Starter replacement 2004

[jpcoll01]

I've searched and searched on here and can't find this exact answer (I did find an example for a 97 4 cylinder). Can someone send me a pic or schematic of where the starter is located on this model year? I have a new starter and want to get it switched out but want to make sure of general location before I start taking things off. I have replaced alternators and changed brakes and done drain and fills for the tranny fluid, I'm hoping this is pretty similar as I'm no mechanic. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[bruce2]

Here are a couple of helpful links:

Where is the 2004 Honda Odyssey Starter located - JustAnswer

DIY Starter Replacement

[jpcoll01]

Appreciate the first link, that helps. On the second link, that's for a 97 4 cylinder so it's vastly different.
Thanks again

[bruce2]

Sorry for over looking.
Here are the steps from my service manual:

1. Make sure you have the anti-theft code for the radio
and the navigation system, then write down the
frequencies for the radio’s preset buttons.

2. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery first,
then disconnect the positive cable.

3. Unlatch the automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
cooler hose clamp (A), then disconnect the starter
cable (B) from the B terminal on the solenoid, then
disconnect the BLK/WHT wire (C) from the
S terminal.

4. Remove the two bolts (D) holding the starter, then
remove the starter.

5. Install in the reverse order of removal. Make sure
the crimped side of the ring terminal (A) is facing
out.

[jpcoll01]

Thanks Bruce,
I got it changed out after work yesterday, the hardest part was getting the bottom rear bolt out of the battery tray, other than that it was really straightforward.

[thayer]

I broke two craftsmen extensions on the bottom bolt on my 04 ody. everything else was just annoying. it was my solenoid switch.

[bruce2]

jpcoll01, you are welcome and thanks for post back.

thayer, if you had started posting earlier 3 yrs ago when you joined the club, some one would have told you it is the solenoid switch. Just kidding. Nice to have you chimed in.

[6-Speed]

Photos are late but they may help the next person searching for the same information.

The starter is mounted to the driver's side on the tranny housing. Note its location relative to the transmission fluid dipstick and front motor mount.

[6-Speed]

I broke two craftsmen extensions on the bottom bolt on my 04 ody. everything else was just annoying. it was my solenoid switch.

I had a really difficult time removing the bottom starter bolt which had some buggered up threads. Finally got it loosened up with an 18" ratcheting breaker bar; I was afraid the bolt was going to break.

[mpais1]

I found it was worth taking the battery tray out to access the bottom bolt of the starter. Took forever to get it out with the tray still in the car but only a few minutes to take the tray out and get the new starter back in.

[6-Speed]

I found it was worth taking the battery tray out to access the bottom bolt of the starter. Took forever to get it out with the tray still in the car but only a few minutes to take the tray out and get the new starter back in.

Agreed ... I don't think I would attempt to remove the starter without first removing the battery tray.

[dlf]

How did you determine it was the solenoid? I'm having a similar problem with my 2004 Ody after replacing the brush assembly in the starter. By solenoid you're talking about the cylinder attached to the starter, right?

[raffy]

Just replaced the starter on our '04 Odyssey today. As others stated, the job is a whole lot easier when the battery tray is out of the way. It was a bit of a pain removing all the stuff attached to the battery tray, very difficult to get in there with box end wrenches to loosen the bolts. It is doable, just time consuming. I think I will invest in a set of metric ratcheting box end wrenches instead of the standard kind - should make jobs like this a whole lot easier! Once the tray was out, reaching the starter was fairly easy. Be aware that on the '04, one of the transmission cooler lines is attached directly to the starter via one of the long bolts that holds the starter motor to the assembly. You will need to remove that bolt to remove the bracket that holds that line. I didn't bother to attach it to the new starter, doesn't seem necessary to me. I may cable tie it to one of the external starter bolts later.

Some helpful data for those planning this job: battery tray bolts are 12 mm hex heads, bolts that attach cables and stuff to the battery tray are 10 mm (there were two of these on my van and a bit of a pain to access). Starter attach bolts are 17 mm and it is definitely handy to have a breaker bar to remove both of them. They came off quite easily for me using an O'Reilly 17 inch breaker bar. The O'Reilly bar required a 1/2-inch socket and of course I didn't have a 17 mm metric socket in 1/2-inch! I found that an 11/16-in socket worked well and is almost 17 mm. It didn't round off the bolt heads (at least not that I could tell).

Hope this is helpful for any of you who have to do this job. Definitely saves a lot of money to do this job yourself!

[6-Speed]

Here is where the battery tray bolts are on a 2004. There is also a an electrical cable attached to the bottom side (underneath) of the tray.

Front bolts:



Rear bolts (see note in photo):

[Daddy]

Thank you 6-Speed for those helpful pictures.

My battery tray bolts are slightly different in my late 2004 Ody. See attached picture with annotations.

photo1.jpg

I was able to unscrew all the bolts except one bolt that is hidden under the cables and I am unable to reach it either using a box wrench or a slotted wrench. It appears to be a 12 mm hex head bolt and I tried everything but there is no room to get a wrench in that limited space. I have drawn a line sketch to show the orientation of this bolt. Any suggestion?