ABS in CL focus

mitch_1988 · 04-09-2008, 08:28 PM

hey all first time posting, i bought a 2005 ruby red focus CL sedan in late July.
i know they dont come standard with ABS, but when i start the car the ABS light comes on. im just wondering if this is a standard thing to happen or if it means the car actually does have ABS. it has steel wheels with hub caps so i dont thing it has the smooth pack installed, but like i said i havent had it for 2 months so im not 100% sure about it.
does anybody know if it means theres ABS or not?

cheers all
Mitch

RJO89 · 04-09-2008, 08:53 PM

As far as I know, that model didn't have ABS standard. Could have something built into the cluster where the light comes on during the ignition. I know my car shows the light when it turns on, but mine has ABS. Easiest way to see if it has ABS is to have a look at the brake caliper, and if there's a wire with a plug and clip connected to the brake caliper (front) then it means you have ABS.
Can someone confirm that?

marg99 · 05-09-2008, 06:49 AM

I thought the wiring was to the rear of the brake hubs rather than on the caliper itself. There should also be an extra "box" in the engine bay but sometimes they hide them under the front guards liek they did in the mid 90's falcon. Best test is to brake very hard and feel if the pedal pulsates as one of the wheels starts to lock up. Thats the ABS working I believe

BlackLS · 05-09-2008, 09:56 AM

Yeah abs sensor is in the hub.

Is the CL a smooth or Safety pack?

zetec · 05-09-2008, 10:17 AM

Mitch PM me your VIN and I'll confirm if it's fitted for you.

Mullett · 05-09-2008, 12:24 PM

Yup, the hard braking test is the go

But the ABS light probably comes up on all models, I know mine comes up with the stability control light, and it definitly doesn't have that

RM.

BlackLS · 05-09-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mullett

I know mine comes up with the stability control light, and it definitly doesn't have that

RM.

I always thought it was a "do a burnout" light... I've natually complied.

Mullett · 06-09-2008, 04:32 AM

I wish mine would come on more often then :P Talking of which, does the XR5 come with an LSD?

-RM.

BlackLS · 06-09-2008, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mullett

I wish mine would come on more often then :P Talking of which, does the XR5 come with an LSD?

-RM.

Only traction control i believe... I think you can get a quaife LSD for it tho.

Mullett · 06-09-2008, 01:52 PM

Lame...mine's constantly picking up the inside front wheel, I'd be ****ed if i bought an XR5 and it did that! Especially with all that extra torque...

-RM.

mitch_1988 · 06-09-2008, 06:53 PM

Well im not sure if it has smooth or safety pack. smooth pack i dont think so because as i said it has steel wheels n not alloys, and what else did the safety pack include?

ill check the wheel for the cable when its not so wet n cold.

thanks 4 the help,
Mitch

Martyvan · 06-09-2008, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitch_1988

ill check the wheel for the cable when its not so wet n cold.

that is however, perfect for finding a road with no one on it, and testing the abs brakes from the speed limit..........

zetec · 07-09-2008, 10:22 AM

Safety pack came with ABS and side airbags

Smooth packs was rear power windows, power mirros, leather wrapped wheel with cruise control and 15" alloy wheels.

Homer · 07-09-2008, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetec

Safety pack came with ABS and side airbags

Smooth packs was rear power windows, power mirros, leather wrapped wheel with cruise control and 15" alloy wheels.

They didn't get rear power windows and the mirrors are also colour coded

BlackLS · 07-09-2008, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mullett

Lame...mine's constantly picking up the inside front wheel, I'd be ****ed if i bought an XR5 and it did that! Especially with all that extra torque...

-RM.

I know what you mean. A few nights ago in the rain I got the inside going for about 3 secs in 3rd! I mean the N13 Pulsar Q had a viscous LSD.

Mullett · 08-09-2008, 01:17 AM

yeah, it picks it up pretty badly. Even in the dry it's still chasing that inside wheel around. I do wonder if an LSD would make it understeer more under power though...

-RM.

BlackLS · 08-09-2008, 01:11 PM

A normal LSD does that... limits how much one side can be slipping compared to the otherside before it rotates itself. Understeer in FWD :( Oversteer in RWD

The quaife's are ATB (automatic torque biasing) which transfers torque to the wheel with the most grip. You still need to have a bit traction on the slipping wheel in order for it to transfer the torque. Great for FWD.

http://www.quaifelsd.com/applications.aspx

mitch_1988 · 08-09-2008, 08:09 PM

well on the back of the driver and passenger seats there is a little tab which says 'airbag' on it, and it doesnt have alloy wheels, rear power windows power mirrors or leather wheel.
i took a look under it today and i think there was a cable coming off the brake caliper but i heard some creaking from the jack n didnt wanna get my head right under there.
ive also tried hardER barking, thought nothing i would consider too hard, and the wheels havent hinted that they are going to lock up.
ill right down the VIN tomorow to make sure.

cheers all,
Mitch

Lanyi · 08-09-2008, 09:32 PM

As people have already pointed out, the technical way of finding out if you have abs is by taking either front wheel of and checking if you have 2 cables leading to the brake caliper. One is the brake line, the other the abs and both will be clipped on the damper.

Lsd... maybe once the car gets a turbo...

Btw, just an opinion: RWD XR5 = ultimate hot hatch!

zetec · 08-09-2008, 09:56 PM

Sounds like it has a safety pack Mitch. Side airbags and ABS.