I watch eBay a lot, and I've noticed that there are a lot of 1991 models that are being advertised on eBay with ABS brakes. Because 1991 models were available with ABS, but did not come standard (and weren't that common) there are a lot of cars out there that are thought to be ABS cars and are in fact not.

This is bothersome. For someone who is buying based on safety features, ABS is important. Second, if someone is advertising something as ABS-equipped and it isn't, they don't know the product, and they are selling a safety feature that isn't there.

This post is not designed to debate the additional safety factor of ABS: Please direct those comments to a separate post. This is merely informative, since it appears as if a lot of the eBay community isn't exactly "familiar" with this option, and therefore assumes that because it was an option, that the car they are selling, has the option.

When trying to judge this option from pictures, the only effective way to do so is to determine the presence of the ABS hydraulic unit under the hood.
Obviously, aside from the presence of an operating "ABS" warning light, the cars have some very noticeable underhood components that allow you to determine the presence of equipment.

While nothing guarantees functionality, at least you'll know that the components are there. Since this is apparently not universal knowledge, I've included a few pictures. The biggest thing to look for is the ABS actuator. Also, if the picture is unclear, you'll be able to see that the car has a horizontally mounted ignition coil, and the electric fan relay mounted to the coil. The non-ABS cars have the old-style vertical coil and the fan relay mounted behind the bracket instead.


This picture shows a car advertised on eBay as having ABS brakes (from a very frequent seller of Volvo product). The car DOES have ABS brakes.




This picture is another 1991 240 with ABS, and I detailed the presence of the EGR vacuum servo as this model is a 50-state model. Not all 240s are equipped with EGR, but if you are trying to determine if your car is equipped, this is what it would have to tell you that it has EGR.

Also note again, the location of the fan relay.





In the third picture is a car advertised as having ABS, but it clearly is not equipped. Note the different coil setup on this vehicle, and the empty area behind the battery. (Note: on 1991-1993 models, the power steering reservoir is not mounted to the side of the engine compartment. It is part of the power steering pump.)




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chris herbst, near chicago

Thanks for the timely information. My wife was in an accident a few days ago. Fortunately, she walked away unharmed. But our 96 Honda Accord was totaled. And that suddenly puts in the market for a used auto.

The wealth of knowlege that you and others provide on this website is golden. Thanks again.

PS - anybody need Honda parts? I know where you can find an engine in GREAT condition!

[[ southern fried volvo 91 240 128k mi ]]

Chris - good info for sure. A couple of the 940's I service have the ABS unit - a much smaller and compact unit than the earlier ones shown in your photos - on the right side of the engine compartment. These are 93 non-turbo cars mind you. It is worth checking the photos on e-bay that show both sides behind the headlights.
Rhys

I have a couple of shots of that unit as well.

A few from my car. I'm a little anal when it comes to keeping the engine clean. Here's the ABS unit. Turbos have the same unit on the other side, mounted diagonally. That ABS unit was fundamentally the same in the 960 series. As a quick note, all 1992- Volvos have ABS brakes, in the United States market.



Another view: ABS unit in front of coolant reservoir. On Turbo models, it is found mounted diagonally on the left side of the engine compartment.



Another view.



And one on a 960. The unit shown here is 1992-. The 1993- units say "Assembled in Mexico using foreign and domestic parts", or something to that effect.


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chris herbst, near chicago

If you live in the snow you might need ABS but in So Cal I would stay away from it. Also, stay away from EGR Volvos. Both these additions create more problems and in addition they are harder to work on with more crap in your way. I have had my brembo rotors slotted on my 80 GT and it stops almost scary, but ABS will work better in very very slippery conditions, if you don't know how to brake. The TWC cat (thats three way cat) is designed to bring down NOX (this is what the EGR valve is for). My brother has a 92 240 and an 88 with no EGR. The 88 runs smoother and feels like it has more power even though the 92 has 100,000 less miles on it. Personally, if you find a Volvo with no EGR and ABS I think thats a good thing. What do I know, I drive and old 80 model.

Well... the 88 and 92 are different with respect to EFI and ignition systems, so there are way too many variables between those two particular cars to comment specifically on one component causing any performance decrease.

The later 50-state models are all EGR cars, as are all the overseas delivery cars.

The 1991 is the only year of the 240 where you could actually pick whether or not you wanted ABS. The 1990 did not offer that option, and all the 1992 models came standard with it. In fact, all 1992- Volvos for the US market were equipped with it. Basically if you don't want ABS, you have to entirely avoid anything from and including model year 1992. And some 1991 models. Otherwise it's unavoidable. And for the 50 state models, EGR is unavoidable as well.

Some earlier models are immune to those equipment choices.
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chris herbst, near chicago

Damn, Chris, you're GOOD!

Love,
Tippi

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Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: "Roterande Fläkt Och Drivremmar!"

Rob:
That was priceless!

Mike Brown
Greenville, NC

That caught me just right!

Thanks.
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chris herbst, near chicago