My trusty orange 2008 Honda Element, with a modest 78,000 miles on the clock, recently threw me for a loop. It started with the dreaded blinking “D” indicator on the dashboard. Knowing this usually signals a transmission issue, I turned to the Element Owners Club forum – a treasure trove of collective wisdom for Element enthusiasts. Forum threads like “Flashing “D” light – how to solve” and “D light is blinking for no apparent reason NO CODES” pointed me towards checking the OBD2 codes using a simple jumper wire trick.
Familiar with this process from past car diagnostics, I located the OBD2 port. However, in an unfortunate moment of spatial disorientation while working upside down, I mistakenly jumped pins 5 and 16 instead of the intended pins 4 and 9. It was a mirror image error, connecting the wrong pins on the Element Obd2 port. The image below, taken from a video in the second forum post, clearly illustrates the CORRECT way to bridge the pins for code retrieval.
Consulting a common OBD2 pinout guide, the gravity of my mistake became clear. I had inadvertently connected pin #16, the +12V battery supply, directly to pin #5, the signal ground. A brief but impactful short circuit within the element obd2 system.
Unaware of the potential damage at the time, I corrected my error, properly jumpering pins 4 and 9. Success! I retrieved transmission code 26, indicating a faulty 3rd clutch oil pressure switch – progress on the original issue!
However, upon starting the Element, a new set of problems surfaced. Numerous electrical accessories were no longer functioning. It seemed highly likely that my brief foray into unintended element obd2 port wiring had triggered a cascade of electrical failures.
Despite checking all accessible fuses, I haven’t located any blown ones. This leads me to suspect a deeper issue stemming from the element obd2 port incident.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s still working and what’s now defunct:
Operational Systems:
- External lights: headlights, turn signals, brake lights, reverse lights
- Rear hatch dome light
- 12V Accessory socket in the passenger dash
- Power windows
- Power mirrors
Malfunctioning Systems:
- Radio
- Dome light (only functions when the key is in the ‘ON’ position)
- Power locks:
- Key ON: Unlock button works; Lock button is unresponsive.
- Key ON: Manually pushing down the driver’s side lock knob locks ALL doors.
- Key OFF: Lock buttons are inactive; manually pushing the lock knob only affects the driver’s door.
- Remote key fob: Completely unresponsive for all functions.
- Cruise control main switch (located by the driver’s left knee): Button illumination is absent.
- OBD2 port: No longer functional with my scanner; crucially, there’s no voltage detected at pin #16 (12V supply).
The symptoms bear an uncanny resemblance to a problem detailed in an older forum post: “https://community.cartalk.com/t/2004-honda-element-no-power-to-radio/92269“. Unfortunately, that thread lacks a conclusive resolution.
Having potentially “zapped” the 12V power supply to the element obd2 port and other systems by shorting pin 16 to signal ground, I’m reaching out to the community for guidance. Where should I investigate next? Could a deeper fuse be the culprit, or is there a more complex component failure at play? A wiring diagram for the 2008 Honda Element would be immensely helpful in tracing the electrical pathways affected by this element obd2 port mishap. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated as I navigate this unexpected electrical challenge in my Honda Element.
