1998 HONDA ODYSSEY Owners Manual

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
vehicle's performance, it can reduce
your fuel economy and cause your
vehicle 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 capand tighten it until it clicks. Replace
the 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 threedriving 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
malfunction indicator lamp on, you can

damage your vehicle's emissions

controls and engine. Those repairs may

not be covered by your vehicle's
warranties.

Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Brake System Indicator

The Brake System indicator light should normally come on only when
the parking brake is not fully

released.

If it comes on at any other time, it
indicates a problem with the vehicle's
brake system. In most cases, the
problem is a low fluid level in the
brake fluid reservoir. Press lightly on
the brake pedal to see if it feels
normal. If it does, check the brake
fluid level the next time you stop at a service station (see page 183). If the
fluid level is low, take the vehicle to
your dealer and have the brake system inspected for leaks or worn
brake pads.
However, if the brake pedal does not
feel normal, you should take immediate action. Because of the
brake system's dual-circuit design, a
problem in one part of the system
will still give you braking at two
wheels. You will feel the brake pedal go down much farther before the
vehicle begins to slow down, and you will have to press harder on the
pedal. The distance needed to stop
will be much longer.
Slow down by shifting to a lower
gear, and pull to the side of the road
when it is safe. Because of the longer distance needed to stop, it is
hazardous to drive the vehicle. Youshould have it towed, and repaired as
soon as possible. If you must drive the vehicle a short
distance in this condition, drive
slowly and cautiously.
Taking Care of the Unexpected

BRAKE SYSTEM INDICATOR*

*U.S. indicator shown
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Closing the Sunroof

If the electric motor will not close
the sunroof, do the following:
1. Check the fuse for the sunroof motor (see page 239 ). If the fuse
is blown, replace it with one of thesame or lower rating.
2. Try closing the sunroof. If the new fuse blows immediately or thesunroof motor still does not
operate, you can close the sunroof
manually.
3. Get the tool out of the tool kit in the tool box. 4. Use a screwdriver or coin to
remove the round plug in the
headliner between the sun visors. 5. Insert the sunroof wrench into the
socket behind this plug. Turn the
wrench until the sunroof is fully
closed.

6. Remove the wrench. Replace the round plug.

Taking Care of the Unexpected
ROUND PLUG
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Fuses

All the electrical circuits in your vehicle have fuses to protect them
from a short circuit or overload.
These fuses are located in 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.

CONTINUED

Taking Care of the Unexpected

INTERIOR
KNOB
UNDER-HOOD

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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
vehicle stops working, the first thing
you should check for is a blown fuse. Determine from the chart on pages 242 and 243 , 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 wireinside. Removing these fuses
requires a Phillips-head screw-driver.
Taking Care of the Unexpected
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Fuses

4. Check the smaller fuses in the under-hood fuse box and all the
fuses in the interior fuse box by
pulling out each fuse with the fuse
puller provided in the interior fuse
box. 5. Look for a burned wire inside the
fuse. If it is burned, replace it withone of the spare fuses of the same
rating or lower.
If you cannot drive the vehicle
without fixing the problem, and you do not have a spare fuse, take a fuse
of the same rating or a lower rating
from one of the other circuits. Make sure you can do without that circuit
temporarily (such as the cigarette
lighter or radio). If you replace the blown fuse with a
spare fuse that has a lower rating, it
might blow out again. This does not

indicate anything wrong. Replace the

fuse with one of the correct rating as
soon as you can.

Replacing a fuse with one that has a higher rating greatly increases the
chances of damaging the electrical
system. If you do not have a replace-
ment fuse with the proper rating for the
circuit, install one with a lower rating.
6. If the replacement fuse of the same rating blows in a short time,
there is probably a serious
electrical problem in your vehicle.

Leave the blown fuse in that
circuit and have your vehicle

checked by a qualified mechanic.

CONTINUED
Taking Care of the Unexpected

FUSE PULLER
BLOWN
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Fuses

UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX
* : On Canadian models
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Fuses

ABS FUSE BOX INTERIOR FUSE BOX
: Spare Fuse * : On Canadian models
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