Anti-lock brakes

[Tidybuoy]

How can I tell if I have anti-lock brakes?

I just bought the car - it's a 1988 with 17K miles on it and it's been sitting for 6 years (covered in a garage).

When looking at the fuse panel, I noticed that the spot that is supposed to have a relay for anti-lock brakes is blank.

Just wondering where the control unit is located and what it looks like.

Thanks.................Vern

[74goldtarga]

I had this unfortunate experience and I discovered all the other abs parts absent as well. There is something like a box or a valve that is supposed to be in the passenger footwell. There should also be wheel position sensors (different than the brake pad wear sensors) visible if you take a wheel off. I can maybe get you more info later. I'd bet you don't have it if you don't have the relay though.

[Tidybuoy]

Thanks for the info. It doesn't really matter to me ir there not there but I thought that all 1987 & later cars had them. This car also doesn't have air bags which I thought were standard on 1988's - oh well.

[Techno Duck]

Passenger side footwell, there should be a rather large box on the right side.

You can also check the option codes in the spare tire well, option 593 is ABS. You can also do about 30-40mph and jam on the brakes, thats the easy way to find out.

[74goldtarga]

I thought 87 and later had ABS and airbags as well, based on Excellence Magazine last summer which stated that they all do, not so.

[Razorback1980]

My 87 has neither. I'm thinking they thought an automatic doesn't go fast enough to need either!

[svandamme]

my 88 has it, and it's listed as an option it wasn't default.

593 ANTIBLOCK SYSTEM (BOSCH)

[Dantilla]

Originally posted by Tidybuoy
How can I tell if I have anti-lock brakes?

Get up to high speed and slam on the brakes. If there is lots of smoke and noise, you do not have anti-lock brakes.

[Dave L]

Originally posted by 74goldtarga
I thought 87 and later had ABS and airbags as well, based on Excellence Magazine last summer which stated that they all do, not so.

My 88 has niether, I think it ABS and airbags were available as an "option"

[TomR-S2]

ABS was an option on the 88 Turbo (i thought it was standard too, till i turned on the motor of my 88 turbo and didnt see the light), but was standard on the 88 Turbo S, 89 NA and 89 S2.

Airbags were standard on the 87 and forward turbos and all S2s.

[svandamme]

Originally posted by Dantilla
Get up to high speed and slam on the brakes. If there is lots of smoke and noise, you do not have anti-lock brakes.

or simply look for the controlbox on the right side of the passengers footwell

[Aufgeladen944]

Flat spots on the tire FTW!!!

[Schumi]

My 87 24S definitely does not have ABS. I do not personally like ABS... it just makes life more appreciable when you *don't* have it.... :-)

[svandamme]

Originally posted by Schumi
My 87 24S definitely does not have ABS. I do not personally like ABS... it just makes life more appreciable when you *don't* have it.... :-)

same here, don't like power steering either... or powerbrakes that are to "powered"...

i disconnected abs on my S completely ... unplugged the brain
then connector T40 to kill the warning light...

[pozican]

Originally posted by Dantilla
Get up to high speed and slam on the brakes. If there is lots of smoke and noise, you do not have anti-lock brakes.

x2

[bazar01]

Originally posted by svandamme
same here, don't like power steering either... or powerbrakes that are to "powered"...

i disconnected abs on my S completely ... unplugged the brain
then connector T40 to kill the warning light...

I've been looking for the T40 connector to trace the indicator light, stop light power.
Would you mind telling where it is? Thanks.

[svandamme]

it's a flat connector, an inch wide, should have one white wire on the end of one side, and should dangle somewhere on the top left of the passenger foot well, above the motronic brain...

[bazar01]

Thanks.

[toolboy62]

My '88 has neither ABS nor airbags.

nate

[bazar01]

Originally posted by svandamme
it's a flat connector, an inch wide, should have one white wire on the end of one side, and should dangle somewhere on the top left of the passenger foot well, above the motronic brain...

Sorry to hijack but I need to make sure.

Is this the one Stijn?