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2000 Honda Odyssey EX, 130k
Sooo…
I go to start my stalwart Odyssey. I turn the ignition and I immediately hear a quick “snap” sound under the hood. I try again–same “snap” sound. I try again–no sound this time (but no odor or sign of smoke either). I’m experienced with the universally recognizable “dead battery click” sound. This is different. The result is the same, though: no engine turnover and no power to anything.I remove the key and pop the hood. Key in hand, I hear a “click-click, click-click, click-click” sound coming from the ‘primary under-hood fuse box’. I can feel the clicking when I place my hand on the part of the fuse box cover that cannot be removed (blue highlight, image below). I pull the battery cable and the noise stops. I wait a few minutes with battery disconnected; I reconnect the battery cable and turn the ignition. Again, I hear a quick “snap” sound from under the hood just once, and a different clicking sound from the vicinity (I presume) of the ‘driver’s-side under-dash fuse box’. Dash and interior lights are randomly, dimly illuminated.
The van presently sits with the battery disconnected–though hooked to a charger, just in case–while I research this unexpected issue.
The service manual shows fuses 22 (120A) and 23 (50a)–red and yellow highlights, respectively, in image above–in a direct path between battery and ignition switch (see circuit diagram, below). Both fuses reside in the ‘primary under-hood fuse box’ which is the area I heard–and felt–the clicking. When I inspect the area, I cannot recognize a fuse at either location. The wiring diagram also shows the ‘driver’s-side under-dash fuse box’ immediately down-stream, and this is where I think that other clicking noise came from.
Any thoughts, suggestions from those familiar or experienced with this problem are welcome!
- Replies
The first thing I would do is confirm your battery is fully charged and that your battery connections are clean and tight. Low battery or system voltage can do weird thing to your cars electrical system. Use a volt meter and ensure your battery is at 12.6 Volts. Attempt to start while monitoring the voltage at the battery and see if it is drastically changing when the snap click sound occurs.
“…confirm battery is fully charged and connections are clean and tight.”
Already on it.
I cleaned the terminals. Voltmeter reads 12.8. I can’t read amps, though, which is the value I really need.I’ll try a jump start next. If the engine turns over, I can pretty much conclude I have either a bad battery or a problem in the charging system.
Healed!
“…reminds me of corroded connections”
I jump started the van. That fact combined with the comment above linking the “snap” sound and corroded connections led me to inspect the battery cables more closely. Turns out, the positive lead cable was corroded to its remaining wee conductor, which I discovered hidden ‘neath the red plastic insulator shroud thingy. I replaced the battery terminal and the problem disappeared.
“Low battery or system voltage can do weird thing to your car’s electrical system.”
Indeed.
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