I haven't been able to test it yet, but I think he means when you turn
the key, if you have it the light should come on for a few seconds as a
system check. If you don't, the light will not illuminate.
Just my guess...
> Isn't this light fitted anyway ? My '89 UK 740 estate has the light
> but no ABS. There's no exhaust cat either, but I have that warning
> light too !
This is interesting. The ABS warning lamp is lit when grounded via the ABS
control module, and positive feed from ignition key switch. If you have ABS
light, I would have hard to believe you don't have ABS, and if light goes
out when engine is started, I would say even a working ABS.
What does the light look like, color and text?
The check engine light is not related to the exhaust cat, but is lit when
either igniton or fuel injection module has detected an error.
Regards
Per Hauge
byrocat - 28 Feb 2006 20:42 GMT
Not sure if you've gotten your answer, but there is a very simple test
if you live in Northern Climates.
Find a large parking lot or sidestreet without cars or other obstacles
around, with a layer of slippery snow or light ice. Drive up to about
30kmh and hit the brakes HARD!
If you get a shuddering through the pedals as you go sliding along, the
odds are that you've got ABS.
If there's no shuddering, no ABS.
Local newspaper covered ABS and described the driving technicque needed
is not pumping the brake pedals, but "stomp and steer".
jamiebabineaux@gmail.com - 28 Feb 2006 21:44 GMT
Thanks, yes that would surely do it. My issue is that I bought the car
a couple weeks ago and don't have the car with me. It's been at the
mechanics and I was trying to find out how to tell without actually
having the car with me.
I thought perhaps all 1987 740 GLE models either had them, or they did
not.
James Sweet - 01 Mar 2006 07:49 GMT
> Thanks, yes that would surely do it. My issue is that I bought the car
> a couple weeks ago and don't have the car with me. It's been at the
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> I thought perhaps all 1987 740 GLE models either had them, or they did
> not.
It was an expensive option, available but certainly not all of them had it.
jamiebabineaux@gmail.com - 01 Mar 2006 14:02 GMT
Just curious, what is the name of that large drum-like object between
the master cylinder and the firewall? It's been driving me nuts. I
always thought THAT was the master cylinder, but it turns out it is not.
User - 02 Mar 2006 01:48 GMT
> Just curious, what is the name of that large drum-like object between
> the master cylinder and the firewall? It's been driving me nuts. I
> always thought THAT was the master cylinder, but it turns out it is not.
Vacuum brake booster. The master cylinder is the gizmo with pipes
attached that bolts to the front of it.
Bob

Signature
The goal when driving is to miss the maximum number of objects.
Michael Pardee - 02 Mar 2006 01:58 GMT
> Just curious, what is the name of that large drum-like object between
> the master cylinder and the firewall? It's been driving me nuts. I
> always thought THAT was the master cylinder, but it turns out it is not.
That's the vacuum booster, often just called a "brake booster." You've heard
of "power brakes" - that's the part that makes them power.
Mike
James Sweet - 02 Mar 2006 02:43 GMT
>>Just curious, what is the name of that large drum-like object between
>>the master cylinder and the firewall? It's been driving me nuts. I
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Mike
Which reminds me, if you ever go to rope tow the car, or your engine
conks out while moving at high speed or down a hill, prepare for the
braking effort to be MUCH heavier as soon as you run out of vacuum in
the booster. It'll feel like there's a block of wood stuck under the
brake pedal.
Andy Dingley - 03 Mar 2006 21:41 GMT
>>>Just curious, what is the name of that large drum-like object between
>>>the master cylinder and the firewall? It's been driving me nuts. I
>>>always thought THAT was the master cylinder, but it turns out it is not.
>>
>> That's the vacuum booster, often just called a "brake booster." You've heard
>> of "power brakes" - that's the part that makes them power.
Or "brake servo" here in the UK.
>Which reminds me, if you ever go to rope tow the car, or your engine
>conks out while moving at high speed or down a hill, prepare for the
>braking effort to be MUCH heavier as soon as you run out of vacuum in
>the booster.
That's for most cars. On my Volvo (740) it's not MUCH heavier it's
INCREDIBLY heavier. I've never known a car with such heavy brakes,
unassisted (except possibly my Citroen 8-) )
Half of my other cars are old enough they don't have brake servoes
anyway.
Andy Dingley - 03 Mar 2006 21:39 GMT
>> Isn't this light fitted anyway ? My '89 UK 740 estate has the light
>> but no ABS. There's no exhaust cat either, but I have that warning
>> light too !
>What does the light look like, color and text?
Both red, with lettering "ABS" and the catalyst symbol.
I think they were options at the time (UK, '89) but mine has never had
either fitted.