What's with this Brake Failure warning?? Any ideas? Now Resolved - just added Brake Fluid!

[Dusty]

My 2013 ST has developed an issue. Shortly after leaving home, the brake indicator light comes back on and the screen flashes brake failure. If I hit the brakes, they appear to work properly. If I stop, apply the park brake, shut the engine off, wait a minute then restart, release the park brake, and drive off, it is ok for a while. This happens more in the morning when the humidity is higher than it does any later in the day. Any suggestions short of taking it to the shop?

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their input on this issue. I have added brake fluid and the problem no longer exists. Thank you again and have a great day!
Dusty

 

[NautiBrit]

Top off the brake fluid, even if it looks ok. The Nanny is very sensitive to low fluid levels.

 

[PaladinLV]

Brake fluid is low!
Time to fill it up
This is NORMAL

AJ

 

[SpyderAnn01]

The ST had some issues with the brake light indicator switch sticking. Do you know if your brake lights are stuck on when you get the message? If they are you can clean the switch but it probably needs replacement.

 

[billybovine]

The ST had some issues with the brake light indicator switch sticking. Do you know if your brake lights are stuck on when you get the message? If they are you can clean the switch but it probably needs replacement.

From my own personal experience, a sticking brake light switch will not cause a brake failure message. I drove almost 2,000 miles with a sticky brake light switch and never had a problem except with the cruise control. Riding with your foot on the brake pedal will cause a fault however, because of the low pressure switch.

 

[billybovine]

My 2013 ST has developed an issue. Shortly after leaving home, the brake indicator light comes back on and the screen flashes brake failure. If I hit the brakes, they appear to work properly. If I stop, apply the park brake, shut the engine off, wait a minute then restart, release the park brake and drive off it is ok for awhile. This happens more in the morning when the humidity is higher than later in the day. Any suggestions short of taking it to the shop?

Likely low brake fluid, but rather than make a wild a** guess get the fault code. While the fault is active and displayed on the screen. Press Mode, Set and Turn Cancel at the same time. Post the code(s) on here and we will confirm.

Since it is 2013 it should be due for it's second brake bleed to change out the fluid.

 

[RiverCity45]

When I first got my 2012 RS, I encountered this problem. I discovered it was nothing more than my foot position unintentionally depressing the brake while riding. Nanny didn't like the brake being applied while accelerating. Go figure. Adjusting my foot position eliminated the problem.

 

[Wildrice]

Brake fluid is low!
Time to fill it up
This is NORMAL

AJ

AJ is correct - as the brake pads wear down, the calipers require more fluid to push the pads to the rotor's, which lowers the level of brake fluid in the reservoir. However, if the fluid level is significantly lower than that, either the pads are nearing replacement time; or possibly, a brake fluid leak exists.
Darrell

 

[Chupaca]

Reasons...

Some reasons mentioned here:

• fluid level
• brakelight switch
• brakelight bulbs
• brake pads
• foot on the brake pedal while ryding
• fluid level sensors

There may be more... :dontknow:

 

[OKey]

My 2013 ST has developed an issue. Shortly after leaving home, the brake indicator light comes back on and the screen flashes brake failure. If I hit the brakes, they appear to work properly. If I stop, apply the park brake, shut the engine off, wait a minute then restart, release the park brake and drive off it is ok for awhile. This happens more in the morning when the humidity is higher than later in the day. Any suggestions short of taking it to the shop?

I had this exact problem... I bought my 2010 RTS from a remote dealer this year in April.
Rode it for 150 miles, brought it to my dealer for an oil change and complete inspection.
Rode it off the lot and BANG... Brake Failure warning light came on. Brought it back and the topped off the fluid and the light went away....

STOP - then 75 miles later, Warning on Again...
The dealer "bled the line" ($200 worth). 2,500 miles later to date... everything is good. It did the fix.
:riding:

 

[tajohn]

Brake Light

Had the same problem until the service technician showed me how to put the brake reservoir caps on properly. There's a small raised bar on each cap that must face to rear of bike. This allows the air to escape w/o fluid loss.
Yes, it is in the manual.

 

[gcoyne9825]

I agree with your comment about brake fluid level. My parking brake would not release, I checked the fluid and it was down. Once I added fluid, the PB started working again.

 

[Uncleruckle]

Top off the brake fluid, even if it looks ok. The Nanny is very sensitive to low fluid levels.

Thank You. My 2013 RSS Brake sensor light started to flash. The Bike just turned 3,000 miles. Read the forums. It has been in the garage all winter with a tender on it. The Solution: Literally 2 Tablespoons of Brake Fluid. Thank You Again!

 

[BajaRon]

Thank You. My 2013 RSS Brake sensor light started to flash. The Bike just turned 3,000 miles. Read the forums. It has been in the garage all winter with a tender on it. The Solution: Literally 2 Tablespoons of Brake Fluid. Thank You Again!

Very common. If the reservoir gets down just a tiny bit, it can throw codes. A bit anal for my liking. It would be nice if BRP backed this sensor off a bit.

Remember to remove fluid from the reservoir BEFORE changing your brake pads! If you don't, you'll get brake fluid all over the back of your Spyder. Brake fluid is corrosive, but water soluble. So a good rinse will fix it if you forget.

On another note. Seems to be a rash of resurrected posts lately. I think I saw one from 2012 the other day. Could it be the 'Shelter At Home' that everyone has been doing? Though it does remind me of simpler days.

 

[nbaker313]

Very common. If the reservoir gets down just a tiny bit, it can throw codes. A bit anal for my liking. It would be nice if BRP backed this sensor off a bit.

Remember to remove fluid from the reservoir BEFORE changing your brake pads! If you don't, you'll get brake fluid all over the back of your Spyder. Brake fluid is corrosive, but water soluble. So a good rinse will fix it if you forget.

On another note. Seems to be a rash of resurrected posts lately. I think I saw one from 2012 the other day. Could it be the 'Shelter At Home' that everyone has been doing? Though it does remind me of simpler days.

Hey I was having the same issue with my 2013 STS. I took it to the dealer and found out that the sensors inside the brake reservoir were bad. They will sometimes stick to the bottom even when full of brake fluid. They put a new reservoir on with new sensors. Problem fixed.

 

[Nobodyjj]

Answer 11 is a sure bet if caps are not on properly. You will lose brake fluid through breather hole.

 

[Oldtimer51]

Brake Failure light on

I friend's 2013 RSS is showing the Brake failure light on and off front time to time. The right floorboard has dropped down a few times while this takes place under hard braking. I was wondering that since the exhaust is right next to the Master cylinder if the heat from it can either boil the fluid or just cause bubbles in the brake system. It only happens on HOT days under extensive long riding. I am going to wrap the entire exhaust pipe from the engine down to join the muffler. The tape is only 28 bucks anyway and does not look hard to do. I checked for leaks everywhere, there are no obvious leaks, and the fluid is at the correct level in both reservoirs. Any creative suggestions or ideas are welcome.

 

[2dogs]

When brake fluid drops it's time to keep a check on pad wear. I use a small flashlight and a dentist's mirror. Don't let them go down so far that they screw up your rotors.