'04 Ford Focus LX - ABS ??

jonski

How would I know , outside of driving down the road and slapping on the brakes , if my newly acquired '04 Ford Focus LX has ABS .

I can see where the light should be on the dash but it doesn't come on when the ignititon is turned on to the second position .

I had just assumed that given my last two cars , a'99 vectra and a '95 primera , had ABS that all cars would have it so I never thought to ask or check .

Light is the easiest check but if the bulb is removed the test is inconclusive :pac: Peak under the bonnet for ABS pump is the best way really. Google Focus LX ABS pump under bonnet or something along those lines for a picture you can use. ABS pump is very very very very easy to spot

EPM

Most probably not. It wasn't standard on the Mark 1 focus. I'd doubt anyone got it as an option.

Leonard Hofstadter

EPM wrote: »

Most probably not. It wasn't standard on the Mark 1 focus. I'd doubt anyone got it as an option.

I think only the Ghia models had ABS as standard.

+1 on no-one getting it as an option - this is Ireland after all - the only country in the world that thinks low powered engines with poverty spec interiors is a good thing!

captainspeed

captainspeed wrote: »

the only country in the world that thinks low powered engines with poverty spec interiors is a good thing!

And what car was the best selling car here of the noughties :pac:

Drummerboy08

Na it wasn't standard, so I doubt it.

Find a gravel spot somewhere safe and bury the brake pedal. If the wheels lock up, you'll know.

jonski

I am a bit socked by the lack of ABS , It never dawned on me to enquire first as I thought it would have been standard on any/all cars by '04 . My god they were really into their bog standard cars in the height of the celtic tiger . I'll get used to it after a while I guess ....missing my vectra in all places except the petrol station and thats what it came down to . ****e , it must be time to grow up .

squod

jonski wrote: »

....missing my vectra in all places except the petrol station and thats what it came down to . ****e , it must be time to grow up .

Christ an a bike, I've never heard someone say this before ! OP there's a million and one focuses out there for sale . OH's '04 has heated screens, ABS, height adjustable seats etc.

Resell the one you have and pick another one.

Twiki

EPM wrote: »

Most probably not. It wasn't standard on the Mark 1 focus. I'd doubt anyone got it as an option.

I must have been the only one that got it as an option on my Mk1 LX! I was prepared to pay the 400 quid for a potentially life-saving piece of kit. It should have been standard though even back then.

Mycroft H

Twiki wrote: »

I must have been the only one that got it as an option on my Mk1 LX! I was prepared to pay the 400 quid for a potentially life-saving piece of kit. It should have been standard though even back then.

I'm well surprised that the focus didn't have it as standard in 04.

My dad had a saab 9000 that it was fitted as standard in 1990. I would have thought most bigger cars would have it as standard by 2000 at least.....

maidhc

The Foci built from late 03 on had it as standard.

It is nice to have ABS, but I wouldnt loose too much sleep over it, just make sure it has decent tyres.

Drummerboy08

maidhc wrote: »

The Foci built from late 03 on had it as standard.

It is nice to have ABS, but I wouldnt loose too much sleep over it, just make sure it has decent tyres.

Nope, my late 2004 Mk1 Focus Collection doesn't have ABS. Has a Quickclear screen, 6 disc CD Changer, and trip computer, but no ABS.

You get used to it after a while. TBH, ABS isn't all that it's made out to be.

jonski

Ah well . I suppose it could be worse , the engine warning light could be on ............. oh wait a minute

MrDerp

maidhc wrote: »

The Foci built from late 03 on had it as standard.

It is nice to have ABS, but I wouldnt loose too much sleep over it, just make sure it has decent tyres.

Here here. My ABS tried to kill me on Christmas morning skidding down a steep hill. Thank god for engine breaking.

If the wheels had enough traction for engine braking to work I don't see how the ABS can be faulted to be honest.

MrDerp

RoverJames wrote: »

If the wheels had enough traction for engine braking to work I don't see how the ABS can be faulted to be honest.

That's precisely why I held it responsible. Clearly there was enough grip, yet every attempt to come off the brakes and depress again was being blocked by the ABS, it pulsed away and I gained speed. I wasn't in a dangerous situation (I'd gone maybe 35 - 50 km/h in this time) until a bend in the road at which point I decided it was time for engine braking and pulling in somewhere safe. I know several people who never go down through the gears slowing down that might have got themselves into a bit of trouble in this scenario.

Leonard Hofstadter

RoverJames wrote: »

And what car was the best selling car here of the noughties :pac:

The best affordable car available;)!

Just because the Irish like poverty spec underpowered cars does not mean that the Focus is a bad car. It simply means that Irish people like choosing the worst possible version of the Focus, which is still a damm sight better than most of the other poverty spec crap bought in this country;)!

jonski

Just while I have ye're attention , how interchangeable are the focus mk1 parts . ie I see that the wires seem to be there for spot-lights and there is some kind of junction box under the passanger seats .