ABS on gravel

wsmac1150r · Post by **wsmac1150r** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 1:52 pm

Still learning about my new bike. I have noticed that every morning when I leave the house, the ABS will not complete it's tests and I have to turn it off and restart. Any other time, there is no issue. Could it be the fact that I have a gravel driveway and that is what is preventing the ABS system from performing its normal start-up tests?

jon pierce · Post by **jon pierce** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 4:42 pm

No, the gravel will not be a problem.

Just to check with you - it only happens when you first start up in the morning - then if you turn off and on it is OK? Do you know that you must not touch the brake levers when first turning on the ignition? When I bought my current bike it was my first one with the new Evo brakes and I held the brake on (as I had always done with all me other BMWs) when first turning on the ignition - took me a couple of minutes to read the book that explains this......no touchie the brakie when turning on!

On my previous BMWs (pre evo) I would sometimes get what you describe and it was a result of low voltage from the battery. This can be overcome by waiting just a few moments after turning on the ignition before pressing the starter button...........of you may require a new battery.

Good luck.

wsmac1150r · Post by **wsmac1150r** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 4:54 pm

Thanks for the reply...to verify the issue, I always wait a few seconds after I turn the key on - enough time for the warning light to go off (the triangle light on the left)...the other light continues to flash until I reach 3 mph. And the problem ONLY exists when I leave in the morning and that's why I considered the gravel - it was the only thing different about any other time I start up.

The battery may be an issue. When I start up in the morning, it does turn over a little slower...I just got the bike and have to assume that it is the original (2002). I could would like to put a charger on it during the night, but I can't see how to do that. Do I have to purchase a special charger that plugs into the accessory plug or is there an easy way to access the battery?

jon pierce · Post by **jon pierce** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 6:49 pm

The gravel definately won't be the problem - so long as both wheels are turning the ABS will set.

Low voltage then? The really neat way to maintain the battery is through the accessory socket. The battery 'tenders' are a good idea to protect and maintain the battery for times when you don't ride the bike every day. In twenty years of BMW ownership I have never had to replace a battery.

The plug you need is available from many sources...........any BMW shop should sell them for about $6.

Post by **socalrob** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 9:43 pm

I would suspect slightly colder mornings with a longer period of the bike sitting (to drain the battery a bit more) are the culprit. I would consider a new battery.

wsmac1150r · Post by **wsmac1150r** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:54 am

When I arrived home last night I shut it off for a few minutes and took off again down the drive...no problem. This morning, however, it failed again. I will try charging the battery during the night and see if that makes a difference. Thanks!

leno · Post by **leno** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:14 am

Yes thats the battery fault spot on. It's quite well known to older owners (owners of older bikes?). My old 11r was so bad, after the second new battery I gave up. It would eat one every 6 months.