Hi all,
I recently (last month) bought a 2008 Acura TSX with Navi in the carbon gray pearl with ebony leather. Has anyone noticed that when you dial a call using the Hands Free Link (before it rings), there is a considerable amount of popping from the speakers?

I drove an MDX and it doesn't do that, but after checking another TSX it appears to be a 'feature' of the vehicle. Does anyone know what causes this and possibly how to get rid of it?

Thank you,

 

Try your cell phone unlinked and see if you still hear the noise. You need to isolate the issue to the
cell phone/cell tower interface or the blue tooth interface between the cell phone and the car.
Also, do you have a blue tooth headset that does the same thing?

 

Thanks for responding. The cell phone does not make the popping unlinked, nor did the BT headset I had. Furthermore, the same phone linked in an 08 MDX does not make the popping sound. This is specific to the 08 TSX and not even just my car or my make/model phone, but others.

Is any one else experiencing this?

 

Not me in my 2006. I'd take it to the dealer to investigate.

 

I have a 3 month old 2008 Navi, and I haven't had any issues like that. My phone isn't exactly new, one of the older Razr(V3) models probably 2ish years old. Sounds like you have it narrowed down to your HFL system in your car, if it will not do it in another Acura HFL car, and it doesn't happen using a different bluetooth handset.

Definetly have the dealer check it out, and be sure to tell them what you have discovered(doesn't do it in another Acura vehicle, works fine when not on the HLF, etc).

 

Thanks for replying. Interesting, I have a Razor v3 as well (with VZW). It happened in another car on the lot (08 TSX w/ Navi). Hmm...

 

I hear popping with my motorola rizr before someone picks up. It sounds a lot like regular crappy bluetooth static. I didn't think it was abnormal. How loud is the popping? Most of my calls have some amount of static (although it's almost imperceivable on some), while some are scratchy. This is usually an issue with the connection. But bluetooth doesn't exactly sound crystal clear on any acura vehicle.

 

During the call, I have no complaints. The popping occurs right after she says "Calling" and before the phone starts to ring. It's only an issue on outgoing calls. The system worked flawlessly in the MDX that I had as a loaner, but not in either of the TSX's. I'm tempted to say it's an issue with the amp or speakers in the TSX, but it just doesn't seem right. It's as loud as your speakers are turned up and it's several different pitched popping sounds. Usually about 3-5.

 

My 2006 vehicle and Sprint Katana cell phone operate flawlessly - Your problem sounds specific to the vehicle so get the dealer to repair it.

 

Is anyone actually reading the OP's posts? He said that the same sound manifested in an entirely different tsx. It's either an issue with ALL tsx bluetooth systems or the OP's phone. It's not his specific car though...

 

I have an 07. I have the same issue with the popping when I call using the HFL.

 

Yeah I hear the 2008 carbon gray pearl with navi and ebony leather are known to have this problem

 

It's an issue with his TSX and one other - it's a bit of a stretch to assume all TSXs have the same problem. My recommendation was for him to have his dealer fix his vehicle.

 

Not to turn this into a battle of statistics, but I'd argue the opposite: it's really a stretch to think that some random tsx the OP also tried it in just so happened to have the exact same problem he has in his tsx. So two completely different tsx's from who knows which production cycle/plant in Japan have the exact same specific problem with the HFL? I'm willing to bet this isn't a problem and is more of part of the functioning between the phone/HFL link. I have the exact same sound coming from my HFL when I dial out. I really don't think it's a problem if the sound goes away once the call connects. It's a matter of interpretation. Perhaps the RDX has a better HFL system...

 

Good point, I didn't read down to where the OP said it happens in another TSX, but not in an MDX.

I searched on www.HandsFreeLink.com for Razr V3c and V3m, and like my Nokia 6682, it's listed as "compatible with most features." [Edit: actually now my phone shows up not compatible. it works though.] I find that the transfer feature is really unreliable for me, so I wouldn't be above suspecting that the HFL in the TSX doesn't play well with the Razr V3c/m.

Still, I'd take it to a dealer service manager to investigate if it were my car. It could be something with the HFL installation.

 

I have an 08 non navi TSX, and my Treo 750 has zero issues with the HFL. No popping, no excess noise, nothing. Now, to be fair, I've only had the car for about 2 weeks. Given the issues you're having, I'd have the dealership check it out. It's still under warranty, so realistically, it should just cost you some time.

 

I have a 2006 non-navi and an older Verizon RAZR. Mine does this too right before dialing. I'll say 'Call', the system would respond 'Calling', :pop crack pop: dials/works just fine after that.

 

i have a 07 non-navi tsx and no crack pop sound.. but i will pay attention

 

All,
This is very interesting and thanks for your responses. I'm starting to wonder if it's the phone, so I tried a Samsung Gleam, and it does the same thing.

 

I have an '07 with the same issue with two different phones. Had the car for a year and it has always made the load popping sound. Hasn't seemed to affected anything besides being a little annoying when i call someone.

 

I think I've gotten closer to a resolution. The issue is not with the car but with the phones. I tried a friends Samsung U540 and unlike the Samsung Gleam and the Moto Razr V3 (all with VZW), the Samsung U540 did not make the popping sound. Therefore, this is a compatibility issue with the BT stack in the phones and the Handsfree S/W in the TSX. Now, if only Handsfree would note this compatibility flaw on their Web site so that we would know which phones to avoid. I guess it will be trial and error when I get my next phone. Thanks for all your posts and if I learn more I'll let you know.

 

Well, what does the HandsFreeLink.com page say about the phones that popping ... "Supported," "some features supported," or...?

 

The site states that the phone is compatible, but is lacking support for "Roaming". Clearly not the reason for the problem.

 

Glad you're making progress with the diagnosis. I'll venture some possibilities:
Compatibility testing does not score call setup and disconnect noise; the S/W used during compatibility testing is not the same version as in your car; the S/W in your cell phone is not the same version as compatibility testing used; and there are other possibilities. The compatibility testers have a nearly impossible job covering all the variables and their results should be used as guidelines for cell phone purchase, and not as gospel.

 

NBTX, agreed. I don't think there is going to be an absolute science to this and I fully understand the version situations - I am just surprised of very few reports on this. I'm going to take my RAZR in for a S/W upgrade to see if that makes a difference, but since I'm ready for a new phone, I'll just have to test. Thank you.

 

If you're ready for a new phone (did you mention your carrier?), certainly take a look at the compatability tests ... something that supports ALL features would rock the llama's butt. If you could import your phone book....!

 

According to the Acura specs, the 2008 TSX w/ Navi doesn't have the phonebook or contact list import feature. What do you know that I don't? I'm willing to experiment.

 

Oops, I have to call on myself. It's not a feature in the TSX, but phonebook import and exchange were mentioned on the HFL site for other Acuras. My bad ... and my apologies.

Of course, a model of phone that's fully supported on the other Acura models will probably work at least "well" on the TSX.

"Beam me up, Scotty, I can't do anything right down here today. Even my communicator's bent."