Honda Car Forum

I have a 1994 Honda Accord EX with a 2.2 VTEC engine. Recently, I was driving and went to brake. The pedal went all the way to the floor. My husband has been complaining of this as well. To brake, we have to pump the brakes. The fluids are fine. What could be wrong? A friend suggested the master cylinder, but wasn't sure. What are the symptoms of a failed master cylinder?

you have a bad master cylinder for sure. if fluid level is good, no leaks by brake calipers or brake hoses and lines, it is the master cylinder.

pull the master cylinder away from the booster and check the seal, if its leaking the cylinder needs to be replaced.

with all defference to the honda mechanic, he is simply incorrect. it could be the master cylinder and in fact probably is. air does not get into the brake lines unless one has placed it there by improperly bleeding the system. i assume that your husband and yourself have not recently replaced the fluid in your brake lines. now it is possible that your fluid level got so low as to draw air into the line but you did not mention finding it very low. i bring to your attention my second piece of evidence. When a brake master cylinder begins to go bad or fails, you will notice a soft or squishy feeling when you press down on the brake pedal. When constant pressure is maintained on the brake pedal (like when you keep your foot on it at a stop light), the brake pedal will begin to sink to the floor as the brake fluid leaks internally in the master cylinder. This is called "extended travel" when the brake pedal goes farther down than normal or than it was intended to. When this occurs you will have to "pump" the brake pedal to regain normal pressure and to keep the car from moving forward because the brakes are slowly releasing. this i borrowed from the web. the reason you have to pump is because u are losing pressure as the fluid seeps back by the o rings. please take care of this quickly. it is on borrowed time. you migt have the lines bled also as your brake fluid is getting old and it is anhydrous, ie it absorbs water. moisture is somehting your brake lines do not like. trust me, they told me so. lol. good luck.































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sounds like either a failed master cylinder or air in the system the most common is the master cylinder and u have to bleed the brakes when u put one on so that would take care of both the possibilities and solve your problem

replace the mast cylinder and check for any other leaks

i had the same problem with my Honda Accord. when i had to bleed the clutch on my 4th gen. it took awhile for me tho. there probably isn't a problem with the master cylinder just keep bleedin

i have the same car and the same problem. i have bled the brakes a few times and they still arent perfect. im pretty sure its the master cylinder...