Honda Element. Manual - part 146

Fig. 269: Identifying Distance Between Deployment Tool And Vehicle 

11. Connect a 12 volt battery to the tool. 



If the green light on the tool comes on, the igniter circuit is defective and cannot deploy the 
component. Go to DISPOSAL OF DAMAGED COMPONENTS.  



If the red light on the tool comes on, the component is ready to be deployed.  

12. Push the tool's deployment switch. The airbags and tensioners should deploy (deployment is both highly 

audible and visible: A loud noise and rapid inflation of the bag, followed by slow deflation). 



If the components deploy and the green light on the tool comes on, continue with this procedure.  



If a component does not deploy, and the green light comes ON, its igniter is defective. Go to 
DISPOSAL OF DAMAGED COMPONENTS.  



During deployment, the airbags can become hot enough to burn you. Wait 30 minutes after 
deployment before touching the airbags.  

13. Dispose of the complete airbag. No part of it can be reused. Place it in a sturdy plastic bag (A), and seal it 

securely. Dispose of the deployed airbag according to your local regulations. 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 RESTRAINTS SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) - Element

  

Fig. 270: Placing Airbag In Plastic Bag 

DEPLOYING COMPONENTS OUT OF THE VEHICLE 

If an intact airbag or tensioner has been removed from a scrapped vehicle, or has been found defective or 
damaged during transit, storage, or service, it should be deployed as follows: 

Fig. 271: Identifying Airbag Deployed Position 

1. Confirm that the deployment tool is functioning properly by following the check procedure Deploying 

Airbags in the Vehicle on the tool label.  

2. Position the airbag face up, outdoors, on flat ground, at least 30 feet (10 meters) from any obstacles or 

people.  

3. Follow steps 9 through 12 of the in-vehicle deployment procedure. 

DISPOSAL OF DAMAGED COMPONENTS 

1. If installed in a vehicle, follow the removal procedure for the driver's airbag (see DRIVER'S AIRBAG 

REPLACEMENT ), front passenger's airbag (see FRONT PASSENGER'S AIRBAG 

NOTE:

The driver's and front passenger's airbags have dual inflators. Twist each 
pair of unlike colored wires together, and clip an alligator clip to each pair.

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 RESTRAINTS SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) - Element

  

REPLACEMENT ), side airbag (see SIDE AIRBAG REPLACEMENT ), side curtain airbag see 
SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG REPLACEMENT ), seat belt tensioner (see FRONT SEAT BELT 
REPLACEMENT ), and seat belt buckle tensioner (see SEAT BELT BUCKLE ).  

2. In all cases, make a short circuit by cutting, stripping, and twisting together the two inflator wires. 

3. Package the component in exactly the same packaging that the new replacement part came in.  

4. Mark the outside of the box "DAMAGED AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYED," "DAMAGED SIDE AIRBAG 

NOT DEPLOYED," "DAMAGED SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYED," "DAMAGED SEAT 
BELT TENSIONER NOT DEPLOYED" so it does not get confused with your parts stock.  

5. Contact your Honda District Parts and Service Manager for instructions on how and where to return it for 

disposal.  

DEPLOYMENT TOOL CHECK 

1. Connect the yellow clips to both switch protector handles on the tool and connect the red lead to the 

positive battery post and the black lead to the negative battery post.  

2. Push the operation switch: green light means the tool is OK; a red light means the tool is faulty.  

3. Disconnect the yellow clips from the switch protector handles, and the red and black leads from the 

battery.  

CABLE REEL REPLACEMENT 

REMOVAL 

1. Make sure the front wheels are aligned straight ahead.  

2. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery, and wait at least 3 minutes.  

3. Remove the driver's airbag (see DRIVER'S AIRBAG REPLACEMENT ).  

4. Disconnect the connector (A) from the cruise control set/resume switch, then remove the steering wheel 

bolt (B). 

NOTE:

The driver's and front passenger's airbags have dual inflators. The like 
color wires go to the individual inflators. Twist the like colored wires 
together.

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 RESTRAINTS SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) - Element

  

Fig. 272: Identifying Cruise Control Set/Resume Switch Connector 

5. With the front wheels still straight ahead, remove the steering wheel with a steering wheel puller (see step 

6 on page 17-23). 

Do not tap on the steering wheel or steering column shaft when removing the steering wheel. 

6. Remove the driver's dashboard lower cover (A). 

Fig. 273: Identifying Driver's Dashboard Lower Cover 

7. Remove the steering column cover screws (A), then remove the steering column covers (B, C). 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 RESTRAINTS SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) - Element