99 accord brake light went on while driving slow

Was driving slow in stop-and-go traffic.. Suddenly the brake light
goes on on the dashboard.. I double checked the hand brake, hit
the brake pedal a couple of times (worried something was stuck)
but the car wouldn't move! turning the ignition off-on fixed it (whew).
But it definitely raised some concerns.. I wonder if anyone has seen
anything similar and had some ideas..
Some background: off late my car sounds different when idling..
I had a stall as well while driving up an incline.. This time i was
giving it enough gas to keep it moving forward slowly as opposed
to the brake and then hit the gas to prevent it from rolling back..
Was worried about my battery and got it checked, looks ok..
thanks!
99 accord lx 65k miles.

 

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I had a (yecch) Volvo that did something like you describe. The vacuum
assist on the brakes went wacky and would start applying the brakes by
itself. Made the rotors glow at highway speed ! ! One time I had to make
a panic stop on an icy road and couldn't get the car to move until I
shut the engine OFF, pumped a few times, and restarted.

I'm sure tegger knows about your problem . . . What have you serviced
lately?

'Curly'

 

You mean the brakes were locked on solid, and even taking your foot off
the pedal didn't release them?

There is a TSB (03-078) that describes something similar to this.

The fix involves replacing the "filter" inside the master cylinder
reservoir. The "filter" is the loose cup inside the MC.

Remove the MC cap, taking care to make sure no dirt drops inside. Remove
the filter, place it into a VERY CLEAN Tupperware WITH a lid. Replace the
MC cap. Now drive around for a while without the screen. Does the problem
recur? Make 100% certain no dirt drops inside the MC while doing all this!

 

thats the bizarre part about it.. i didnt have my foot on the gas
or brake.. the car was inching forward and then suddenly it stopped.
thats when i saw brake lamp lit..
the manual says the brake system might need checking.
i got my brake pads replaced not too long back and got an oil
service done recently.. need to check the brake fluid..
btw is there a general checkup that can be done in such situations?
would somethg have shown up on the 65k service?

thanks for all the inputs!

 

If the car didn't move, and if you have ABS, that may have operated the
brakes,
and by turning off the ignition and starting back up, reset the system! Head
for your Honda dealer..that might happen on the freeway at 70 mph?>

 

nope, no abs on my car..
brake fluid level looks ok as well..

 

Just to clarify, would this be the ABS light or the normal Brake light?

And when you ay it "stopped", you mean the brakes locked on and wouldn't
release, or did the engine stall instead?

 

it wasnt the ABS light (dont have ABS)..
car should have kept moving with the momentum it had had the engine
stalled right? also would the normal brake light go on in case of
stall.
finally like i said i had the engine stall on me once while i was going
up an incline in stop and go traffic.. i was stepping on the gas ever
so slightly to hold the car and a little more to move it up.. probably
not recommended but a smoother ride for the passengers..
i am worried as to why it stalled then? and if it is a sign of other
issues.

 

it wasnt the ABS light (dont have ABS)..
car should have kept moving with the momentum it had had the engine
stalled right? also would the normal brake light go on in case of
stall.
finally like i said i had the engine stall on me once while i was going
up an incline in stop and go traffic.. i was stepping on the gas ever
so slightly to hold the car and a little more to move it up.. probably
not recommended but a smoother ride for the passengers..
i am worried as to why it stalled then? and if it is a sign of other
issues.
thanks for your reply!

 

Ah, this is different! The car stalled, the brake light went on and the
car stopped, right? That's quite normal. The transmission dragged the
car to a stop, not the brakes.

You probably noticed the charge light also went on when the car stalled.

I don't think there's anything wrong with your brakes. You simply have a
stalling problem.

Why is your car stalling? That's an extremely difficult question to
answer without seeing the car.

How many times in total has it stalled on you this way?

Are there any error codes stored? Is the Check Engine light on?

How old are the plug wires? Distributor cap? Rotor?

If it's stalling repeatedly, you need to have a good Honda mechanic see
the car personally.

 

thanks for the replies.. counting this instance it would be two stalls
in the past 3months.. i had a stall a couple of years back but that
was my battery being rather old. i did ask for a battery test during
my last oil service and they said it was ok.
i am reading your faq abt getting the error code..
probably need the tool for the 99accord.. i am thinking of going
to a car shop to see if they can read the error code for me.
a full diagnostics at the dealer is in the ~150 range.. repairs extra..
the check engine light is not on.. abt the plug wires/cap/rotor,
i am assuming they are as old as the car..
regarding a good honda mechanic, what would your recommendation
be: dealer or other?
thanks for patiently answering my numerous questions

 

Yes you do. AutoZone or PartSource will read the codes for for free.

And you get the $150 back if you get the repairs done there.

Then replace them. They're too old and in need of replacement
regardless. That alone might solve your stalling problem. Most problems
like that are ignition-related anyway.

Dealer or good independent that specializes in Honda or Japanese cars in
general. If the independent's lot is filled with Chevys and Fords, it's
not a good place to go. And stay far away from Firestone, Sears, Wal-
Mart, Goodyear, and other chains like that.