Honda Element. Manual - part 745

7. Check the battery condition. Check the electrical connections at the battery, the negative battery cable to 

the body, the engine ground cables, and the starter for looseness and corrosion. Then try cranking the 
engine again. 

Does the starter crank the engine?  

YES - Repairing the loose connection corrected the problem. The starting system is OK. Go to step 11. 

NO - Based on the following symptoms, take the appropriate action: 



If the starter will not crank the engine at all, go to step 8.  



If the starter cranks the engine erratically or too slowly, go to step 9.  



If the starter does not disengage from the flywheel or torque converter ring gear when you release 
the key, replace the starter, or remove and disassemble it, and check for the following: 



Starter solenoid and switch malfunction  



Dirty drive gear or damaged overrunning clutch  

8. Make sure the shift lever is in the N or P position (A/T) or neutral (M/T) and set the parking brake, then 

disconnect the connector from the solenoid S terminal. Connect a jumper wire from the battery positive 
terminal to the solenoid S terminal. 

Fig. 4: Identifying Connector And Solenoid S Terminal 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

Does the starter crank the engine?  

YES - Check the following items in the order listed until you find the open circuit: 



Check the BLK/WHT wire and connectors between the under-dash fuse/relay box and the ignition 
switch, and between the under-dash fuse/relay box and the starter.  



Check the ignition switch (see TEST ).  



Check the transmission range switch and connector (A/T) or the clutch interlock switch and 
connector (M/T).  



Check the starter cut relay (see POWER RELAY TEST ). 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Starting System - Element

  

NO - Remove the starter, and repair or replace as necessary.

9. While cranking the engine, check the cranking voltage and the current draw. 

Is the cranking voltage greater than or equal to 8.5 V and is the current draw less than or equal to 380 
A?  

YES - Go to step 10. 

NO - Replace the starter, or remove and disassemble it, and check for these problems: 



Excessive drag in the engine  



Shorted armature winding  



Drag in the starter armature  



Open circuit in starter armature commutator segments  



Excessively worn starter brushes  



Open circuit in starter brushes  



Dirty or damaged helical splines or drive gear  



Faulty drive gear clutch  

10. Remove the starter, and inspect its drive gear and the flywheel or torque converter ring gear for damage. 

Replace any damaged parts.  

11. Select ECM/PCM reset (see ECM/PCM RESET ) to cancel ALL INJECTORS OFF on the HDS.  

CLUTCH INTERLOCK SWITCH TEST 

M/T 

1. Disconnect the clutch interlock switch 2P connector (A). 

Fig. 5: Identifying Clutch Interlock Switch 2P Connector

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Starting System - Element

  

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

2. Remove the clutch interlock switch (B).  

3. Check for continuity between the terminals according to the table. 



If the continuity is not as specified, replace the clutch interlock switch.  



If OK, install the clutch interlock switch, and adjust the pedal height (see CLUTCH PEDAL, 
CLUTCH PEDAL POSITION SWITCH, AND CLUTCH INTERLOCK SWITCH 
ADJUSTMENT ). 

Fig. 6: Identifying Clutch Interlock Switch Continuity Chart 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

STARTER PERFORMANCE TEST 

1. Make a connection for this test using the thickest (gauge) wire possible (preferably the same gauge as 

used on the vehicle). 

Fig. 7: Connecting Battery Terminal From Starter 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

2. If the starter pinion moves out, it is working properly.  

3. Disconnect the battery terminal from the starter as shown. If the pinion retracts immediately, it is working 

properly. 

NOTE:

To avoid damaging the starter, never leave the battery connected for more 
than 10 seconds.

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Starting System - Element

  

Fig. 8: Disconnecting Battery Terminal From Starter 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

4. Clamp the starter firmly in a vise.  

5. Connect the starter to the battery as shown, and confirm that the motor starts and keeps rotating. 

Fig. 9: Connecting Starter To Battery 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

6. If the electric current meets the specification when the battery voltage is at 11.5 V, the starter is working 

properly. 

Specification  

Electric Current: 80 A or less  

STARTER REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION 

REMOVAL 

1. Make sure you have the, anti-theft code for the audio system.  

2. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.  

3. Remove the intake manifold (see REMOVAL ). 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Starting System - Element