R1100GS ABS motor relay

[hoss18]

Small problem last night, pulled up in my driveway only to hear the sound of an electric motor whirring away. (Beauty I thought Ive also got an electric bike) Being a bit puzzled I pulled over and turned the motor off but the electric whir continued on. Figuring that this BMW wont beat me I disconnected the battery - that stopped it! Pulled the petrol tank reconnected the battery and found the noise was coming from the ABS pump. Did some reading and found that the pump motor is controlled by a relay (hidden under a cover next to the pump - BMW will have to try harder than that to beat me). Pulled the relay out and tested it - failed. Uh ha I thought gotcha, I will just replace the relay and away I go again. After all how much can a relay be - even a BMW one. Relay has a number on it 'Siemens V23134 - J51 - x188' check with Siemens database - guess what .... a special order by FAG for BMW. Its a fairly standard power relay (F7) inside, used throughout the automotive industry with the only real difference being the way the plugs on the bottom are shaped (the 'x188' part of the part no.). These relays vary in retail price roughly from $20 - $120 (depending on voltage/coil ratings etc eg 12v / 30amp is $20, 24v/150amp is $120). Quick internet check shows BMW OEM price in US $130 (in stock) UK 95E (in stock).....About what I would expect with the price including dealer profit/handling etc).

Morning arrives ring my local Australian BMW supplier - Sorry not in stock 3- 5 weeks from Germany and that will cost you the minor sum of $336 thank you. These are the same dealers that are crying poor because we buy our parts o/s. With all the Australian BMW customers that are making these same complaints about Australian pricing you would think that BMW International would do something about the Australian BMW franchise - I know not in my lifetime !!!!

I refuse to pay this Australian price - will check out second hand (I know not best option for relays) if no luck will buy new o/s.

[hoss18]

Just while I was waiting I decided to look inside to see what a $330 relay looked like.

Outside


Inside


Nice coil inside and there are twin contact points. Hard to tell from photo but one of the points contact surface has worn away completely from the base and the other set are fairly well had it.

[Lensgrinder]

Could you rewire a different relay connector to the motor leads to accept a more readily available and reasonably priced relay from an auto parts store?

[Twilight Error]

A couple short lengths of 16ga wire, male and female spade terminals and a relay matching the rating of that one should get you back on the road for about 1/10 what BMW wants for the real part.

[ragtoplvr]

Originally Posted by Twilight Error

A couple short lengths of 16ga wire, male and female spade terminals and a relay matching the rating of that one should get you back on the road for about 1/10 what BMW wants for the real part.

You can take off that base and solder correct gage wires to it. Then you can put a bit of epoxy or silicone over it and let cure. These wires can be run to an more available automotive relay. They even sell sockets with retaining clips for these relays.

Rod

[vintagerider]

Hella 500 amp marine battery cut-off. Best way to be prepare for ABS relay failure not to mention all the other advantages. Have posted how to in the past. Bolted it to the RS on the frame tab originally for the tank connector.

Also, use google site search to find the thread here on alternate relay.

[hoss18]

Checking out the system it would be easier to bypass relay + base and just connect the incoming wires into a new base etc. might have to research what's available in aust - like the idea of the hella marine relay!

[vintagerider]

The Hella switch is just a master battery cut-off. Use it for maintenance, storage and Motronic re-set on the fly which temporarily defeats its "learning" function, same as pulling the fuse but more convenient. Theft deterrent , ABS run-away protection are xtras. On the relay someone found something suitable on the bay but that was a while back.

[Steptoe]

I posted a few ABS relays to forum users the last time this problem came up.
I'll have a look through my collection of redundant abs units and see if i have any going spare.

[def]

Originally Posted by hoss18

Small problem last night, pulled up in my driveway only to hear the sound of an electric motor whirring away. (Beauty I thought Ive also got an electric bike) Being a bit puzzled I pulled over and turned the motor off but the electric whir continued on. Figuring that this BMW wont beat me I disconnected the battery - that stopped it! Pulled the petrol tank reconnected the battery and found the noise was coming from the ABS pump. Did some reading and found that the pump motor is controlled by a relay (hidden under a cover next to the pump - BMW will have to try harder than that to beat me). Pulled the relay out and tested it - failed. Uh ha I thought gotcha, I will just replace the relay and away I go again. After all how much can a relay be - even a BMW one. Relay has a number on it 'Siemens V23134 - J51 - x188' check with Siemens database - guess what .... a special order by FAG for BMW. Its a fairly standard power relay (F7) inside, used throughout the automotive industry with the only real difference being the way the plugs on the bottom are shaped (the 'x188' part of the part no.). These relays vary in retail price roughly from $20 - $120 (depending on voltage/coil ratings etc eg 12v / 30amp is $20, 24v/150amp is $120). Quick internet check shows BMW OEM price in US $130 (in stock) UK 95E (in stock).....About what I would expect with the price including dealer profit/handling etc).

Morning arrives ring my local Australian BMW supplier - Sorry not in stock 3- 5 weeks from Germany and that will cost you the minor sum of $336 thank you. These are the same dealers that are crying poor because we buy our parts o/s. With all the Australian BMW customers that are making these same complaints about Australian pricing you would think that BMW International would do something about the Australian BMW franchise - I know not in my lifetime !!!!

I refuse to pay this Australian price - will check out second hand (I know not best option for relays) if no luck will buy new o/s.

There are alternatives.

http://compare.ebay.com/like/2204702...Types&var=sbar

[dfwscotty]

Read through this thread for some cures...

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=543310

[hoss18]

Thanks Guys, the last thread seems to indicate that the relay is a 6v relay and 'GSAddict"? was looking into a possible replacement but that was back in 2011. It seems at this stage the only alternative is a second hand one. Steptoe - if you come across one I will be happy to cover your costs etc. Thanks

[GS Addict]

Originally Posted by hoss18

Thanks Guys, the last thread seems to indicate that the relay is a 6v relay and 'GSAddict"? was looking into a possible replacement but that was back in 2011. It seems at this stage the only alternative is a second hand one. Steptoe - if you come across one I will be happy to cover your costs etc. Thanks

Pm'd you

[GS Addict]

Originally Posted by def

There are alternatives.

http://compare.ebay.com/like/2204702...Types&var=sbar

Not.
OE relay is rated at 80A

[GS Addict]

Originally Posted by vintagerider

Hella 500 amp marine battery cut-off. Best way to be prepare for ABS relay failure not to mention all the other advantages. Have posted how to in the past. Bolted it to the RS on the frame tab originally for the tank connector.

Also, use google site search to find the thread here on alternate relay.

Actually if you mod the Negative battery post as below it will allow you to simply disconnect from the battery with the tank in place with a Phillips screwdriver. It is the Large screw on the extreme right.
I have done this mod in anticipation of a failure (contact weld) but so far so good (233,000+km)
I always have my batteries in Peak condition so no potential of undervoltage is present - that is what aggravates contact welding. (remember the Airhead starter relays?)

No need to get fancy with marine cutoff switches.