UPDATE : I found out after studying the wire diagram the horn was in the same circuit and the fuse was blown. My fault was I only bothered to check the dash fuses but not engine fuses assuming that it was brake fuse or something. Nothing like a good wire diagram to help you understand what is really going on.

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP AND ALL THE HONDA LOVE THIS IS WHAT MAKES HONDA-TECH A GREAT PLACE I WILL MAKE SURE I WILL DO THE SAME


Modified by civichb20 at 9:52 PM 9/6/2008

 

Our 96 had this exact issue when the brake light switch went bad. You say you tested it but maybe check it again or try replacing it as when it goes that is exactly the symptoms it causes.

 

check the grounds for the tail lights in the trunk area

had the same problem in my old hatchback

 

thanks for the replies

Does anyone know how the brake light switch and neutral safety switch are related

Thanks

 

Brake light switch registers when the brake pedal is depressed.
Neutral safety switch makes sure you are in park or neutral for the car to start.

Your car will not shift out of park without depressing the brake pedal, or from neutral to reverse or park without depressing the brake pedal.

 

Could have a bad ground on the lights, but the tranny sounds like the linkage is clogged with dirt. I had the tranny thing happen on a 97 civic. The safety switch and lights may be related as far as wiring into the fuse box but Im thinkin its a bad ground or loose wire...

 

It's the brake light switch. Very common issue.

 

I would start with brake switch. which you already did.

Check your stop/horn fuse. see if the horn beeps first- if not, the fuse is bad.