ABS failure on R1200GS

[lrwbmw]

I bought a 2012 R1200GS from a friend a couple of years ago. The ABS unit had been rebuilt. After a few months the brake failure light came on and the speedometer worked sporadically.
The dealer diagnosed a bad rear wheel sensor. Less that a year later the same thing happened and the dealer replace the sensor under warrantee.
Recently the same thing happened again but this time the dealer told me the ABS module had failed and needed replacing, costing about $4000. The speedometer would not work each time I started the bike but would start to work normally after a few miles.
Recently I disconnected the rear wheel speed sensor and now the speedometer works normally, brake failure light remains on.
I would think that the dealer with their magical electronic tools could correctly diagnose this problem but it seems to me that the wheel speed sensor has again failed.

Has anyone experienced a similar problem?

 

[pglaves]

I would carefully examine the rear wheel sensor for any sign of physical damage. Repeated failures of the same part have to have a cause. Also, check the wiring and connectors to see if there is any visible damage or bad connection(s).

 

[lrwbmw]

Thanks Paul

I would carefully examine the rear wheel sensor for any sign of physical damage. Repeated failures of the same part have to have a cause. Also, check the wiring and connectors to see if there is any visible damage or bad connection(s).

It was particularly strange that the speedometer worked after I disconnected the rear wheel sensor. I thought that sensor was the one that provided input to the speedometer. The previous rear wheel sensor was replaced by the dealer under warrantee. The mechanic didn't find any external damage and told me it was a deflective part.

 

[98lee]

Is there a gap specification for that sensor to the ring?

 

[lrwbmw]

Rear wheel sensor was the problem

It was particularly strange that the speedometer worked after I disconnected the rear wheel sensor. I thought that sensor was the one that provided input to the speedometer. The previous rear wheel sensor was replaced by the dealer under warrantee. The mechanic didn't find any external damage and told me it was a deflective part.

Got a used rear wheel sensor on ebay. Installed it today and everything works, speedometer and ABS!

 

[Omega Man]

Thanks for letting us know how you made out.

OM