My mom's van wont start

"TurboSloth" (TheTurboSloth) 01/06/2014 at 08:42 • Filed to: None

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When she turns the key, the lights and the dash all light up, and stay on, but the engine doesn't start up. It doesn't even crank. It's a 2004 Honda Odyssey.

I was thinking it was the starter. What do you guys think?

EDIT: fixed. My dad hit the motor with a hammer, and it worked. I think he might have hit the starter, or shook it a little for it to work. At least that's what I think happened.

PilotMan > TurboSloth 01/06/2014 at 08:44

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Sounds like the starter, crawl under it and see if the starter is getting enough volts when someone else turns the key.

CalzoneGolem > TurboSloth 01/06/2014 at 08:45

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Hit the starter with a hammer. If it is a bad solenoid in the starter it should start up. My buddy used to carry a rock under his seat so that he could hit his starter with it. He neglected to tell me this when I took his car to get pizza.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > TurboSloth 01/06/2014 at 08:45

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Yeah if it's not turning at all then the starter is probably bad.

McMike > TurboSloth 01/06/2014 at 08:45

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I would go with battery first. What's the voltage on it?

When you said the "lights stay on" do they dim when you turn the key to start it?

Anon > TurboSloth 01/06/2014 at 08:45

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Sounds like the starter motor or a fuse to me.

Pixel > TurboSloth 01/06/2014 at 08:47

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If the dash lights don't dim, the problem is likely(in order of probability):

-Starter(like you thought)

-Wiring to starter(either battery cable or small wiring) being loose or bad.

-column switch connection problem or issue.

If you can see the starter by looking under the van or under the hood, try hitting it with the wood handle of a garden implement or with a hammer if you have the room to swing. You might jar it enough to get it to crank over. If that works, have her drive it to a repair facility without shutting it off.

Who needs sway bars anyway > CalzoneGolem 01/06/2014 at 08:54

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Seconded, If the lights are working fine but your just getting no action when you turn the key, its probably just the starter or the starter solenoid. But before you go any further double check that the shiftier is completely in park, the neutral safety switch can sometimes fuck with these things too. ( there is a hilarious story to go along with this that needs its own post at one point)

CalzoneGolem > Who needs sway bars anyway 01/06/2014 at 08:55

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I would like to the that hilarious story.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > CalzoneGolem 01/06/2014 at 09:02

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I second this... when we had a 96 Cherokee we hit the starter with a big wrench and it worked like a charm.

Zoom > TurboSloth 01/06/2014 at 09:03

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Hit the starter with a hammer, while holding the ignition key in the start position.

Much more effective that way, if its a sticky solenoid or a hot spot on the armature.

btw, my '89 Chrysler minivan started just fine this morning. it's 5 below here. Sorry I had to.

*runs*

ttyymmnn > Who needs sway bars anyway 01/06/2014 at 09:12

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Neutral safety switch was a recall item last year in our '03 Odyssey. That's a good guess.

ttyymmnn > TurboSloth 01/06/2014 at 09:14

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The neutral safety switch was a recall item last year in our '03 Odyssey.

Takuro Spirit > TurboSloth 01/06/2014 at 09:34

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Starter relay/main relay? Might be frozen. Common issue on older Hondas, but anything can go wrong if its as cold as it is here where you are.

Who needs sway bars anyway > CalzoneGolem 01/06/2014 at 09:45

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Story posted!

wabbastang > TurboSloth 01/06/2014 at 11:14

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But wait, Hondas and Toyotas don't break. So confuse.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > TurboSloth 01/06/2014 at 11:25

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Is the car in park or neutral? Could be a bad neutral safety switch? If the car is in park, try starting it from neutral?