00 Camry LE - ABS?

[ZzBloopzZ]

I have a 00 Camry LE. I was just reading a old review on the car and it stated that ABS comes standard on the 2000 Camry LE. However, I know I have rear drum brakes. Also, front brakes have locked up several times on emergency braking. But the weird thing is when I start up my car I see a orange ABS light come on in the dash for a few seconds then it disapears. So I don't have ABS correct?

Another interesting thing I found was that my friends car is a 98 Camry CE but it comes with ABS. Mine is a 00 LE and comes with alloy wheels, leather and upgraded sound package. Doesn't make sense original owner didn't get ABS.

['_']

My friend's 2000 Camry LE doesn't have ABS but mine does. It's probably an option on the LE models.

[RningOnFumes]

if you look under the hood and you see this, then you definitely have abs. My 03 base taco came with drums and abs was standard.

[Mike Gerber]

You have ABS if the light comes on when you start the car and then goes off in a few seconds. The ABS system goes through a test procedure each time the car is started. If there is a problem with the ABS system the light will remain lit. ABS can now be done with rear drums. In the early days of ABS the technology only existed to do ABS with 4 wheel discs, but that has all changed.

Mike

[geoff5093]

It would still be a good idea to check under your hood to make sure it's actually there, and it only takes about 5 seconds to do.

[ZzBloopzZ]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

You have ABS if the light comes on when you start the car and then goes off in a few seconds. The ABS system goes through a test procedure each time the car is started. If there is a problem with the ABS system the light will remain lit. ABS can now be done with rear drums. In the early days of ABS the technology only existed to do ABS with 4 wheel discs, but that has all changed.

Mike

I will check in the morning when there is light to see if I have ABS. However, if I DO have ABS... why would my car lock up like crazy during emergancy braking?

[akira751]

Originally Posted by corruptninja

My friend's 2000 Camry LE doesn't have ABS but mine does. It's probably an option on the LE models.

It was an option in 2000 it became standard in I want to say 2004 maybe 2005, something like that.

[Tom 2000]

I can tell you it's not standard. I have a 2000 Camry LE without ABS.

From what I read, ABS was standard on all models except 4-cyl CE from '97-'99. In '00, it was no longer standard equipment on the 4-cyl LE.

However, it has larger front brakes with larger standard (15") wheels than the earlier LE 4-cyl

[ZzBloopzZ]

It looks like I do have ABS. Here I took a picture:



I guess it does make sense since I see the ABS light go on for 2 seconds when I first start up the car. However, I don't think my ABS is working. When I do emergancy braking the brakes lock up hardcore so I have to pump the brakes. Also, I know on ABS cars the brake pedal is much firmer to press, like you need to press it a little harder and it is not as sensative. But on mine the brake pedal is pretty easy to press, kinda light like my older 94 camry which didn't have ABS. On my friend's 98 camry with ABS... the brake is firm.
WTF!... so my ABS is just defective/disabled or something? Or maybe I am a Noob and the picture I took of is something else entirley.

[Tom 2000]

You should get it checked out.

One thing I will add is that even the best brakes are at the mercy of the tires. When I got my Camry, it still had the original General HP400 A/S tires. They were terrible. I remember locking up the rear tires when I braked hard the first time.

If your tires are worn, do invest in a set of quality tires.

[ZzBloopzZ]

Originally Posted by Tom 2000

You should get it checked out.

One thing I will add is that even the best brakes are at the mercy of the tires. When I got my Camry, it still had the original General HP400 A/S tires. They were terrible. I remember locking up the rear tires when I braked hard the first time.

If your tires are worn, do invest in a set of quality tires.

I actually just got a set of really nice tires several months ago. I actually remember you helping me out in that thread. Any idea how much it might cost to get it even checked out at Toyota? Guess I'll go to the dealer in a few weeks when school is out and I can afford to have no car for a week.

Thanks!

[Mike Gerber]

A simple way to check and see if your antilock brakes are working properly (and they proably are since the light does not stay lit) is to go out when it is raining outside. Go to a parking lot and find an area away from parked cars. Then take the car up to 30 MPH or so and then slam on your breaks. If you feel a rapid pulsation from the brake pedal (don't let up), your ABS system is working properly. ABS is pumping the brakes faster than you can pump them manually, so you will always have steering control, even while the brakes are locked up.

Mike