2002 HONDA ODYSSEY engine overheat

If the TCS indicator comes on and
stays on for more than 10 minutes
while driving, pull to the side of the
road when it is saf e and turn of f the
engine. Reset the system by
restarting the engine, and watch the
TCS indicator. If the indicator
remains on, or comes back on while
driving, have the system inspected
by your Honda dealer. You can still
drive the vehicle without TCS.
This indicator will come on along
with the ABS indicator if there is a
problem in the anti-lock brake
system (seeon page
).
The TCS indicator may occasionally
come on f or one or two seconds and
then go out. This is normal.
The Traction Control System turns
on every time you start the engine,
even if you turned it of f the last time
you drove the vehicle.
The TCS indicator comes on or
f lashes under the f ollowing condi-
tions:
When you turn the ignition switch
to ON (II).
When you manually turn of f TCS.
It f lashes when TCS is regulating
wheelspin.
If the system’s diagnostics senses
a problem with TCS, the indicator
will come on and stay on.
If the brakes overheat, the
indicator will come on. 256
Traction Control System
Driving
ABS Indicator
T CS Indicat or
259

The added weight, length, and
height of a trailer will af f ect your
vehicle’s handling and perf ormance,
so driving with a trailer requires
some special driving skills and
techniques.If youmuststopwhenfacinguphill,
use the f oot brake or parking brake.
Do not try to hold the vehicle in
placebypressingontheaccelerator,
as this can cause the automatic
transmission to overheat.
When driving down hills, reduce
your speed and shif t down to 2nd
gear. Do not ‘‘ride’’ the brakes, and
remember it will take longer to slow
downandstopwhentowingatrailer.
Foryoursafetyandthesafetyof
others,taketimetopracticedriving
maneuvers bef ore heading f or the
open road, and f ollow the guidelines
discussed below.
Drive slower than normal in all
driving situations, and obey posted
speed limits f or vehicles with trailers.
Use the D position when towing a
trailer on level roads. See ‘‘
’’ in the next column f or
additional gear inf ormation. Do not
exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). At higher
speeds, the trailer may sway or
af f ect vehicle handling. Make turns more slowly and wider
than normal. The trailer tracks a
smaller are than your vehicle, and it
canhitorrunoversomethingthe
vehicle misses. Allow more time and
distance f or braking. Do not brake or
turn suddenly as this could cause the
trailer to jackknif e or turn over.
When climbing hills, closely watch
your temperature gauge. If it nears
the red mark, turn the air
conditioning of f , reduce speed and, if
necessary, pull to the side of the
road to let the engine cool.
If the automatic transmission shif ts
f requently while going up a hill, shif t
to D .
3
Driving Saf ely With a T railer
T owing Speeds and Gears
Driving on
Hills Making T urns and Braking
Driving on Hills
Towing a Trailer
Driving268

´
µ
Torque the spark plug. (If you do
not have a torque wrench, tighten
the spark plug two-thirds of a turn
af ter it contacts the cylinder head.)
Tightening torque:Spark Plug Gap:
Install the ignition coil. Reinstall
the hexagon socket head cap bolt.
Push the wire connector onto the
ignition coil. Make sure it locks in
place.
Repeat this procedure f or the
other f ive spark plugs.
Reinstall the cover on the front
cylinder bank while putting its
mounting clip in the hole on the
passenger’s side. Secure the cover
by turning the heads of the two
holding clips one-quarter turn
clockwise with a f lat-tipped
screwdriver. NGK:
DENSO:
7. 8.
9.
10.
11. Specif ications:
Spark Plugs
Maint enance302
13 lbf·ft (18 N·m , 1.8 kgf·m)
0.04 in (1.1 mm)
PKJ16CR-L11 PZFR5F-11
0
0.1 mm
Tighten the spark plugs caref ully. A
spark plug that is too loose can
overheat and damage the engine.
Overtightening can cause damage to
the threads in the cylinder head.

This section covers the more-
common problems that motorists
experience with their vehicles. It
gives you inf ormation 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 f ind instructions
on getting your vehicle towed.......................
Compact Spare Tire .338
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .339
..........
If Your Engine Won’t Start . 348
Nothing Happens or the Starter Motor Operates ........................
Very Slowly .348
The Starter Operates ................................
Normally .348
................................
Jump Starting .349
............
If Your Engine Overheats . 351
.........
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 354
..........
Charging System Indicator . 355
.......
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 356
.......................
Readiness Codes .357
...............
Brake System Indicator . 358
..............................................
Fuses .359
..........
Checking and Replacing . 360
......................
Emergency Towing .365
Taking Care of the Unexpected
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed337

Once your vehicle is running,
disconnect the negative cable f rom
your vehicle, then f rom the
booster battery. Disconnect the
positive cable f rom your vehicle,
then the booster battery.The pointer of your vehicle’s
temperature gauge should stay in
the midrange under most conditions.
Itmaygohigherif youaredrivingup
a long steep hill on a very hot day. If
it climbs to the red mark, you should
determine the reason. Your vehicle can overheat for several
reasons, such as lack of coolant or a
mechanical problem. The only
indication may be the temperature
gauge climbing to or above the red
mark. Or you may see steam or
spray coming f rom under the hood.
In either case, you should take
immediate action.
Keep the ends of the jumper cables
away from each other and any metal
on the vehicle until all are
disconnected. Otherwise, you may
cause an electrical short. 7.
CONT INUED
Jump Starting, If Your Engine Overheats
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed351
Steam and spray from an
overheated engine can
seriously scald you.
Do not open the hood if steam
is coming out.
Driving with the temperature gauge
pointer at the red mark can cause
serious damage to your engine.

Saf ely pull to the side of the road.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park and set the parking brake.
Turn of f the heating and cooling/
climate control system and all
otheraccessories.Turnonthe
hazard warning indicators.
If you see steam and/or spray
coming f rom under the hood, turn
of f the engine.If you do not see steam or spray,
leave the engine running and
watch the temperature gauge. If
the high heat is due to overloading
(climbing a long, steep hill on a
hot day with the A/C running, f or
example), the engine should start
to cool down almost immediately.
If it does, wait until the tempera-
ture gauge comes down to the mid-
point then continue driving.
If the temperature gauge stays at
the red mark, turn of f the engine.
Wait until you see no more signs
of steam or spray, then open the
hood.Look f or any obvious coolant leaks,
such as a split radiator hose.
Everything is still extremely hot,
so use caution. If you f ind a leak, it
must be repaired bef ore you
continue driving (see
on page ).
If you don’t f ind an obvious leak,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank (see page ). If the level is below the
MIN mark, add coolant to halfway
between the MIN and MAX marks.
1.
2.
3.
7. 6.
5. 4. 237365
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing
352

If there was no coolant in the
reserve tank, you may also have to
add coolant to the radiator. Let the
engine cool down until the pointer
reaches the middle of the tempera-
ture gauge, or lower, bef ore check-
ing the radiator.Using gloves or a large heavy
cloth, turn the radiator cap
counterclockwise, without pushing
down, to the f irst stop. This
releases any remaining pressure in
the cooling system. After the
pressure releases, push down on
the cap and turn it until it comes
off.
Start the engine and set the
temperature control dial to
maximum (climate control to
FULL AUTO at 90°F/32°C). Add
coolant to the radiator up to the
base of the f iller neck. If you do
not have the proper coolant
mixture available, you can add
plain water. Remember to have
the cooling system drained and
ref illed with the proper mixture as
soon as you can.Put the radiator cap back on
tightly. Run the engine and watch
the temperature gauge. If it goes
back to the red mark, the engine
needs repair. (See
on page .)
If the temperature stays normal,
check the coolant level in the
radiator reserve tank. If it has
gone down, add coolant to the
MAX mark. Put the cap back on
tightly.
8.
9.
10. 12. 11.
365Emergency
Towing
If Your Engine Overheats
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed353
Removing the radiator cap
while the engine is hot can
cause the coolant to spray out,
seriously scalding you.
Always let the engine and
radiator cool down before
removing the radiator cap.

CONT INUED
..............................
Economy, Fuel .238
............
Emergencies on the Road . 337
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 349
Emergencies on the Road ...........
Brake System Indicator . 358
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 339
.....
Charging System Indicator . 355
..................
Checking the Fuses . 359
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 354
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 356
..................
Overheated Engine . 351
.........................
Emergency Brake .117
......................
Emergency Flashers .77
......................
Emergency Towing .365
.......................
Emissions Controls .376
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 379
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 69
.................................
Drive Belts .308
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .64, 356
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 64,354
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 285
...............................
Overheating .351 ............................
Specif ications .371
.......................................
Starting .247
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .374
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 376
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .59
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .377
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .20
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 330
............................
Fabric, Cleaning .333
..........................
Fan, Interior .132, 145
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .131
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 233
Filters ...............................................
Air .298
.........................
Dust and Pollen .308
...............................................
Oil .287
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 77
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 339
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 72
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 295
..................................
Engine Oil .236
..........................
Directional Signals .74
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 254
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .288
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 82
....................
Lockout Prevention . 83
.................
Manual Sliding Doors . 91
..............................
Monitor Light .66
......................
Power Door Locks .82
...................
Power Sliding Doors . 92
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 372
.....................................
Drive Belts .308
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .245
....................................
Economy .238
.........................
In Bad Weather .260
................
In Foreign Countries . 375
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 298
...................................
DVD Player .205
Index
E
F
III