1997 HONDA ODYSSEY engine

Low Oil Pressure Indicator
This indicator should light when the ignition is ON (II), and go out after
the engine starts. It should never
come on when the engine is running.
If it starts flashing, it indicates that
the oil pressure dropped very low for
a moment, then recovered. If the indicator stays on with the engine
running, it shows that the engine has
lost oil pressure and serious engine
damage is possible. In either case,
you should take immediate action. Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical damage almost immediately. Turn off
the engine as soon as you can safely get
the car stopped.
1. Safely pull off the road and shut off the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
2. Let the car sit for a minute. Open the hood and check the oil level(see page 112). Although oil level
and oil pressure are not directly connected, an engine that is very
low on oil can lose pressure during cornering and other driving

maneuvers.

3. If necessary, add oil to bring the level back to the full mark on thedipstick (see page 148). 4. Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the lightdoes not go out within ten seconds,
turn off the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired before you can
continue driving. (See Towing on page 215.)
Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICE

LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATORProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Charging System Indicator

This indicator should come on when the ignition is ON (II), and go out
after the engine starts. If it comes on
brightly when the engine is running, it indicates that the charging system
has stopped charging the battery. Immediately turn off all electrical
accessories: radio, heater, A/C, rear
defogger, cruise control, etc. Try not
to use other electrically-operated
controls such as the power windows. Keep the engine running and take
extra care not to stall it. Starting the
engine will discharge the battery
rapidly. By eliminating as much of the
electrical load as possible, you can drive several miles before the
battery is top discharged to keep the
engine running. Drive to a service station or garage where you can get
technical assistance.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
CHARGING SYSTEM INDICATORProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Malfunction Indicator Lamp
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
This indicator comes on for a few seconds when you turn the ignition
switch ON (II). If it comes on at any
other time, it indicates one of the
engine's emissions control systems
may have a problem. Even though
you may feel no difference in your car's performance, it can reduce
your fuel economy and cause your car to put out excessive emissions.
Continued operation may cause
serious damage. If you have recently refueled your
vehicle, the cause of this indicator coming on could be a loose or
missing fuel fill cap. Check the cap
and tighten it until it clicks. Replacethe fuel fill cap if it is missing.
Tightening the cap will not make the indicator turn off immediately; it
takes three driving trips.
If the indicator remains on past three
driving trips, or the fuel cap was not
loose or missing, have the vehicle
checked by the dealer as soon as possible. Drive moderately until the
dealer has inspected the problem.
Avoid full-throttle acceleration and driving at high speed. You should also have the dealer
inspect your vehicle if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it may turn off as you continue driving.

If you keep driving with the malfunc-
tion indicator lamp on, you can damage
your car's emission controls and engine. Those repairs may not he covered by
your car's warranties.

Taking Care of the Unexpected
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Fuses

All the electrical circuits in your car have fuses to protect them from ashort circuit or overload. These
fuses are located in two or three fuse boxes.
The interior fuse box is underneaththe dashboard on the driver's side.
To open it, turn the knob as shown. The under-hood fuse box is located
in the engine compartment on the
passenger's side. To open, push the tab as shown.

Taking Care of the Unexpected
KNOB
INTERIOR

UNDER-HOOD
TABProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Fuses

ABS FUSE BOX

The ABS fuse box is in the engine
compartment on the right side.
Checking and Replacing Fuses

If something electrical in your car
stops working, the first thing you
should check for is a blown fuse.
Determine from the chart on pages 213 and 214 , or the diagram on the
fuse box lid, which fuse or fuses control that component. Check those
fuses first, but check all the fuses
before deciding that a blown fuse is not the cause. Replace any blown
fuses and check the component's
operation.

1. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0). Make sure the headlights and
all other accessories are off.
2. Remove the cover from the fuse box. 3. Check each of the large fuses in
the under-hood fuse box by
looking through the top at the wire inside. Removing these fuses
requires a Phillips-head screw-driver.

CONTINUED

Taking Care of the Unexpected
BLOWNProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Towing

If your car needs to be towed, call a
professional towing service or, if you
belong to one, an organization that
provides roadside assistance. Never
tow your car behind another car with
just a rope or chain. It is very
dangerous.

Emergency Towing
There are three popular methods of towing a car:
Flat-bed Equipment — The operator
loads your car on the back of a truck.
This is the best way of trans- porting your Honda.
Wheel Lift Equipment — The tow
truck uses two pivoting arms that go
under the tires (front or rear) and lift
them off the ground. The other two
tires remain on the ground.
Sling-type Equipment — The tow

truck uses metal cables with hooks on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and
the cables lift that end of the car off
the ground. Your car's suspension and body can be seriously damaged
if this method of towing is attempted.
If your Honda cannot be transported
by flat-bed, it should be towed with
the front wheels off the ground. If due to damage, your car must be
towed with the front wheels on the
ground, do the following:
Release the parking brake.
Start the engine.
Shift to D4, then to N.
Turn off the engine.
Improper towing preparation will
damage the transmission. Follow the
above procedure exactly. If you cannot
shift the transmission or start the
engine, your car must be transported

on a flat-bed.

It is best to tow the car no farther
than 50 miles (80 km), and keep
the speed below 35 mph (55

km/h).

Trying to lift or tow your car by the
bumpers will cause serious damage. The bumpers are not designed to
support the car's weight.
Taking Care of the Unexpected

NOTICE
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Identification Numbers

Your car has several identifying numbers located in various places.
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the 17-digit number your
Honda dealer uses to register your
car for warranty purposes. It is also
necessary for licensing and insuring
your car. The easiest place to find the VIN is on a plate fastened to the
top of the dashboard. You can see it
by looking through the windshieldon the driver's side. It is also on the
Certification label attached to the
driver's doorjamb, and is stamped on
the engine compartment bulkhead.
The VIN is also provided in bar code on the Certification label. VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
CERTIFICATION LABEL

Technical InformationProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Identification Numbers

The Engine Number is stamped into the engine block. It is on the front.
The Transmission Number is on a label on top of the transmission.

Technical Information
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NUMBER

ENGINE NUMBERProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t