2003 HONDA ODYSSEY check engine light

If the headlights dim noticeably or
go out when you try to start the
engine, either the battery is dis-
charged or the connections are
corroded. Check the condition of the
battery and terminal connections
(see page ). You can then try
jump starting the vehicle from a
booster battery (see page ).In this case, the starter motor’s
speed sounds normal, or even f aster
than normal, when you turn the
ignition switch to START (III), but
the engine does not run.
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on page . There may be an electrical
problem, such as no power to the
f uel pump. Check all the f uses
(see page ).
If youfindnothingwrong,youwill
need a qualif ied technician to f ind
the problem. See on page .
Your vehicle has the Immobilizer
System. You should use a
properly-coded master or valet key
to start the engine (see page ).
A key that is not properly coded
will cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly. Do you have f uel? Turn the
ignition switch to ON (II) for a
minute and watch the f uel gauge.
The low f uel level warning light
may not be working, so you were
not reminded to f ill the tank.
317
364
259 374
380
90
T he Starter Operates Normally
Starting the
Engine Emergency
Towing
If Your Engine Won’t Start
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed363

´´
If your vehicle’s battery has run
down,youmaybeabletostartthe
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, f ollow
these directions closely:
Open the hood and check the
physical condition of the battery
(see page ). In very cold
weather, check the condition of
the electrolyte. If it seems slushy
or like ice, do not try jump starting
until it thaws.
Turn of f all the electrical acces-
sories: heater, A/C, climate
control, stereo system, lights, etc.
Put the transmission in Neutral or
Park, and set the parking brake. Connect one jumper cable to the
positive ( ) terminal on your
Honda’s battery. Connect the
other end to the positive ( )
terminal on the booster battery.
1.
2.
3.
317
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Jump Starting
364
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.
If a battery sits in extreme cold, the
electrolyte inside can f reeze.
Attempting to jump start with a f rozen
battery can cause it to rupture.

This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. It should
never come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing, it
indicates that the oil pressure
dropped very low f or 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.Saf ely pull of f the road and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning indicators.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ). Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood and check the oil
level (see page ). Although oil
levelandoilpressurearenot
directly connected, an engine that
is very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.Start the engine and watch the oil
pressure indicator. If the light
does not go out within ten seconds,
turn of f the engine. There is a
mechanical problem that needs to
be repaired bef ore you can
continue driving. (See
on page .)
1.
2.
3. 4.
248 297 380
Emergency
Towing
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed369
LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR
Running the engine with low oil
pressure can cause serious mechanical
damage almost immediately. Turn of f
the engine as soon as you can saf ely get
the vehicle stopped.

If the indicator remains on past three
driving trips, or the f uel 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.
Youshouldalsohavethedealer
inspect your vehicle if this indicator
comes on repeatedly, even though it
may turn of f as you continue driving.
This indicator should light when the
ignition switch is ON (II), and go out
af ter the engine starts. 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 f eel no dif f erence in
your vehicle’s perf ormance, it can
reduce your f uel economy and cause
your vehicle to put out excessive
emissions. Continued operation may
cause serious damage. If you have recently ref ueled your
vehicle, the cause of this indicator
coming on could be a loose or
missing f uel f ill cap. Check the cap
and tighten it until it clicks several
times. Replace the f uel f ill cap if it is
missing. Tightening the cap will not
make the indicator turn of f
immediately; it takes at least three
driving trips.
This indicator may also come on
along with the ‘‘D’’ indicator.
CONT INUED
Malf unction Indicator L amp
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed371
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP
If you keep driving with the
malf unction indicator lamp on, you can
damage your vehicle’s emissions
controls and engine. Those repairs may
not be covered by your vehicle’s
warranties.

CONT INUED
The secondary f use box is in the
engine compartment next to the
battery.If something electrical in your
vehicle stops working, the first thing
youshouldcheckforisablownfuse.
Determine f rom the chart on page
to , or the diagram on the
f use box lid (the diagram f or the
driver’s side interior f use box is on
the kick panel below the f use box),
which f use or f uses control that
component. Check those f uses f irst,
but check all the f uses bef ore
deciding that a blown f use is not the
cause. Replace any blown f uses and
check the component’s operation.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK
(0). Make sure the headlights and
all other accessories are off.
Remove the cover f rom the f use
box. Check each of the large f uses in
the primary under-hood f use box
by looking through the top at the
wire inside. Removing these f uses
requires a Phillips-head screw-
driver.
1.
2. 379377
3.
Fuses
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Checking and Replacing Fuses
375
FUSE
BLOWN
SECONDARY UNDER-HOOD FUSE BOX

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .72, 370
............................
Jump Starting .364
..............................
Maintenance .317
............................
Specif ications .387
..............................
Bef ore Driving .243
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,50 .........................
Beverage Holders .132
.................................
Body Repairs .350
Brakes ...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 267
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 244
....................
Bulb Replacement .334
...........................................
Fluid .309
.......................................
Parking .129
.................
System Indicator . 72,373
........................
Wear Indicators .266
.............................
Braking System .266
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 244
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 83
........................
Brights, Headlights .82
Bulb Replacement ..........................
Back-up Lights .335
..............................
Brake Lights .334
......................
Cargo Area Light .338
................
Front Parking Lights . 333
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 333
.................................
Headlights .332
.........
High-mount Brake Light . 336
..............
Individual Map Lights . 338
...................
License Plate Light . 337
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 251
................................
Accessories .251
.
Additional Safety Precautions . 252
............................
Modif ications .252
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .92
............
Accessory Power Sockets . 138
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 299
........
Advanced Airbag System . 10,54
.............................
Airbag (SRS) .10, 54
.....................
Air Cleaner Element .311
......
Air Conditioning System . 144,152
..............................
Maintenance .321
.....................
Rear A/C Control .166
.........................
Usage .147, 154,160
...............
Air Outlets (Vents) . 146,152
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .323
.......................
Alcohol in Gasoline .390
.......
Aluminum Wheels, Cleaning . 345
......................................
Antif reeze .301
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ...............................
Indicator .74, 268
...................................
Operation .267
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 200 .
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 91
..........................
Appearance Care .343
........................................
Armrests .115
...............
Audio Controls, Remote . 199
................
Audio System . 169,181,201
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 52
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 83
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 235
..............
Automatic Transmission . 260
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .386
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 307
.......................................
Shif ting .261
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 260
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 261
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 263
Index
A
B
I

Î
Bulb Replacement.........................
Rear Bulbs .334, 335
............................
Specif ications .387
....................
Turn Signal Lights . 333
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .332
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 70
................
Daytime Running Lights . 83
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 400
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 87
................................
Cancel Button .237
............................
Capacities Chart .386
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 66
..........................
Cargo Area Light .141
.................................
Cargo Hooks .256
......................................
Cargo Net .256
.............................
Carrying Cargo .253
Cassette Player ............................................
Care .198
...................
Operation . 174,195,209
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
..................
CD Changer . 177,191,214
......................
CD Player .177, 189,212
...............................
Center Pocket .136
..................................
Center Table .130
........................
Certif ication Label .384
............................................
Chains .329 Changing Oil
........................................
How to .299
......................................
When to .288
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .353
............
Changing Engine Coolant . 303
...
Charging System Indicator . 72,370
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 258
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 98
.....................................
Child Saf ety .24
.......................................
Child Seats .30
......
LATCH Anchorage System . 48
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 46
....................
Cleaner Element, Air . 311
Cleaning ....................
Aluminum Wheels .345
...................................
Carpeting .346
......................................
Exterior .344
.........................................
Fabric .347
.......................................
Interior .346
.......................................
Leather .347
...................................
Seat Belts .347
...........................................
Vinyl .347
....................................
Windows .348
...............
Climate Control System . 152
.........................
Clock, Setting the .130
......................................
Coat Hook .137 .....................
Code, Audio System .200
........................
CO in the Exhaust .392
...................................
Coin Holder .136
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 259
..............................
Compact Spare .352
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 398
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 69
Coolant ........................................
Adding .301
....................................
Checking .249
.........................
Proper Solution .301
...................................
Replacing .303
...................
Temperature Gauge . 79
....................
Corrosion Protection .349
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .392
............
Cruise Control Operation . 235
..........
Customer Relations Of f ice . 398
Index
C
D
II

CONT INUED
Def rosting.............
the Windows . 149,159,164
....................................
Dimensions .386
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 82
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 307
..................................
Engine Oil .248
..........................
Directional Signals .84
........
Disc Brake Wear Indicators . 266
.....................
Disposal of Used Oil .300
Doors ..............
Locking and Unlocking . 92
....................
Lockout Prevention . 93
..............
Manual Sliding Doors . 101
..............................
Monitor Light .75
......................
Power Door Locks .92
.................
Power Sliding Doors . 103
..........
DOT Tire Quality Grading . 388
.....................................
Drive Belts .322
...........
Driver and Passenger Safety . 5
...........................................
Driving .257
....................................
Economy .250
.........................
In Bad Weather .272
................
In Foreign Countries . 391
..................
Dust and Pollen Filter . 322
...................................
DVD Player .217 ............................
Fabric, Cleaning .347
..................
Fan, Interior . 144,157,162
Features, Comfort and ..............................
Convenience .143
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 245
Filters ................................
Air Cleaner .311
.........................
Dust and Pollen .322
...............................................
Oil .299
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 87
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 353
..............................
Economy, Fuel .250
............
Emergencies on the Road . 351
.............
Battery, Jump Starting . 364
...........
Brake System Indicator . 373
................
Changing a Flat Tire . 353
.....
Charging System Indicator . 370
..................
Checking the Fuses . 374
.....
Low Oil Pressure Indicator . 369
...
Malf unction Indicator Lamp . 371
..................
Overheated Engine . 366
.........................
Emergency Brake .129
......................
Emergency Flashers .87
......................
Emergency Towing .380
.......................
Emissions Controls .392
.............
Emissions Testing, State . 395
Engine ....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 79
.................................
Drive Belts .322
..............
Engine Speed Limiter . 263
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp .72, 371
........
Oil Pressure Indicator . 72,369
..............
Oil, What Kind to Use . 297
...............................
Overheating .366 ............................
Specif ications .387
.......................................
Starting .259
......................
Ethanol in Gasoline .390
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 392
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .66
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .393
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .22
..................
Exterior, Cleaning the . 344
Index
E
F
III