Honda Element. Manual - part 38

DTC P0720 (122): ADVANCED DIAGNOSTICS

DTC P0720: OUTPUT SHAFT (COUNTERSHAFT) SPEED SENSOR CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION 
(M/T MODEL) 

Fig. 103: Output Shaft (Countershaft) Speed Sensor Circuit Diagram 

General Description 

The output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor is attached to the transmission housing to sense output shaft 
(countershaft) revolutions. The engine control module (ECM) determines the vehicle speed according to the 
signal from the output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor to the control units. If no signal from the output shaft 
(countershaft) speed sensor is received for a set time, the ECM detects a malfunction and a DTC is stored. 

Monitor Execution, Sequence, Duration, DTC Type, OBD Status 

MONITOR DESCRIPTION 

Enable Conditions 

ENABLE CONDITIONS 

Malfunction Threshold 

No signal from the output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor is detected for at least 5 seconds. 

Diagnosis Details 

Execution

Continuous

Sequence

None

Duration

5 seconds or more

DTC Type

One drive cycle, MIL ON

OBD Status

PASSED/FAILED/NOT COMPLETED (STILL TESTING)

Condition

Minimum

Maximum

Engine speed

-

4,000 rpm

Battery voltage

10.0 V

-

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Advanced Diagnostics - Element

  

Conditions for illuminating the MIL 

When a malfunction is detected, the MIL comes on and the DTC and the freeze frame data are stored in the 
ECM memory. 

Conditions for clearing the MIL 

The MIL will be cleared if the malfunction does not recur during three consecutive trips in which the diagnostic 
runs. 

The MIL, the DTC, and the freeze frame data can be cleared by using the scan tool Clear command or by 
disconnecting the battery. 

DTC P0721 (9): ADVANCED DIAGNOSTICS 

DTC P0721: PROBLEM IN OUTPUT SHAFT (COUNTERSHAFT) SPEED SENSOR CIRCUIT 

Fig. 104: Output Shaft (Countershaft) Speed Sensor Circuit Diagram 

Fig. 105: Vehicle Speed Graph 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Advanced Diagnostics - Element

  

General Description 

The output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor is attached to the outside of the transmission housing. The output 
shaft (countershaft) speed sensor generates a pulsing signal according to the speed of the park gear on the output 
shaft (countershaft). Using that signal, the powertrain control module (PCM) determines the speed of the output 
shaft (countershaft). If pulse dropouts occur with the output shaft (countershaft) rotating, the PCM detects a 
malfunction that may be caused by an open, a temporary open, or a short to ground. Based on the velocity ratio 
measured by the input shaft (mainshaft) speed sensor and the output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor, a 
malfunction is detected and a DTC is stored. 

Monitor Execution, Sequence, Duration, DTC Type, OBD Status 

MONITOR DESCRIPTION 

Enable Conditions 

ENABLE CONDITIONS 

Malfunction Threshold 

The vehicle speed measured by the input shaft (mainshaft) speed sensor/(divided by) the vehicle speed 
measured by the output shaft (countershaft) speed sensor > 5.0 for at least 10 seconds. 

Driving Pattern 

Start the engine, and drive the vehicle at a speed of 13 mph (20 km/h) or more for at least 10 seconds. 



Drive the vehicle in this manner only if the traffic regulations and ambient conditions allow. 

Execution

Continuous

Sequence

None

Duration

10 seconds or more

DTC Type

One drive cycle, MIL ON, D indicator blinks

OBD Status

PASSED/FAILED/NOT COMPLETED (STILL TESTING)

Condition

Minimum

Maximum

Engine speed 500 rpm

-

Vehicle speed 13 mph (20 km/h)

-

Battery 
voltage

11.0 V

-

Shift lever 
position

D, 2, or 1

No active 
DTCs

P0705, P0706, P0716, P0717, P0722, P0962, P0963, P0966, P0967, P0970, P0971, 
P0973, P0974, P0976, P0977, P0979, P0980, P0982, P0983, P0985, P0986

Others

Not during shifting
Not when the shift lever is being shifted
No electrical noise in the input shaft (mainshaft) speed sensor output circuit

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Advanced Diagnostics - Element

  

Diagnosis Details 

Conditions for illuminating the MIL 

When a malfunction is detected, the MIL comes on and the DTC and the freeze frame data are stored in the 
PCM memory. 

Conditions for clearing the MIL 

The MIL will be cleared if the malfunction does not recur during three consecutive trips in which the diagnostic 
runs. 

The MIL, the DTC, and the freeze frame data can be cleared by using the scan tool Clear command or by 
disconnecting the battery. 

DTC P0722 (9): ADVANCED DIAGNOSTICS 

DTC P0722: PROBLEM IN OUTPUT SHAFT (COUNTERSHAFT) SPEED SENSOR CIRCUIT (NO 
SIGNAL INPUT) 

Fig. 106: Output Shaft (Countershaft) Speed Sensor Circuit Diagram 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007 ENGINE PERFORMANCE Advanced Diagnostics - Element