Honda Element. Manual — part 169



If the noise sounds made by the two vehicles are very similar, go to the Frequency Sweep Test
(+see FREQUENCY SWEEP ).



If the sound does not have as much bass, check the subwoofer and circuit.



If the sound does not have enough "hiss," check the tweeters and their circuits.

Special Tools Required

Diagnostics CD 07AAZ-SDBA100

FREQUENCY SWEEP

Do this test to find rattles or reverberation that may cause a perception of poor sound quality.

1. Insert the audio diagnostic CD (T/N: 07AAZ-SDBA100) into the audio unit.

2. Play track No. 13 (sweep from 500 Hz to 35 Hz) at a normal, or slightly higher than normal, volume

level.

3. Listen to each speaker for poor sound quality or reverberations caused by specific frequencies. Use the

voice-over to estimate the frequency that causes the vibration. Use the audio unit's fader and balance
settings to help isolate the channel with the problem.



If you hear vibrations or poor sound quality, go to step 4.



If you do not hear any vibrations or poor sound quality, go to sound judging.

4. Choose the appropriate track from No. 14 to 25 (small range frequency sweep) or 26 to 53 (single

frequencies) to recreate the frequency that caused the poor sound quality or vibration located in step 3 this
aids in diagnosis of the problem.

5. Replace or insulate the source of the vibrations or, if the speaker is the source of the poor sound quality,

replace it.

Special Tools Required

Diagnostics CD 07AAZ-SDBA100

SOUND JUDGING



Do this test to compare overall sound quality, imaging, and dynamics between the customer's vehicle and
a known-good vehicle. Only use a vehicle of the same model and trim level for this test.



Make sure the vehicle is using only OEM speakers.

1. In the customer's vehicle, set the bass, treble, fader, and balance settings to the customer's normal settings

that were written down before beginning testing.

2. Insert the audio diagnostic CD (T/N: 07AAZ-SDBA100) into the audio unit.

NOTE:

When you get to the track that recreates the problem, select the repeat
function on the audio unit, this will help you isolate the cause.

2007 Honda Element EX

2007-2008 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Audio - Element

3. Play tracks No. 7 to 12 (sound quality, midland, dynamics, and imaging demonstration tracks) at a

normal, or slightly higher than normal, volume level. Write down the volume setting.

4. Listen to areas of the track that stand out as being either very clear, or poorer than other areas of the track.

5. Insert the audio diagnostic CD (T/N: 07AAZ-SDBA100) into the audio unit of a known-good vehicle.

6. Play the tracks at the same volume level and the same bass, treble, balance, and fader settings as used in

step 3 in the customer's vehicle.

7. Listen to the same area of the track that stood out as being either very clear or poorer than other areas of

the track.

8. Compare the customer's vehicle's sound quality results to the known-good vehicle's results.



If the sound quality in the customer's vehicle is comparable to the sound quality in the known-good
vehicle, then the customer's vehicle is operating as designed.



If the sound quality is not comparable, check these items in order.



Loose or improperly installed speakers or other hardware that may become excited by the
vibrations generated by the speakers



Poor power or ground to the stereo amplifier



Damaged speaker(s)



Faulty amplifier



Faulty audio unit

SEEK STOP TEST

Do this test to check the performance of the audio unit's AM and FM reception. Refer to SYMPTOM
TROUBLESHOOTING: audio sound weak or distorted, or no sound is heard from speakers (display is
normal) (see NO SOUND IS HEARD FROM SPEAKER(S) (DISPLAY IS NORMAL) ) before continuing
with this test.

1. Park the customer's vehicle in an open area away from buildings or other obstructions.

2. Park a known-good vehicle (same year, model, and trim level) next to the customer's vehicle, facing the

same direction.

3. Start the engine in the customer's vehicle, and turn on the radio.

4. Set the FM receiver to 87.7 MHz.

5. Press the "Seek +" button and record the first station that the audio unit locks onto.

6. Press the "Seek +" button repeatedly, and write down each station that the audio unit locks onto until the

station recorded in step 5 is reached again.

7. Set the AM receiver to 530 kHz.

8. Press the "Seek +" button, and record the first station that the audio unit locks on to.

NOTE:



Window tint, aftermarket theft-recovery devices and other aftermarket
accessories may reduce radio reception.



Changes in cloud cover and other atmosphere conditions will affect the
ability of the audio unit to receive radio signals.

2007 Honda Element EX

2007-2008 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Audio - Element

9. Press the "Seek +" button repeatedly, and write down each station that the audio unit locks onto until the

station recorded in step 8 is reached again.

10. Turn the ignition switch OFF.

11. Start the engine in the known-good vehicle, and then perform steps 4 through 10 on the known-good

vehicle.

12. Compare the number of stations received in steps 6 and 9 in the customer's vehicle with the number of

stations received in the known-good vehicle.



If the number of stations received is the same, or within 10 %, the audio unit's tuner performance is
OK. The problem may be atmospheric conditions, multi path interference, or other obstructions to
the radio signal.



If the customer's vehicle receives fewer stations by at least 10 %, go to step 2 of poor AM or FM
radio reception of interference (see SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING ).

AUDIO UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION

SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS component locations (see COMPONENT
LOCATION INDEX ), and the precautions and procedures (see PRECAUTIONS AND PROCEDURES ) in
the SRS before doing repairs or service.

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

2. Remove the dashboard center panel (see CENTER PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).

3. Remove the four mounting bolts, then remove the audio unit.

4. Disconnect the audio connectors (A) and AM/FM antenna sublead (B).

NOTE:



Eject all the CDs before remove the audio unit to prevent damaging the CD
player's load mechanism.



Put on gloves to protect your hands.



Take care not to scratch the dashboard and related parts.



If you are replacing the audio unit, write down the audio presets (if
possible), and enter them into the new audio unit.

2007 Honda Element EX

2007-2008 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Audio - Element

Fig. 66: Identifying Audio Unit Removal/Installation
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

5. Remove the eight mounting bolts securing the audio unit to the audio unit bracket.

6. Install the audio unit in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:



Make sure the audio unit connector is plugged in properly, and the AM/FM antenna sublead is
connected properly.



Enter the anti-theft code for the audio system.



Set the clock.

STEREO AMPLIFIER REPLACEMENT

1. Remove the right kick panel (see TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - DOOR AREAS ).

2. Remove the stereo amplifier connectors (A) from the stereo amplifier (B).

2007 Honda Element EX

2007-2008 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Audio - Element