TOP 24 Common Honda Element DTCs You Must Know
Find out about the most common 24 Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) for the Honda Element in this guide. Learn about their causes, symptoms, and how to fix them to keep your vehicle running smoothly. This guide is a must-read for anyone who owns a Honda Element. It will help you fix problems and keep your car running well.
HONDA ELEMENT TOP 24 DTC
DTC P0420 – Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)
Description: This code indicates that the efficiency of the catalytic converter is below the required threshold.
Cause: A failing or damaged catalytic converter, faulty oxygen sensors, or an exhaust leak.
Symptoms: Decreased fuel efficiency, poor vehicle performance, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: Bank 1 catalytic converter.
How to Fix: Inspect the catalytic converter, oxygen sensors, and exhaust system for damage or leaks. Replace faulty components as necessary.
DTC P0325 – Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1 or Single Sensor)
Description: This code indicates a problem with the knock sensor circuit.
Cause: A faulty knock sensor, damaged wiring, or a poor connection.
Symptoms: Poor engine performance, reduced power, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: Bank 1 knock sensor.
How to Fix: Inspect the knock sensor, wiring, and connections. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P0141 – O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 2)
Description: This code indicates a problem with the O2 sensor’s heater circuit.
Cause: A faulty O2 sensor, damaged wiring, or a poor connection.
Symptoms: Poor fuel efficiency, increased emissions, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: Bank 1, downstream O2 sensor (post-catalytic converter).
How to Fix: Inspect the O2 sensor, wiring, and connections. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P0507 – Idle Control System RPM Higher Than Expected
Description: This code indicates that the engine idle speed is higher than expected.
Cause: Vacuum leak, faulty idle air control valve, or dirty throttle body.
Symptoms: High or erratic idle speed, check engine light.
Location of Fault: Throttle body and associated components.
How to Fix: Inspect for vacuum leaks, clean the throttle body, and check the idle air control valve. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P0139 – O2 Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank 1, Sensor 2)
Description: This code indicates a slow response in the O2 sensor circuit.
Cause: A faulty O2 sensor, damaged wiring, or a poor connection.
Symptoms: Poor fuel efficiency, increased emissions, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: Bank 1, downstream O2 sensor (post-catalytic converter).
How to Fix: Inspect the O2 sensor, wiring, and connections. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P0135 – O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Malfunction (Bank 1, Sensor 1)
Description: This code indicates a problem with the O2 sensor’s heater circuit.
Cause: A faulty O2 sensor, damaged wiring, or a poor connection.
Symptoms: Poor fuel efficiency, increased emissions, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: Bank 1, upstream O2 sensor (pre-catalytic converter).
How to Fix: Inspect the O2 sensor, wiring, and connections. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P0300 – Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected
Description: This code indicates that the engine is experiencing random or multiple cylinder misfires.
Cause: Faulty spark plugs, ignition coils, fuel injectors, or other ignition/fuel system components.
Symptoms: Rough idle, poor engine performance, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: Various engine cylinders.
How to Fix: Inspect the ignition system components, fuel injectors, and other related parts. Replace or repair faulty components as needed. Regular maintenance, such as replacing spark plugs and ignition coils, can also help prevent this issue.
DTC P0301 – Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
Description: This code indicates that the engine is experiencing a misfire in cylinder 1.
Cause: Faulty spark plug, ignition coil, fuel injector, or other ignition/fuel system components specific to cylinder 1.
Symptoms: Rough idle, poor engine performance, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: Cylinder 1.
How to Fix: Inspect the ignition system components, fuel injector, and other related parts specific to cylinder 1. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P0171 – System Too Lean (Bank 1)
Description: This code indicates that the air-fuel mixture in bank 1 is too lean.
Cause: Vacuum leak, faulty mass airflow sensor, or dirty fuel injectors.
Symptoms: Poor engine performance, reduced fuel efficiency, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: Bank 1 air-fuel mixture system.
How to Fix: Inspect for vacuum leaks, check the mass airflow sensor, and clean the fuel injectors. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P0457 – Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected (Fuel Cap Loose/Off)
Description: This code indicates a leak in the evaporative emissions system, typically due to a loose or missing fuel cap.
Cause: A loose, damaged, or missing fuel cap, or a malfunction in the evaporative emissions system.
Symptoms: Check engine light and potential fuel odor.
Location of Fault: Fuel cap and evaporative emissions system.
How to Fix: Inspect the fuel cap for damage and ensure it is properly tightened. If the issue persists, check the evaporative emissions system for leaks or damage and replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P1009 – VTEC System Malfunction (Bank 1)
Description: This code indicates a malfunction in the VTEC system.
Cause: Low or contaminated engine oil, a faulty VTEC solenoid, or a blocked oil passage.
Symptoms: Poor engine performance, loss of power, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: VTEC system on Bank 1.
How to Fix: Check and change the engine oil if needed, inspect the VTEC solenoid for damage or blockages, and clean the oil passages. Replace faulty components as necessary.
DTC P1157 – Air/Fuel Ratio Sensor 1 Range/Performance Problem (Bank 1)
Description: This code indicates a problem with the air/fuel ratio sensor’s performance.
Cause: A faulty air/fuel ratio sensor, damaged wiring, or poor connections.
Symptoms: Poor fuel efficiency, increased emissions, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: Bank 1, upstream air/fuel ratio sensor (pre-catalytic converter).
How to Fix: Inspect the air/fuel ratio sensor, wiring, and connections. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P1129 – Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor Circuit Higher Than Expected
Description: This code indicates that the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor is reading higher than expected.
Cause: A faulty MAP sensor, damaged wiring, or a poor connection.
Symptoms: Poor engine performance, reduced fuel efficiency, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: Manifold absolute pressure sensor.
How to Fix: Inspect the MAP sensor, wiring, and connections. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P1172 – Air/Fuel Ratio Sensor 1 Circuit Out of Range (Bank 1)
Description: This code indicates that the air/fuel ratio sensor’s circuit is out of range.
Cause: A faulty air/fuel ratio sensor, damaged wiring, or poor connections.
Symptoms: Poor fuel efficiency, increased emissions, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: Bank 1, upstream air/fuel ratio sensor (pre-catalytic converter).
How to Fix: Inspect the air/fuel ratio sensor, wiring, and connections. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P1121 – Throttle Position Sensor Circuit Range/Performance Problem
Description: This code indicates a problem with the throttle position sensor’s range or performance.
Cause: A faulty throttle position sensor, damaged wiring, or poor connections.
Symptoms: Poor engine performance, reduced fuel efficiency, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: Throttle position sensor.
How to Fix: Inspect the throttle position sensor, wiring, and connections. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P1454 – Evaporative Emission System Leak Detection Pump Control Circuit
Description: This code indicates a problem in the evaporative emission system’s leak detection pump control circuit.
Cause: A faulty leak detection pump, damaged wiring, or poor connections.
Symptoms: Check engine light and potential fuel odor.
Location of Fault: Evaporative emission system leak detection pump.
How to Fix: Inspect the leak detection pump, wiring, and connections. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P2646 – VTEC Oil Pressure Switch Circuit Low Voltage
Description: This code indicates that the VTEC oil pressure switch circuit has a low voltage reading.
Cause: A faulty VTEC oil pressure switch, damaged wiring, or poor connections.
Symptoms: Poor engine performance, loss of power, and a check enginelight.
Location of Fault: VTEC oil pressure switch.
How to Fix: Inspect the VTEC oil pressure switch, wiring, and connections. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P2647 – VTEC Oil Pressure Switch Circuit High Voltage
Description: This code indicates that the VTEC oil pressure switch circuit has a high voltage reading.
Cause: A faulty VTEC oil pressure switch, damaged wiring, or poor connections.
Symptoms: Poor engine performance, loss of power, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: VTEC oil pressure switch.
How to Fix: Inspect the VTEC oil pressure switch, wiring, and connections. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P2422 – Evaporative Emission System Vent Valve Stuck Closed
Description: This code indicates that the evaporative emission system vent valve is stuck in the closed position.
Cause: A stuck or malfunctioning vent valve, damaged wiring, or poor connections.
Symptoms: Check engine light and potential fuel odor.
Location of Fault: Evaporative emission system vent valve.
How to Fix: Inspect the vent valve for proper operation, check the wiring, and connections. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P2646 – VTEC Oil Pressure Switch Circuit Low Voltage
Description: This code indicates that the VTEC oil pressure switch circuit has a low voltage reading.
Cause: A faulty VTEC oil pressure switch, damaged wiring, or poor connections.
Symptoms: Poor engine performance, loss of power, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: VTEC oil pressure switch.
How to Fix: Inspect the VTEC oil pressure switch, wiring, and connections. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P2279 – Intake Air System Leak
Description: This code indicates a leak in the intake air system.
Cause: Damaged or disconnected vacuum hoses, a cracked or damaged intake manifold, or a faulty mass airflow sensor.
Symptoms: Poor engine performance, rough idle, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: Intake air system, including vacuum hoses, intake manifold, and mass airflow sensor.
How to Fix: Inspect the intake air system for leaks, damaged hoses, or a cracked intake manifold. Check the mass airflow sensor for proper operation. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P2A00 – O2 Sensor Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1, Sensor 1)
Description: This code indicates a problem with the O2 sensor’s range or performance.
Cause: A faulty O2 sensor, damaged wiring, or poor connections.
Symptoms: Poor fuel efficiency, increased emissions, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: Bank 1, upstream O2 sensor (pre-catalytic converter).
How to Fix: Inspect the O2 sensor, wiring, and connections. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P2647 – VTEC Oil Pressure Switch Circuit High Voltage
Description: This code indicates that the VTEC oil pressure switch circuit has a high voltage reading.
Cause: A faulty VTEC oil pressure switch, damaged wiring, or poor connections.
Symptoms: Poor engine performance, loss of power, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: VTEC oil pressure switch.
How to Fix: Inspect the VTEC oil pressure switch, wiring, and connections. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
DTC P2649 – VTEC Solenoid Valve Circuit High Voltage
Description: This code indicates that the VTEC solenoid valve circuit has a high voltage reading.
Cause: A faulty VTEC solenoid, damaged wiring, or poor connections.
Symptoms: Poor engine performance, loss of power, and a check engine light.
Location of Fault: VTEC solenoid valve.
How to Fix: Inspect the VTEC solenoid, wiring, and connections. Replace or repair faulty components as needed.
WORDS FROM ERWIN
Understanding the top 24 most common Honda Element DTCs is important for any owner who wants to find and fix problems. By learning what these codes mean, you can fix problems quickly before they get worse. This saves you time and money on repairs. Your Honda Element will last longer if you take care of it regularly and know about its condition. Keep this guide on hand to help you figure out what common DTCs mean and how to fix them, so your car stays in good shape for years to come.