Honda Odyssey is one of the most reliable and well-performance cars. But that does not mean it is an error-free machine. Like any other vehicle, you are bound to face issues with it occasionally. But among all, most users complain that the Honda Odyssey won’t start brake pedal hard issue.
The starting issue, combined with the stiff brake pedal, of the Honda Odyssey is generally associated with the starter or alternator. However, it can be due to a vehicle battery problem, a neutral switch issue, and blown-up fuses.
No matter the case, you can carry out some troubleshooting steps yourself. Yes, fixing the issue without taking the Odyssey to a mechanic is possible. Want to know? You would want to continue reading then!
Causes of Honda Odyssey Won’t Start Brake Pedal Hard
So, before diving straight into the troubleshooting steps, let’s talk a little more about what can make you face the issue.
Issues With the Alternator of the Honda Odyssey
The alternator of the Honda Odyssey generates electrical power that charges the battery. It also powers the vehicle’s electrical system while the engine is running. And you can face starting issues when there is a problem with the alternator.
On that note, the average lifespan of the alternator is from 200 thousand to 300 thousand miles. However, the alternator of the Honda Odyssey can surely break down before that range. It depends on how well you are taking care of the vehicle.
Nonetheless, when there are problems with the alternator, the battery of the Honda Odyssey will discharge quickly. And the battery will not charge up properly afterward.
Problem Associated With the Odyssey Starter Motor
In the Honda Odyssey, the starter motor rotates the internal combustion engine. Doing so initiates the engine’s operation and gets the wheels moving. And as you can imagine, if the starter motor fails, the machine will not start.
In other words, a faulty or malfunctioning starter motor will make you encounter beginning issues.
Generally, the starter motors can function for around 100 thousand to 150 thousand miles without any issues. However, the lifespan will depend on the usage, the load exerted on the vehicle, and maintenance.
A quick way to determine whether the starter motor is working is to check whether there are any clicking sounds.
If you hear any knocking or clicking noises, the starter motor is not functioning as it should. And it is why your Honda Odyssey is not starting, and the brake pedal is hard.
Here’s a video that can help you diagnose the issue even more quickly:
Problem With the Battery of the Honda Odyssey
Most of the issues that the Honday Odyssey users face are due to a fault in the battery. And the easiest way to check whether the battery is optimally functioning would be to get its voltage reading.
Get a multimeter and hook up the negative prong to the negative terminal and the positive prong to the positive terminal. See whether the reading is around 12.5 volts. If the voltage is lower than that, you can be sure the battery is the problem.
Blown Fuses Contributing to the Starting Issue of Honda Odyssey
The fuses of the vehicle safeguard the electrical components. It protects the parts from a sudden voltage or current surge and short circuits. And if any such issues occur within the car, the fuses blow.
Now, when the fuses blow up, the electrical flow of the vehicle gets restricted. There remains an open circuit, which can make the starter motor not get any power to start up. And as you can guess, this will hinder the Honda Odyssey from starting up.
You can do a continuity test with a multimeter to see whether the fuses are in good shape. If you do not hear any beep or the multimeter does not show any resistance number, the fuses have blown.
Issues With the Neutral Safety Switch Hindering the Vehicle from Starting Up
As the name suggests, the neutral safety switch prevents the vehicle from being started in gear. This type of starting is not safe and can damage the transmission. And in case you didn’t know, transmission repairs are not cheap.
Nevertheless, the neutral safety switch can malfunction. And when it does, it might not let the vehicle start-up even when it is in neutral or park mode.
To test out the neutral safety switch, move the shifter into different positions and see whether the car starts up. If the vehicle starts when you are moving the shifter, it indicates that the neutral safety switch has gone wrong.
Vacuum Booster Issues Initiating Honda Odyssey Start-Up Problems
The vehicle’s brake pedal will become stiff and hard to press if the booster has an issue. The thing is, the brakes of the Honda Odyssey are vacuum-assisted. And if the booster malfunctions, the brakes do not get the vacuum assist needed to get pressed down correctly.
Usually, the vacuum booster issues are related to a vacuum leak. In simpler words, the booster will malfunction if the inside vacuum leaks.
How To Fix Honda Odyssey Won’t Start Brake Pedal Hard Issue
Now that you know all the probable causes, you want to know how to fix it, right? Well, these are the steps you should take to troubleshoot the issue:
Bypass the Starter Motor
A simple and temporary fix for the starter motor issue is bypassing the starter motor to start up the vehicle. In this case, you should turn the key into the slot while hitting the motor with the stick. After a couple of hits, the starter motor should start up, allowing you to ramp up the engine.
However, this is a temporary workaround. And it should not be considered a long-term solution. When there is a problem with the motor, you need to get it checked by a professional and replace it if needed.
Charge Up the Battery
If the voltage reading of the battery is below 12.5 volts, you should let the battery charge up for a while. Get its reading again after allowing it to juice up fully. Is the voltage reading still below 12.5 volts? In that case, you should replace the battery.
However, you can try to jump-start the vehicle for a temporary solution. It will let you start the Honda Odyssey up. However, you would still need to replace the battery to make the car operate optimally in the long run.
Replace the Blown-up Fuses
Check all the fuse with a multimeter. You should replace the ones that do not pass the continuity test. And when it comes to installing new fuses, make sure that you have the exact replacement. Refer to the user manual if you need any help in this regard.
Replace the Alternator
Alternator issues are more complicated to fix. Considering that the only solution to get your Honda Odyssey to start up again would be to replace the alternator.
It would also be a good idea to rely on a professional mechanic to get the alternator replaced. The process demands skills and mechanical and electronic parts knowledge.
Install a New Safety Switch
You can temporarily fix the safety switch issue by moving the gears while trying to start up the vehicle. However, this can put damage to the transmission. And as mentioned earlier, transmission repairs take work. So, you should install a new safety switch instead.
Change the Old Vacuum Booster
If all the steps above do not fix the starting problem of the Honda Odyssey, the last option is to change the vacuum booster. But keep in mind that vacuum boosters are costly to replace.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does It Mean When My Brake Pedal is Stiff, and car won’t Start?
The brake pedals of vehicles usually stiffen up when there is a leak in the vacuum booster. If the leak is not severe, you can fix the booster and make the pedal return to its initial resistance.
- What would cause a Honda Odyssey to Not Start?
A dead battery, failed starter, and an issue with the alternator are usually why a Honda Odyssey might not want to start. To fix the starting problem, you must check all the components and make necessary repairs and replacements.
- What Should You Do If the Brake Pedal Becomes Hard to Press?
A hard-to-press pedal typically indicates an issue with the vacuum booster. However, it can also be due to insufficient brake fluid. Check the parts and replenish the brake fluid if you need to.
- Can Dead Battery Cause Brakes to Lock Up?
Dead batteries will not cause the brakes to lock up. The brake usually locks up when there is a problem with the vacuum booster or the brake fluid. You need to resolve those issues to free up the brake pedals.
Final Words
Still wondering why you are facing the Honda Odyssey won’t start brake pedal hard issue? In short, problems with the starter motor, alternator, battery, neutral switch, and fuses make the vehicle output these issues. Check them and make necessary repairs to get the vehicle start-up usually.
About the author
Marcus Brown is editor-in-chief of The FatMech and is a mechanic with ten years' experience based in London, UK. Having worked for major dealerships for many years, Marcus now works for a local independent garage and has experience working on nearly every make and model of car. Marcus also has a passion for writing and teaching, which is where the idea for The FatMech came from. In his spare time, Marcus enjoys playing golf, doing home renovations and gardening. He lives just outside London with his wife and son.