[jvennitti]

We discovered one side effect, albeit self-imposed, with the auto-off headlights. While I was at work, my came home with the van and was intending to pack it for a mini-vacation. We had just started using the auto-off headlight feature and hadn't learned all the ins and outs. Anyway, she left the keys, just barely dangling, in the ignition. After about 45-60 minutes she came out to the car to try to start it. The car was making a ticking sound like a clock and when the key was turned over there was only the familiar clicking sound--no starter turnover. My wife called the dealer and they suggested that the battery was probably dead and perhaps the security system had disabled the ignition system. If the security system had disable the ignition system, I am unsure if that was because the battery went dead or a mode of the alarm system. After a couple of lost hours, she got the van started and had the battery checked at the dealer. The battery and the charging system appeared OK.

In the post experimentation, it appears that the keys have to be completely removed from the ignition to disengage the auto-off headlights.

Given the number of features on the van, it's time re-read the owner's manual for more details on some of these systems.

Jeff

------------------
Jeff

'01 SS EX
Cassette, Rosen Video System, Fog Lights, Splash Guards
Full Nose Mask

See photos at:
http://www.fototime.com/inv/B5EC5C7BC6CFA07

 

[gbaxley]

We discovered another oddity regarding the auto off headlights....I accidently left the selector knob in the running light position after leaving a parking garage. The running lights were still on after 3 hours at the zoo. No auto off for them!

Fortunately, I also discovered that the battery can support lighting the small lamps for 3 hours without draining too low to start the van.

cheers,

------------------
gbaxley
'01 TW EX

 

[bjk2001]

You are right. Key got to be off the ignition to have auto light off working.

Did you have to re-enter the security code to activate the radio?


------------------
'01 GG EX
Mud Guard, Wheel Lock, Cargo Tray, Weathertech Mats
leather steerling wheel cover, Pioneer 1655 speakers,
Lojack

 

[Rook]

jvennitti,
My van has the auto lights off but I only put it to use when I forget to turn the lights off which doesn't occur too often. The chime will always remind me that I've left them on. My key doesn't stay in the ignition after exiting because kids love to test Murphy's Law.
That clicking sound when turning the key was probably caused by your battery not having enough juice to turn the starter. It's the sound most people hear when they have a dead battery. Letting the battery sit for a couple of hours sometimes will let it recharge(stablize) itself to a point where it can turn the starter.
The ticking noise you described sounds like the alarm relay trying to trigger your parking lights or horn. The weak battery probably had enough juice to trigger the relays but not enough to get your lights to flash or horn to honk. Your trip to have the battery checked probably charged the battery back up so that their test showed it was fine.
Good luck

 

[nyvram]

For me, this is the first car I've ever owned w/ "auto off" headlights and personally I like them. Its great because the '15 secs until off' doesn't start until you've closed all the doors; which is nice as it gives you time to start walking toward hte house; they dont go off while you're still futzing around getting the kids out, etc.

Plus, I highly recommend my wife use this feature at night no matter where she's going; those nice bright lights certainly light up the entry path to the van.

During the first start of the next day; the tones will remind you to turn them off if you don't want them on during the day as well.


PS Speaking of; nothing the Honda press release mentioned anything about the 're-engineered lighting' inside of the Ody for 02. Is this still something that was added?

 

[jvennitti]

bjk2001,

No I didn't have to re-enter the code for the radio. I guess the battery was not completely dead.

Rook,

I hadn't thought of the ticking sound being the relay for the alarm. That sounds like a reasonable hypothesis. The most frustrating thing was that I was at work getting this all second hand from my wife, who was already flustered by the situation. Also, I suspect that you are right about the trip charging the battery adequately. I just wanted to be sure that there wasn't something wrong with the charging system that might have contributed to the problem. I was surprised that it only took about 45-60 minutes to drain the battery. Oh well...live and learn. There are worse problems that could have occurred.

Jeff

------------------
Jeff

'01 SS EX
Cassette, Rosen Video System, Fog Lights, Splash Guards
Full Nose Mask

See photos at:
http://www.fototime.com/inv/B5EC5C7BC6CFA07