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Hey there, I have a 2.3l petrol Odyssey and it is having issues!  A wee while ago it starting missing every now and then when accelerating. very random but was only missing under 3000rpm. fine over 3000! It now sometimes doesn't start very well - ie it will turn over like there is no fuel but won't fire - well it does after 5-10seconds cranking!  you gotta give it some revs and it comes back down to idling fine with no problems.... this isn't every time - only sometimes (maybe once a day or once a week!) twice in the last month it wouldn't start at all!  come back the next day and it starts perfectly! go figure!

I have done the plugs and had the leads checked, replaced the fuel filter and also the idle control valve (all suggestions from my local mechanic)

the last thing was the filter - nothing seemed to make any differtence!

Any ideas from anybody would be appreciated!

Thanks

Chris Watson
New Zealand.  

a few things...


gently remove the MAIN RELAY from where ever honda stashed it.. usually up under the dash board..   pry it gently from its cover..   check it for cold solder joints..

the contacts are really hard to clean on most of these as the relay frames are circuit board mounted in a frame that makes it really hard to get to..

this can cause some hard to start problems.. a known honda problem.. usually accords..



next...   you will want to remove the distributer cap...    examine the inside for signs of rust build up where the main bushing/bearing in the distributer has worn..  see if the shaft has any play at all...   if you find your distributer shaft is loose and wobbles.   you don't have to buy a whole new or reman distributer.. honda sells just the lower housing without the ignitor and coil for a really low price..  still around 150 bucks US..  cheeper than the WHOLE thing..

you will want to do a spark output test before deciding what to do..  it needs to throw a 19MM spark.. in bright blue and snappy...  this i usually measure with some kind of  adaptor placed into the coil high voltage and a plastic tool to set the gap..


you could also have clogged fuel injectors.. a bad ignition switch...  dirty battery cables...   dirty ground connections..

you can use a timing light over one of the spark plug wires.. with the trigger taped in the ON position.. and the light positioned under a wiper arm aiming at your driving position.. so you may use it as a scope to know if the ignition is failing or the fuel system...


if you had a decent OBD2 scan tool...  that displays live data and graphs some of the data streams...


this scan tool might be available to you .. i use one all the time...   a private label harbor freight tool item 98614..

http://www.auteltech.com/ms509.htm

these can be had for just over 100 bucks US...

the MS609 is a newer model .. but i have not seen but a few available on Ebay..

a professional scan tool is far superior..  and you still have to have the knowledge to understand what the reading and graphs are telling you..   so a service manual or electronic version is needed.

main relay is a good starting point...

the odyssey is only available with the 3.2 V6..  and since i am located in los angeles..  i don't really have easy access to NZ spec vehicles..  if there is any difference..  i do realize that they are mostly built in japan..  

oh.. scan tools that display live data streams can also record a snap shot of data when set up for it...

if you are still having problems after checking the above components..

record a snap shot when the car is acting up.. save it and then upload it to your PC.. paste the results here...  i might be able to decipher it..


you can tell if your injectors are dirty.. if the short and long term fuel trims are more than 5 or 10 percent from normal..

but a main relay going bad.. will prevent a start.. as your ignition key activates the first relay to power up the computer .. the computer when it sees the key turn on will prime the fuel pump for 2 seconds.. then wait for engine cranking signal to start the fuel pump again..  


its complicated.. ... again.. main relay is a great place to start.. and 80% of the time.. you have a good chance of fixing it .. at least for the short term...  

Thanks for that - I'll look into that tonight. lots of good options to hopefully solve my issues!  

In NZ they do a 3.0l v6 and the 2.3l 4cyl vtec (Which I have the 2.3l) They go quite well I think... have done 45,000kms in just under 2 years with only this issue so far mechanically!

Thanks for ya help - will keep you posted!

Chris