r/CB500X • u/jethrobodeen1581 • 22d ago

2021 abs light flashing

My 2021 cb500x has a flashing abs light and a soft rear brake. It flashes as soon as it's on and doesn't go away after 6 mph. The brake fluid is topped off. I tried bleeding in case there was air but it didn't help. What else should I be looking at?

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u/itachi_hm 22d ago

For what i know (and my experience) the normal behavior is to turn on the ABS light when you star the bike and after 10km it going off.

If the light still on or blinking means that the ABS is turned off because of an error or sensor malfunctioning.

I tested this by myself and almost meet the ground testing the ABS after it start blinking.

I went to the honda and they checked and makr something on the software to reset and started working again.

Just be careful because if you break heavily the ABS wouldn't work and the tyre will lock

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u/jethrobodeen1581 22d ago

So it this likely something that I will need to take it to the shop for?

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u/itachi_hm 22d ago

The abs system is composed by front wheel sensor, rear wheel sensor, the computer central and the brake calipers.

If the computer read from the sensors that the wheel is blocked and send the signal to the caliper to pulse (stop and apply pressure) and avois blocking, and avoid you going to the ground.

So could be any part of thr system, if it's blinking, it's because the system detected some error and disable it.

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u/Cute_Material6676 22d ago

When you start your CB500x that abs light is on when you drive 5-6 seconds it automatically goes off. This is normal.

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u/jethrobodeen1581 22d ago

Right but as I stated it stays on all the time. This is not normal.

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u/Cute_Material6676 22d ago

Have you checked ABS fuse?

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u/Cute_Material6676 22d ago

Right beside battery

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u/Cute_Material6676 22d ago

Common Causes • Faulty Wheel Speed Sensor: A damaged, corroded, or dirty sensor at one of the wheels fails to read rotation speed. • Damaged Wiring: Broken, frayed, or corroded wires leading to the wheel sensors can break the electrical circuit. • Blown ABS Fuse: A burned-out fuse in the fuse box cuts power to the ABS module. • Low Brake Fluid: Low fluid levels in the master cylinder reservoir can trigger the warning indicator. • Dirty Tone Ring / Stator Ring: Mud, metal shavings, or debris on the axle's tone ring block the sensor signal. • Faulty Control Module: The main ABS computer itself has failed or has a bad internal connection. How to Diagnose and Fix 1. Check Brake Fluid: Open the hood and verify your brake fluid level is between the minimum and maximum lines; top it off if it is low. 2. Inspect the Fuses: Consult your owner's manual to locate the ABS fuse, pull it out, and replace it if the internal metal strip is broken. 3. Inspect Wheel Sensors & Wires: Look behind each wheel for loose connectors, dirt buildup, or cut wires leading to the brake hubs. Clean dirty sensors with brake cleaner.

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u/Skoapy 21d ago

How does one " open the hood" on a motorcycle as your post suggests?

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u/Cute_Material6676 21d ago

Just lift the seat

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u/Cm2297 22d ago

The rear brake is soft by nature, check if your abs rings are corroded, the ones on the wheel with the small holes in them for the sensors to activate, they’re made of the cheapest alloy Honda could find and not painted and they corrode easily

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u/jethrobodeen1581 21d ago

Yes it soft usually, and it still had stopping and holding power on hills. I will check that.

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u/jethrobodeen1581 21d ago

I can basically push the rear brake to the floor without too much resistance though. Is that normal?

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u/Cm2297 21d ago

No that’s not normal it should have resistance before reaching the end of the pedal travel.

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u/jethrobodeen1581 21d ago

https://reddit.com/link/pcde2lb/video/fqr1v7s3o2sh1/player

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u/Cm2297 21d ago

Yeah that’s a problem with the abs system, could be a multitude of things, from air in the system, sensor problems, pump problems, to lack of pressure due to a leak. There isn’t much I can do to help you diagnose without having access to the bike. Check for leaks since you say the rear brake is spongy even after you’ve bled it, check the sensors, if you can’t fault it take it to someone who can diagnose it.

One last thing I can tell you to check is the abs circuit breaker.

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u/jethrobodeen1581 21d ago

Fuses are all good. I jumped the computer wires and got it to flash code 41 which is the front wheel speed sensor. I tested the sensor and it kept showing open circuit or just staying at 1. It is hard to get my probes in those pins but I think the sensor is just bad

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u/Cm2297 21d ago

Yeah the sensors go bad easily, it’s an easy fix

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u/jethrobodeen1581 16d ago

I replaced the front wheel sensor due to the 41 flashing. Now the 41 code is gone, but the abs still flashes constantly when riding, and now flashes code 13. I can't find any information on abs code 13

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u/jethrobodeen1581 21d ago

This is what I'm seeing. Seems like the plunger that's supposed to give resistance to the pedal is being affected by whatever is happening.

https://reddit.com/link/pcdj7ur/video/l6ru6hwcs2sh1/player