Honda Element. Manual - part 222

Does the screen indicate PASSED?  

YES -Troubleshooting is complete. If any other DTCs were indicated in step 16, go to the indicated 
DTCs troubleshooting. 

NO -If the screen indicates FAILED, check for poor connections or loose terminals between A/T clutch 
pressure control solenoid valve C and the PCM, then go to step 1. If the screen indicates NOT 
COMPLETED, go to step 15. 

18. Update the PCM if it does not have the latest software (see UPDATING THE PCM ), or substitute a 

known-good PCM (see SUBSTITUTING THE PCM ).  

19. Start the engine, and wait for at least 1 second.  

20. Check for DTCs with the HDS. 

Is DTC P0971 indicated?  

YES -Check for poor connections or loose terminals between A/T clutch pressure control solenoid valve 
C and the PCM. If the PCM was updated, substitute a known-good PCM (see SUBSTITUTING THE 
PCM ), then go to step 19. If the PCM was substituted, go to step 1. 

NO -Go to step 21. 

21. Monitor the OBD STATUS for P0971 in the DTCs MENU with the HDS. 

Does the screen indicate PASSED?  

YES -If the PCM was updated, troubleshooting is complete. If the PCM was substituted, replace the 
original PCM (see ECM/PCM REPLACEMENT ). If any other DTCs were indicated in step 20, go to 
the indicated DTCs troubleshooting. 

NO -If the screen indicates FAILED, check for poor connections or loose terminals between A/T clutch 
pressure control solenoid valve C and the PCM. If the PCM was updated, substitute a known-good PCM 
(see SUBSTITUTING THE PCM ), then go to step 19. If the PCM was substituted, go to step 1. If the 
screen indicates NOT COMPLETED, go to step 19. 

DTC P0973: SHORT IN SHIFT SOLENOID VALVE A CIRCUIT 

1. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).  

2. Clear the DTC with the HDS.  

NOTE:



Before you troubleshoot, record all freeze data and any on-board 
snapshot, and review General Troubleshooting Information (see GENERAL 
TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION ).  



This code is caused by an electrical circuit problem and cannot be caused 
by a mechanical problem in the transmission.  

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 TRANSMISSION Automatic Transmission - Element

  

3. Test-drive the vehicle in 1st gear in the D position for at least 1 second.  

4. Check for DTCs with the HDS. 

Is DTC P0973 indicated?  

YES -Go to step 8. 

NO -Go to step 5. 

5. Select Shift Solenoid A in Miscellaneous Test Menu, and test shift solenoid valve A with the HDS. 

Is a clicking sound heard?  

YES -Go to step 6. 

NO -Go to step 8. 

6. Test-drive the vehicle in 1st gear in the D position for at least 1 second.  

7. Monitor the OBD STATUS for P0973 in the DTCs MENU with the HDS. 

Does the screen indicate FAILED?  

YES -Go to step 8. 

NO -If the screen indicates PASSED, intermittent failure, the system is OK at this time. Check for 
intermittent short to body ground in the wire between shift solenoid valve A and the PCM. If the screen 
indicates NOT COMPLETED, go to step 5. 

8. Turn the ignition switch OFF.  

9. Jump the SCS line with the HDS.  

10. Disconnect PCM connectors A (31P) and C (22P).  

11. Measure the resistance between PCM connector terminals C6 and A9. 

Fig. 140: Measuring Resistance Between PCM Connector Terminals C6 And A9 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 TRANSMISSION Automatic Transmission - Element

  

Is there less than 12 ohms?  

YES -Go to step 12. 

NO -Go to step 22. 

12. Disconnect the shift solenoid harness connector at the transmission housing.  

13. Check for continuity between PCM connector terminals C6 and A9. 

Fig. 141: Checking Continuity Between PCM Connector Terminals C6 And A9 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

Is there continuity?  

YES -Repair short to body ground in the wire between PCM connector terminal C6 and the shift solenoid 
harness connector, then go to step 15. 

NO -Go to step 14. 

14. Inspect shift solenoid valve A and the shift solenoid harness (see SHIFT SOLENOID VALVE TEST ). 

Are shift solenoid valve A and the harness OK?  

YES -Go to step 22. 

NO -Replace shift solenoid valve A or the shift solenoid harness (see SHIFT SOLENOID VALVE 
REPLACEMENT ), then go to step 15. 

15. Reconnect all connectors.  

16. Turn the ignition switch ON (II).  

17. Clear the DTC with the HDS.  

18. Start the engine in the P position, and wait for at least 1 second.  

19. Drive the vehicle in 1st gear in the D position for at least 1 second.  

20. Check for DTCs with the HDS. 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 TRANSMISSION Automatic Transmission - Element

  

Is DTC P0973 indicated?  

YES -Check for intermittent short to body ground in the wire between shift solenoid valve A and the 
PCM, then go to step 1. 

NO -Go to step 21. 

21. Monitor the OBD STATUS for P0973 in the DTCs MENU with the HDS. 

Does the screen indicate PASSED?  

YES -Troubleshooting is complete. If any other DTCs were indicated in step 20, go to the indicated 
DTCs troubleshooting. 

NO -If the screen indicates FAILED, check for intermittent short to body ground in the wire between 
shift solenoid valve A and the PCM, then go to step 1. If the screen indicates NOT COMPLETED, go to 
step 18. 

22. Update the PCM if it does not have the latest software (see UPDATING THE PCM ), or substitute a 

known-good PCM (see SUBSTITUTING THE PCM ).  

23. Start the engine in the P position, and wait for at least 1 second.  

24. Drive the vehicle in 1st gear in the D position for at least 1 second.  

25. Check for DTCs with the HDS. 

Is DTC P0973 indicated?  

YES -Check for intermittent short to body ground in the wire between shift solenoid valve C and the 
PCM. If the PCM was updated, substitute a known-good PCM (see SUBSTITUTING THE PCM ), then 
go to step 23. If the PCM was substituted, go to step 1. 

NO -Go to step 26. 

26. Monitor the OBD STATUS for P0973 in the DTCs MENU with the HDS. 

Does the screen indicate PASSED?  

YES -If the PCM was updated, troubleshooting is complete. If the PCM was substituted, replace the 
original PCM (see ECM/PCM REPLACEMENT ). If any other DTCs were indicated in step 25, go to 
the indicated DTCs troubleshooting. 

NO -If the screen indicates FAILED, check for intermittent short to body ground in the wire between 
shift solenoid valve A and the PCM. If the PCM was updated, substitute a known-good PCM (see 
SUBSTITUTING THE PCM ), then go to step 23. If the PCM was substituted, go to step 1. If the 
screen indicates NOT COMPLETED, go to step 23. 

DTC P0974: OPEN IN SHIFT SOLENOID VALVE A CIRCUIT 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 TRANSMISSION Automatic Transmission - Element