1999 Honda Odyssey engine dies while driving

Our 1999 Honda Odyssey (96,000 miles) has a problem that has the
dealership tech guys somewhat baffled. Recently, we were driving our
van when all the lights on the dash flickered, the engine died and the
green Key light comes on and stays on. We had to put the van back into
park to restart the van. We brought it to our local Honda repair
center. They drove it, but the engine did not fail for them. The tech
told us that his best guess on what is at fault would be a part within
the engine call the Transponder, a device that identifies the keys with
the vehicle or something like that. He ran a diagnostic of the
Transponder and it was found to be working. A new Transponder would
cost $237. I'm not too fond of paying that price for just a guess. The
service rep also suggested having the van towed to the dealership when
the engine fails. I need help with this problem. Could the transponder
show no fault when hooked up to diagnostics, but fail during normal
driving ? What else could be going on ?

 

Almost anything could cause the problem. Any other keys in the ring with
transponders. How much weight on the keyring. Honda ignition doesn't like a
lot oh junk hanging on the ignition key. Could be transponder, could be
fuel, could be almost anything. Do a search on www.odyclub.com forum for the
problem. It has been discussed many times...

 

Thank you for the reply. I do have a second set of Keys on the key ring
(Toyota Camry) plus about 4 or 5 other keys, but those keys have been

 

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I might be wrong, but I think the transponder is only needed to start
the engine. It sounds exactly like the "Great Ignition Switch Recall".
Dies unexpectedly, often at the wrong moment.

There is no recall for your year, but the symptoms sound the same.
SEARCH google for more confirmation.

Read all this stuff about transponders to be sure:

http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/tsb/other/index.html

'Curly'

 

Ok - quick update. I went to the Odyclub.com website. I found a post
from another Odyssey owner with the same problem. They replaced the
ignition switch and that fixed their problem. I printed the page and
brought it back to my dealership. Their tech checked the ignition
switch and agreed that it was the cause of the problem. Why their tech
did not check the igntion switch when I said the "key" light was coming
on is a mystery to me. Thank you all for your help. I couldn't have
solved this mystery without your input.