Honda Odyssey "choke" problem

[gbn]

Hi, thanks for your help in advance .
I have a 1999 Honda Odyssey. I have never had any trouble with it until it recently.
This is only happening when I start driving the car for the first time everyday. After I pull the car into the street from the parking lot, the car is "choked" for a second when I press on the gas pedal; the car will not go forward but will stop instead, and then will push forward rapidly. This last for only a second and will go away after a couple of times.
If I try to warm up the car for about 10 minutes before I drive the car, the "choke" will feel much lighter.
All the spark plug wires seem to be hidden, and I don't smell any fuel from the exhaust. The oil change is done regularly.
Any ideas what is wrong?

[Schister66]

bad plugs, bad gas, clogged air filter, clogged fuel filter, etc...

[gbn]

Originally Posted by Schister66

bad plugs, bad gas, clogged air filter, clogged fuel filter, etc...

Thanks for quick reply. Since I do not have tools to do any of above works, I need to bring my car to a local auto repair shop. One more question, what kind of service should I ask repair shop to perform? Tune-up?

[lightning21]

Just describe to them how the car is acting and they will know what to check if they are at all competent.

[jclark]

Take your car to the dealership and have them run diagnostics.
It's not much more expensive than the other car repair shops
and they'll get it right the first time. (best chances anyway)
I've experienced to many local car shops not diagnosing properly
and having to pay for many parts before getting it right, if they
do at all. The Honda people know your car and are familiar with
it and its problems. That's your best bet.
When it comes to diagnostics, that's the one thing the
dealership is far better at.

[Schister66]

^^I agree....A Honda dealership should be able to work this all out for you. Stop stressing over it, bring it in and they will fix it in no time flat

[gbn]

Thanks for all suggestions. I will bring the car to local Honda dealership this weekend for fix.

However, I checked the transmission oil last night, and it is VERY low. I will try to take care of this tonight first.

On the other hands, I found this interesting forum on AutoFun.com...

"..IS EVERYONE AWARE THAT ALL 1999 AND SOME 2000 MODEL ODYSSEY VANS HAVE A TRANSMISSION DEFECT? SEE HONDA SERVICE BULLETIN # 00-065. THEY ARE NOT EFFECTING A RECALL, THEY ARE WAITING FOR YOU TO FIND IT, AND THEN THEY WILL REPLACE IT WITH A REPAIRED "USED" TRANSMISSION. ASK YOUR DEALER TO SEE THE SERVICE BULLETIN AND AND READ WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT REPLACEMENT.."

[gbn]

Updated...
Finally, I decided to take 1999 Odyssey to Honda dealership for problem shooting. It took a day for them to confirm it is transmission problem. I can not believe it! I purchased the mini-van on September 1999, and mileage only 67K after 7 years. But Honda dealership told me that it already out of warranty, and will cause me $4,500 to fix. However, they said they will try to get approval from Honda to get it done "free". After more than a week of waiting, they are working on the transmission now. As you all know, an extra $230 charges for a "minor but necessary" fix is needed.