Honda Element. Manual - part 785



Only the drive wheels rotate.  



One drive wheel is stuck.  



The vehicle goes into a spin.  



The ABS or VSA continues to operate for a long time.  



The vehicle is subjected to an electrical signal disturbance.  

To determine the actual cause of the problem, question the customer, taking these conditions into consideration.



When a problem is detected, there are cases when the indicator stays on until the ignition switch is turned 
OFF, and cases when the indicator goes off automatically when the system returns to normal. 



DTC 61 or 62: 

The ABS and VSA indicators go off automatically when the system returns to normal. 



DTC 28, 31, 32,33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 54, 81,121, 122,123, or 124: 

The ABS and VSA indicators stay on until the ignition switch is turned OFF whether or not the 
system returns to normal. 



DTC 11, 12, 13,14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 51, or 52: 

The ABS and VSA indicators stay on until the system returns to normal after the engine is 
restarted, and the vehicle is driven. 



DTC 25, 26, 27,64, 65, 66, 68, 83, 86, 91,104, or 105: 

The VSA indicator stays on until the ignition switch is turned OFF whether or not the system 
returns to normal. 



DTC 84: 

The VSA activation indicator goes off automatically when the system returns to normal. 

DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) 



The memory can hold any number of DTCs. However, when the same DTC is detected more than once, 
the more recent DTC is written over the earlier one. Therefore, when the same problem is detected 
repeatedly, it is memorized as a single DTC.  



The DTCs are indicated in ascending number order, not in the order they occur.  



The DTCs are memorized in the EEPROM. Therefore, the memorized DTCs cannot be erased by 
disconnecting the battery. Do the specified procedures to clear the DTCs.  

SELF-DIAGNOSIS 



Self-diagnosis can be classified into two categories: 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 BRAKES VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) System Components - Element

  



Initial diagnosis: Done right after the ignition switch is turned ON (II) and until the ABS and VSA 
indicators go off.  



Regular diagnosis: Done right after the initial diagnosis until the ignition switch is turned OFF.  



When the system detects a problem, the VSA modulator-control unit shifts to fail-safe mode.  

KICKBACK 

The pump motor operates when the VSA modulator-control unit is functioning, and the fluid in the reservoir is 
forced out to the master cylinder, causing kickback at the brake pedal. 

PUMP MOTOR 



The pump motor operates when the VSA modulator-control unit is functioning.  



The VSA modulator-control unit checks the pump motor operation one time after completing initial 
diagnosis during regular diagnosis when the vehicle is driven over 12 mph (20 km/h). You may hear the 
motor operate at this time, but it is normal.  

BRAKE FLUID REPLACEMENT/AIR BLEEDING 

Brake fluid replacement and air bleeding procedures are identical to the procedures used on vehicles without the 
VSA system (see BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING ). 

HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT DTCS 

The troubleshooting procedures assume that the cause of the problem is still present and the ABS and/or VSA 
indicator is still on. Following the troubleshooting procedure when the ABS and/or VSA indicator does not 
come on (no problem is present) can result in incorrect diagnosis. 

The connector illustrations show the female terminal connectors with a single outline and the male terminal 
connectors with a double outline. 

1. Question the customer about the conditions when the problem occurred, and try to reproduce the same 

conditions for troubleshooting. Find out when the ABS and/or VSA indicator came on, such as during 
control, after control, when the vehicle was traveling at a certain speed, etc. If necessary, have the 
customer demonstrate the concern.  

2. When the ABS or VSA indicator does not come on during the test-drive, but troubleshooting is done 

based on the DTC, check for loose connectors, poor contact of the terminals, etc. before you start 
troubleshooting.  

3. After troubleshooting, or repairs are done, clear the DTCs, and test-drive the vehicle under the same 

conditions as originally set with the DTCs. Make sure the ABS and VSA indicators do not come on.  

4. Check for DTCs from other system which connected via F-CAN, if there are DTCs that are related to F-

CAN, the most likely cause was that the ignition switch was turned ON (II) with the VSA modulator-
control unit connector disconnected. Clear the DTCs. Check for PGM-FI and VSA codes, and 
troubleshoot those first. 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 BRAKES VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) System Components - Element

  

INTERMITTENT FAILURES 

The term "intermittent failure" means a system may have had a failure, but it checks OK now. If the indicator(s) 
of the system does not come on, check for loose connectors and grounds, poor contact of the terminals related to 
the circuit that you are troubleshooting. 

HOW TO USE THE HDS (HONDA DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM) 

1. If the system indicators stay on, connect the HDS to the data link connector (DLC) (A) located under the 

driver's side of the dashboard. 

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

2. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).  

3. Make sure the HDS communicates with the vehicle and the VSA modulator-control unit. If it doesn't, 

troubleshoot the DLC circuit (see DLC CIRCUIT TROUBLESHOOTING ).  

4. Check the diagnostic trouble code (DTC) and note it. Also check the on-board snapshot data, and 

download any data found. Then refer to the indicated DTC's troubleshooting, and do the appropriate 
troubleshooting procedure. 

HOW TO RETRIEVE DTCS 

1. With the ignition switch OFF, connect the HDS to the data link connector (DLC) under the driver's side 

of the dashboard.  

2. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).  

3. Make sure the HDS communicates with the vehicle and the VSA modulator-control unit. If it doesn't, 

troubleshoot the DLC circuit (see DLC CIRCUIT TROUBLESHOOTING ).  

NOTE:



The HDS can read the DTC, the current data, and other system data.  



For specific operations, refer to the Help menu that came with the 
HDS.  

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 BRAKES VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) System Components - Element

  

4. Follow the prompts on the HDS to display the DTC(s) on the screen. After determining the DTC, refer to 

the DTC TROUBLESHOOTING.  

5. Turn the ignition switch OFF.  

HOW TO CLEAR DTCS 

1. With the ignition switch OFF, connect the HDS to the data link connector (DLC) under the driver's side 

of the dashboard.  

2. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).  

3. Make sure the HDS communicates with the vehicle and the VSA modulator-control unit. If it doesn't, 

troubleshoot the DLC circuit (see DLC CIRCUIT TROUBLESHOOTING ).  

4. Clear the DTC(s) by following the screen prompts on the HDS.  

5. Turn the ignition switch OFF.  

DTC TROUBLESHOOTING INDEX 

DTC TROUBLESHOOTING INDEX 

DTC

Detection Item

ABS Indicator

Brake System 

Indicator

VSA Indicator

VSA Activation 

Indicator

11

Right-front wheel 
sensor (short to 
power/short to 
body ground/open)

ON

ON or OFF

(1)

ON

ON

12

Right-front wheel 
sensor (electrical 
noise/intermittent 
interruption)

ON

ON or OFF

(1)

ON

ON

13

Left-front wheel 
sensor (short to 
power/short to 
body ground/open)

ON

ON or OFF

(1)

ON

ON

14

Left-front wheel 
sensor (electrical 
noise/intermittent 
interruption)

ON

ON or OFF

(1)

ON

ON

15

Right-rear wheel 
sensor (short to 
power/short to 
body ground/open)

ON

ON or OFF

(1)

ON

ON

16

Right-rear wheel 
sensor (electrical 
noise/intermittent 
interruption)

ON

ON or OFF

(1)

ON

ON

17

Left-rear wheel 

ON

ON or OFF

(1)

ON

ON

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 BRAKES VSA (Vehicle Stability Assist) System Components - Element