[Shop-talk] Stranded by a bad car battery.

[Jim Stone]

While not a direct answer to your question, I do want to share two observations about Hondas and batteries. First, while my five Hondas have all been mechanically bulletproof, I can’t say the same thing for their recent OEM batteries.  My 2017 Ridgeline went though 3 Honda batteries in its first three years.  Then, shortly after the warranty expired, the dealer told me the third was going bad and should be replaced - this time at my expense.  I replaced it with an Interstate battery that has now considerably outlasted the 3 Honda ones.  I don’t know who has been making Honda’s batteries, but the three I got between 2017 and 2020 all sucked.

Second, I think your 2016 Odyssey is the same platform as my 2017 Ridgeline (Gen 2 for Ridgelines) and uses a Start button rather than a key.  If so, I have noticed that the ACC ‘position’ (hitting the Start button twice without putting your foot on the brake) turns on a lot more than just the radio, including the HVAC system.  But one day I absent mindedly shut off the car with the transmission in neutral; the radio stayed on but everything else shut off.  I now do that if I want to listen to the radio in the car, leaving it in neutral and setting the parking brake.  It seems to work fine and presumably won’t tax the battery like the ACC position would.

Jim

> On Jan 9, 2024, at 11:03 PM, Dwade Reinsch <dreinsch at swbell.net> wrote:
> 
> This afternoon I was sitting in the 2016 Honda Odyssey van waiting for granddaughter to finish a theater activity and I went to sleep in the front seat.  Had the radio and inside lights on.  When she finished and came out, car would not start.  Completely dead.  Electric seat would not come back to driving position, etc.
> 
> Here's the question:  In the old days a weak battery would give notice by cranking slowly, etc., before failing.  This is the car I drive regularly and it gave NO warning.  Luckily, I could call son-in-law and he came to help.  Would not start with good set of booster cables.  Would not start with 15 minutes of charging on cables before attempting to start.  So in the morning I'll take pickup and tools and pull battery, get a replacement, and move the van home.
> 
> Does anyone have a suggestion for identifying a failing battery before being stranded?  (Battery is about 4 years old.)
> 
> Thanks,
> Dwade
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