How can I tell if my Legacy has ABS. Should there be any type of indicator on the dash? It has AWD and was listed in the carfax as having ABS.

 

Thanx,

Peter

Originally posted by lhrocker

How can I tell if my Legacy has ABS. Should there be any type of indicator on the dash? It has AWD and was listed in the carfax as having ABS.

 

Thanx,

Peter

 

If there is no ABS indicator light when the key is in the "On" position with the engine not started yet, you either have no ABS, or the ABS light is burnt out.

 

You can also note the ABS pump (collection of brake lines into a small metal box) behind the right headlight under the hood.

 

The low end Legacy Brighton did not have ABS in the early years.

 

ABS is standard on the Legacy 95+ L, LS, GT, etc, just the Brighton does not have ABS. The low end Legacy L's from 1990-94 also had no ABS, ABS was on the RW and higher models.

 

One very hard brake application can confirm whether you have ABS or not as well.

I have a Legacy L, so I will look for it. Great - another bulb to replace - maybe!

On my '95 Imp., the ABS light comes on very briefly when you turn the key, not like the other lights. ABS was standard on '95 Legacy L, at least with AWD.

Originally posted by avk

On my '95 Imp., the ABS light comes on very briefly when you turn the key, not like the other lights. ABS was standard on '95 Legacy L, at least with AWD.

 

As far as I know all Legacy L models had ABS from the 1995 model year onward, including the front wheel drive models.

 

On the 90-94 Legacy there were three different "L" types though, and only one had ABS:

 

Base L: no power accessories, but a little nicer trim than the non-L Legacy (which I don't think was available in the US)

 

L - type PW - includes power windows and locks with an optional package to include air conditioning and cruise control, both of which can also be dealer installed extra's

 

L - type RW - includes power windows and locks, cruise control, A/C, ABS, and rear sway bar. Also adds a cassette player.

 

Only the RW type L-series had ABS, and the rear stabilizer bar, these are the only two items that were too difficult to retrofit to the lesser L models. "RW" or "PW" will be indicated on the vehicle ID plate on the left front shock tower.

 

All three types were available with or without AWD.

If you don't have abs brakes, count yourself fortunate. They are the worst for trying to stop while going down icy hills.

Checked Joe Spitz's archives: according to him, ABS on FWD L was optional in combination with TCS while the standard brakes were rear drums w/o ABS.