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