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Simple Fix For My Honda Odyssey Check Engine Light
publication date: Oct 13, 2010
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author/source: Chris Prang
Several months ago my check engine light came on in my
2003 Honda Odyssey and along with the check engine light the TCS
(Traction Control System) light came on as well. It turns out it was a
very simple fix that anyone could do.
Here's the history: After the check engine light first came on I didn't worry too much about it because it would go off for a while and then come back on. I had someone check with a engine code checker and it said it had something to do with the EGR. I thought no problem, it is easy to replace and EGR valve. But then the light went for over a month. Then it came back on and stayed on.
Since I didn't have it in the budget to buy the EGR valve (about $100.00) I just kept on driving it. Then two weeks ago while driving it, all of a sudden the check engine light started flashing and the car started vibrating. Oh boy, something is definitely wrong and needs to be fixed.
→ First I tried some simple things like adding some Seafoam to the gas tank hoping that would clean the injectors and that would solve the problem, but that didn't work.
→ Second I did some searching on the Internet and seemed to be getting the consensus that is was the EGR valve or the EGR ports were clogged. Based upon that searching, I removed the EGR valve and cleaned it with Carb Cleaner and removed the manifold cover and cleaned in there as well. But that didn't help any.
→ Third, I took it to my local Advanced Auto Parts and had them hook it up to their engine code reader to get the codes. The codes were:
- P0301-6 Misfire: Basically means every cylinder was misfiring
- P0300: Multiple/Random Misfire
- P1399: Manufactured Controlled Ignition System or Misfire
→ Fourth, with that info I went back to the Net. This time I got some different info, but nothing clear and concrete. It could be anything: EGR, EGR ports clogged, spark plugs, coil, computer, etc. I really didn't want to go down a rabbit trail and spend a lot of money I didn't need to.
→ Fifth, I had mechanic friend of mine check it and encouraged me to take it to the dealer and have them diagnose the problem. He said the computer may need to be flushed. Then he told me to go see a local car repair place because they had a better engine code reader than he did. So I did and spent $70.00 for them to tell me it could be anything, but they suggested to change the spark plugs. Of course they wanted to charge me over $200 to do that. I said thank you, but no thank you.
→ Sixth, Since I have almost 104,000 miles on it and the Odyssey does call for the plugs to be changed, I went out and bought new plugs. That didn't help. But when we did that, my mechanic friend started removing disconnecting each coil one at a time to see if it made a difference. When you disconnect the coil the engine sounds different. Well it turns out that when we disconnected the #2 coil it did nothing, which meant it wasn't working.
→ Seventh, I ran to Advanced Auto and bought a new Ignition Coil ($47.00+/-), drove home, popped the hood, removed the #2 coil (very easy, takes a hex wrench) and put the new one on and voila, no more misfire. I did unhook the battery to clear the check engine light and took it for a test drive with the van running like normal.
So in the end, if I had known from the beginning to simply start disconnecting each individual ignition coil one at a time (with the van running), I could have told right away that it was a coil problem. What I don't understand is, why wouldn't a mechanic think of this at the start.
Bottom line, the problem was a single ignition coil that cost only $47.00 and took about two minutes to replace. No kidding, two minutes.
So if you have a check engine light coming on in your Honda Odyssey or for that matter, perhaps other vehicles as well, then start be disconnecting each individual ignition coil (if each cylinder has its own coil that is) and if you disconnect one and the engine doesn't do anything, then that is probably your problem...and now your solution.
I sure hope that this helps someone!
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