Honda Element. Manual - part 524

The term "intermittent failure" means a system may have had a failure, but it checks OK now. If the 
malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the dash does not come on, check for poor connections or loose terminals 
at all connectors related to the circuit that you are troubleshooting. If the MIL was on but then went out, the 
original problem may have been intermittent. 

OPENS AND SHORTS 

"Open" and "short" are common electrical terms. An open is a break in a wire or at a connection. A short is an 
accidental connection of a wire to ground or to another wire. In simple electronics, this usually means 
something won't work at all. With complex electronics (such as ECMs or PCMs) this can sometimes mean 
something works, but not the way it's supposed to. 

HOW TO USE THE HDS (HONDA DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM) 

If the MIL (malfunction indicator lamp) has come on 

1. Start the engine, and check the MIL (A). 

Fig. 2: Identifying MIL 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

2. If the MIL stays on, connect the HDS to the data link connector (DLC) (A) located under the driver's side 

of the dashboard. 

NOTE:

If the ignition switch is turned ON (II), and the engine is not started, the 
MIL stays on for 15-20 seconds (see MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP 
(MIL) INDICATION (IN RELATION TO READINESS CODES) ).

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Fuel and Emissions Systems - Element

  

Fig. 3: Identifying Data Link Connector (DLC) 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

3. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).  

4. Make sure the HDS communicates with the ECM/PCM and other vehicle system. If it doesn't go to the 

DLC circuit troubleshooting (see DLC CIRCUIT TROUBLESHOOTING ).  

5. Check the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) and note it. Also check the freeze data and/or on-board snapshot 

data, and download any data found. Then refer to the indicated DTC'S TROUBLESHOOTING, and 
begin the appropriate troubleshooting procedure. 

6. If no DTCs are found, go to MIL troubleshooting (see MIL CIRCUIT TROUBLESHOOTING ).  

If the MIL did not stay on 

If the MIL did not stay on but there is a driveability problem, do the symptom troubleshooting. 

If you can't duplicate the DTC 

Some of the troubleshooting requires you to reset the ECM/PCM and try to duplicate the DTC. If the problem is 
intermittent and you can't duplicate the code, do not continue through the procedure. To do so will only result in 
confusion and possibly, a needlessly replaced ECM/PCM. 

HDS CLEAR COMMAND 

The ECM/PCM stores various specific data to correct the system even if there is no electrical power such as 

NOTE:



Freeze data indicates the engine conditions when the first 
malfunction, misfire, or fuel trim malfunction was detected.  



The HDS can read the DTC, freeze data, on-board snapshot, current 
data, and other engine control module (ECM) or powertrain control 
module (PCM) data.  



For specific operations, refer to the user's manual that came with the 
HDS.  

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Fuel and Emissions Systems - Element

  

when the battery negative terminal or No. 6 Fl ECU (15 A) fuse are disconnected. Stored data based on failed 
parts should be cleared by using the "CLEAR COMMAND" of the HDS, if parts are replaced. 

The HDS has three kinds of clear commands to meet this purpose. They are DTC clear, ECM/PCM reset, and 
crank (CKP) pattern clear. DTC clear command erases all stored DTC codes, freeze data, on-board snapshot, 
and readiness codes. This must be done with the HDS after reproducing the DTC during troubleshooting. The 
ECM/PCM reset command erases all stored DTC codes, freeze data, on-board snapshot, readiness codes, and all 
specific data to correct the system except crank (CKP) pattern. If the crank (CKP) pattern data in the 
ECM/PCM was cleared, you must do the crank (CKP) pattern learn procedure. The crank (CKP) pattern clear 
command erases only crank (CKP) pattern data. This command is for repair of a misfire or the CKP sensor. 

SCAN TOOL CLEAR COMMAND 

If you are using a generic scan tool to clear commands, be aware that there is only one setting for clearing the 
ECM/PCM, and it clears all commands at the same time crank (CKP) pattern learn, idle learn, readiness codes, 
freeze data, on-board snapshot, and DTCs. After you clear all commands, you then need to do these procedures, 
in this order: ECM/PCM idle learn procedure (see ECM/PCM IDLE LEARN PROCEDURE ); crank (CKP) 
pattern learn procedure; Test-drive to set readiness codes to complete (see HOW TO SET READINESS 
CODES ). 

DTC CLEAR 

1. Clear the DTC with the HDS while the engine is stopped.  

2. Turn the ignition switch OFF.  

3. Turn the ignition switch ON (II), and wait 30 seconds.  

4. Turn the ignition switch OFF, and disconnect the HDS from the DLC.  

ECM/PCM RESET 

1. Reset the ECM/PCM with the HDS while the engine is stopped.  

2. Turn the ignition switch OFF.  

3. Turn the ignition switch ON (II), and wait 30 seconds.  

4. Turn the ignition switch OFF, and disconnect the HDS from the DLC.  

5. Do the ECM/PCM idle learn procedure (see ECM/PCM IDLE LEARN PROCEDURE ).  

CRANK (CKP) PATTERN CLEAR/CRANK (CKP) PATTERN LEARN 

Clear/Learn Procedure (with the HDS) 

1. Connect the HDS to the data link connector (DLC) (A) located under the driver's side of the dashboard. 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Fuel and Emissions Systems - Element

  

Fig. 4: Identifying Data Link Connector (DLC) 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

2. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).  

3. Make sure the HDS communicates with the ECM/PCM and other vehicle system. If it doesn't, go to the 

DLC circuit troubleshooting (see DLC CIRCUIT TROUBLESHOOTING ).  

4. Select CRANK PATTERN in the ADJUSTMENT MENU with the HDS.  

5. Select CRANK PATTERN LEARNING with the HDS, and follow the screen prompts.  

Learn Procedure (without the HDS) 

1. Start the engine. Hold the engine speed at 3,000 rpm without load (in Park or neutral) until the radiator 

fan comes on.  

2. Test-drive the vehicle on a level road: Decelerate (with the throttle fully closed) from an engine speed of 

2,500 rpm down to 1,000 rpm with the A/T in 2 position, or M/T in 1st gear.  

3. Repeat step 2 several times.  

4. Turn the ignition switch OFF.  

5. Turn the ignition switch ON (II), and wait 30 seconds. The crank (CKP) pattern learn procedure is 

complete.  

How to End a Troubleshooting Session (required after any troubleshooting) 

1. Reset the ECM/PCM with the HDS.  

2. Do the ECM/PCM idle learn procedure (see ECM/PCM IDLE LEARN PROCEDURE ).  

3. Turn the ignition switch OFF.  

4. Disconnect the HDS from the DLC. 

NOTE:

The ECM/PCM is part of the immobilizer system. If you replace the 
ECM/PCM, it will have a different immobilizer code. In order for the engine 
to start, you must rewrite the immobilizer code with the HDS.

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Fuel and Emissions Systems - Element