2006 Won't Start - Replaced Battery and Starter - Still Won't Start

TulsaJeff · Jun 1, 2022

My SIL has a 2006 Honda Odyssey that won't start. We tested the battery and it was dropping to less than 8v when trying to start so we replaced the battery with a new one. Still dropping, not starting.

We replaced the starter, still won't start.

We cleaned all of the ground connections on vehicle to make sure it was getting a good ground.

FYI: when trying to start it is just clicking or barely trying to turn over like you'd expect with a dead battery.

We've tried to jump it with another vehicle and no change.

Anything else we need to check on this? We are out of ideas at this point.

Thanks in advance for any help you good folks can offer!

DIY Fan · Jun 1, 2022

My 2010 Odyssey had an intermittent no crank no start problem. It was still under warranty so the dealer replaced the positive battery cable and the problem was solved.

Ted · Jun 1, 2022

TulsaJeff said:
We tested the battery and it was dropping to less than 8v when trying to start so we replaced the battery with a new one. Still dropping, not starting.

So, a NEW battery is dropping to 8v when you try to crank? Measured at the battery, with a reliable Multimeter?
And you put on a new starter, and it still won't crank?

I would normally second @DIY Fan's suggestion, but a bad connection would not support the current flow to the starter that would pull the voltage down to 8v. I'd question the manufacture date of the new battery, but you say a jump doesn't help.

Time to go back over the fundamentals, without making positive assumprtions:
Battery is NEW, as in just purchased from a retailer...right?
Is all of this "all of a sudden"?
Does the old starter turn if directly connected to a charged battery?
Are your jumper cables of sufficient AWG, and made of copper? I've never (personally) seen aluminum that are good.
Have you tried connecting a jumper cable from battery to starter as a supplemental path?
Is the NEW starter a Denso reman? (If Denso was OE). Else, what is it?

JethroTull · Nov 20, 2023

that had to of helped him

geotek · Jun 1, 2022

Try to twist the battery cables. If you can turn them, they are not tight enough. When you try to tighten them and they seem like you cannot tighten them anymore they might be cracked and need replaced. Clean both cables inside and get some shims. The shims will give you more tightening ability. Check the crimp connection on the positive cable, it could be corroded and causing your problem.

FrankSoCal · Jun 1, 2022

check the fuse box. Had a similar issue, and it ended up being a $30 solenoid / relay located in the fuse box under the hood for my Ody. Can’t remember which one, May have been starter or ignition related.

FrankSoCal · Jun 1, 2022

Btw. You may be able to swap the same size relay with something else that is non-essential (like wipers) to test this if available.

TulsaJeff · Jun 1, 2022

I appreciate everyone's help and suggestions.. a new thing has come to light:

We noticed that the belt did not seem to be turning much (if at all) when it was trying to turn over so we removed the passenger side tire and looked into the pulley system. Looks like a piece of the A/C compressor has come loose and lodged in between the pulley and the compressor. I assume this might be jamming it up so it can't move/start.

It started raining so we buttoned everything back up for now.. wishing I had taken a picture so I could show it to you guys and get some better feedback.

After seeing that, he mentioned that the A/C had not been working and that it had been making a racket.. does any of that seem like it would prevent it from starting?

We went ahead and ordered a new compressor and will try to replace that later this week.

Ted · Jun 2, 2022

Instead of just firing the parts cannon, I'd have removed the serpentine and tried starting.

Let's recap: So far you've replaced the battery, starter and ordered a new compressor, all to fix a "no start" condition. But won't address fundamental diagnostic steps suggested to you.

Starting to sound like a caricature.

TulsaJeff · Jun 2, 2022

You are making a lot of assumptions in this particular post and they're not helpful in getting the van started.. just saying ;-)

Your previous suggestions are greatly appreciated!

DIY Fan · Jun 2, 2022

Tow it to a shop and have them test the battery and starter. Might as well test the alternator too. You will not fix the problem if you do not know the root cause. Its possible either your new battery or new starter are bad. Or you could have a cable problem. Or try starting with the drivebelt removed as already suggested.

One time my Chrysler van would not start. I replaced the battery. A couple of days later it again would not start. I replaced the alternator, A couple of days later again it would not start. I towed it to a shop and they told me my "brand new" battery had 1 bad cell. Exchanged the "brand new" battery with another new one and problem solved.

t-rd · Jun 2, 2022

If the voltage is still dropping to 8V with a new battery then you have a grounding problem.

marvinstockman · Jun 2, 2022

Tulsa, I was going to suggest you try and turn the engine over at the crank pulley, but I think you've found your problem with the broken compressor. You can remove the serpentine accessory belt and see if the engine will crank.

TulsaJeff · Jun 2, 2022

Thanks to everyone for your help with this and the suggestions on diagnostics and things to check/try.. Just to let you guys know that we did not ignore the help. It was ALL very helpful and we tried everything suggested.

We switched out relays to make sure those were good
We checked and cleaned as many ground locations as we could find
We direct connected 12v to the starter to make sure it was getting full power
We ground tested the old starter and the new starter and both worked great
We tested the battery ourselves and took it to Auto Zone to have it load tested
We cleaned the battery cables and terminals as well as the connections at the starter

We may have done a few other things but I can't remember what those are at this time.

I did NOT know that it was okay to crank the engine with the belt off.. I guess as long as I don't leave it running for more than a few seconds it's fine?

I will certainly try that right away.

After all of this, I noticed that the A/C compressor has a plate (maybe the clutch?) whatever it is, and it's mangled and wedged in between the pulley and the compressor. I am not a mechanic but this seems like something that would keep the engine from turning regardless of how hard the starter tries to turn the crank.

Assuming the van cranks fine with the belt removed, my next leg of this journey is evacuating the gas from the compressor so we can remove it safely.

Should I start another post for this or is it best to keep this going here?

Thanks again.. you guys are great!

Ted · Jun 2, 2022

TulsaJeff said:
I did NOT know that it was okay to crank the engine with the belt off.. I guess as long as I don't leave it running for more than a few seconds it's fine?

Your water pump is driven by the timing belt, not the serpentine. All you really need be concerned with is running the battery too low by running for extended period.

TulsaJeff said:
You are making a lot of assumptions in this particular post and they're not helpful in getting the van started.. just saying ;-)

What assumptions are you referring to? The suggestions you did not respond to or update us on??????

DIY Fan · Jun 2, 2022

I suggest continuing here. You already have the attention of a bunch of members.

Ted · Jun 2, 2022

Well, to be frank, my impression is that you're driving faster than your headlights are illuminating, ASSUMING you know what's ahead. Figuratively speaking.

silverVAN · Jun 8, 2022

Have you tried starting the van with the transmission in the neutral position? If it starts in neutral, it could be the “Sensor, Position” switch, Honda part 28900-RKE-023. I just replaced this in my 06. Some call this the Transmission Range or Neutral Safety switch. Check for post of Intermittent Starting problems here or YouTube videos.

Ted · Nov 20, 2023

Considering the source, this is high praise! But back to the topic...JethroTull, please share with us the wisdom you shared with the OP to help him get his van started. Oh, wait, I think I hear him still cursing about it not starting after buying over $10k of parts! And asking why a new cabin air filter didn't work.

Be persistent!

2006 Won't Start - Replaced Battery and Starter - Still Won't Start

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