ABS Control Module Replacement

970mike

970mike

Mike Brown
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Joined
May 6, 2008
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Age
67
Location
Lompoc, California
Bike
07 & 12 ST1300A
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I have been having issues with my ABS light flashing almost all the time on my Honda ST1300. I checked the service manual on how to check the codes and followed the manual and found that my bike was showing a code 14. I ran through all of the check lists and found that my ABS control module was bad. I ordered a used one off eBay as a new one from Honda was pretty pricey. The one I ordered showed up yesterday and I installed it, and first checking it for any fault codes. There was no fault codes. I took the bike for a quick spin around the block and it appears to be working great.
 
That is brilliant. Good diagnosis, great result.
There's nothing quite as good as having a significant problem and sorting it out.
Well, maybe.....no, never mind.

Well done you !
 
Things were going good for the first 200 miles and then I had another flashing ABS light, pulled the code and found It to be code 4 which turned out to be a bad front ABS modulator. I have replaced it with a used one off E-Bay and all is well again.
 
970mike said:
Things were going good for the first 200 miles and then I had another flashing ABS light, pulled the code and found It to be code 4 which turned out to be a bad front ABS modulator. I have replaced it with a used one off E-Bay and all is well again.
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I'm in the same boat as you. What I discovered is that the previous owner blead the brakes like an ordinary non-abs, non-linked brakes bike. The brake fluid extracted from the PCV valve was absolutely disgusting. Right now I have a code five (rear modulator) and foresee a code four (front modulator) very soon.
 
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SirSquid1300 said:
I'm in the same boat as you. What I discovered is that the previous owner blead the breaks like an ordinary non-abs, non-linked brakes bike. The brake fluid extracted from the PCV valve was absolutely disgusting. Right now I have a code five (rear modulator) and foresee a code four (front modulator) very soon.
Click to expand...
I have a rear modulator if you need one.
 
If the brake fluid was that bad, you might experience some problems with the SMC on the left front side. It has tiny passage ways that can clog. If the bad brake fluid was only in the PCV, you might have dodged a bullet.
 
970mike said:
I have a rear modulator if you need one.
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Thanks Mike. Unfortunately I already ordered a nearly perfect modulator off eBay for some $50 dollars. Per the Haynes manual the front and rear modulator are the same since the diagnostic sequence calls for you to swap them in order to validate the failure on one or the other.
 
Welp... it didn't take very much to figure out why the ABS system was flashing a fault code 5... Looks like the three pin connector cracked. I have no clue how it happened given that the modulator was clearly the original and I couldn't see any tool marks on the lock nuts securing the brake lines to the modulator. I'm going to finish the install tomorrow morning... what a bastard this thing was to remove.
 

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The manual says to drain the fluids
970mike said:
I have been having issues with my ABS light flashing almost all the time on my Honda ST1300. I checked the service manual on how to check the codes and followed the manual and found that my bike was showing a code 14. I ran through all of the check lists and found that my ABS control module was bad. I ordered a used one off eBay as a new one from Honda was pretty pricey. The one I ordered showed up yesterday and I installed it, and first checking it for any fault codes. There was no fault codes. I took the bike for a quick spin around the block and it appears to be working great.
Click to expand...
Did you have to completely drain the brake lines and cylinders before removing the ABS module?
 
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Jay1300 said:
The manual says to drain the fluids

Did you have to completely drain the brake lines and cylinders before removing the ABS module?
Click to expand...
I don't see why... it's just a box w/electronics... The manual sometimes does more than is needed.
 
Jay1300 said:
The manual says to drain the fluids

Did you have to completely drain the brake lines and cylinders before removing the ABS module?
Click to expand...
No I did not drain the fluid, I just pulled off the lines replaced it and then did a complete bleed of the system.
 
970mike said:
I have been having issues with my ABS light flashing almost all the time on my Honda ST1300. I checked the service manual on how to check the codes and followed the manual and found that my bike was showing a code 14. I ran through all of the check lists and found that my ABS control module was bad. I ordered a used one off eBay as a new one from Honda was pretty pricey. The one I ordered showed up yesterday and I installed it, and first checking it for any fault codes. There was no fault codes. I took the bike for a quick spin around the block and it appears to be working great.
Click to expand...

Hi,

Please help me diagnose the ABS fault code on my 2008 ST1300. The ABS light flashes in this sequence: One long steady ABS light followed by four flashes in quick succession, and the cycle repeats. Is it Code 14 or 4? I've cleaned the wheel ABS sensors, reset the ABS codes and the ABS light disappeared for one ride, but returned the next time I rode the bike. Could it be a weak sensor or more likely a faulty ABS control module? Otherwise, the brakes are working fine. Any help and guidance would be very much appreciated. Thank-you.
 
haridas said:
Hi,

Please help me diagnose the ABS fault code on my 2008 ST1300. The ABS light flashes in this sequence: One long steady ABS light followed by four flashes in quick succession, and the cycle repeats. Is it Code 14 or 4? I've cleaned the wheel ABS sensors, reset the ABS codes and the ABS light disappeared for one ride, but returned the next time I rode the bike. Could it be a weak sensor or more likely a faulty ABS control module? Otherwise, the brakes are working fine. Any help and guidance would be very much appreciated. Thank-you.
Click to expand...
You need to follow the instructions in the service manual which does take some time to figure out the problem.
 
Could be a historic code returning.
Have you cleared all the codes after you cleaned and checked everything?
 
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