1998 HONDA ODYSSEY jump start

Taking Care of the Unexpected
This section covers the more- common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you information about how to safely evaluate the problem and what
to do to correct it. If the problem has stranded you on the side of the road,
you may be able to get going again. If not, you will also find instructionson getting your vehicle towed. Compact Spare Tire....................... 222
Changing a Flat Tire..................... 223
If Your Engine Won't Start........... 229 Nothing Happens or theStarter Motor OperatesVery Slowly......................... 229
The Starter Operates Normally................................. 230
Jump Starting................................. 230 If Your Engine Overheats............. 232
Low Oil Pressure Indicator .......... 234Charging System Indicator........... 235
Malfunction Indicator Lamp ........ 236
Brake System Indicator................ 237 Closing the Sunroof....................... 238
Fuses............................................... 239 Checking and Replacing........... 240

Towing............................................ 244

Taking Care of the UnexpectedProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

If Your Engine Won't Start

Diagnosing why your engine won't start falls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):
You hear nothing, or almostnothing. The engine's starter
motor does not operate at all, or
operates very slowly.
You can hear the starter motor operating normally, or the starter
motor sounds like it is spinning
faster than normal, but the engine does not start up and run.
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly
When you turn the ignition switch to START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying tostart. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things: Your vehicle has the Immobilizer
System. You should use a
properly-coded master or valet key
to start the engine (see page 67).
A key that is not properly coded will cause the immobilizer systemindicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly.
Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park or Neutral or the starter will not
operate.

Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check their brightness. If the headlightsare very dim or don't light at all,
the battery is discharged. See

Jump Starting on page 230.
Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the fuses. If
the fuses are OK, there is proba-
bly something wrong with the electrical circuit for the ignitionswitch or starter motor. You will
need a qualified technician to determine the problem. (See
Towing on page 244.)
If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start theengine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of
the battery and terminal connec-
tions (see page 189). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
from a booster battery (see page
231).
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If Your Engine Won't Start, Jump Starting
The Starter
Operates Normally
In this case, the starter motor's
speed sounds normal, or even faster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run. Are you using the proper startingprocedure? Refer to Starting the
Engine on page 141.
Do you have fuel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the fuel gauge.
The low fuel level warning light may not be working, so you were
not reminded to fill the tank.
There may be an electrical problem, such as no power to the
fuel pump. Check all the fuses (see page 242).
If you find nothing wrong, you will
need a qualified technician to find
the problem. See Towing on page

244.
Jump Starting
If your vehicle's battery has rundown, you may be able to start the
engine by using a booster battery.
Although this seems like a simple procedure, you should take several

precautions.

You cannot start a Honda by pushing or pulling it. To jump start your vehicle, follow
these directions closely:
1. Open the hood and check the physical condition of the battery(see page 189 ). In very cold
weather, check the condition of the electrolyte. If it seems slushyor like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.

If a battery sits in extreme cold, the electrolyte inside can freeze.
Attempting to jump start with a frozen battery can cause it to rupture.

2. Turn off all the electrical acces- sories: heater, A/C, stereo system,
lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.

Taking Care of the Unexpected
A battery can explode if you do
not follow the correct procedure,
seriously injuring anyone nearby.
Keep all sparks, open flames,
and smoking materials away
from the battery.
NOTICEProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Jump Starting

3. Connect one jumper cable to the positive ( + ) terminal on the
booster battery. Connect the other end to the positive ( + ) terminal
on your Honda's battery. 4. Connect the second jumper cable
to the negative ( — ) terminal on
the booster battery. Connect theother end to the grounding strap
as shown. Do not connect this
jumper cable to any other part of the engine.
5. If the booster battery is in another vehicle, have an assistant start
that vehicle and run it at a fast idle. 6. Start your vehicle. If the starter
motor still operates slowly, check
the jumper cable connections to
make sure they have good metal-
to-metal contact.
7. Once your vehicle is running, disconnect the negative cable from
your vehicle, then from the booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable from your vehicle,
then the booster battery.

Taking Care of the Unexpected

BOOSTER
BATTERYProCarManuals.comMain Menu Table of Contents s t

Index

Accessories and Modifications.... 134 Accessories................................. 134
Additional Safety Precaution.... 135Modifications............................. 135
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key
Position)........................................ 70

Adding Automatic Transmission

Fluid........................................ 177

Brake Fluid................................. 183
Engine Coolant........................... 177

Engine Oil................................... 173

Power Steering Fluid................. 184
Windshield Washer Fluid......... 181
Additional Information About
Your Seat Belts........................ 41
Lap Belt......................................... 42
Lap/Shoulder Belt....................... 41
Seat Belt Maintenance................ 42
Seat Belt System Components... 41
Additional Information About
Your SRS.................................. 42
Additional Safety Precautions.... 46 How Your Airbags Work............ 44
How Your SRS Indicator

Works........................................ 46

SRS Components......................... 44

Additives, Engine Oil..................... 175

Adjustments
Mirrors.......................................... 84

Head Restraints........................... 76

Seats.............................................. 74

Steering Wheel............................ 62

Airbag (SRS) ...................................... 7

Air Cleaner Element...................... 185

Air Conditioning............................... 94
Maintenance............................... 194

Usage............................................. 94

Air Outlets (Vents).......................... 96
Air Pressure, Tires........................ 196
Alcohol in Gasoline........................ 128
Antifreeze....................................... 177
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) Indicator Light..................... 53, 149Operation.................................... 148
Anti-theft Steering Column Lock.. 70
Appearance Care........................... 213
Ashtray.............................................. 89
Audio System................................. 103
Automatic Speed Control................ 64
Automatic Transmission............... 142

Capacity, Fluid........................... 248

Checking Fluid Level................ 182

Shifting........................................ 142

Shift Lever Positions................. 142

Shift Position Indicator............. 142

Shift Lock Release..................... 145

Battery
Charging System
Indicator............................ 52, 235

Jump Starting............................. 230
Maintenance............................... 189

Specifications............................. 249

Before Driving............................... 127

Belts, Seat........................................... 6

Beverage Holder.............................. 86
Body Repair.................................... 219

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Index

Brakes Anti-lock System (ABS)............ 148
Break-in, New Linings .............. 128

Fluid............................................ 183

Light, Burned-out...................... 196
Parking.......................................... 85
System Indicator.......................... 52
Wear Indicators......................... 147
Brakes, ABS Operation.................................... 148
System Indicator.................. 53, 149
Braking System.............................. 147
Break-in, New Car......................... 128
Brightness Control, Instruments... 59
Brights, Headlights......................... 58
Bulb Replacement Back-up Lights........................... 208
Brake Lights............................... 208
Ceiling Light............................... 210
Front Parking Lights................. 207
Front Side Marker Lights......... 207
Headlights.................................. 206
License Plate Lights.................. 209
Specifications............................. 249
Turn Signal Lights..................... 207
Bulbs, Halogen............................... 206 Cables, Jump Starting With.......... 231
Capacities Chart............................. 248
Carbon Monoxide Hazard.............. 47
Carrying Cargo.............................. 137
Cassette Player Care............................................. 121
Operation............................ 107, 119
CAUTION, Explanation of............... ii
CD Player ............................... 110, 122
Center Pocket.................................. 88
Certification Label......................... 246
Chains............................................. 201
Change Oil
How to......................................... 175

When to....................................... 164

Changing a Flat Tire..................... 223
Changing Engine Coolant............. 179
Charging System Indicator.... 52, 235
Checking Automatic Transmission

Fluid........................................ 182

Battery Condition...................... 189
Brake Fluid................................. 183
Drive Belts.................................. 195
Engine Coolant........................... 132

Engine Oil................................... 131
Fuses........................................... 240
Power Steering Fluid................. 184
Checklist, Before Driving............. 140
Childproof Door Locks................... 72

Cigarette Lighter............................. 89

Cleaner, Air.................................... 185

Cleaning
Aluminum Wheels..................... 215
Carpeting.................................... 216

Exterior....................................... 214

Fabric.......................................... 216

Interior........................................ 216

Seat Belts.................................... 217
Vinyl............................................ 216

Window....................................... 217

CLEAN Light................................. 121

Clock, Setting the ............................ 86

CO in the Exhaust......................... 255

Cold Weather, Starting in............. 141
Compact Spare............................... 222
Consumer Information*................ 260
Controls, Instruments and.............. 49ProCarManuals.comMain Menu s t

Index

Coolant
Adding......................................... 177

Checking..................................... 132

Proper Solution.......................... 177

Temperature Gauge.................... 55

Corrosion Protection..................... 218

Crankcase Emission Control
System......................................... 255

Cruise Control Operation............... 64

Customer Relations Office........... 251

DANGER, Explanation of................. ii
Dashboard........................................ 50 Dashboard Compartment............... 88
Daytime Running Lights................. 58
Dead Battery, What to Do............ 230 Defects, Reporting Safety............. 264
Defogger, Rear Window................. 61
Defrosting the Windows................. 99
DEXRON ®
III Automatic
Transmission Fluid.................... 182
Dimensions..................................... 248
Dimming the Headlights................ 58 Dipstick
Automatic Transmission........... 182
Engine Oil................................... 131
Directional Signals........................... 59

Disabled, Towing Your Car If...... 244

Disc Brake Wear Indicators......... 147
Disposal of Used Oil...................... 176
Doors Locking and Unlocking............... 70
Power Door Locks....................... 70
DOT Tire Quality Grading........... 251
Driver and Passenger Safety............ 3
Drive Belts...................................... 195
Driving............................................ 139 Economy..................................... 133
In Bad Weather.......................... 148
In Foreign Countries................. 254

Economy, Fuel............................... 133

Emergencies on the Road............. 221
Battery, Jump Starting.............. 230

Brake System Indicator............ 237

Changing a Flat Tire................. 223

Chargilng System Indicator ...... 235 Checking the Fuses................... 240
Low Oil Pressure Indicator...... 234
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.... 236
Manually Closing Sunroof........ 238
Overheated Engine................... 232
Emergency Brake............................ 85
Emergency Flashers....................... 61
Emission Controls......................... 255
Engine Belts............................................. 195
Coolant Temperature Gauge ..... 56
Malfunction IndicatorLamp................................. 32, 236
Oil Pressure Indicator......... 32, 234
Oil, What Kind to Use............... 173 Overheating................................ 232
Specifications............................. 249
Ethanolin Gasoline....................... 254 Evaporative Emission Controls.... 255
Exhaust Fumes................................ 47
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat Belts by......................................... 17
Exterior, Cleaning the................... 214

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Index

Ignition
Keys............................................... 67

Switch............................................ 69
Timing Control System............. 256
Important Safety Precautions .......... 4
Indicator Lights, Instrument Panel.............................................. 51
Infant Restraint................................ 27
Inflation, Proper Tire .................... 196
Inside Mirror.................................... 84
Inspection, Tire.............................. 198
Instrument Panel............................. 51
Instrument Panel Brightness......... 59
Interior Cleaning............................ 216
Interior Lights.................................. 90 Introduction......................................... i

Jacking up the Car......................... 225

Jack, Tire........................................ 223

Jump Starting................................. 230

Keys................................................... 67
Label, Certification........................ 246

Lane Change, Signaling.................. 59

Lap Belt............................................. 42

Lap/Shoulder Belts......................... 41
Leaking of Exhaust into Car.......... 47
Lighter, Cigarette............................ 89
Lights
Headlight Aiming...................... 204
Bulb Replacement..................... 206
Indicator........................................ 51

Parking.......................................... 58

Turn Signal................................... 59

LOCK (Ignition Key Position)....... 70

Locks
Anti-theft Steering Column........ 50Fuel Fill Door............................. 129
Glove Box..................................... 73
Power Door................................... 70

Tailgate ...................................... 72

Low Coolant Level......................... 177
Lo
w Oil
Pressure Indicator.... 50, 234
Lubricant Specifications Chart.... 248

Luggage.......................................... 137
Maintenance..................................

. 159

Owner Maintenance Checks.... 171

Record.................................. 169- 170

Required Indicator......................
. 56

Safety........................................... 160

Schedule.............................. 164- 168

Malfunction Indicato

r Lamp.. 52, 236

Maximum Allowable Speeds........ 145

Meters, Gauges................................ 55

Methanol in Gasoline.................... 253

Mirrors, Adjusting........................... 84

Neutral Gear Position.................... 144

New Vehicle Break-in ................... 128

NOTICE, Explanation of................... ii

Numbers, Identification................ 246

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