'91 escort won't shut off

I have a '91 escort with a 1.9 L ---the engine, at times, will not shut off, and the brake light and fuel cutoff lights come on. Also, a squealling noise accompanies this. I shut it off and turn it on a couple of times, and it goes away. My guess is that it is the vaccum pump(does this have one??? Where is it???) As a note, I replaced the head gasket about a year ago, and about 8,000 miles have elapsed since. Any suggestions???

get a new car!!!

Troubleshoot the ignition system. .
It seems I have been telling a lot of people to check their ignition switches lately, but based on what you said, that is probably where I would start.

This thread's been dead for 2 1/2 years.