There are several here that have 200-300,00 miles and at least a couple with over 500,000 miles.

 

Thanks for your reply. Trying to get a handle on this car.

So how are the transmissions and engines holding up? And the electronics/sensors/etc?

I don't mind investing time and some money to make it nice, but I don't want to throw it down a hole, either

Make sense?

What would you recommend doing as priorities for longevity and reliable performance?

 

Not much activity on this site?

I have replaced the starter and the starter relay under the dash. So far she has started every time now for a week. Previously, she wouldn't turn over 4 times over 3 trips. We'll call that a win.

I have a Group 24F and new battery tray and hold downs to install later today, a new hood release lever under the dash, and LED interior lights.

My Element has the most basic dome light. Is there an upfit for it? Maybe with more lights?

 

From another thread where I posted about my no-start condition before.

So far on my Element:

1. No crank, no click, no start. Same as you. Eventually it started and I had it checked at Advanced Auto. Battery and alternator "OK"

2. Replaced starter. Found (1) very badly worn brush, so it needed it. You also replaced starter.

3. Brought it home and pulled and cleared MIL codes and went to start it. No rank, no click, no start. Eventually turned over and started right up again.

4. Checked battery for good voltage, tightened a marginal terminal connector, monitored via OBD while driving and concluded a bad alternator...until I read about the ELD- intentionally varies the voltage, so likely NOT a bad alternator. Haven't changed it yet.

5. Pulled Ignition/Starter relay ("Starter Cut Relay") under dash after checking the fuses. Here's a diagram of its location and a pic of the relay and part number

6. I used a piece of wire to test that I could hold the ignition on start position, then jump the relay socket manually and engage the starter and start the engine. *Should* confirm good ignition/key switch. Note that the car was NOT in a no-start condition at the time, so not 100% certainty.

7. Ordered a couple relays from Newark for under $5 each, here's a snap of the order:

(Part number: CM1AF-R-12V ) It is identical to the one I pulled, but different than the part numbers I find when searching by description online at > $30/ea.


My plan is to replace the relay (arriving later today) and keep my jumper wire in the car. If I get a no-start, I'll take 2 mins and remove and jump the relay socket and see if it starts. If not, I'll prepare to manually jump to the starter solenoid in the future as a test.

 

I'm actually having a similar problem. But I can't tell if its because I'm not stepping on the pedal hard enough or the automatic is in P high enough. Does that mean I have a bad relay or starter? When it does crank it always catches. But sometimes it lights up make a click or something and doesn't even turn the starter. Get the relays and try that first?

 

Update: New relay has been in for 5 days now and so far has started every single time! 8)

Simple and cheap fix. I recommend anyone having no start problems spend the $16 and replace the relay. Hair doesn't always grow back

 

Upgraded battery- pics!

Upgraded the battery yesterday, thanks to the folks on this site with the parts list!

Pics, as promised!

New battery, installed!

This is how I bent the J-hooks after bending down the metal battery bracket in the car

Stolen parts list (from Flying Brick):

battery tray ~part# AC102
anti-corrosion battery washers ~part# AC184 (I didn't get these)
swift battery hold down brackets ~part# AC107
10" j bolt battery hold down ~part# AC111

His post in the giant "Small battery driving you nuts?" thread: battery tray ~part# AC102 anti-corrosion battery washers ~part# AC184 swift battery hold down brackets ~part# AC107 10" j bolt battery hold down ~part# AC111

Thanks for the info! Wish there was more activity on this site, these kinds of mods are great

 

Tires! Ordered Cooper Discoverer M+S Studdable 215/70 R16

Ordered a pair of Cooper Discoverer M+S Studdable 215/70 R16 tires from here:

https:
//www.discounttiredirect.com/buy-tires/cooper-discoverer-m%2bs-studdable/p/27435

Still diameter of 28 inches but tread depth of 15, a little more than some of the others.

They are M+S and Studdable, so will likely wear out faster, but if they go 2-3 years, it's a win

These are for the front tires on our 2wd AT 2007 Element LX. The back tires are almost new.

I don't plan to stud them. If weather gets that bad, we'll stay home or fire up the Superduty

Here's a pic with today's pricing.

 

Ordered a pair of Cooper Discoverer M+S Studdable 215/70 R16 tires from here:

These are for the front tires on our 2wd AT 2007 Element LX. The back tires are almost new.

Be careful with that. You should always put the best tires on the back, even on FWD. The back end will want to come around on you with the poorer tires on back.

 

Hey ENut07 sounds like you are considering keeping the Element. You are right when you say the Element is a interesting car... so interesting I bought two of them. I have mostly driven full size Chevy pickups through out my driving years but have never found a vehicle that fits my needs as well as the Element... for me it is the vehicle messiah. Also want to thank you for the repair essays... i have learned from them. Thanks and best of luck.

PS. If possible post some pics of your Element... it just helps pull the story together.

 

Thanks for the post

Yeah, I guess we are going to keep it for a while. Now that we have the starting issue squared away and a larger battery, going for front tires, rear struts, interior LEDs (just in case something is left on), air filter, etc.

When we get a nice day I'll take her out to a nice spot and take some pics

 

Cabin Air filter:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010E3JUI

About HALF of what I found at the box stores. FRAM CF10135 Fresh Breeze

The baking soda wears out after a while. Trying to get a full refresh for "new car smell" LOL.

 

Hood release handle fix

So I ordered and installed one of these last week for $12.

No need to remove and replace the entire cable. I pulled the cable out a bit with pliers, clamped a pair of vice grips onto the cable to hold it out and used a Dremel with cutoff wheel to cut the plastic off the cable, about an inch back from the end.

Use a soft touch and if you go too deep you will see some sparks and will know it is time to move to a new spot.

Used by fingers to knock off any nubs of plastic and pushed the new handle on and tightened both set screws. The kit *included* the allen key

Took about 5 mins total. It's a nice piece of kit.

Here is the ebay link:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/391686718596

Too simple not to do it.

 

Air Filter, NAPA GOLD

FIL9120 is the part number, made by WIX, on sale through the end of the week for $10.95

CHEAP!

I just picked mine up. Call ahead to make sure they have it. My store had it later that afternoon when I called in the am.

 

In answer to your original question, it depends in part on how well the previous owner cared for the car but in general these engines should last well beyond where you are now. I expect to get 500k out of my E if I ever get that far (it will likely be me that fails before my E).

As for filters and other maintenance supplies, I'd suggest you check out H&A Honda - you can get all OEM maintenance parts from them at often better prices then I find for lesser quality aftermarket stuff:
https://www.handa-accessories.com/element.html

 

> Their prices seem okay, but still have that "foreign car premium"
> pricing in it. I guess that is the way the market is today

Try pricing parts at your local dealership, and the online vendors will look a lot more attractive.

 

Try pricing parts at your local dealership, and the online vendors will look a lot more attractive.

I'll bet that is true

 

Update:

Lots of below zero (F) days and night and so far the new battery upgrade is doing its thing. Always starts, no problems.

DEFINITELY a good mod. Thanks to those who suggested it!

 

I recently purchased an Element w 279k miles for $1900 lol. LOVE this vehicle. It seems like the previous owner took pretty good care of it. Had the window actuator go out on the way home. Just replaced it. Next replacement will be the struts (front and rear) and will prob do the rear stabilizer bar bushings while I'm there. Needs an oil change, will do the typical stuff w a "just purchased" vehicle...spark plugs and coils, air filter, brake pads, AC recharge (and test for leaks), transmission fluid, radiator flush, starter seems like it will need replacing soon, but that's typical for an Element, new battery, maybe a new alternator, new serpentine belt, etc). But overall, it looks great for a 2004 and runs well and shifts smoothly. I WANT to get it to 500k miles lol. Best designed interior EVER! This could be the most practical vehicle ever made. ;-)

 

Dualing surgeries, yours and your E

If you never owned an E before with the stock battery, you don't know how much much much better starting it does with the 24F. I don't know if you saw my thread here about me installing a 24F but it's 180 degrees opposite from the stock battery in performance.

Those battery terminal cables sure look sketchy to me, might want to replace them as well.

 

EG,

So 3 months so far and no issues with the Everstart Maxx 24F? I found your thread and if you've had no issues, and your starter is performing better, I'll go w the 24F. I'm curious as to why such an improvement. Thanks.

 

If you're asking me, we've been very satisfied with the larger battery performance. Zero issues, cranks and starts with authority, no worries about running chargers, lights on, etc.

I'd call it a must-have upgrade. Knowing we have much more starting capacity and reserve battery power is a huge comfort.

And quite easy with the parts others listed for us. The bends I made in the hold down bolts and the bending of the tray flanges really helps and looks like it was made that way.

Good luck!

 

Rear wheel bearing time!

I'll post what parts we use and anything we find out as I go. For now I need some advice on which parts to use and tips.

I asked in a separate thread with a descriptive title to make it easy for others to find in the future when they have similar questions: http://www.elementownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1666981#post1666981