Unable to clear ABS code

Discussion in 'Maintenance' started by ashley prince, Jun 11, 2016.

  1. ashley prince

    ashley prince New Member

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    Hi everyone, new member/ first post. 2009 CBR1000RR ABS.

    I was going to attempt to bleed the ABS system, but I can't enter bleed mode due to ABS fault code 53.

    I have the service manual and followed the procedures beginning on 17-9 to clear the code, but the code does not clear.

    The manual states that the ABS indicator should blink 2 times. If not, repeat the procedure. If it blinks 2 times and continues to blink, faulty ABS system. Well, I have tried like 30 times, but I never receive 2 blinks. It ignores my lever pulls and continually flashes 5-3.

    Jumper wire, check.
    Fuses removed, check.
    (Fuses installed?, check).
    Battery removed, battery reinstalled, check.
    Kill switch set to RUN, check.

    Am I missing something completely obvious?
     
  2. CBR-Pete

    CBR-Pete Active Member

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    Hi and welcome, If you have followed the steps by the book and still have an issue you will need to follow the steps in the "combined abs indicator circuit troubleshooting" part starts at 17-12. It's not an easy thing to do on these blades and it takes ages to get right.
     
  3. Slick

    Slick Elite Member

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    welcome dude!,

    Firstly you do not necessarily need to clear DTC before the bleed, secondly to clear the code the fuses need to be in place!.
    If you have attempted a bleed and not completed you will need remove the jumper and switch the ignition off and on 5 times to reset.

    To start the ABS bleeding procedure

    you need the fuses removed
    Jumper installed.
    Good battery
    on paddocks

    then follow the lever sequence to activate the procedure.

    Ive previously had a 5-3 and it was fixed by a good caliper service, sticking pistons may cause the pistons to over retract causing a pressure loss, the power unit will not be able to compensate and cause the system to go into failsafe.

    If you are still having problems getting it into the bleed mode it could be a faulty ABS ECU, if you can your hands on a spare ECU you can check before having to spend cash on a replacement. If you are local to Iver, bucks happy to lend you mine.

    Good luck!
     
  4. ashley prince

    ashley prince New Member

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    Thanks for the suggestions!

    I assumed I couldn't enter bleed mode due to the fault, because, just like trying to clear the fault, no matter how many times I tried to enter bleed mode, the lever combo wouldn't work. I had also tried the 5 off/on ignition, but I couldn't get that to work either.

    There must be a failed component preventing me from clearing the fault and bleeding.

    Thanks for the offer, Slick, but I'm from the States. I'm afraid I'll have to take Pete's suggestion and run through the ABS circuitry troubleshooting tree. What a headache.

    The 5-3 code goes away on its own sometimes, so I could put the ol' girl back together and ride her around and hope it clears itself, and hope that magically allows me to bleed the system. I stupidity made the mistake of tearing her down immediately following a ride where the ABS failed.

    Thanks again for your help!
     
  5. ShinySideUp

    ShinySideUp Elite Member

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    Ash,

    Your problem sounds very similar to what we had, the bikes abs system just refused to do what we wanted it too.

    We originally tried to put the thing in bleed mode, tried many many times thinking it was a timing thing even posted thread up here about it.

    That then led onto fault codes and all sorts but in the end it was the ecu that was the issue, the bike was one of the first abs bikes to be shipped in the uk, ecu seemed to work ok as long as no service work was carried out.

    As soon as we picked up another abs ecu the system allowed us to carry out all the functions we asked it too with ease, entered bleed mode many times first time every time we tried and after we finished off the work we wanted to do cleared the fault memory without issues too.

    This for us was just the start of our dislike and plummeting confidence in the blades abs system, not too long after this the owner started getting more issues with the lever traveling to the bar without actually braking, eventually with no confidence in the system we set about removing the system completely and turned the bike into a non abs bike, he has never had any further issues with the brakes and work first time every time just as a brake system should.

    Good luck.
     
  6. ashley prince

    ashley prince New Member

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    Good info, Shiny. Thanks. Looks like I'll be spending the next 6 hours rummaging through ecu swap forum posts. But before I do that, what are your thoughts on buying another ECU? A quick search found some used ABS ECUs on ebay, starting around $200. Buying used makes me nervous for obvious reasons. Are there reputable resellers out there? Do companies like that even exist, or should I go straight to Honda?
     
  7. ShinySideUp

    ShinySideUp Elite Member

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    We picked up a second hand abs ecu from a breaker here in the uk who is also a forum member on here, we got a 2012 version ecu (every yr Honda tries to tweak the ecu in order to eliminate the problems but never fully have!) the 2012 version eliminated battery drain issues and such and was newest we could find without spending a fortune and at the time abs was still an optional upgrade so more non abs blades than abs versions were out there.

    The 2012 cost us £40 if I remember correctly, the abs ecu's are just plug and play well once you have stripped the back end off the bike to get at the ecu under the seat cowl.
     
  8. sinewave

    sinewave God Like

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    Remove it OP, tiz a Bag-O-Shyte and ya Bike will be worth more without it.

    Main reason I sold mine and bought a ZX10.

    My GSXR has ABS and works flawlessly, purely down to the fact it's a BOSCH system and they, unlike Honda know what they're doing! :rolleyes:
     

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