2004 HONDA PILOT check engine light

When the radiator and engine are
cool, relieve any pressure in the
cooling system by turning the
radiator cap counterclockwise,
without pressing down.
Remove the radiator cap by
pushing down and turning
counterclockwise.The coolant level should be up to
the base of the f iller neck. Add
coolant if it is low.
Pourthecoolantslowlyand
caref ully so you do not spill. Clean
up any spill immediately; it could
damage components in the engine
compartment.
Put the radiator cap back on and
tighten it.
Pour coolant into the reserve tank.
Fill it to half way between the MAX
and MIN marks. Put the cap back
on the reserve tank.
Do not add any rust inhibitors or
other additives to your vehicle’s
cooling system. They may not be
compatible with the coolant or
engine components. Check the f luid level in the
windshield washer reservoir at least
monthly during normal use.
The low washer
level indicator will light when the
level is low.
Fill the reservoir with a good-quality
windshield washer f luid. This
increases the cleaning capability and
prevents f reezing in cold weather.
When you ref ill the reservoir, clean
the edges of the windshield wiper
blades with windshield washer f luid
on a clean cloth. This will help to
condition them.
2. 3.
4.
5.
1.
On Canadian models:
Windshield Washers
Engine Coolant, Windshield Washers
Maint enance175
NOTICE:
RADIATOR CAP
Do not use engine antif reeze
or a vinegar/water solution in the
windshield washer reservoir. Antif reeze
can damage your vehicle’s paint, while
a vinegar/water solution can damage
the windshield washer pump. Use only
commercially-available windshield
washer f luid.

Diagnosing why your engine won’t
start f alls into two areas, depending
on what you hear when you turn the
key to START (III):You hear nothing, or almost
nothing. 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
f aster than normal, but the engine
does not start up and run.
When you turn the ignition switch to
START (III), you do not hear the
normal noise of the engine trying to
start. You may hear a clicking sound
or series of clicks, or nothing at all.
Check these things: Check the transmission interlock.
The transmission must be in Park
orNeutralorthestarterwillnot
operate.
Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Turn on the headlights and check
their brightness. If the headlights
are very dim or don’t light at all,
the battery is discharged. See
on page .
Turn the ignition switch to START
(III). If the headlights do not dim,
check the condition of the f uses. If
thefusesareOK,thereis
probably something wrong with
the electrical circuit f or the
ignition switch or starter motor.
You will need a qualif ied
technician to determine the
problem (see
on page ). 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 connec-
tions (see page ). You can
then try jump starting the vehicle
f rom a booster battery (see page
).
Are you using the proper starting
procedure? Ref er to on 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.
202
208 193
202
137
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Nothing Happens or the Starter
Motor Operates Very Slowly Jump Starting
Emergency T owing Starting the
Engine
T he Starter Operates Normally
If theEngineWon’tStart
201

´´
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 . You cannot start a Honda by pushing
or pulling it. Although this seems like a simple
procedure, you should take several
precautions. Open the hood and check the
physical condition of the battery.
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
battery. Connect the other end to
the positive ( ) terminal on the
booster battery.
Are you using a properly coded
key? An improperly coded key will
cause the immobilizer system
indicator in the dash panel to blink
rapidly(seepage ).
Do you have f uel? Check the f uel
gauge; the warning light may not
be working.
1.
2.
3.
209
20853
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
Emergency
Towing Jump Starting
To Jump Start Your Vehicle:
If the Engine Won’t Start, Jump Starting
202
NOTICE:
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.

Let the vehicle sit f or a minute.
Open the hood, and check the oil
level (see page ). An engine
very low on oil can lose pressure
during cornering and other driving
maneuvers.
If necessary, add oil to bring the
level back to the full mark on the
dipstick (see page ).
Start the engine, and watch the oil
pressure light. If it does not go out
within ten seconds, turn off the
engine. There is a mechanical
problem that needs to be repaired
bef ore you can continue driving.
(Seeon page
).
This light should never
come on when the engine is
running. If it starts f lashing or stays
on, the oil pressure has dropped very
low or lost pressure. Serious engine
damage is possible and you should
take immediate action. Saf ely pull of f the road, and shut
of f the engine. Turn on the hazard
warning lights.
If the charging system
indicator comes on brightly
when the engine is running, the
battery is not being charged.
Immediately turn of f all electrical
accessories. Try not to use other
electrically operated controls such as
the power windows. Keep the engine
running; starting the engine will
discharge the battery rapidly.
Go to a service station or garage
where you can get technical
assistance.
1.
2.
3.
4.
171
127
208
L ow Oil Pressure Indicator
Emergency T owingCharging System Indicator
T aking Care of t he Unexpect ed
L ow Oil Pressure L ight, Charging System Indicator
206
NOTICE:
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.

CONT INUED
BatteryCharging System ...........................
Indicator .48, 206
............................
Jump Starting .202
..............................
Maintenance .193
............................
Specif ications .219
..............................
Bef ore Driving .123
....................................
Belts,Seat .8,16
...........................
Beverage Holders .77
..................................
Booster Seats .39 Brakes
...........
Anti-lock System (ABS) . 145
.............
Break-in, New Linings . 124
...........................................
Fluid .178
....................
Bulb Replacement .182
.........................................
Parking .75
.................
System Indicator . 49,208
........................
Wear Indicators .145
.............................
Braking System .144
.................
Break-in, New Vehicle . 124
..
Brightness Control, Instruments . 59
........................
Brights, Headlights .58
Bulb Replacement ..............................
Brake Lights .182
................
Front Parking Lights . 181
........
Front Side Marker Lights . 183
.................................
Headlights .180
........
High-mount Brake Lights . 182
.................................
Rear Bulbs .182
............................
Specif ications .219
.............
Turn Signal Light . 181,182
..............................
Bulbs, Halogen .180
...
Accessories and Modif ications . 129
ACCESSORY (Ignition Key .......................................
Position) .64
..............
Accessory Power Sockets . 77
....................
Additives, Engine Oil . 172
...............................
Airbag (SRS) .9, 19
.....
Airbags, Additional Infomation . 19
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 24
.............................
Airbag Service .24
How the Side Airbag Of f ......................
Indicator Works .23
..
How the SRS Indicator Works . 23
How Your Front Airbags .........................................
Work .20
...
How Your Side Airbags Work . 22
........................
SRS Components .19
................
Air Conditioning System . 82
.......................
Rear A/C Control .87
.......................
Air Pressure, Tires .188
......................................
Antif reeze .174
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) ....................
Indicator Light .49, 146
...................................
Operation .145
..............
Anti-thef t, Audio System . 102 .
Anti-thef t Steering Column Lock . 64
..................................
Audio System .88
...
Automatic Seat Belt Tensioners . 18
...
Automatic Lighting Off Feature . 58
.............
Automatic Speed Control . 116
..............
Automatic Transmission . 138
..........................
Capacity, Fluid .218
...............
Checking Fluid Level . 176
.......................................
Shif ting .138
.
Shif t Lever Position Indicator . 138
................
Shif t Lever Positions . 139
....................
Shif t Lock Release . 141
Index
A
B
I

Î
................................
Cancel Button .117
............................
Capacities Chart .218
.............
Carbon Monoxide Hazard . 42
........................
Cargo, .131
Cassette Player ..............................................
Care .95
.....................................
Operation .98
..............
CAUTION, Explanation of . ii
...........................................
CD Care .95
.....................................
CD Changer .94
.........
CD Changer Error Message . 97
.........................................
CD Player .93
.............
CD Player Error Message . 96
........................
Certif ication Label .216
...................................
Chains, .192
....................
Changing a Flat Tire .197
Change Oil ........................................
How to .172
.............................
When to .164, 165
...
Charging System Indicator . 48,206
............
Checklist, Bef ore Driving . 136
..................
Childproof Door Locks . 65
.....................................
Child Saf ety .25
..............................
Booster Seats .39 ...................................
Child Seats .30
.....
Important Saf ety Reminders . 25
..........................................
Inf ants .29
..........................
Larger Children .38
.........................................
LATCH .33
......................
Risks with Airbags .26
.............................
Small Children .30
.........................................
Tethers .37
.........
Where Should a Child Sit? . 26
Child Seats .........................................
LATCH .33
...........................
Lower Anchors .33
..........
Tether Anchorage Points . 37
.................
Climate Control System . 86
.........................
Clock, Setting the .103
..............................................
Clock .103
.....................
Code, Audio System .102
........................
CO in the Exhaust .223
............
Cold Weather, Starting in . 137
.......................
Compact Spare .196
...................
Console Compartment . 77
...............
Consumer Inf ormation . 230
.............
Controls, Instruments and . 45
Coolant ........................................
Adding .174
....................................
Checking .127 .........................
Proper Solution .174
...................
Temperature Gauge . 55
Crankcase Emissions Control ........................................
System .223
................
Cruise Control Indicator . 51
............
Cruise Control Operation . 116
.....................................
Cup Holders .77
....
Customer Service Inf ormation . 230
................
DANGER, Explanation of . ii
...................................
Dashboard .2, 46
................
Daytime Running Lights . 59
Daytime Running Lights .......................................
Indicator .51
.................................
Dead Battery .202
............
Def ects, Reporting Saf ety . 232
................
Def ogger, Rear Window . 60
..........
Def rosting the Windows . 83,85
....................................
Dimensions .218
...............
Dimming the Headlights . 58
Dipstick ..........
Automatic Transmission . 176
..................................
Engine Oil .127
..........................
Directional Signals .58
how to carry
tires tire
Index
C
D
II

.................................................
Fuel .124
......................
Fill Door and Cap .125
...........................................
Gauge .54
................
Octane Requirement . 124
........................
Reserve Indicator .51
........................
Tank, Filling the .125
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .210
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving . 128
.........................................
Gasoline .124
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator . 51
...........................................
Gauge .54
................
Octane Requirement . 124
........................
Tank, Filling the .125
................
Gas Station Procedures . 125
Gauges ...
Engine Coolant Temperature . 55
...............................................
Fuel .54
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .148
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight .......................................
Rating) .148
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions . 139
........................................
Glove Box .78 GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
.......................................
Rating) .148
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 180
.................
Hazard Warning Button . 59
........................................
Headlights .58
........................................
Aiming .180
..............
Automatic Lighting Off . 58
............
Daytime Running Lights . 59
..................
High Beam Indicator . 51
...........
High Beams, Turning on . 58
............
Low Beams, Turning on . 58
.........................
Reminder Chime .58
........
Replacing Halogen Bulbs . 180
...................................
Turning on .58
...................................
Headphones .113
..............................
Head Restraints .72
.................................
Heated Mirror .74
.....................................
Heater, Seat .67
.......................
Heating and Cooling .82
.............
High Altitude, Starting at . 137
.................
High-Low Beam Switch . 58
..............
High-mount Brake Light . 182HomeLink Universal
................................
Transceiver .118
.......................
Hood, Opening the .126
..................................................
Horn .56
...
Identif ication Number, Vehicle . 216
Ignition ..............................................
Keys .62
...........................................
Switch .64
............
Timing Control System . 224
........................
Immobilizer System .62
.........
Important Safety Precautions . 6
Indicators .......................
A/T Temperature .52
...............
ABS (Anti-lock Brake) . 49
Brake (Parking and Brake ....................................
System) .49
.................................
Brake Lamp .50
........................
Charging System .48
.............................
Cruise Control .51
DRL (Daytime Running ......................................
Lights) .51
...................................
High Beam .51
........
Key (Immobilizer System) . 49
Index
G H
I
IV

...
Octane Requirement, Gasoline . 124
.........................................
Odometer .54
...............................
Odometer, Trip .54
....................
Of f -Highway Driving . 155
...................
Of f -Road Precautions . 155
Oil ........................
Change, How to .172
..............
Change, When to . 164,165
......................
Checking Engine .127
..............
Pressure Indicator . 48,206
Selecting Proper Viscosity ......................................
Chart .171
...........
ON (Ignition Key Position) . 64
Onboard Ref ueling Vapor ................................
Recovery .223
..............................
Outside Mirrors .74
....................
Overheating, Engine .204
....
Owner’s Maintenance Checks . 163 ...................
Radiator Overheating . 204
Radio/CD Sound ..........................................
System .88
..........................
Readiness Codes .226
.................................
Rear A/C Unit .87
............
Rear Audio Control Panel . 107
........
Rear Entertainment System . 104
..
Rear Lights, Bulb Replacement . 182
............................
Rear View Mirror .74
.................
Rear Window Def ogger . 60
.
Rear Window Wiper and Washer . 57
.........
Reclining the Seat Backs . 68,69
...........
Reclining the Second Seats . 70
................
Reclining the Third Seat . 71
.............................
Reminder Lights .47
................
Remote Audio Controls . 101
.................
Remote Control (RES) . 109
.......................
Remote Transmitter .66
Replacement Inf ormation ..............
Dust and Pollen Filter . 185
................
Engine Oil and Filter . 172
.................................
Floor Mats .185
..........................................
Fuses .210
................................
Light Bulbs .180
..............
Panel Brightness Control . 59
........................
Park Gear Position .139 ...........................................
Parking .143
.................................
Parking Brake .75
Parking Brake and Brake System ...............................
Indicator .49, 208
.................................
Parking Lights .58
..
Parking Over Things that Burn . 225
............................
Playing the Radio .88
....................................
Playing a CD .93
....................
Playing a CD Changer . 94
.................................
Playing a Tape .98
.............................
PGM-FI System .224
..........................
Power Door Locks .65
................
Power Seat Adjustments . 68
.................
Power Socket Locations . 76
..............................
Power Windows .73
.........
Pregnancy, Using Seat Belts . 15
.........
Protecting Adults and Teens . 10
...
Additional Safety Precautions . 16
.....
Advice f or Pregnant Women . 15
........................
Protecting Children .25
.....................
General Guidelines .25
...........................
Protecting Inf ants .29
...........
Protecting Larger Children . 38
.............
Protecting Small Children . 30
Index
O
P R
VI