hi folks, quick question, I have a new to me 2008 ultra classic with abs, on my speedo the abs light will come on and off intermitently. Im not sure if its supposed to be on all the time or just when there is a problem.One person told me it should be on at first but should go off when bike reaches 5 mph. does this sound right? also any thoughts on what I should start with in troubleshooting problem? I checked front caliper resevoir for brake fluid level and it was ok but was unable to check back brake because i need someone to hold bike upright to check level and i was alone. thanx for any help

 

I wanted ABS but didn't get it. I found that out when I read the manual and how the light is supposed to flash when you first start it up, to show it's working. Other than that, I don't know how it works.

 

According to the owner's manual (I also have an 08 Ultra), the ABS light should go off once your speed reaches at least 3 mph, and that's how it works on mine. So if yours is staying on or flashing, something's not right.

A quick search on this site came up with a thread that discussed a similar problem, and in that case, it looks like there was a broken or disconnected wire: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=9894723

JL

 

In an automobile the ABS will test itself once when the vehicle reaches 5 mph after start up. Probably the cycles test it self also at 5 mph. I know the light stays on until I take off, but I never looked at what speed it does this. I know if you are in your vehicle after start up and you put it in gear, if you lightly ride your brakes when you hit 5 mph you will feel the pedal pulse against your foot. This is the ABS pressuring up the lines quickly to test itself.
I will try this with the bike next time if I can remember to holdmy brakes after start up and at 5 mph.

 

Light should go off and stay off once you reach 5mph, I'm part of that thread and I had a wire that was being pulled up by the triple tree. If the ABS comes on after that it has detected a fault.

 

Your ABS light should flash when first started until you start moving then it should turn off. If it's flashing while riding you should have it checked.

 

where is this wire?

 

Left side of the steering neck, it was the wire going into a wire connector it's a two wire connector for the front wheel ABS, it was factory ziptied to something causing tension when the handlebars turned. I cut the ziptie and reparied the wire and never had a problem again.

This was on my 09 Road King

 

thanx everyone for the help, gonna trouble shoot with your suggestions.

 

I checked that harness and the wires appear fine. Nothing obvious at least.