How To Start Honda Odyssey With A Key [Alternative If Your Key Fob Is Dead]

Starting a Honda Odyssey with its proprietary key can be an anxiety-inducing experience, particularly if you’re new to the latest automotive technologies. So how can you start this Honda minivan with its key? We researched this concern for your convenience and here’s what we found.

Generally, you only need to press and hold the clutch or brake pedal on your Honda Odyssey. Then, press the Engine Start/Stop button while maintaining sufficient pressing pressure on the clutch or brake pedal. If done correctly, and if the minivan doesn’t have issues, the vehicle’s engine should start and turn over.

However, some instances may occur wherein your Honda Odyssey’s key fob dies. If so, continue reading as we tackle the different ways to start the vehicle if you can’t use its key fob.

How To Start Honda Odyssey With A Dead Key Fob

Method #1: Hold The Key Fob Next To The Start/Stop Button

Perhaps your Honda Odyssey’s key fob isn’t dead, but it’s about to die. You can tell if you’re encountering this scenario if the key fob responds to your actions but not the minivan.

You can still use the Start/Stop button on your Honda Odyssey with a dying key fob. However, you need to hold the key fob next to the Start/Stop button. Next, go through the vehicle startup sequence normally.

Method #2: Replace The Key Fob Battery

Replacing the battery on your dead key fob with the correct model may help restore its normal functions. Take note that Honda Odyssey minivans from 2014 to 2022 typically have key fobs that require CR2032 3-volt batteries to run.

Once you have the correct battery in hand, continue this procedure by following these steps:

What You’ll Need

• Jeweler’s screwdriver
• CR2032 3-volt battery

Step-By-Step Guide

1. Press and hold the mechanical key release button on the key fob.
2. Pull out the mechanical key from the key fob and set it aside temporarily.
3. Insert the key fob into the newly exposed depression.
4. Wiggle the mechanical key to pry open the key fob’s casing.
5. Pry the old CR2032 battery from its mounting bracket using the jeweler’s screwdriver.
6. Install the new battery in the same location as the old unit.
7. Reassemble the key fob.
8. Attempt to start the Odyssey with the reassembled key fob to check if this procedure solved the issue.

Check out this replacement Honda Odyssey key fob battery on Amazon.

You can also watch the video below if you need a visual guide for the steps mentioned above:

Method #3: Use The Duplicate Key

Use your Honda Odyssey’s duplicate key if you have it. Bear in mind that you need a new key fob if you don’t have a duplicate key fob for your Honda minivan, and you'll need to program the new key fob for the vehicle to respond to its commands.

Once you have your replacement key fob, program it by following these steps:

What You’ll Need

• OBD2 key fob programming tool
• Replacement Honda Odyssey key fob

Step-By-Step Guide

1. Insert the mechanical key into the ignition slot.
2. Connect the key fob programming tool with the Odyssey’s OBD2 terminal.
3. Select the correct vehicle on the key fob programmer’s display.
4. Select the “Immobilizer” tool on the menu that pops up.
5. Select “Add New Key” on the next screen.
6. Turn the unregistered key fob that’s in the ignition switch to the on position.
7. Press “Start” on the programming tool and wait for it to complete its task.
8. Follow the additional instructions that pop up on the OBD2 programmer's screen.
9. Remove the mechanical key from the ignition slot.
10. Check the programmed key fob’s functions by attempting to start the Honda Odyssey with it.

Check out this replacement key fob for 2014 to 2017 Honda Odyssey vehicles.

Watch this video to gain additional insights into this procedure:

Take note that you need to gain access to the Honda Odyssey’s driver seat for you to go through this process. Read our post on what to do to unlock a Honda Odyssey without a key to learn the possible solutions to that particular concern.

Method #4: Use The HondaLink App

The HondaLink app is Honda’s proprietary smartphone application, allowing users to remotely access certain features without the key fob. However, this app is only compatible with specific Honda Odyssey vehicles, namely the EX, EC-L, Touring, and Touring Elite trims manufactured from 2016 and onwards.

Here are the steps to use the HondaLink app on your Odyssey:

Step-By-Step Guide

1. Ensure that you connect your smartphone to a stable wireless Internet connection.
2. Go to your device’s app store library (Google Play Store for Android and the app store for Apple).
3. Search and download the HondaLink application on the app store’s library.
4. Wait for the app to download to your device and open it.
5. Log in with your HondaLink account on the app. (Register a new account on the app if you don’t have one yet).
6. Tap “Add Vehicle” on the app’s main screen and input your Odyssey’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
7. Tap “Start” on the next screen, which should start your vehicle’s engine and flash its signal lights.
8. Allow the things happening to your vehicle for about 10 minutes or until it shuts down automatically.
9. Press the “Start” button again on the app’s screen to ignite your Odyssey’s engine. Then, drive the minivan normally.

What To Think About When Remote Starting A Honda Odyssey?

The remote start feature for certain Honda Odyssey models can help provide peace of mind to users. With it, you can lock and unlock the minivan’s doors, and start the engine, even without the proprietary key fob present.

Still, you need to think about certain drawbacks of relying too much on a Honda Odyssey's remote start feature. These shortcomings may include:

Increased Risks Of Theft

Hackers might steal the radio signals sent by a key fob or wireless device that accesses your Honda Odyssey remotely. Then, these thieves can place the captured signal into a replacement key fob, allowing them to drive off with your vehicle.

Electronic Malfunctions

Remote start often relies on the vehicle's electronics. If your Odyssey has electronic issues, pressing the remote start button on your key fob or the HondaLink app may prevent you from using the feature. The problem may also stop you from unlocking the minivan’s doors.

Batteries Die Eventually

CR2032 3-volt batteries generally last about 10 years. However, these batteries’ lifespans may shorten, particularly if they encounter issues like corrosion. So, a dead key fob battery can prevent you from starting the Odyssey normally.

What Would Cause My Honda Odyssey’s Remote Start To Not Work?

A Honda Odyssey’s remote start feature may not work because the vehicle or the key fob encountered a problem. Some of the possible suspects that stop you from wirelessly starting the minivan are:

• The remote start feature on the Honda Odyssey is off.
• A door, window, hood, or tailgate is open.
• A worn or broken antenna on the vehicle.
• The minivan registers multiple attempts to access it remotely, locking the vehicle from further remote access. 

Also, a Honda Odyssey’s engine may not start and turn over (regardless of the method used) if its engine has faults. Some relatively common engine problems you may encounter with this minivan are:

• Engine block oil leak
• Worn head gasket
• Bad idle air control system

Repairing or replacing these parts may help restore your Honda Odyssey’s remote features, along with its other normal functions. Don’t forget that you can ask an automotive expert about your minivan’s remote starting issues if you need additional help with this matter.

How Much Does It Cost To Program A Replacement Key Fob?

Professional automotive locksmith services may charge about $50 to $100 to provide you with a new key for your Honda Odyssey. Also, the fees for the expert labor may increase depending on other factors, such as the minivan’s location and the task’s difficulty.

Final Thoughts

Starting a Honda Odyssey should be quite easy if its key fob functions normally. But you can use other vehicle startup solutions if the key fob dies or you lost it. But keep in mind that some methods mentioned in this post may not work for your Odyssey’s specific model. If so, you may request help from automotive professionals to program a new key fob for your Honda minivan.

If you’re looking for answers to other Honda Odyssey-related concerns, check out these other great reads:

How Much Weight Can A Honda Odyssey Carry?

How To Jump Start Honda Odyssey [Step By Step Guide]