I just bought this car and while I was driving home yesterday it shut off on me like three times whenever I don't press the brake hard enough. The car has bad idle and I didn't notice it till i bought it. However last night when I drove it, i feel like it needs to warmed up since everytime i pressed the brake it seems like it was going to die on me but it didn't....also none of the dash lights work anyone know of a guide to fix the dashlights...it is a 98 civic lx four door sedan...it's automatic.

sorry tried to make this as clear as possible..let me know if i'm not clear please suggest any repairs needed...

 

Do the dash warning lights (e.g., CEL, battery, etc.) work but the cluster back lighting does not?

Any CEL codes?

Sometimes idle problems are caused by a dirty IACV on the throttle body. try cleaning it.

 

now this seems all so suspicious well the only dash light that works is currently the transmission for D4 and P R ...etc.. I will try to clean the IACV later tonight.. but would the check engine light be its own separate light .....i mean because none of the dash lights work......i have to check it i don't have the car with me now

 

No back lights either?

Do all of the cluster gauges work?

When you turn the key to ON(II), the CEL should turn on for 2 seconds and then turn off.