Re: low voltage and ABS

["Steve Makohin" <wateredg@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hello Mark,

From: "Mark Rivera" <marr@xxxxxxxx>

> I was wondering about the low voltage & ABS issue..
>
> Isn't there somewhere we can place a capacitor to provide a buffer for the 
> ABS needs at start time?
>
> Is it the ABS microprocessor that's choking, or the ABS machinery (i.e., 
> that which modulates the brakes)?

It's the ABS computer. The problem shows up either as a result of an 
improper starting sequence, or a battery that needs fixing or replacing. 
It's easy to address the "bad starting sequence" problem by doing the 
following:

1 Ensure bike is in neutral, with brakes off and on level ground so it
 does not roll.

2 Kill switch to ON position

3 Ignition switch to RUN position

4 Wait 5 seconds (actually, about 3 is all you need, but wait 5, just
 to be safe). This gives the ABS computer time enough to boot up.

5 Engage starter button

If your ABS faults out at this point, the battery needs some care or 
replacement.

I don't know electronics well enough to tell you if putting in a big enough 
capacitor would circumvent these symptoms, but I ask: Why bother? Is the 
purpose of the capacitor to allow the rider to hit the start button a few 
seconds sooner, or to mask the presence of a potentially troublesome 
battery?

-Steve Makohin
'01 R1100S/ABS
Oakville, Ontario, Canada