Im new to these forums. picked up a 94 civic EX 4dr a month ago. the car has 171xxx and after i had it for a few weeks before i really started to check it out. it has 4 wheel disc brakes w/ABS. first off on the brakes it seems like the booster is weak or the master cylinder is bad. the brakes are kinda soft and dont stop very well. if i do just one pump then apply the brakes they hold better and it seems to hold the pressure. Well the other day it got icy so i had a chance to try locking them up and sure enough the fronts locked up under hard braking. The light is not illuminated on the dash. maybe light bulb is burnt out? (not sure if there is a way to apply power to the dash light to check the bulb?) But if the bulb is good what else would keep the light from coming on? fuses missing? connectors unplugged? I am familiar with hondas (i had a 93 integra LS 3dr for 6 years) but i haven't had many cars with ABS.

sorry to go on.
i have a few other problems: cruise not working, Rust (have to put on 2 new dog legs in the rear since its bad next to the doors), and every now and then i have a hard time getting the car to go into first gear (adjusted the clutch and it still does it every once and a while), also i think whoever took off the crankshaft pulley last used a strap wrench, when the car is idling i can see the crankshaft pulley has a slight wobble (i have heard it can damage the rubber inside the pulley on hondas).

This car is gonna take some time and money obviously but it drives amazing and im pushing 31 mpg with power steering and a/c. also has sunroof and airbags

 

The ABS light should come on for a bulb test when you turn the key on but don't start. Then if there was no problem detected, it will go out after a couple of seconds. Same thing with the SRS light and the Check Engine light.

 

ok so that answers the first part. my bulb must be burnt out because it doesn't light up when key is turned on. if previous owner pulled a ABS fuse would that keep it from lighting up? Is there a way if the light was working to check it for codes like with the check engine light? SRS light is on too