Hands Free Link Not Responding

Zeigh · 02-20-2012, 11:10 AM

Hello,

I have a 2006 Acura MDX with Navi and am unable to access the Hands Free Link. A call to Acura found that the entire HFL system is not responding and dealer service was recommended to troubleshoot further. This feature has not been used in over two years (wife driving car), so I have no idea of the details for how and when HFL stopped responding. Since I am pretty handy as a techno geek, I am curious if others have had this issue before I start doing my best contortionist act under the dash. Of course, I would also be interested in any information for doing my own troubleshooting.

“Technological change is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal.” (Albert Einstein, 1941),
Dr. Z.

freq · 04-25-2012, 09:19 PM

Same thing here, any resolutions?

hondacuraplanet · 04-26-2012, 01:28 PM

We've been selling replacement HFL units for the TL at an alarming rate. We sell a couple each week for the MDX, so I'm guessing that's the part that needs replacement.

While it's not the last word on the reason for the failures, my hypothesis is this.....we started seeing a large influx of HFL failures right around the time the 4G platform was introduced. I get the feeling that on a unit that has seen some use and age, it can't handle the data transfer rates of the 4G platform, and gives up the ghost.

We haven't seen a second replacement needed in anything we've sold, so my guess is based on the age of the unit plus the taxing of the system with new versions of smartphones. I may be wrong, but it's very plausible.

d1jinx · 04-26-2012, 02:49 PM

actually makes sense to me.

I havent seen any service bulletins about it. I wonder if acura will address the problem anytime soon? might be helpful. common knowledge works well within a small shop.

hondacuraplanet · 04-27-2012, 09:50 AM

I would seriously doubt that Acura will address the problem at all, primarily for four reasons:

1. It occurs well outside the warranty period in most cases.

2. It is an accessory, and does not affect the function of the vehicle.

3. IF it as I surmise, with the data transfer rates of smart phones coupled with the aging of the circuitry, we'd be dealing with a situation where the electronics are failing because the system wasn't designed to handle the platform, because it wasn't around when the car was new. In a way, it'd be like Dell issuing a TSB on their Pentium 3 machines because they aren't compatible with Windows 7.

4. Seems to me that it fails once, not repetitively. I may be totally off base on my theory, and it may just represent the end of the usable life of the component if used on a regular basis. We're seeing HID and ballast failures on the 2001-2003 CL all the time now. Every time someone calls with a CL, as soon as they tell me the year and model, I already know what part they're going to ask for and have it up on the screen. I haven't been wrong yet. But, 8-10 years is pretty much the lifespan for HIDs. It's just unfortunately the price of owning a heavily optioned older premium class vehicle.

freq · 05-08-2012, 04:21 PM

4G, nah, not buying that.

Bad capacitor? That I'll buy and swap in for $1.12 + shipping.

Bluetooth Fails - AcuraZine Community

and Tim, you are ALL over the link above. Are you really just playing dumb?

freq · 05-08-2012, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d1jinx

actually makes sense to me.

I havent seen any service bulletins about it. I wonder if acura will address the problem anytime soon? might be helpful. common knowledge works well within a small shop.

There have been TSB regarding the Acura TL but I haven't been able to locate one for the MDX.

shaqdeez · 01-03-2013, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freq

4G, nah, not buying that.

Bad capacitor? That I'll buy and swap in for $1.12 + shipping.

Bluetooth Fails - AcuraZine Community

and Tim, you are ALL over the link above. Are you really just playing dumb?

Looks like this solution is hit or miss... Time to suck it up and get an replacement module.

Tim,

Can't find it on your site. What's this going for?

hondacuraplanet · 01-03-2013, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freq

4G, nah, not buying that.

Bad capacitor? That I'll buy and swap in for $1.12 + shipping.

Bluetooth Fails - AcuraZine Community

and Tim, you are ALL over the link above. Are you really just playing dumb?

As I said, it's been my experience, I'm not claiming it for fact.

I don't recall ever posting in that specific thread.....

shaqdeez · 01-03-2013, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaqdeez

Looks like this solution is hit or miss... Time to suck it up and get an replacement module.

Tim,

Can't find it on your site. What's this going for?

How about that module Tim?

hondacuraplanet · 01-04-2013, 10:17 AM

What year is yours?

shaqdeez · 01-04-2013, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hondacuraplanet

what year is yours?

05 nav\res

hondacuraplanet · 01-04-2013, 12:39 PM

#26 in this diagram:

INTERIOR LIGHT (2) for 2005 ACURA MDX

giliakareo · 01-04-2013, 10:43 PM

I wonder if acura will address the problem anytime soon?

shaqdeez · 01-15-2013, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hondacuraplanet

#26 in this diagram:

INTERIOR LIGHT (2) for 2005 ACURA MDX

Whats the deal with the different colors? I thought the unit was behind the cover? Can i not get the cheaper one to swap out?

02-20-2012, 11:10 AM	#1 (permalink)
Zeigh Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Area Posts: 49	Hands Free Link Not Responding Hello, I have a 2006 Acura MDX with Navi and am unable to access the Hands Free Link. A call to Acura found that the entire HFL system is not responding and dealer service was recommended to troubleshoot further. This feature has not been used in over two years (wife driving car), so I have no idea of the details for how and when HFL stopped responding. Since I am pretty handy as a techno geek, I am curious if others have had this issue before I start doing my best contortionist act under the dash. Of course, I would also be interested in any information for doing my own troubleshooting. “Technological change is like an axe in the hands of a pathological criminal.” (Albert Einstein, 1941), Dr. Z.

04-25-2012, 09:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
freq Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 120	Same thing here, any resolutions? __________________ '06 AWP Touring Navi Res '00 S2000

04-26-2012, 01:28 PM	#3 (permalink)
hondacuraplanet Site Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 4,810	We've been selling replacement HFL units for the TL at an alarming rate. We sell a couple each week for the MDX, so I'm guessing that's the part that needs replacement. While it's not the last word on the reason for the failures, my hypothesis is this.....we started seeing a large influx of HFL failures right around the time the 4G platform was introduced. I get the feeling that on a unit that has seen some use and age, it can't handle the data transfer rates of the 4G platform, and gives up the ghost. We haven't seen a second replacement needed in anything we've sold, so my guess is based on the age of the unit plus the taxing of the system with new versions of smartphones. I may be wrong, but it's very plausible. __________________

04-27-2012, 09:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
hondacuraplanet Site Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 4,810	I would seriously doubt that Acura will address the problem at all, primarily for four reasons: 1. It occurs well outside the warranty period in most cases. 2. It is an accessory, and does not affect the function of the vehicle. 3. IF it as I surmise, with the data transfer rates of smart phones coupled with the aging of the circuitry, we'd be dealing with a situation where the electronics are failing because the system wasn't designed to handle the platform, because it wasn't around when the car was new. In a way, it'd be like Dell issuing a TSB on their Pentium 3 machines because they aren't compatible with Windows 7. 4. Seems to me that it fails once, not repetitively. I may be totally off base on my theory, and it may just represent the end of the usable life of the component if used on a regular basis. We're seeing HID and ballast failures on the 2001-2003 CL all the time now. Every time someone calls with a CL, as soon as they tell me the year and model, I already know what part they're going to ask for and have it up on the screen. I haven't been wrong yet. But, 8-10 years is pretty much the lifespan for HIDs. It's just unfortunately the price of owning a heavily optioned older premium class vehicle. __________________

05-08-2012, 04:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
freq Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 120	4G, nah, not buying that. Bad capacitor? That I'll buy and swap in for $1.12 + shipping. Bluetooth Fails - AcuraZine Community and Tim, you are ALL over the link above. Are you really just playing dumb? __________________ '06 AWP Touring Navi Res '00 S2000

04-26-2012, 02:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
d1jinx Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: USA Posts: 111	actually makes sense to me. I havent seen any service bulletins about it. I wonder if acura will address the problem anytime soon? might be helpful. common knowledge works well within a small shop.

01-04-2013, 10:17 AM	#11 (permalink)
hondacuraplanet Site Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 4,810	What year is yours? __________________

01-04-2013, 12:39 PM	#13 (permalink)
hondacuraplanet Site Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Buffalo NY Posts: 4,810	#26 in this diagram: INTERIOR LIGHT (2) for 2005 ACURA MDX __________________

01-04-2013, 10:43 PM	#14 (permalink)
giliakareo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 4	I wonder if acura will address the problem anytime soon? __________________

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
MDXers.org Advertisement

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread: