Honda Odyssey & Light: 10 Questions Answered (For Newbies)

The lights on your Honda Odyssey are important for your safety. As such, you should know how they work and what to when they malfunction.

This article will address common issues related to the lighting system on your Honda Odyssey.

It will also answer most-asked questions about lights on Honda Odysseys from newbies.

Let’s dive into it.

Which Light Bulbs Sizes and Types Do Honda Odyssey Use?

Not all Honda Odysseys use the same type and size of light bulb. Here is a guide for picking light bulbs for your Honda Odyssey minivan:

1. 1995-1998 Honda Odysseys use 9003/9003 LED bulb for both low beam and high beam headlights.
2. 1999-2004 Honda Odysseys use a 9005/9005 LED bulb for high beam headlight and 9006/9006 LED for low beam headlights. These models use either 168 or 7443 bulbs for the taillight.
3. 2005-2010 Honda Odysseys use a 9005/9005 LED bulb for high beams and an H11/H11 LED bulb for low beams. Taillight bulb type remains 168 or 7443.
4. 2011-2017 Honda Odysseys use an H11/H11 LED for low beam headlights, a 9005/9005 LED bulb for high beam headlights, and LED bulbs for the taillight.
5. 2018-present Honda Odysseys use continue to use an H11/H11 LED bulb for low beams, a 9005/9005 LED bulb for high beams, and LED bulbs for tail lights.

Check here for the prices of Honda Odyssey light bulbs on Amazon.

How to Turn Off Daytime Running Lights on a Honda Odyssey?

Daytime Running Lights (DRL) make you visible in different driving conditions. They stay on during the day as well, so other drivers can see you while driving.

But DRLs have their disadvantage—they draw more power (worsening gas mileage) and their brightness may distract other drivers.

Turning off the Daytime Running Lights on your Odyssey is simple; just pull the #27 fuse on the driver-side fuse panel.

This will deactivate the DRLs without you getting any warning light.

Honda Odyssey Light indicator Symbols Explained

For a newbie, it can be hard to decipher the light indicator symbols on the Odyssey dashboard panel.

If you’re in a similar position, this guide will help you make sense of the dashboard lights on your Odyssey:

• Check Engine Light: This indicates that your engine has a problem. It’s advisable to stop driving when you see this light and call for a mechanic.
• Door and Tailgate Open: This symbol stays on if you haven’t closed your tailgate and one of the doors on your vehicle.
• VSA Light: VSA is short for Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA), a stability control system on your Odyssey. This light will blink once its active, but if it stays on, then the VSA likely has a fault.
• Low Fuel Light: This warning light appears when the gasoline in your tank is running low.
• Low Oil Pressure Light: A red-colored leaky oil can sign; the low oil pressure light indicates that your engine is low on oil.
• Immobilizer System Light: If this symbol blinks, it’s usually that your vehicle doesn’t recognize your key, and you may be unable to start the vehicle. To solve this, turn the ignition to “Lock”; remove the key and re-insert it. Then turn the ignition to “On”. If the flickering continues, have a technician go over the vehicle.
• Brake System Light: This indicates a problem with your Odyssey’s brake system. This could be anything from low brake fluid to bad brake parts.
• Tire Pressure Light: This symbol warns you of low air pressure in your tires. You should inflate your tires properly if this light appears.
• Charging System Light: The charging system light comes on when your Odyssey’s battery isn’t charging like it should.
• Cruise Control Light: This indicates that your cruise control system is active.
• EPAS Light: EPAS refers to your Electric Power Assisted Steering System. If this light comes up, you can be sure that your power steering has problems that need fixing.

Please also read our article about 3 common problems of Honda Odysseys.

How Do You Adjust the Light on an Odyssey?

The headlights on your Honda Odyssey might be out of position such that their aim is off.

You can adjust them by using a screwdriver to turn the adjusters to tweak the headlight’s aim.

The adjusters are on the back of the headlight assembly, under the hood.

One adjuster is meant for raising and lowering the headlights, while the other moves the headlight from side to side.

How Does the Auto Light Sensitivity Work?

The Auto Light Sensitivity feature on your Odyssey adjusts the operation of your headlights to match different driving conditions.

If it senses that you need visibility, say, during nighttime, it will switch on the headlights. And if it detects that visibility has improved, it will switch off the headlights.

You can adjust the light sensitivity of your headlights to control the timing of their operation.

Say, you opt for maximum sensitivity, the lights will activate if the sensors pick up slight darkness.

On the other hand, low sensitivity means your lights come on only when it’s late into the night and everywhere is completely dark.

What Can Cause the Drive Light to Blink?

The Drive Light on the Odyssey will flicker if the transmission has a fault.

In most cases, it’s usually a bad shift solenoid, defective starter, or faulty binding mechanism that’s causing the problem.

Low transmission fluid can also cause your Drive Light to blink.

Make sure to also read our article about the Honda Odyssey in snow and winter driving.

Can I Use Headlight Covers on an Odyssey?

You can use headlight covers on your Odyssey, since they’ll help protect it against debris and damage.

But this is only if state laws approve of it.

Some local areas have laws banning the use of objects that can reduce headlight projection. This includes headlight covers, as they are tinted.

The Dome/Interior Light Isn’t Working

The dome light on the Odyssey is susceptible to malfunctioning, especially if the bulb wears out.

The dome unit may have a loose fitting somewhere, or a missing screw.

Any of these faults can make your dome light stop working. So, your pre-repair routine should be like this:

1. Check bulb condition
2. Test screws to see if none is missing or loose
3. Check dome light unit for faults

Do Honda Odyssey Have LED Lights?

Anyone who wants increased visibility at night knows having LED lights is important. These lights have better projection and illuminate the road better.

If LED lights are a big consideration, you have to get a post-2016 Honda Odyssey.

These models come with LED lights unlike previous versions that used only halogen lamps. Here is the complete list of Honda Odysseys with LED lights:

• 2017 Honda Odyssey
• 2018 Honda Odyssey
• 2019 Honda Odyssey
• 2020 Honda Odyssey
• 2021 Honda Odyssey

Also read our article about how long the Honda Odyssey lasts.

The Lights Come on But the Car Won’t Start

The lights coming on, while the car fails to start, is a common problem that Odyssey owners face.

Luckily, the causes of the problem are well documented so that you can know how to fix it. The following are the potential causes of this problem:

1. Poor alternator
2. Poor battery
3. Bad ignition starter
4. Defective fuse

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