Help, 99 Odyssey won't start

It has 110K miles on it. I've never had a problem starting it until
today. It suddenly won't start. When I turn the key, many indicators
lights up. The only thing that I hear is a click (kind like a relay
making a contact). There is no crank. I was not being able to jump
start it either. Head lights and radio works fine. A few thing worth
to mention:

1) Honda recalled a problem of the ignition switch (a lock failure.
engine can be turned off even with the gear in driving position
instead of parking position). I had this fixed by a Honda dealer and
the problem was gone 3 to 4 weeks ago.
2) One of my sliding door had problems shutting down completely. When
that happens and the van is running, there is a lasting beep. Normally
the beep goes away when I press the close button again. But it's
getting worse today. I was not being able to shut it down
automatically. I tried to open and close it several times when the car
is parked with engine off without success. I then manually closed it
and tried to see if the beep is gone by starting the van. That's when
I found the starting problem.
3) I found the positive connector of the battery (the red one) had
some corrosion. I cleaned it up with a sand paper. But it didn't help.

Thanks in advance for any help.

----Ryan

 

(ryanding) wrote in

How about a new battery and checking your alternator?

 

(ryanding) wrote in

How about a new battery and checking your alternator?

 

===================

Ryan,

If you hadn't said that boosting didn't help, I'd have suggested to do
it in this order:

1 remove and clean positive and negative terminals of battery. (the
boosting attempt eliminated this one)

2 remove and clean the ground connection at the other end of the
negative terminal.

3 Check and tighten the (heavy) red wire that goes onto the starter.

Best diagnostic I can think of: With headlights ON, try starting it. If
headlights go dead, it might be the battery or one of the connections I
mentioned. If you just hear the 'click' and lights remain the same,
maybe they've messed up your steering/ ignition interlock.

Did you try starting it in NEUTRAL, as well as PARK?

P.S. Clean your (many) connections on your sliding door with a pencil
eraser.

P.P.S. Odyssey of your year are notorious for having 'features' that get
turned ON by kids.



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===================

Ryan,

If you hadn't said that boosting didn't help, I'd have suggested to do
it in this order:

1 remove and clean positive and negative terminals of battery. (the
boosting attempt eliminated this one)

2 remove and clean the ground connection at the other end of the
negative terminal.

3 Check and tighten the (heavy) red wire that goes onto the starter.

Best diagnostic I can think of: With headlights ON, try starting it. If
headlights go dead, it might be the battery or one of the connections I
mentioned. If you just hear the 'click' and lights remain the same,
maybe they've messed up your steering/ ignition interlock.

Did you try starting it in NEUTRAL, as well as PARK?

P.S. Clean your (many) connections on your sliding door with a pencil
eraser.

P.P.S. Odyssey of your year are notorious for having 'features' that get
turned ON by kids.



--

To REPLY: If there are a couple of underscores in my return address,
you must remove them to reply directly . . . . . . Thanks.

Regarding stage performances: When everyone else has finished playing,
you should not play any notes you have left over. -

 

The battery seems to have enough current to run all the electrics in the
car. And if the battery has enough power, then the alternator is working
as well.

Besides, he said he can't even jumpstart the car, so I doubt that's the
problem.

Cosmin

 

The battery seems to have enough current to run all the electrics in the
car. And if the battery has enough power, then the alternator is working
as well.

Besides, he said he can't even jumpstart the car, so I doubt that's the
problem.

Cosmin

 

I would strongly suspect the sliding door. Make sure all these connections
are closed, even if someone else has to hold them closed while you crank the
car. As one poster said, if the headlights are on, and will not go off when
you turn the key, the battery is fine. The headlights may dim slightly, but
if they do not even do this, then the circuitry is not even allowing current
to the starter. Most likely due to some ignition interrupt somewhere, such
as sliding door switche(s).

- Phil

 

I would strongly suspect the sliding door. Make sure all these connections
are closed, even if someone else has to hold them closed while you crank the
car. As one poster said, if the headlights are on, and will not go off when
you turn the key, the battery is fine. The headlights may dim slightly, but
if they do not even do this, then the circuitry is not even allowing current
to the starter. Most likely due to some ignition interrupt somewhere, such
as sliding door switche(s).

- Phil

 

The sliding doors have nothing to do with the ignition. You need to get a
diagram and trace out the ignition/starter circuit. chances are the sliding
door problems are just lubrication. Have you lubricated them per the manual?

 

The sliding doors have nothing to do with the ignition. You need to get a
diagram and trace out the ignition/starter circuit. chances are the sliding
door problems are just lubrication. Have you lubricated them per the manual?

 

Thank you for the info. I tried to start with the headlights on. But
the lights did not go dim at all. All I got is one click when I turn
the key and anoter click when I turn the key back. What puzzles me is
that this is only a 5-year-old car (although the mileage is bit high
at 110K). Given the reputation of Honda quality, it should not be
anything more than a dead battery or back connection. But the battery
is only a bit more than a year old and all signs indicate something
more serious. I guess I'll have to get it towed to the dealer
tomorrow...

Thanks,

----Ryan

 

Thank you for the info. I tried to start with the headlights on. But
the lights did not go dim at all. All I got is one click when I turn
the key and anoter click when I turn the key back. What puzzles me is
that this is only a 5-year-old car (although the mileage is bit high
at 110K). Given the reputation of Honda quality, it should not be
anything more than a dead battery or back connection. But the battery
is only a bit more than a year old and all signs indicate something
more serious. I guess I'll have to get it towed to the dealer
tomorrow...

Thanks,

----Ryan

 

===================

If it only clicks, Ryan, try starting it with the gear selector in
NEUTRAL. Also read your manual about 'STARTING YOUR CAR' There are
several things that will prevent it starting / going into gear.

The fact that you had work done on it recently makes me suspicious that
your shifter interlock isn't set up right.

Our Odyssey is first generation, with far fewer features / interlocks.

'Curly'

 

===================

If it only clicks, Ryan, try starting it with the gear selector in
NEUTRAL. Also read your manual about 'STARTING YOUR CAR' There are
several things that will prevent it starting / going into gear.

The fact that you had work done on it recently makes me suspicious that
your shifter interlock isn't set up right.

Our Odyssey is first generation, with far fewer features / interlocks.

'Curly'

 

I had similar problems the only thing different is when I turned the key to
start position all lights would go out. My battery was fine (I'm not sure in
your case but it seems like the battery is okay--I'd check it anyway just to
make sure). My problem was bad connection at the battery. I would try
cleaning those terminals real well with a mix of baking soda and water. Then
sand down the battery terminals a little as you did. Make sure you clean up
the cable terminals as well especially on the inside. Then tighten the
connectors to the battery terminals really well and tight. Check the ground
connection (negative cable's opposite side--opposite of battery
terminal...should be grounded at the transmission somewhere; should be
accessible from under the hood). Make sure that the ground connection is
clear and there's no rust there. If after you clean all this stuff and the
battery is in good condition, then it's most likely a bad starter or a bad
connection from the positive wire to the starter. I would check the easier
things first and then get on with the heavier stuff. You'd need a mechanic
to fix it if it's a bad starter (unless you can replace the starter
yourself); otherwise you can do all the work yourself--it's a piece of cake.

--Viktor

 

I had similar problems the only thing different is when I turned the key to
start position all lights would go out. My battery was fine (I'm not sure in
your case but it seems like the battery is okay--I'd check it anyway just to
make sure). My problem was bad connection at the battery. I would try
cleaning those terminals real well with a mix of baking soda and water. Then
sand down the battery terminals a little as you did. Make sure you clean up
the cable terminals as well especially on the inside. Then tighten the
connectors to the battery terminals really well and tight. Check the ground
connection (negative cable's opposite side--opposite of battery
terminal...should be grounded at the transmission somewhere; should be
accessible from under the hood). Make sure that the ground connection is
clear and there's no rust there. If after you clean all this stuff and the
battery is in good condition, then it's most likely a bad starter or a bad
connection from the positive wire to the starter. I would check the easier
things first and then get on with the heavier stuff. You'd need a mechanic
to fix it if it's a bad starter (unless you can replace the starter
yourself); otherwise you can do all the work yourself--it's a piece of cake.

--Viktor

 

Thank your for your help. I pretty much ruled out everything other
than the starter (and the connection to it). I had it towed to Madis
this morning and I was tald that I need a new starter. It's gonna cost
me more than $500.

Although the van has 110K mile on it. It's only 5 year old. I was not
expecting a bad starter given the Honda quality reputation. The
mechanic just called and found a bolt that is holding the starter was
stripped out half way (the thread of the bolt was damaged too and they
are trying to find a way to secure the new starter). I was told that
somebody has done something to it (that would never happen by itself).
I guess the starter was damaged when the bolt was stripped out. But I
have no idea when that happened. I just had an oil change two weeks
ago and it took longer than I expected. I wonder if they had
accidentally damaged the starter without telling me what happend. I
guess I'll never know...

Thank you all for the help. Hopefull I can get my van back later
today.

----Ryan

 

Thank your for your help. I pretty much ruled out everything other
than the starter (and the connection to it). I had it towed to Madis
this morning and I was tald that I need a new starter. It's gonna cost
me more than $500.

Although the van has 110K mile on it. It's only 5 year old. I was not
expecting a bad starter given the Honda quality reputation. The
mechanic just called and found a bolt that is holding the starter was
stripped out half way (the thread of the bolt was damaged too and they
are trying to find a way to secure the new starter). I was told that
somebody has done something to it (that would never happen by itself).
I guess the starter was damaged when the bolt was stripped out. But I
have no idea when that happened. I just had an oil change two weeks
ago and it took longer than I expected. I wonder if they had
accidentally damaged the starter without telling me what happend. I
guess I'll never know...

Thank you all for the help. Hopefull I can get my van back later
today.

----Ryan

 

Don't think you said exactly where you took your car in for maintenance but
didn't sound like a Honda dealership. This is a good example where it
PAYS to have even oil changes done at a Honda dealership. Yes, you may
pay a little more but to me it is well spent to avoid what your going
through now. I feel sorry for you and the cost and inconvience. Just
hope others can learn from your bad experience. You and your expensive
Odyssey deserves Honda care.