[cmblair76]

I am the original owner of an '02 Odyssey EX-L Navi and have many of the same issues as I see on this forum, and have raved about my Ody from the beginning. I have done the following and found the fixes here at OdyClub except for my most current:


- New sliding door sensors/contacts (twice)

- New Transmission (93.000-miles)

- New Motor mounts (93.000-mles)

- Rear Main Seal (93.000-miles)

- Front Struts (68.000-miles)

- Rear Shocks (68.000-miles) then again at 101.000-miles)

- Installed towing package, including trans cooler.

- Innumerable batteries and tires.

- Timing Belt, spark plugs.

- Innumerable tranny flushes, brake flushes, coolant flushes, power-steering flushes....


This brings us up to her current mileage of 160.000+ miles. This Ody has never broken down and has made several cross-country trips and routinely climbs mountains. My latest issue that I don't know how to correct is:

The Ody randomly does not want to start. I can get in in the morning and she will crank right up, run errands and then try to go back out and "No Go". The battery is new and all lights come on but when I turn the key she doesn't even want to try - no groaning or sputter. I also notice that when I get out to lock her during this "episode" the horn will not "beep".

Could this be the ignition? Starter? Alternator?

 

[dvpatel]

I'd suspect the ignition before the starter and the alternator.

 

[OdyinNH]

"but when I turn the key she doesn't even want to try"
Does this mean you get nothing or the engine turns over but doesn't fire? If the latter then my money would be on the key going bad or the ignition switch on the left side of the column. What does the little green key show when it works compared to when it doesn't? Seems to be a few of these no start posts as of late.

 

[cmblair76]

"but when I turn the key she doesn't even want to try"
Does this mean you get nothing or the engine turns over but doesn't fire? If the latter then my money would be on the key going bad or the ignition switch on the left side of the column. What does the little green key show when it works compared to when it doesn't? Seems to be a few of these no start posts as of late.

Not wanting to try means that when I get in, everything seems normal... i.e... lights come on, on the dash, the radio will work I hear the normal "whine - I believe is the fuel pump" but no sound like the engine wants to crank. I (for a very brief moment) thought it was the battery.... but it is an Interstate Battery less than 30-days old. If it wait a minute and then try turning the key several more times she will then start like nothing is wrong.

 

[OdyinNH]

So the engine does not turn over? If so, turn the headlights on and try to start. If they stay on strong then the starter is most likely bad. The solenoid is probably not kicking in. There's a recent post or 2 of people having this issue. One lists how to test it I think. If the lights go out then you have dirty battery terminals.

Do a search for won't start or something similar and you should find the starter posts.

 

[cmblair76]

So the engine does not turn over? If so, turn the headlights on and try to start. If they stay on strong then the starter is most likely bad. The solenoid is probably not kicking in. There's a recent post or 2 of people having this issue. One lists how to test it I think. If the lights go out then you have dirty battery terminals.

Do a search for won't start or something similar and you should find the starter posts.

Thanks for the ideas - I did do a search prior to posting and none seemed to experience exactly what I am attempting to describe. Tomorrow I will check the solenoid and the light test. I'll keep ya'll posted with what I find out.

 

[OdyinNH]

Starters seem to be dying alot as of late. Here's a few threads I found just by searching "starter".
thread 1
thread 2
thread 3
starter poll thread
Relay thread
Another starter thread

 

[cmblair76]

I have not had the opportunity to check any of the above suggestions, but I thought I would throw this one out there for the experts.... The Ody has not experienced the no-start since we spoke, but this morning it was deja Vu - the one thing I notice was that the no-start only occurs when I park in the drive-way (which is at an incline - backwards).... Think this might have something to do with the issue?!?