The HFL messages and voice prompts cannot be heard or are weak

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Honda Insight and 2010 Honda Insight. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Before doing this troubleshooting, refer to General Troubleshooting Information (see GENERAL TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION ) to make sure the phone is compatible and configured correctly. You can also check online at handsfreelink.honda.com, or call the HFL support desk at 888-528-7876.

Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Check that the audio system is operating normally and the speaker sound levels from different audio sources (AM, FM, CD, Navigation, etc.).
Does the audio system work normally, and is the audio output from the speaker normal when playing various audio sources?

YES -Go to Step 3.

NO -Go to no sound is heard from the speaker(s), with navigation (see NO SOUND IS HEARD FROM THE SPEAKER(S) (DISPLAY IS NORMAL) (WITH NAVIGATION) ).
Check for DTCs with the HDS.
Are there any DTCs indicated?

YES -Repair the indicated DTCs.

NO -Go to Step 4.
Press the HFL TALK button.
Does the audio system mute when HFL messages are being played?

YES -Go to Step 5.

NO -Go to Step 11.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
Remove the audio-navigation unit (see AUDIO-NAVIGATION UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ), and disconnect audio-navigation unit connector B (24P).
Disconnect the HandsFreeLink control unit 28P connector.
Check for continuity between the terminals shown of the HandsFreeLink control unit 28P connector and the audio-navigation unit connector B (24P).

Fig 1: Checking Continuity Between Terminals Of HandsFreeLink Control Unit 28P Connector And Audio-Navigation Unit Connector B (24P)
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Is there continuity?

YES -Go to Step 9.

NO -There is an open in the wire(s) between the HandsFreeLink control unit and the audio-navigation unit. Replace the affected harness.
Check for continuity between body ground and audio-navigation unit connector B (24P) terminals No. 9 and No. 21 individually.

Fig 2: Checking Continuity Between Body Ground And Audio-Navigation Unit Connector B (24P) Terminals
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Is there continuity?

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

NO -Go to Step 10.

Check for continuity between the terminals of audio-navigation unit connector B (24P) according to the table.

CONTINUITY REFERENCE CHART

From terminal	To terminal
B9(BRN)	B21 (YEL), B22 (GRY)
B21 (YEL)	B22 (GRY)

Fig 3: Checking Continuity Between Terminals Of Audio-Navigation Unit Connector B (24P)

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Is there continuity?

YES -There is a short in the wire(s) between the HandsFreeLink control unit and the audio-navigation unit. Replace the appropriate harness.

NO -Substitute a known-good HandsFreeLink control unit (see CONTROL UNIT INPUT TEST/REPLACEMENT ), and recheck. If the symptom goes away, replace the original HandsFreeLink control unit. If the symptom does not go away, replace the audio-navigation unit (see AUDIO-NAVIGATION UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).

Press the HFL TALK button.
Does "TEL" appear on the audio-navigation unit display when you press the HFL TALK button?

YES -Go to Step 12.

NO -Go to Step 17.
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
Remove the audio-navigation unit (see AUDIO-NAVIGATION UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ), and disconnect audio-navigation unit connector B (24P).
Disconnect the HandsFreeLink control unit 28P connector.
Check for continuity between HandsFreeLink control unit 28P connector terminal No. 3 and audio-navigation unit connector B (24P) terminal No. 8.

Fig 4: Checking Continuity Between HandsFreeLink Control Unit 28P Connector And Audio-Navigation Unit Connector B (24P)
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Is there continuity?

YES -Go to Step 16.

NO -Repair an open in the wire between the HandsFreeLink control unit and the audio-navigation unit.
Check for continuity between HandsFreeLink control unit 28P connector terminal No. 3 and body ground.

Fig 5: Checking Continuity Between HandsFreeLink Control Unit 28P Connector Terminal No. 3 And Body Ground
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Is there continuity?

YES -Repair a short to body ground in the wire between HandsFreeLink control unit and audio-navigation unit.

NO -Substitute a known-good HandsFreeLink control unit (see CONTROL UNIT INPUT TEST/REPLACEMENT ), and recheck. If the symptom goes away, replace the original HandsFreeLink control unit. If the symptom does not go away, replace the audio-navigation unit (see AUDIO-NAVIGATION UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
Disconnect the HFL-navigation voice control switch 5P connector and the HandsFreeLink control unit 28P connector.
Check for continuity between HandsFreeLink control unit 28P connector terminal No. 2 and HFL-navigation voice control switch 5P connector terminal No. 3.

Fig 6: Checking Continuity Between HandsFreeLink Control Unit 28P Connector And HFL-Navigation Voice Control Switch 5P Connector
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Is there continuity?

YES -Do the HFL Switch Test (see HFL SWITCH TEST ). If the HFL switch test is OK, substitute a known-good HandsFreeLink control unit (see CONTROL UNIT INPUT TEST/REPLACEMENT ), and recheck. If the symptom/indication goes away, replace the original HandsFreeLink control unit. If the symptom is still present, replace the audio-navigation unit (see AUDIO-NAVIGATION UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).

NO -Go to step 20.
Substitute a known-good cable reel (see CABLE REEL REPLACEMENT ), and check for continuity between HandsFreeLink control unit 28P connector terminal No. 2 and HFL-navigation voice control switch 5P connector terminal No. 3.

Fig 7: Checking Continuity Between HandsFreeLink Control Unit 28P Connector And HFL-Navigation Voice Control Switch 5P Connector
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Is there continuity?

YES -Replace the original cable reel (see CABLE REEL REPLACEMENT ).

NO -Repair an open in the wire between the HandsFreeLink control unit, cable reel, and the HFL-navigation voice control switch.