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2003 Odyssey Coil question


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whittibo
New User

Jul 24, 2008, 3:10 PM

Post #1 of 3 (1309 views)
2003 Odyssey Coil question Sign In

Year of vehicle 2003
Make of vehicle
Honda
Model of vehicle Odyssey
Engine size 3.5 ltr
Mileage 69,800


Today while taking my kids to a theme park, I got about 50 miles from home and 1 mile before my interstate exit I started merging over and as the speed came down from about 75 to 65 I noticed some vibrations which felt like the car was out of alignment. When I slowed further and got over to the right hand lane, I noticed it continued to vibrate and felt like it was running very rough.

I got off at my exit and proceeded to the gas station just off the exit and tried to find a repair shop that could diagnose the problem. Thankfully there was a guy just about 2 miles from where I was.

When I got to his shop, he hooked up the computer and the reading said the #2 and #3 cylinders were miss-firing. He opened the hood and took the cover off the top of the engine and mentioned I had coil packs. I had no idea what this was of course. So he calls around and finds out he had to go a pretty far distance to go get two of these, he leaves and we wait at a nearby deli. When we return he says to me that he replaced the two coils but now another failed. He also said he had to put in 2 qt's of oil which is very odd to me. I am late in getting my service, but there is no leak in the van, so not sure why it would be so low.

Anyway, he cleans off the new coil that's misfiring and reinstalls it only for the next one to misfire. He and another guy get a puzzled look on their faces and mention something about the cars computer. The mechanic gets the van running, takes it for a short drive and tells me it's fixed. I question why two of these would randomly go out and the others start having problems and he says he isn't sure, but not to worry.

The other odd thing that was happening is that my driver side rear wing window wouldn't close. You could hear it clicking, but it wouldn't close. Then it randomly closes and he tells me the switch must be going out.

And one more thing... the passenger side door (automatic door) had a hard time closing. It got about 6" from closing and then opened back up. I have had this happen occasionally on the driver side, but it just seemed like my van was possessed today!? :s

So my question is, is this common for two coils to just randomly go out? Is there any worry that something bigger/worse is about to happen? Should I replace the other 4 coils just to be on the safe side that I won't be stranded somewhere? I am just concerned that all these things happened today and all at once. I just need a bit of reassurance as I panic over car troubles.

I know God was watching out for us today as the car didn't show any signs of troubles till 1 mile from my exit, the ONLY exit for miles and miles with any service stations around. And it just so happened the only mechanic within 20 miles that could do the diagnostics on the car was only about 2 miles from where I had gotten off the interstate. But I just want to be sure we aren't missing something somewhere that could cause the car to break down again. :s


dave284
Enthusiast
dave284 profile image

Jul 26, 2008, 8:42 AM

Post #2 of 3 (1296 views)
Re: 2003 Odyssey Coil question Sign In

I have had the same thing happen to me before, some people say gremlins has got in to the engine, but it can happen.....to avoid this problem again it was a good idea to have the other ones replaced.... the interstate is the worst place to have car trouble, I've been there too.


whittibo
New User

Jul 26, 2008, 9:25 AM

Post #3 of 3 (1295 views)
Re: 2003 Odyssey Coil question Sign In

So you had a couple coils go out and replaced all of them as a prevention measure?

Does it sound like a computer issue or anything else? I know I need a new battery, I have been meaning to get to the Honda dealer, get the oil changed, get the new battery etc, but lack of funds lately have kept me from being able to do this. We just had the 60,000 work done last year, so I think it just needs a basic maintenance this time.

Now the coils seemed like they just came off and plugged back in, is that right? Because if that's true, I have a website I can find them for $51 each, if I need 4 more there's another couple hundred bucks, but we would at least save the labor costs.

I am really considering going down to the dealer and seeing what they'll give me on a trade for my Odyssey for a Pilot. I paid $30,000 for this van, I have been driving it for nearly 6 years if I can get $10,000 on trade that means it's cost me only $3500 per year to drive a brand new reliable car. I think it's worth $3500 a year for sure! That's less then $300 a month. I was going to look into a lease but my neighbor said on the news today it said Honda and Toyota were doing away with all their leases! I need to confirm that still though. I don't see a lease option on my local Honda dealers website.






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