Hi Scotty, I have a 2000 Honda odyssey with 206,000 miles on it. Lately my car has just started shutting off on me while driving, and when i try to crank it, it will crank but not start. I could try to crank and sometimes it does sound like it will start but it will not start. After about 15-20 min the car will start again and but will die shortly. I do have a weak battery that has fluid coming out of the top so I don't know if it is related to that. I do know when the car sits overnight and I have to boost it off it will turn on but it will shut off again.I have been told it's the crankshaft position sensor or the PGMFI relay as I heard those are common in Hondas. What could the problem be?
I do have a weak battery that has fluid coming out of the top
You can't expect the vehicle electronics to work properly when you have a bad battery. Replace that and given the age of that vehicle I'd also load test the charging system and carefully check condition of the battery terminals and cables.
It's also a possibility at that age and mileage that your fuel pump is weak and cutting out on you. Check your fuel pressure.
Also see the troubleshooting section of the site FAQ.
@chucktobias Gotcha will do. Thanks!
update: I replaced the battery and the car ran for about 15 min before shutting off. Luckily we could access the fuel pump from inside so removed the cover to access it and check to see if the fuel pump would prime, it would not We checked the PGM relay to make sure it clicked or not and it did.
@shenthblackdeath You might also want to measure voltage at the pump when the engine cuts out to make sure it's not a wiring issue. If all else is working properly it sounds like you have a bad pump. (Not a surprise after 25 years.) Be sure to use an OEM replacement, or at least from the original supplier which is probably Denso.
Gotcha willdo! I actually replaced the fuel pump 5 years ago with an Oreilly one (bad mistake on my part). I did buy Denso!
@shenthblackdeath Five years is plenty of time for it to go bad, but test it further to make sure it's receiving voltage but not pumping. Also check the filter or strainer to see if it's clogging up. Unfortunately the quality of even OEM and major brands of parts is not what it used to be.