So, I bought a new to me RL and I can't get the blue tooth to work. I turn on the car, wait for the sat nav to load up and push the call button and I get nothing - no audio feedback at all to even acknowledge that I pushed the button. I went into the set up screen and I can see where it reads Phone - Data Connection but it's greyed out, I can't choose that option.

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

Turns out that my iPhone 7 isn't compatible but even with it not being compatible shouldn't I still get some type of feedback? With a upgraded nav disc would it work? Hmmmm

 

The bluetooth module might be disconnected or bad. There is a known issue that when the bluetooth module fails it will drain the battery. When that happens most people just disconnect it.

 

That is BS because I have an Iphone 7S plus to work with my 06 with ease, I would say the HFT is on the way out or been unplug. OP test to see if the voice command still works and if it doesn't work most likely the HFT has been unplugged.

 

stupid question, did you pair the phone with the car using the phone pair option?

 

Ok, now we are getting somewhere. The voice prompt doesn't work, I can push the button and say a command but it reacts as if it doesn't hear me. Where does the HFT plug in at? This might be awesome

 

That was it! I plugged it in and after reseting my phone it worked no problem. Why would someone unplug the bluetooth? Now that it works can I stream music somehow?

 

There were some issues with the hfl draining the battery. Also you can't stream music thru hfl. Hence why a lot of people install aftermarket modules for Bluetooth audio. I have the USA Spec bt45-Acu and its been working perfectly

 

draining the battery... I'll watch for that, thanks!

 

Bad HFL unit will drain your battery, well the tale tale sign is some time it doesn't connect to your phone or take forever to connect. I know this experience because I had to replace both HFL that went bad on my TL and luckily the TL NEW unit cost fraction of the RL ($220 instead of $1k). 05-08 RL can't stream music via HFL, they are only capable to makes phone call. I think the 09-12 RL can stream Audio and yes the wiring is difference than the 05-08 RL, if you want to stream music then you will need a device that take streaming like USA A spec or similar fashion. The 07-08 RL has Aux port where they can buy a BT stream device and plug it in the aux port but the down side is that you do not have full control over the audio, you have to scroll through your phone.

 

The USA Spec BT45 allows you to stream music.

 

This thread has been helpful. I recently purchased a 2006 RL and spent a ton of time trying to get the HFL to work. Brought it to the dealer for first oil change and inspection and was immediately told that the unit is broken because I did not get the beep after I pressed the Talk button. Estimated $500+ to replace it.
After reading the posts, I gather that it might be disconnected, not necessarily broken however now I'm concerned that if they can reconnect it, the battery might get drained.

Should I not bother seeing if I can get them to reconnect it if it is disconnected given the possible battery drain problem?
How would I know if it was draining the battery?

 

I would actually double check if it has been in fact disconnected. If so, I wouldn't mind reconnecting it, but just be aware and prepared for the fact that you might be dealing with a dead battery the next morning.

 

Thanks for your advice about the HFL. I think I'm going to pass on reconnecting it given the likelihood it will zap my battery. I don't like surprises like that.

 

From previous readings the instances when the hfl drains a battery are mostly when you've arrived somewhere and you've not finished talking, and turned off the car, the hfl is made to stay on until ur done. some people leave the car and lock it, and assume the hfl will turn off by itself once it disconnects, and the flaw is that it sometimes does not, and drain your battery.

Its not a common thing nor situation.

it's also advidsable for those who think their hfl doesn't work to make sure they have done the paring process properly. It's all by voice, no butrtons involved, and acura link module isn't involved.

As for bluetooth audio, i dunno if 2006 has it, but pressing on the 'aux' button few times may display it if you got it.

 

Thanks for pointing that out. It makes sense that unless the HFL is disconnected after a call, it may continue to drain the battery. I assume that doesn't happen to newer models.
Since I'm taking it in Friday, I'll ask them if they can check to see if it was disconnected.

 

So on my experience with "bad HFL unit" is that the unit refuse to connect with any phone, the system keep going into "boot up" mode in continuous cycle therefore it drain your battery. In the TL there is a section for HFL in MID screen (even no device connected to HFL) however this screen feature is not present on my 06 RL. Aux button only available for 07 and up model, I also like to note that the RL HFL unit is last much longer than the TL however when they do breaks its cost $1k for the new unit and compare to the TL $254 HFL unit you can see why most TL unit took a nap early.