues of BMW by buying a product which ought to last the life of the machine.
The reason I keep the bike is because I enjoy riding it, despite several recalls and work being necessary under warranty that could fill another posting - but that's another story.
I decided to take it and fill up with fuel before a recent trip to Snetterton. To my horror the brake failure light did not go out when I set off up the road.
The brakes worked fine but I assume with no ABS.
The brake failure light did not flash when the ignition was turned on as it is supposed to.
Had a look at the internet, as one does, and everything seemed to point to sticking brushes in the ABS Modulator motor. One suggestion was to lightly tap the motor case with a hide mallet. I tried this and the light started flashing which seemed to confirm the sticking brush diagnosis. I also checked the fault codes with my GS 911 which showed 2 codes described as faulty electrical supply to ABS Modulator which were no longer present when the brake failure light started flashing again after 1 tap with a mallet. Breathed a big sigh of relief, deleted the fault codes and prepared for a test ride. The brake failure warning light lit up and stayed on immediately so back to square one.
This is where it turns ugly. No one at BMW or the main dealer network accepts that the ABS modulator can be repaired. All they offer is a new unit at well in excess of £1k plus VAT plus fitting plus VAT. In all you are staring at a bill in the vicinity of £2k!! Ouch !! All because of sticking brushes! Even people using main dealer servicing once out of warranty were reported as being offered goodwill of the order of £300 towards the cost which is not a generous offer in my view.
Back to the internet and I discover that this is a significant problem widely reported by other riders with bikes fitted with the "integral" ABS system. Obviously becoming more common as the bikes age. The problem therefore applies to a wide range of bikes. There were several reports of BMW refusing to accept that there is a problem!
Life is too short to start arguing with the talking heads at BMW so I start searching for an alternative approach. I find a post on U-tube of a guy who has fixed the problem himself by separating the motor from the valve unit and opening it up to access the brushes. That is too high risk for me!
I find a guy in the USA that fixes the problem with better quality brushes and gives a 2 year guarantee. However the cost of postage, insurance, re-import vat and duties makes it a lot more expensive than at first appears. Then I found a firm at Rochester in Kent called BBA - Reman which is an international concern that fixes ABS units along with lots of other things for all sorts of vehicles. They provide a complete rebuild service and deal with known "issues" on specific units to a point where they give a lifetime warranty for as long as you own the vehicle. I used them to sort out my unit. Removal and replacement of the unit was fiddly but straightforward with the right tools. Draining and bleeding the brake lines was straightforward but a little tedious.
Unit fitted and test driven and all good, for about a quarter of the price BMW wanted. My GS911 confirmed that no faults were present and the brake failure light goes out once the bike exceeds 5mph. Plus I have a lifetime warranty and I have not bought a new unit which has every chance of the same problem recuring once out of warranty!
I have no connection with BBA - Reman other than as a satisfied customer. I have gained a great deal of personal satisfaction in not adding to the revenues of BMW by buying a product which ought to last the life of the machine.
The reason I keep the bike is because I enjoy riding it, despite several recalls and work being necessary under warranty that could fill another posting - but that's another story.