2016 Honda Odyssey - drive it daily but it's got real low miles.
Attempted to start it this morning and couldn't get anything going. Because of where car is parked in driveway real difficult to use second car to jump it. I have a portable battery jumper thing and that didn't do anything.
While waiting for the tow truck I attempted to start car and it started up no problem. Now I'm not sure what to do.
Forget that it ever happened and just go on my way ?
Go take car to shop?
Turned out to be bad ground. Reconnected ground to clean contact and never had a problem again.
It could be many things as mentioned above. Some easy to rectify, some not.
The worst is if it's an intermittent electrical problem somewhere in the system, which I had on a 1994 Nissan Sentra many years ago.
They can be very hard to diagnose because when things are fine, it looks good to the mechanic/tech/computer.
Things would be fine for weeks or months, and then all of a sudden I was calling a tow truck from some parking lot again.
Best of luck.
Is that still true now, if it ever was?
No reason to look at the alternator yet
My 2021 CRV battery was replaced at 15 month. Went to AutoZone and bought the best, most powerful replacement.
Seriously doubt the starter.
My 2021 CRV battery was replaced at 15 month. Went to AutoZone and bought the best, most powerful replacement.
+1
I've also had problems with Honda OEM batteries.
Still works. AAA trucks usually carry a long rod that they can stick through the engine compartment to the starter. They hit it with a hammer while you crank. Whether it starts or not depends on what failed, but it’s often seized and one good whack will free it. But go straight to a garage if it starts, cause it might not start again.
I this means no electrical at all - no radio, lights, the keyfob wouldn't open the doors, AND it wouldn't start, then the issue is very likely battery related or a shorted wire somewhere.
This is an important point - did any electrical work, or only the fob / starting button didn't work.
"I have a portable battery jumper thing and that didn't do anything"
This tends to point away from a bad battery.
"I (later) attempted to start car and it started up no problem"
So the issue is "intermittent" meaning it's not a total breakage of some component leading to 100% failure.
Based on this, I would suspect:
No electrical at all:
- Loose battery cable (most likely)
- Shorted wire (pray it is not)
Electrical worked, just didn't start:
If the fob is starting to work unreliably (have to stand near the car to unlock it)
- Fob battery or Fob contacts wearing out
If the fob and unlocking are fine:
- Starter motor failing (though usually there is a distinctive clicking sound associated with this - on the failed starts)
- Wiring issue related to the starter motor.
- Starting button wearing out (or associated wiring problem)
- Anti theft device?
It is always smart to have an auto parts store verify both battery and alternator, but I am thinking those aren't the issue.
There is always a chance that some seemingly unrelated component is having an issue that somehow affects the starting circuit. Car starting is more and more a complicated semi-computer driven process with who knows what checks and verifications are needed before the signal goes to the starter.
Also, if you suspect your fob is an issue, there is always a way to start the car in this case. In my car there is a socket in the center console you push the fob into. For some hondas I think you touch the fob to the starting button to activate the same.
I hope this helps.
+1
Like others have mentioned, clean the terminals and put them back.
If your battery does not hold a charge, then it could be that you need to replace the battery.
In all of my years, the starter has never been the problem.
*If you have one of those vehicles that shuts off when you are sitting at a red light, then yeah your starter could go bad. Far too many starts in the lifetime of a vehicle.
Like others have mentioned, clean the terminals and put them back.
If your battery does not hold a charge, then it could be that you need to replace the battery.
In all of my years, the starter has never been the problem.
*If you have one of those vehicles that shuts off when you are sitting at a red light, then yeah your starter could go bad. Far too many starts in the lifetime of a vehicle.
Starters absolutely do fail. I’ve had to replace 2 over my 30 years of driving.
If the OPs description of events is accurate I would lean towards the problem either being with the terminals/connections or the starter motor.
Also, cars with start/stop systems use much more powerful and durable starter motors. They’re built to handle the higher starting loads and are no more likely to fail. And hybrids like the Prius don’t have a separate starter motor - they just use the cars electric motor to start the gasoline engine.
How did you start it?
How did you start it?
Read the OP
Starters absolutely do fail. I’ve had to replace 2 over my 30 years of driving.
How do you know it was the starter?
How do you know it was the starter?
If you mean generally, usually if you have good electrical power (electronics work, headlights shine bright) but the engine doesn’t even try to crank, it’s likely the starter.
Specifically in my case: First time the solenoid fired its pinion completely out of itself, cracking the cowling around the flywheel. Second go around, the starter was hit with a hammer while attempting to crank and that shocked it into starting.
Like others have mentioned, clean the terminals and put them back.
If your battery does not hold a charge, then it could be that you need to replace the battery.
In all of my years, the starter has never been the problem.
*If you have one of those vehicles that shuts off when you are sitting at a red light, then yeah your starter could go bad. Far too many starts in the lifetime of a vehicle.
I've had to replace starters before, matter of fact had to on my wife's car only a few months ago.
Quote:
How did you start it?
Read the OP
Ha. I did, but saw tow truck and kind of stopped... so if the car started than it is likely a connection. Be very surprised by the starter itself - could also be(unlikely) the ignition switch. Wonder if it a key or push button switch..
Good luck
I would drive it to Auto Zone and have them check for faults.
You don't want to get stuck with a dead car, and sometimes, symptoms don't match the problem.
I just replaced our 2014 Altima because it died in Intersections twice. Wouldn't restart. Towed. Started and ran fine a few hours later. The problem? Blown transmission. Nissan (Jatco) CVTs are absolute garbage. Replaced the car with a new Camry with a real-live 8 speed.