"drag" feeling when coasting and warning lights on

DOAKS

MEMBER
HONDA ACCORD

I have recently bought a 1996 Honda Accord, V-6 automatic trans. It has 67,000 miles on it. When I take my foot off the gas the car begins to slow down like I am applying the brake. (Stronger than normal deceleration)The dash brake light remains on all the time and does not turn off, the ABS light comes on about 15 sec after you begin driving and stays on. The vehicle had new brakes put on four months ago and new tires a week before I had bought the car. It was about a week of driving after I bought it before the warning lights came on? The brake light came on first and about a day or two later the ABS light.(Or as I remember it) I checked the parking brake wondering if the dragging feeling was due to it not being all the way down. The brake fluid level is good. Using the brake feels ok, no noise or grinding and I can stop just fine. Would the replacement of tires have something to do with ABS light if something was not done correctly? A sensor not connected or something? I am clueless what to look for next with the brake system. I can pull parts and replace, I just need some trouble shooting ideas before I give up and take it in to the dealership? I am new to this site and have heard good things about it so I am excited to explore it more and become a regular. Thanks for any help and advise you can offer!

1 Reply

BRUCE HUNT

MECHANIC
3,753 POSTS

You have a brake that is dragging. I can be very quiet so I suggest that you try driving the car. Then after a good drive stop and check with your fingers all of the brake rotors. They will be warm but I suspect that one or more will be HOT.

Now the ABS is going to be a speed sensor on the wheels. Each brake assembly has a speed sensor for it. I would unplug them all. Then using an electronic volt-ohm meter, check the connectors on all of the to test the resistance in the sensor. I would bet that one of them is reading no change and the others are around 850. See what you find. They are called ABS speed sensors and they are different due to the wiring for each wheel. Cost is around $100 to $135.