D-ESA Fault Code 480B8A

[underpay]

I have recently been getting an intermittent suspension fault on my 2016 S1000XR.

It all started after I turned the key following a very rainy night. Dashboard has yellow warning light with error 'D-ESA' displayed. This results in both the front and rear suspension being disabled in its entirety (aka front forks and rear dampener locked).

The intermittent pattern then starts. I can ride for a bit, stop, turn bike off and on again, then its a complete roulette wether it will come back. Sometimes it will last the entire day, sometimes it will be gone quickly.

After the first day it happened, that evening I disconnected battery, then unplugged all suspension wiring plugs and plugged in again before reconnecting battery. Fault was still appearing, until the next day where it had gone, and hasn't come back for a few months. Until today.

Today it happened again after I had left the bike for an hour in the hot sun. And usual intermittent pattern.

I have code read the bike with the MotoScan app, which is returning a fault code of 480B8A. bmwfault.codes is stating its a short circuit of the rear dampener.

Would be good to know if this has happened to anyone before, and what the fixes were. Trying to avoid the idea of having to replace the entire rear dampener - pricey!

Thanks

[capt cf]

Not the same fault, but darn near the same code and yours is in the back and not the front but might be worth a shot.  TL;DR version - I think what fixed mine was unplugging and replugging the ESA control module.

https://www.s1000xr.uk/index.php/topic,6451.0.html

[underpay]

Originally Posted by capt cf

Not the same fault, but darn near the same code and yours is in the back and not the front but might be worth a shot.  TL;DR version - I think what fixed mine was unplugging and replugging the ESA control module.

https://www.s1000xr.uk/index.php/topic,6451.0.html

Thanks will give this a go

[capt cf]

Originally Posted by underpay

Thanks will give this a go

I figure it can't hurt since mine was a DESA short circuit to the fork and yours is the same error, but for the rear shock.  It only takes a minute so easy to at least try...who knows, maybe you'll get lucky.

[underpay]

So unplugged and replugged the ESA module, but fault still showing.

Also replugged the two rear dampener plugs, but still no luck.

Running out of ideas :/

[capt cf]

Originally Posted by underpay

So unplugged and replugged the ESA module, but fault still showing.

Also replugged the two rear dampener plugs, but still no luck.

Running out of ideas :/

Damn...sorry, mate.  I was really hoping that would work for you too.  I am guessing no obvious wear on any of the wiring around those areas?

[underpay]

Originally Posted by capt cf

Damn...sorry, mate.  I was really hoping that would work for you too.  I am guessing no obvious wear on any of the wiring around those areas?

No nothing obviously damaged

[underpay]

Strangely, even after disconnecting both rear dampener plugs, the code doesn't change (480B8A) and still complains about a short circuit, rather than an open circuit.

[smithy]

Originally Posted by underpay

Strangely, even after disconnecting both rear dampener plugs, the code doesn't change (480B8A) and still complains about a short circuit, rather than an open circuit.

Have you tried clearing/erasing the fault code to see if it comes back, they don't usually go off by themselves and are kept in the ECU/module memory until erased.

Smithy.

[underpay]

Yep cleared but returned immediately.

Eliminated ride height sensor plug and front forks plug too, as unplugged those and got an open circuit error for both as expected