HandsFreeLink System - No sound when Bluetooth audio is used(Without AcuraLink with Touch Screen) (2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022)

No sound when Bluetooth audio is used 

NOTE: 

• Check the vehicle battery condition first .
• Once the symptom is duplicated, contact the HFL Customer Service. Many HFL issues are related to the cell phone and not the HFL system.
• Make sure the client's cell phone with Bluetooth is compatible with the Acura HFL system.
• Make sure the client's cell phone is properly paired.
• Check if the cell phone with Bluetooth audio functions normally.
• Set the fader and the balance positions to the center.
• Make sure the cell phone's Bluetooth volume level is set to max.
• Check the connectors for poor connections or loose terminals.

1. Determine possible failure area (HFL system, others)

   -1. Press the engine start/stop button to select the ON mode.

   Go into the System Diagnostic Mode, and use the speaker check mode:

   • With navigation
   • Without navigation

   Does the audio system work normally and is the audio output from the front speakers normal when playing various audio sources?

   YES 

   Go to step 2.

   NO 

   Go to No sound is heard from all the speakers (display is normal) troubleshooting .

2. Operation check

   -1. Pair an approved known-good cell phone with Bluetooth audio to the vehicle.

   -2. Press the AUDIO button to check if the display changes to the Bluetooth audio information screen.

   Is the Bluetooth audio device information displayed?

   YES 

   Go to step 3.

   NO 

   Go to Bluetooth audio does not work troubleshooting .

3. Problem verification

   -1. Check the audio output from the speakers when playing the Bluetooth audio.

   NOTE:  Make sure that the cell phone's bluetooth volume is set to max.

   Is the audio output from the speakers when playing the Bluetooth audio?

   YES 

   Intermittent failure, the system is OK at this time, or there could be an issue with the client's cell phone. Compare the results to a known good vehicle of the same trim/year. If results are the same, it is likely a characteristic of the system.

   NO 

   The failure is duplicated, go to step 4.

4. Shorted wire check (GA AUDIO lines) 1

   -1. Press the engine start/stop button to select the OFF mode.

   -2. Disconnect the following connectors.

   Audio unit connector D (12P) (without navigation)

   Audio-navigation unit connector D (12P) (with navigation)

   HandsFreeLink control unit connector A (32P)

   -3. Check for continuity between these test points and body ground individually.

   Test condition	OFF mode
   	Audio unit connector D (12P) (without navigation): disconnected
   	Audio-navigation unit connector D (12P) (with navigation): disconnected
   	HandsFreeLink control unit connector A (32P): disconnected

   Connector	Test circuit	Terminal
   Audio-navigation unit connector D (12P) or Audio unit connector D (12P)	GA AUDIO L-	No. 3 (GRN)
   	GA AUDIO R-	No. 4 (BLK)
   	GA AUDIO L+	No. 9 (RED)
   	GA AUDIO R+	No. 10 (WHT)

   Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

   Is there continuity?

   YES 

   There is a short to body ground in the wire(s) between the audio-navigation unit or the audio unit and the HandsFreeLink control unit. Replace the affected shielded harness.

   NO 

   The GA AUDIO wires are not shorted to ground. Go to step 5.

5. Shorted wire check (GA AUDIO lines) 2

   -1. Check for continuity between test points 1 and 2.

   Test condition	OFF mode
   	Audio unit connector D (12P) (without navigation): disconnected
   	Audio-navigation unit connector D (12P) (with navigation): disconnected
   	HandsFreeLink control unit connector A (32P): disconnected

   Test circuits	Connector: Audio-navigation unit connector D (12P) or Audio unit connector D (12P)
   	Test point 1	Test points 2
   GA AUDIO L- to GA AUDIO R-, SH GA AUDIO, GA AUDIO L+, GA AUDIO R+	No. 3 (GRN)	No. 4 (BLK), No. 5 (GRY), No. 9 (RED), No. 10 (WHT)
   GA AUDIO R- to SH GA AUDIO, GA AUDIO L+, GA AUDIO R+	No. 4 (BLK)	No. 5 (GRY), No. 9 (RED), No. 10 (WHT)
   SH GA AUDIO to GA AUDIO L+, GA AUDIO R+	No. 5 (GRY)	No. 9 (RED), No. 10 (WHT)
   GA AUDIO L+ to GA AUDIO R+	No. 9 (RED)	No. 10 (WHT)

   Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

   Is there continuity between any of the terminals?

   YES 

   There is a short in the wires between the audio-navigation unit or the audio unit and the HandsFreeLink control unit. Replace the affected shielded harness.

   NO 

   The GA AUDIO wires are not shorted in the wires. Go to step 6.

6. Open wire check (GA AUDIO lines)

   -1. Check for continuity between test points 1 and 2.

   Test condition	OFF mode
   	Audio unit connector D (12P) (without navigation): disconnected
   	Audio-navigation unit connector D (12P) (with navigation): disconnected
   	HandsFreeLink control unit connector A (32P): disconnected

   Test circuit	Test point 1:Audio-navigation unit connector D (12P) or Audio unit connector D (12P)	Test point 2:HandsFreeLink control unit connector A (32P)
   GA AUDIO L-	No. 3 (GRN)	No. 21 (GRN)
   GA AUDIO R-	No. 4 (BLK)	No. 22 (BLK)
   GA AUDIO L+	No. 9 (RED)	No. 5 (RED)
   GA AUDIO R+	No. 10 (WHT)	No. 6 (WHT)

   Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

   Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

   Is there continuity?

   YES 

   The GA AUDIO wires are OK. Go to step 7.

   NO 

   There is an open in the wire(s) between the audio-navigation unit or the audio unit and the HandsFreeLink control unit. Replace the affected shielded harness.

7. HandsFreeLink control unit check (substitution)

   -1. Substitute a known-good HandsFreeLink control unit.

   -2. Reconnect all the connectors, and recheck.

   Does the symptom go away?

   YES 

   Replace the original HandsFreeLink control unit.

   NO: With navigation

   Replace the audio-navigation unit .

   NO: Without navigation

   Replace the audio unit .