Honda Element. Manual - part 678

YES -Troubleshooting is complete. If any other Temporary DTCs or DTCs were indicated in step 25, go 
to the INDICATED DTCS TROUBLESHOOTING. 

NO -If the screen indicates FAILED, check for poor connections or loose terminals at the throttle body, 
the MAF sensor/IAT sensor, and the ECM/PCM, then go to step 1. If the screen indicates EXECUTING, 
keep idling until a result comes on. If the screen indicates OUT OF CONDITION, go to step 23. 

DTC P050B: COLD START IGNITION TIMING CONTROL SYSTEM PERFORMANCE PROBLEM 

1. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).  

2. Check for Temporary DTCs or DTCs with the HDS. 

Are any Temporary DTCs or DTCs other than P050B indicated?  

YES -Go to the INDICATED DTCS TROUBLESHOOTING. 

NO -Go to step 3. 

3. Check for poor connections or blockage at the intake air duct. 

Is it OK?  

YES -Go to step 4. 

NO -Reconnect or repair the intake air duct, then go to step 25. 

4. Check for damage at the air cleaner housing. 

Is it OK?  

YES -Go to step 5. 

NO -Replace the air cleaner housing (see AIR CLEANER ELEMENT 
INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT ), then go to step 25. 

5. Check for dirt or debris in the air cleaner element. 

Is it dirty?  

YES -Replace the air cleaner element or remove the debris (see AIR CLEANER ELEMENT 
INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT ), then go to step 25.

NOTE:

Before you troubleshoot, record all freeze data and any on-board snapshot, and 
review the general troubleshooting information (see GENERAL 
TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION ).

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE PERFORMANCE PGM-FI System - Element

  

NO -Go to step 6. 

6. Let the engine cool until the value of ECT SENSOR 1 is 122°F (50°C) or less.  

7. Clear the DTC with the HDS.  

8. Start the engine, and let it idle 10 seconds or more.  

9. Monitor the OBD STATUS for DTC P050B in the DTCs MENU with the HDS. 

Does the screen indicate FAILED?  

YES -Go to step 10. 

NO -If the screen indicates PASSED, intermittent failure, the system is OK at this time. If the screen 
indicates EXECUTING, let the engine idle until a result comes on. If the screen indicates OUT OF 
CONDITION, go to step 6 and recheck. 

10. Inspect the ignition timing (see IGNITION TIMING INSPECTION ). 

Is the ignition timing OK?  

YES -Go to step 12. 

NO -Go to step 11. 

11. Check for damage at the CKP sensor (see CMP SENSOR B REPLACEMENT ) and the CKP sensor 

pulser plate (see CKP PULSE PLATE REPLACEMENT ). 

Is the CKP sensor and/or the CKP sensor pulser plate damaged?  

YES -Replace the CKP sensor (see CMP SENSOR B REPLACEMENT ) and/or the CKP sensor pulser 
plate (see CKP PULSE PLATE REPLACEMENT ), then go to step 6. 

NO -Go to step 32. 

12. Do the ETCS TEST in the INSPECTION MENU with the HDS. 

Is the THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL VALVE normal?  

YES -Go to step 13. 

NO -Replace the throttle body (see THROTTLE BODY REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ), then go to 
step 25. 

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

fan comes on, then let it idle.  

14. Monitor the ENGINE SPEED in the DATA LIST with the HDS, and hold the engine speed at 2,500 rpm 

for at least 30 seconds.  

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE PERFORMANCE PGM-FI System - Element

  

15. While holding the engine speed at 2,500 rpm, check the MAF SENSOR in the DATA LIST with the 

HDS. 

Is there about 6.4-9.2 gm/s?  

YES -Go to step 16. 

NO -Replace the MAF sensor/IAT sensor (see MAP SENSOR REPLACEMENT ), then go to step 25. 

16. Turn the ignition switch OFF.  

17. Drain the coolant (see COOLANT CHECK ).  

18. Remove ECT sensor 1 (see ECT SENSOR 1 REPLACEMENT ), and ECT sensor 2 (see ECT 

SENSOR 1 REPLACEMENT ).  

19. Allow the sensors to cool to ambient temperature.  

20. Note the ambient temperature.  

21. Connect ECT sensor 1 to its 2P connector, and ECT sensor 2 to its 2P connector, but do not install them 

on the engine.  

22. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).  

23. Note the value of ECT SENSOR 1 and ECT SENSOR 2 quickly in the DATA LIST with the HDS.  

24. Compare the value of ECT SENSOR 1 and the ambient temperature, and the value of ECT SENSOR 2 

and the ambient temperature individually. 

Does either sensor differ more than 5.4°F (3°C) from the ambient temperature?  

YES -Replace the sensor that differed more than 5.4°F OX) from the ambient temperature, then go to step 
25. 

NO -Check and repair any problems with the following items, then go to step 25. 



Engine compression and cylinder leakdown  



VTEC system  



Engine oil  



A/C system  



Power steering  

25. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).  

26. Reset the ECM/PCM with the HDS.  

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

28. Let the engine cool until the value of ECT SENSOR 1 is 122°F (50°C) or less.  

29. Start the engine, and let it idle for 10 seconds or more.  

30. Check for Temporary DTCs or DTCs with the HDS. 

Is DTC P050B indicated?  

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE PERFORMANCE PGM-FI System - Element

  

YES -Check for poor connections or loose terminals at the CKP sensor, the throttle body, the MAF 
sensor/IAT sensor, ECT sensor 1, ECT sensor 2, and the ECM/PCM, then go to step 1. 

NO -Go to step 31. 

31. Monitor the OBD STATUS for DTC P050B in the DTCs MENU with the HDS. 

Does the screen indicate PASSED?  

YES -Troubleshooting is complete. If any other Temporary DTCs or DTCs were indicated in step 29, go 
to the INDICATED DTCS TROUBLESHOOTING. 

NO -If the screen indicates FAILED, check for poor connections or loose terminals at the CKP sensor, 
the throttle body, the MAF sensor/IAT sensor, ECT sensor 1, ECT sensor 2, and the ECM/PCM, then go 
to step 1. If the screen indicates EXECUTING, keep idling until a result comes on. If the screen indicates 
OUT OF CONDITION, go to step 28. 

32. Update the ECM/PCM if it does not have the latest software (see UPDATING THE ECM/PCM ), or 

substitute a known-good ECM/PCM (see SUBSTITUTING THE ECM/PCM ).  

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

34. Let the engine cool until the value of ECT SENSOR 1 is 122°F (50°C) or less.  

35. Start the engine, and let it idle for 10 seconds or more.  

36. Check for Temporary DTCs or DTCs with the HDS. 

Is DTC P050B indicated?  

YES -Check for poor connections or loose terminals at the CKP sensor, the throttle body, the MAF/IAT 
sensor, ECT sensor 1, ECT sensor 2, and the ECM/PCM. If the ECM/PCM was updated, substitute a 
known-good ECM/PCM (+see SUBSTITUTING THE ECM/PCM ), then go to step 34. If the 
ECM/PCM was substituted, go to step 1. 

NO -Go to step 37. 

37. Monitor the OBD STATUS for DTC P050B in the DTCs MENU with the HDS. 

Does the screen indicate PASSED?  

YES -If the ECM/PCM was updated, troubleshooting is complete. If the ECM/PCM was substituted, 
replace the original ECM/PCM (see ECM/PCM REPLACEMENT ). If any other Temporary DTCs or 
DTCs were indicated in step 36, go to the INDICATED DTCS TROUBLESHOOTING. 

NO -If the screen indicates FAILED, check for poor connections or loose terminals at the CKP sensor, 
the throttle body, the MAF/IAT sensor, ECT sensor 1, ECT sensor 2, and the ECM/PCM. If the 
ECM/PCM was updated, substitute a known-good ECM/PCM (see SUBSTITUTING THE 
ECM/PCM ), then go to step 34. If the ECM/PCM was substituted, go to step 1. If the screen indicates 
EXECUTING, keep idling until a result comes on. If the screen indicates OUT OF CONDITION, go to 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 ENGINE PERFORMANCE PGM-FI System - Element