So I'm driving my '88 XJS down the black-top pavement road at about 40 mph and a young lady pulls right out in front of me (seemed like she came from nowhere). I slammed on the brakes and I ended up with 4 good long skid marks on the pavement from the skid, I closely missing her as my car came to a stop while she drove off with BIG scared eyes. Perhaps my ABS system was working. How would I know because it all happened so fast? Can anyone here comment on some kind of way that I can verify that my ABS system is actually working properly? .....thanks, Mike.

 

Are there any lights on when driving? Is the pedal soft? Does the pump run after pressing the brake pedal a couple of times?

 

There are no lights on and the pedal feels solid. The brakes were all replaced just before I got the car last February. I'm not sure how thoroughly the brakes were done but I have seen new pads all the way around at least. I haven't tried the third test but will try it to see if I hear anything running. Thanks for the imput! .......Mike.

 

When you turn the ignition on the ABS pump should run and the ABS and Brake lights come on for about 30-60 seconds then go out. Does this happen?

The best way to test the ABS is on a loose surface like a gravel road, ABS does not activate under 10km/h

 

You sure about that 40kph? When antilock engages it jutters or staggers the braking effect to avoid locking/skidding right? My car will do this at any speed especially while sliding down a snow covered hill or braking over rough cracked road.

 

I FAT fingered it should have been 10km/h I have fixed that

 

Are you sure you have anti-lock brakes?

For the USA market anti-lock brakes were a feature introduced on *1989* model year cars

Cheers
DD

 

Wow, all good things to check out here on mine. My car shows the build date of 7/'87 and is listed as a MY '88. Maybe it doesn't have ABS. If that's correct then maybe it's working as it should. According to my glove box book it addresses info as if I have ABS. I'll check the book closer to see if it is addressing it as an option. I guess I can check the service manual and see if I can find some plumbing under the bonnet that looks like ABS stuff. Where should it be located? What I see on the firewall where the booster and cylinder are that there isn't anything else visible from the top side that would indicate the extra hardware but maybe it's under the car. ......Thanks, Mike.

 

Hi 51 Rover

Here is a Pic of the ABS Master Cylinder Actuator as fitted to an 89 and 90 XJS V12

Does yours look anything like that?



ABS Master Cylinder Actuator as fitted to the 89 and 90 XJS V12

 

No, mine looks nothing like that. So maybe I don't have ABS brakes! In my mind that would be a good thing since it's one more thing to have to deal with if there are problems. I'm attaching a couple of pix of what I have so maybe someone can confirm it one way or the other. My other car and both trucks have ABS and I don't see the kluge of stuff associated with it in my Jag unless it's all located elsewhere.

 

Nope, you don't have ABS.

 

Hey thanks Warren and the others. I am so happy that I won't have deal with that issue on this car. The other issues are fun enough! Dang, I love this car. Now I'm working on turning my upside down Cruise Control installation right side up and another item on the long list will be done, assuming it works. Still a number of issues left but I'm getting there. .................thanks to all. ...........Mike.

 

ABS was introduced for the 88.5 model year... So you have an 88... Lucas ignition and standard brakes. 88.5 got Marelli ignition and ATE ABS.