[cwneed]

My check engine light came on 1 month ago and has not gone off since. The TCS light started coming on at about the same time. It comes on after 5 minutes of driving and no amount of pushing the TCS button makes it turn off. The vehicle has been to the dealer 3 times and it is still not fixed. The first time the dealer said the TCS was fine. As for the CEL, they retreived codes P0301, P0302 and P0303. They reset the ECU and added fuel injection cleaner and said it was fine. I picked the vehicle up and before I got home, which is four miles from the dealer, both lights were back on.

So I make another trip to the dealer. This time they retreived code P1491 (EGR lift insufficient) and code 31-2 (needs PCV update). Both parts needed to be special ordered.

Two weeks pass and the parts arrive. I return to the dealer, the parts are installed, and my driver side power slider is adjusted (seperate problem relating to the fuel door). They say they installed a new traction control module and reset the light. Additionaly, they cleaned out the EGR ports which were clogged with carbon.

The day after I pick it up...surprise, surprise both lights are back on. I'm beginning to think the Ody gods are playing a trick on me. The power door is fine, but it seems like thats all they fixed.

Does anybody have any suggestions to remedy the situation or provide me with information to clue in the Honda service people? Also, why would the EGR ports be clogged with carbon so soon? Searching for answers, I am getting very frustrated with the situation. Since it doesn't make the van drive poorly it is not terrible, but I would like the van to be running free of warning lights on the dash. Love the van otherwise.

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99 EX Deep Velvet Blue
Fog Lights
Air Deflector
Splash Guards
Cargo Tray
Cargo Mat

 

[gram_parsons]

I see you have a '99 model, the first year model. Bwuh-hah-hah-hah!!! (sinister, uncompassionate laugh).

Just kidding. I wouldn't stick a hot poker in your eye, but this sounds like a typical first-year problem. I don't have any specific suggestions except to call Honda of America. Your service people can't seem to catch a clue . . take it to the next level.

How many miles do you have on your van? Does anyone with '00 or '01 models have this problem?

You're a very good sport to endure that many service trips and still "love the van". I'm hoping to get typical Honda reliability out of this van. If not, I might be hoping for typical Toyota reliability out of my next one.


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'01 SS Honda Odyssey EX
'99 F150 XL Supercab
'00 Kawasaki ZR-7

 

[cwneed]

I wasn't overly excited to get a first model year. Due to circumstances outside my control (old van breaking down forcing us to buy a replacement, etc) I had to get a 99. I did the research and knew this was the van we wanted. We didn't have the time or the money for a new one. With a new child, safety was #1, which IMO, leaves the Sienna (too small), Windstar (we won't even discuss that) and the Ody. I figured I would sacrifice some headaches of 1st year kinks for the safety and convenience of this superior van. I am still pleased with it due to the fact that, except for the CEL, the van can be driven fine with this current problem.

Also you have to consider that the old van was a bit of a beast, 89 Chevy Astro (hand-me-down. So, compared to that, this is a dream. We love the dual doors, obvious fold down seat, climate control, accel, handling, everything...as I'm sure you all know.

I will probably make the call to Honda of America tomorow. Perhaps they can help.

Thanks

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99 EX Deep Velvet Blue
Fog Lights
Air Deflector
Splash Guards
Cargo Tray
Cargo Mat

 

[pjsab]

I have an 00 Odyssey with a TCS & cel light on for the last month. With only 10k miles on this van it breaks my confidence in Honda that it took three trips to the dealer for them to tell me that my EGR valve is defective. Sounds like Honda has a problem somewhere and they are doing the Tango. The van is going in for service Friday I'll pray for it because it is one of the best vehicles I have owned .

 

[cwneed]

Hey pjsab...sounds like we are in the same boat. I took mine in again last Wednesday and they told me that the first part they installed didn't do the trick. Now they ordered a new EGR valve and that gets installed tomorrow (3-13-01). Hopefully this takes care of the problem. My service guy said that the CEL and the TCS being on is part of the same problem. This doesn't make sense to me but I have no argument to make to them so I will just grin and bear it.

According to the service manager I spoke with he stated that the mechanics have a "flowchart" they must follow set forth by Honda. They pull the code from the vehicle and then they look the code up. It tells them to check or replace something which they do (in my case they cleaned out the ports). They give it back to the customer and if the light comes back on they once again pull the code and then look in the book. Since the first recomendation didn't work, they must do the second option. This makes sense to me but why can't they just test drive the Ody for 5 miles after they replace it and see if it comes back on. If it does, go to step # 2 and save me an extra trip to the dealer. Who knows, maybe I'm thinking crazy or "out-of-the-box." Hopefully, replacing the EGR valve will fix teh problem, I'm getting tired of the once a week trips to the dealer. Sorry to take up the space, I guess I just had to vent. I will update you with my results. Good luck.

Chris

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99 EX Deep Velvet Blue
Fog Lights
Air Deflector
Splash Guards
Cargo Tray
Cargo Mat

 

[cwneed]

Good News pjsab. The new EGR valve that my Ody received today seems to have done the trick. I'll give you the specifics so you can see how it matches up to your problem.

Most recently the dealer pulled code #1491 which indicates "EGR lift insufficient". They ordered the EGR (part#18011-P8F-A00) and installed it today. They did a 12 mile test drive and said everything was OK. I reset my "B" odometer so I could see if they test drove it since I had my doubts in the past. The odometer confirmed it...11.9 miles. Anyway, the CEL and the TCS light are both off and during mixed highway and city driving today, neither came on. Hopefully this was the cure.

I will keep my fingers crossed.

Chris

------------------
99 EX Deep Velvet Blue
Fog Lights
Air Deflector
Splash Guards
Cargo Tray
Cargo Mat

 

[triplecut]

First of all, what is a TCS light? Is it the fabled "check engine" light?

Sometimes the PCM needs to be "flashed" or reprogrammed to reset parameters but maybe it was just a bad EGR valve after all. Poor EGR valves have a tough existance and can be troublesome.

------------------
Jim

 

[cwneed]

The TCS light is the Traction Control Light. The dealer stated that it was related to the EGR valve and the CEL (Check Engine Light)...go figure. It didn't make sense to me, but I guess that's why I don't build cars. Both lights are off now and thats all that matters to me. Hopefully I won't see them again.

Chris

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99 EX Deep Velvet Blue; Fog Lights; Air Deflector; Splash Guards; Cargo Tray; Cargo Mat

 

[ryeld]

Probably completely irrelevant, as it seems the EGR valve may be your culprit, but...

When we purchased (Jan '01) we ended up with leather seats and seat warmers (insert "Yes, Dear" here). While test driving, the TCS and Check Engine lights came on. After running it through the service department twice, it ended up being the wiring to the seat warmers was incorrect.

Good Luck...

 

[cwneed]

Interesting. Thanks for the insight. Mine have been good for two days now. I'm trying to contain my excitement.

Chris

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99 EX Deep Velvet Blue; Fog Lights; Air Deflector; Splash Guards; Cargo Tray; Cargo Mat

 

[pjsab]

Hey cnweed its looks good for me too on the EGR valve replacement. According to my service advisor Honda had a bad batch of them and I guess we where the lucky recipients. I was getting nervous there for a bit it was giving me flashbacks of my previous DC days when my car was in monthly for service. I will keep you posted if anything turns up.

 

[cwneed]

Lucky us indeed....

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99 EX Deep Velvet Blue; Fog Lights; Air Deflector; Splash Guards; Cargo Tray; Cargo Mat

 

[lsouto]

This information looks great. I will give this to my dealer and hopefully get it fix on my next trip to the dealer. I appreciate your sharing of this information. I will post my results from the dealer later.

 

[gsg]

We had the check engine light on our 2002 come on after a grand total of 40 miles were put on it (a new record?.

The dealer has it right now, and we have a cheesy replacement car for the time being. Will let you know what happens.

 

[cwneed]

I do believe you have the new record. 40 miles is crazy. Hopefully tehy fix it for you quickly.

------------------
Chris
99 EX Deep Velvet Blue; Fog Lights; Air Deflector; Splash Guards; Cargo Tray; Cargo Mat

 

[Grantbo]

EGR valve...nooo please nooo!
The EGR valve is a major reason why we're selling our '95 Blazer! I do not want to deal with that issue with our new (Oct. build date) '02 Ody. In fact, after many, many years of denial, GM has finally issued a "free EGR replacement" bulletins to those models affected. I'm having mine replaced just in time to sell or trade it in for the Ody.

Given that I'm going to pay MSRP, I wonder if the dealer will be more willing to give me a fair price on my trade-in??

Grant
Another fine Chicagoland member
'02 SS Ex..on order

 

[Grantbo]

EGR valve...nooo please nooo!
The EGR valve is a major reason why we're selling our '95 Blazer! I do not want to deal with that issue with our new (Oct. build date) '02 Ody. In fact, after many, many years of denial, GM has finally issued a "free EGR replacement" bulletins to those models affected. I'm having mine replaced just in time to sell or trade it in for the Ody.

Given that I'm going to pay MSRP, I wonder if the dealer will be more willing to give me a fair price on my trade-in??

Grant
Another fine Chicagoland member
'02 SS Ex..on order

 

[albaby]

You can add me to the list of those with CEL and TCS light problems. 55,000 miles. Also loss of power and fuel economy drop. Goes to dealer tomorrow. 01 Ody.
AL

 

[dgs]

I had the same on my '99 in May several hundren miles from home. There's a recal on that EGR valve and what ever they did to it fixed mine.

 

[albaby]

It was the EGR valve. They claimed they replaced it, cleaned the port and inserted a sleeve in the port. (They did not explain what the purpose of the sleeve was, but I am assuming it may be of some material or finish that lessens the carbon buildup). I'll try and find out.
No charge, Covered under warranty.
Al