So after several weeks of troubleshooting an ABS problem with my 1200GS I thought I'd post a summary of the issues and the final solution here in case it can help anyone else.

Background:
I've got just under 70,000kms on the bike
2007 Model BMW 1200GS
ABS version II
We have ridden all terrain, not just road.
I use the GS-911 diagnostic unit connected to my WM5 HP iPaq phone.
The ABS issue occured just after another error with the wheel speed sensor (41445 I think).

Error reported by GS-911:
10220: Can-bus timeout: no communication with ABS control unit.

Symptoms:
Brake Failure warning light on the Dashboard.
ABS doesn't work.
No speedo.
No odometer (ie. no distance travelled is recorded at all, counter stays at zero)

Inspections and repairs:
There are no issues with FD (yet) checked play on rear bearings.
There are no metal shards or filings in the FD oil.
The battery was dead so I have replaced the battery.
I have inspected both front and rear wheel speed sensors. The rear looked damaged by heat and so I replaced it.
The bike runs fine apart from the Brake Failure warning light.
The Dash works fine, ie clock, fuel indicator revs and oil temp all work fine.

The brake fluid was changed (supposedly) last year (under 20,000kms). BMW recommends every 2 years of 20,000kms. So I can't see why this should be a problem.

As a result of the constant brake failure, my rear brake light didn't work when activated by either front or rear brakes. IMO This is very dangerous. All the other problems linked to the ABS failure are ok and means the bike is ridable but no brake lights are for me a critical saftey issue.

I had run out of options so started calling BMW mechanics to get their input, I finally resorted to taking it into a BMW repair shop and they diagnosed using the BMW diagnostic unit. I didn't get the exact read out but it was something along the line that the ABS pump failed and could not be re-initialised. The mechanic I told me he tried to reset/flash the ABS unit but this didn't help.

The Mechanic didn't try to bleed the circuit but I think it probably was too late if the ABS had already completely failed...

Bottom line:
ABS is toast. I need a new ABS pump. This part is $1700.

The Mechanic is also doing a couple of recalls on my bike at the same time. I'll let you know the pain when I get the bike back, but it's likely to be over $2000...

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TurboCharger + Francois (our BMW R1200gs) '07
www.riding2up.net, blog.riding2up.net