I took my car in this AM to have the headlight recall done. I asked the tech to address several small items. One item which I don't think i will get any satisfaction with is a problem I have with my iPhone 5s, running iOS 8.1 calling into my voice mail.

I have Verizon voicemail at the office and frequently need to check for messages when I am out. In order to do so I need to call a Verizon number, wait for a prompt, then enter my phone number followed by the # sign, then pause to wait for a prompt for my PIN followed by the # sign. I have this long string successfully programed into my iPhone speed dial numbers. I have tried several options to be able to use the cars infotainment system but so far have been unsuccessful.

First, I can use my iPhone handset to call the number and the phone dials the number and connects with the car. Everything works as it is supposed to if i originate the call from the handset.

Here is what I have tried so far to try to use the car's software to make the call instead of having to take the phone out and use it to make the call. I programed the long string of numbers into the car's phone book as a speed dial and as a phone book entry. No luck. I have also downloaded my phone book to the car and then used the existing entry and also no luck. I have also called voice mail from the handset and gotten a successful call through. After hanging up and going to call history in the car tried to redial the number and also no luck. What happens in each case is that the car seems to read the # sign and the end of the number so the initial call goes through and the Verizon answers, the phone number gets gets sent with the # sign and then stops there.

I know many of you also use iPhone and wonder if you have this problem and have found a solution. When I demonstrated the issue to the tech, he said he would check into it but I got the impression he had no idea.

 

^^ I had the same problem with my TL. I just gave up after trying some of the things you mentioned. But there must be an answer. PS: I was using an Android phone.

 

Sounds like a programming problem with the HandsfreeLink software that misinterprets the common # sign in phone numbers. Have you tried to call the number without the pause programming, then use the manual touchtone controls to enter the #PIN#, etc.? Not that that really solves your problem, but if that works but the same string in a stored number doesn't, then it is a bug in the interpretation of the stored # sign, and likely not fixed without a software update. Just a thought. I haven't tried a stored number with #'s in it, but surely others have?

 

You used to be able to "send" tones with the [talk button] and "send 5" command. Not sure if that still works but it was incredibly tedious for long strings.

 

I haven't found a "SEND" function in the current software. I used to use that feature frequently in my '05 RL. Why Acura [or whomever is responsible for the phone interface] eliminated it is beyond me.

 

Malibu - I just tried this in my RLX and it seems to be working just fine. Whether you program the string into a contact on your iPhone, or into a contact/shortcut directly in the RLX NAV system, are you inserting a "pause" before the # symbol?

Both system dialers screens have a "P" (RLX dialer) or a "pause" (iPhone contact dialer) specifically for handling this type of use-case.

 

I'll try your suggestion but I don't have that in the program on my handset and it works fine. Obviously the HFL software is different so it is worth a try. Hope it is that simple.

Thanks

 

Not sure I'm following you. Do you mean the iPhone 5s when you refer to "handset"? Cause if so, the pause function is definitely there. I too have an iPhone 5s, running IOS 8.1.3 and it allows you to insert "pauses" or "waits" into the string of any phone entry in an address book contact. See pics below:

Example Contact




Contact String Editor




If you create a contact in your iPhone in the manner shown above, then the RLX NAV HFL system will have no problem dialing the number, waiting till the call is established, and then proceeding with the additional characters in the string (in the example above, the #1). I tried this 5 times with my voicemail inbox at work and worked flawless each time. The key is to insert the "pause" after the full number. This creates the comma you see in the string. Then you enter in the rest of the digits you need to navigate your voicemail system.

With this method I was also able to just use the "voice" command in the RLX to say "dial Example Contact" and it dialed the address book entry for me, and the string worked as expected.

 

What I meant was that i haven't programed the pause after i enter the phone number but before the # sign. I am using the same phone as you -- iPhone 5s with the latest iOS version. Yes, I have used the pause in my other programing in the iPhone ...that's why it works when i use the iPhone to make the call.

When I get some time i am going to call Acura's HFL group [I think it is actually Johnson Controls who are Acura's supplier of the phone interface.]

 

There is also a "pause" button on the RLX dialer screen, and it works just like the iPhone does. Did you try that?

 

I use the programming described by holografique to get past a complicated Help Desk (Helpless Desk, Hapless Desk) menu system and it works well.

I have to hit three menu choices to get to my human, and the technique works well.

For whatever that's worth, and it mightn't be worth much. I haven't had Verizon for a very long time, but the technique also works when I want to get into other voice mail systems not attached to my cell number ID.

 

Had a second thought.

I think when you said Verizon we all assumed Verizon Wireless.

By any chance are you referring to a legacy Verizon POTS line?

 

it works for just about anything that requires additional string entries (eg GotoAssist, WEBEX, etc etc)

The key is to insert the "pause".

And it is not specific to the iPhone. The "pause" function is right there in the RLX phone dialer screen. It's the "P" button at the bottom of the dialer. Works exactly the same.