ABS Light is staying on.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 755
Likes: 189
From: Sartell, Minnesota
I just got that problem fixed on my 10 Ultra. The dealer told me the crimps that were on the wiring harness going to the front sensor were bad. It took the tech a while to find it. I wish I would have been a little more persistent in trouble shooting, as it cost me $50, my ESP deductible.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
Novice
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Savannah, Georgia
I had the 2011 RGU until the 2017 RGU came out. I now ride it. But I did have an issue with my 2011 similiar to yours. My front brake was hard to pull, I mean really hard to pull, you could work it lose but it would always be hard to pull when I first got on it for the day. I am a daily rider so these things you do notice. I did see my ABS light on too. So I went to the dealer and asked about it. Seems the brake fluid only has a shelf life of around 12 months, manual is written for 24 months, well manual is wrong and soon to be revised if not already. When the brake fluid is at the end of it's like limit, it will allow moisture in the brake system causing corrosion on the ABS module, this is the unit that opens up and puts fluid pressure where it needs to be when brakes are applied. Sure enough, my module needed replacing. It can only be done by a dealer, seems that the bleed procedures are not simple and require a special tool (electronic tool) to do the bleeds. Yes, I know, I thought that was bull crap too! But it is true! After it was all over and done, $600 later with a new module, everything was back to normal. So I bought the new bike when they came out in September. So keep clean brake fluid in the bike and you will not have any issues. Road Hog out.....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
Seems the brake fluid only has a shelf life of around 12 months, manual is written for 24 months, well manual is wrong and soon to be revised if not already.
When the brake fluid is at the end of it's like limit, it will allow moisture in the brake system causing corrosion on the ABS module, this is the unit that opens up and puts fluid pressure where it needs to be when brakes are applied...
When the brake fluid is at the end of it's like limit, it will allow moisture in the brake system causing corrosion on the ABS module, this is the unit that opens up and puts fluid pressure where it needs to be when brakes are applied...
and brake fluid doesn't start absorbing moisture at the end of it's useful life. it starts absorbing moisture the second that the bottle is opened. it's just at 24 months, the mfg has deemed that it may have absorbed enough moisture to be detrimental to the safe use of the equipment.
you did notice that this was a 5 year old thread?
Stage III
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: folsom, Louisiana
same thing for me, 2011 Eglide ultra limited, bike was fine yesterday except I noticed that the ABS light stayed on and this morning when I went out to ride I found that the front brake grip was acting frozen, couldn’t budge it, obviously I am out of the extended warranty and have no money to get it fixed, I will check the front ABS module wiring and then if I have to I will bleed the brakes, heck....I’ll bleed them anyway, I’lol let Y’all know what i find out
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 577
From: memphis
same thing for me, 2011 Eglide ultra limited, bike was fine yesterday except I noticed that the ABS light stayed on and this morning when I went out to ride I found that the front brake grip was acting frozen, couldnt budge it, obviously I am out of the extended warranty and have no money to get it fixed, I will check the front ABS module wiring and then if I have to I will bleed the brakes, heck....Ill bleed them anyway, Ilol let Yall know what i find out
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
EDIT
Sorry for posting in a dead thread.
Last edited by Campy Roadie; Jan 15, 2018 at 09:50 AM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,893
From: Oklahoma
rbowlin, sorry, you have the classic ABS module failure, it is internal corrosion, not wiring, not able to be fixed by a fluid flush NOW. Fluid is stopped at the ABS module and can't get to the appropriate caliper. That causes the hard lever or pedal. Replacing the controller is the only true fix, around $700 for the controller and labor varies to make the whole job run between $1000 and $1200. Some have fabricated short jumper lines and plumbed around the ABS controller for a return to standard braking. Make a report on the NHTSA web site. The more people reporting, the better chance for a recall. This malfunction (locking out that brake) should not even be possible, but there are hundreds of occurrences now.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,863
Likes: 55
From: Sedalia,Missouri
I really question how good our ABS systems are. This discussion is almost identical to what I read on the C5 Corvette Forum. C5 owners including myself receive codes indicating ABS failure. To make matters worse the ABS module is no longer available for C5 owners. The cars can still be driven without the ABS, just regular brakes like in the old days.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,459
Likes: 2,893
From: Oklahoma
I really question how good our ABS systems are. This discussion is almost identical to what I read on the C5 Corvette Forum. C5 owners including myself receive codes indicating ABS failure. To make matters worse the ABS module is no longer available for C5 owners. The cars can still be driven without the ABS, just regular brakes like in the old days.
This a recall from Harley-Davidson Manufacturer Recall Number0171
NHTSA Recall Number18V-076
Recall StatusRecall IncompleteSummaryField data indicates that an elevated number of motorcycles within the subject population may not have had the DOT 4 brake fluid flushed in accordance with the 2-year maintenance cycle specified in the OwnerÂ’s Manual and Service Manual, possibly due to lack of owner awareness of the importance of regular flushes on their ABS-equipped bikes. Our testing indicates that if the DOT 4 brake fluid is not flushed for a prolonged period of time beyond the 2-year maintenance schedule, a braking issue may develop. Specifically, over an extended period of time, the DOT 4 brake fluid, which is hygroscopic (i.e., it will absorb water from the atmosphere), may begin to gel, which can lead to the formation of deposits on the brake components.
NHTSA Recall Number18V-076
Recall StatusRecall IncompleteSummaryField data indicates that an elevated number of motorcycles within the subject population may not have had the DOT 4 brake fluid flushed in accordance with the 2-year maintenance cycle specified in the OwnerÂ’s Manual and Service Manual, possibly due to lack of owner awareness of the importance of regular flushes on their ABS-equipped bikes. Our testing indicates that if the DOT 4 brake fluid is not flushed for a prolonged period of time beyond the 2-year maintenance schedule, a braking issue may develop. Specifically, over an extended period of time, the DOT 4 brake fluid, which is hygroscopic (i.e., it will absorb water from the atmosphere), may begin to gel, which can lead to the formation of deposits on the brake components.