2001 Odyssey EX; 88,000 miles

After 5 hours of highway miles, and exiting highway, Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) and Traction Control System (TCS) light come on and the van starts acting strange (TCS being activated) on dry clean pavement. The van was parked. Later when started, no problems except for MIL still on. Gas cap was on tight. The next day the code was checked and it was P0740 (torque converter control) and the MIL was reset. Another 5 hours back to hometown with no TCS light or MIL coming on - except when exiting the highway the van starts lurching and the TCS seemed to be activated from time to time. However, no MIL or permanent TCS light. I did a little test drive and it seemed to be fine, except when I stopped on an incline (dry pavement, no stones) and then started. The TCS would kick in with a flash of the TCS light. It seemed like transmission slippage, but with the TCS acting, it was hard to tell.

Has anyone had this problem? Any suggestions??

 

P0740 is a torque converter failure. Bottum line is you need a trans

 

Check with the dealer to see if your van falls in the tranmission extension warranty. Depending on the year and vin range, it may fall within the extension.

 

I took the van to the dealer for a check - since they say they have a reader that pulls more codes from computer storage to pinpoint the problem. Unfortunately the RESET five hours from home cleared all memory AND I was not able to get a code again - although there was the problem again after the return to hometown.

We cannot get the van to act up again. I think that it is related to the long trek (heat).

The dealer suspected the EGR valve, since there was a bulletin on it, and the problem description was close. So, I now have the upgraded EGR fix - at no cost, although I was over the milage limit by 9,000 miles. However, I don't think that it was the EGR valve that caused the problem, since I didn't pull that particular code and the problem description is not really the same.

I have 11,000 miles to get it to pull a code again and if it is the transmission - then the cost will be covered.

 

Problem is more frequent now. Starting in first from stop - the wheels spin real fast as though I am peeling out. If TCS is on, it get activated.

Does it sound like the transmission is going south? Is this what they call "slipping?"

 

I just got that code on my 98 Accord, and I ended up needing a new tranny. Honda quoted me 2000 for a new transmission, but I wrote a letter saying that the extended warranty just ran out, my family has owned 5 other Hondas and junk like that and the ended up paying for 2/3 of the new transmission. Give it a try.

 

I have a 2001 Odyssey EX with 65000 miles and I'm having the exact same problem (check engine and TCS light coming on, pulled a P0740 when i checked the code, extremely bad slipping when shifting between gears and it even got stuck in 4th gear after exiting the highway)...how did you end up resolving it?

You said you had 11,000 miles for the code to show up again and if it was the transmission then the cost was covered. Is that because you had a 100,000 mile warranty or was it because of the "tranmission extension warranty" that tech126 was talking about? Tech126, could you please elaborate on this warranty as well. Thanks for your help.

 

yes u fall into the trans extension category 10yr 100k mi
99-01 we usually good will alot of trans other dealers wont b\c we are sweet like that

 

The dealer took the van and replaced the tranny. They said that the one installed has some improvements than the original - but I have not seen anything written.

It was a good time to replace the rear engine seal ($100 vs $850)!!! I had a leak in this seal, but no more!

My new problem is now a code for no evaporative pressure in my tank. So far, a new gas cap seems to be resolving that problem.

I hope the tranny gets more than 90k miles this time around.

 

I had a very similar problem as encountered by beige2001ex. I had a 2001 Odyssey. About a week ago, I have my MIL on and after a while, TCS light also turns on. However, I exit the highway, the TCS light went off after I restarted the engine. After a while, then it turns on againg (MIL never goes off).

I went to the dealer and got a quick check. I was told that there is an error code P0401 (Insufficent EGR flow). I went to another private Honda repair center, the same code was detected. However, I do not have TCS light for the past few days. I was told it should be Ok if I get EGR valve replaced.

I am not sure that is the whole problem. Hope I do not have a tranny problem.