Modeler

If you have a 2004 TL, you should get your dealer to replace your HFL module with the new version. Using HFL in my TL used to be a major pain in the butt: I would have to repeat myself sometimes 10 times in order to get it to understand a number or voice tag for a memorized number, I would have to yell at it at the top of my lungs, turn down the fan speed to near-zero, and engage in all sorts of other strange behaviors.

No more! The new HFL understands me pretty much every single time. I can use normal voice and it can understand me over the roar of the AC/heater. It also retains the last dialed number after the engine been turned off, which is very convenient.

So for all of you suffering needlessly like I used to: just go to your dealer, complain about the HFL not understanding you and ask them to install the latest version. There's really no way to complain the two versions, it's like apples and oranges!

babi_boi_31

does it cost money at the dealer?

datmrman

It should be covered under warranty.

Modeler

It was free. I just described to them how badly the system was working and Presto! The thing is, most people, including myself thought that that's just the way HFL worked and we had to live with it. The a-holes at Acura simply made much better versions of the HFL and only installed them on the newer models, without upgrading everyone...

rodneyc77

iTrader: (1)

Yeah... I have an '06 and the HFL works great even with a Nextel Phone... i870.

People direct connect to the phone and can hear them though the HFL system... the only downside is that I have to actually press the direct connect button on the phone to actually reply...

lembowski

iTrader: (1)

When did this new version come out? Mine is fairly hard to understand.......I have an 04

Do you have a specific model # or version #, so I know they are putting in the newest availiable?

Modeler

Since they only have whatever is the latest version now (they'll probably need to order it anyway), you don't need to worry.

dero79

This sounds like an excellent thread. thank you for the notice! My only question is where does this maintenance take place? I wonder only because in the few times I've brought my vehicle in I find damage done to my interior

HiTEC

It would be nice if Acura made it firmware flashable or something

dre596

I will contact my dealer for an upgrade thanks.

FuZionBreeZe

Is there an upgrade for 05 too?

Modeler

I believe it's all done in the area of the rear-view mirror. At least that's what the service rep told me; but he wasn't the technician that actually did the work. They didn't do any damage to the interior, so I can't pinpoint where they did their work

Modeler

Don't know. Here's what I can tell you: my HFL now understands my accented English 100% of the time for voice tags (used to be about 60% of the time), 100% for "YES" (used to be about 60-70%), about 90-95% for digits when I ask it to Dial a new number (used to be about 10-20%; so a HUGE improvement here). And I can now speak commands in the normal voice, whereas I always had to yell before.

So if you have a 2005 and your performance is significantly worse than my new performance above, you may be able to claim bad HFL and request a new one.

One word of caution: I did not phrase my request to the service department as "upgrade". I have described the poor performance that I was experiences and then said something to the effect that I read that there is a "new version of the HFL module that addresses these issues." They didn't give me any grief over it.

By the way, I read about the upgraded module somewhere here on Acurazine awhile ago. I also read about the final fix for the engine dronning at low RPM here. The new HFL was installed on the same visit as they installed the new engine mounts to address the dronning. When I picked up my car, I couldn't believe it - the car was better than when I picked it up new!!!

JoganJani

Does it get rid of 888? My HFL at least do it once a day to me. I need to bring in my 04.

Modeler

Mine never did that. But, hey, that's just one more reason to demand a replacement!

DMZ

I've been having the very problems you describe. I'm on it, thanks.

ajay711

I have an 04'. Thanks for the awesome post. I called up Ed Voyles Acura in Atlanta, and they will be doing the replacement under warranty, no questions asked. I will be going in this Saturday to have the new HFL done and SB 05-050, which is another thing that all 04' peeps should know about.

DMZ

What's SB 05-050?

lowws6

I took mine to the dealer in april because I was having problems with the first use every day, would just come back with 888. After they replaced the HFL module it works better than it ever has.

DMZ

I randomly get 888, 088,288, and 280.

DMZ

And sometines, my HFL locks up completely and I have to shut the car off and restart it to get the HFL working again.


NOT GOOD !

lembowski

iTrader: (1)

Its the premature rear tire wear thing on 04's & 05's.......

bklynpanman

.. someone please post the part # for the new HFL unit

flip_man

make sure you get the 04 specific BT module. The TSB published has an error on it and it is for 05 and up. If you get the 05 and up module (you will see FRENCH language set as well), the CID will not work.

NorthernExposed

You rock man! I suggested this today to my Acura dealer and they ordered a replacement module for me. All will be free under warranty!

SilverJ

good post. Not sure if this is related but my HFL with some callers sounds really bad...like a 2 watt am radio with the volume cranked too high...you think this would improve the sound at all ?

dan.....k

iTrader: (1)

Mine does that. I hate it! I am going to upgrade as soon as possible.

Modeler

I can't say if I noticed any sound improvement at all. I have always been happy with the HFL sound quality though.

DMZ

And last night, I got 028 !
.
.
.

waacow

i tried getting my dealer to upgrade the HFL, but they didn't see any problem with it, especially when i was demoing with the tech guy and it just work perfectly... oh well...

VelfarreClubber

i have a late model 04 and no problems

SilverJ

Hmm---I tried to get my dealer to upgrade the hfl but they had no idea what I was talking about...or just played stupid. Can someone post the TSB or the part number of the new hfl ? My dealer is pretty good overal so I think they genuinely didnt know about it...

TorontoR

does your 04 have to be under a certain number of miles for this 'upgrade' to be covered? Reason why I ask is becuase I now have 73,000 KM on the car.

lembowski

iTrader: (1)

Which dealer did you go to?

bTwix

TSB#?

Modeler

Sorry, there's no TSB, as far as I know. Acura simpy behaved like the typical a-holes that they are and quietly improved functionality without passing it to the early adopters like myself. I bought my TL in the second month of production and my HFL always SUCKED. Now it's great.

I'm afraid my only advice is to keep on the dealers. But that is if you have an early car with problems like I used to have. It sounds like some people have an 04 with perfectly good HFLs.

vodanh

Thanks Modeler! I just have my dealer replace it this morning. They did it 2 hours (not even have to wait for the part to be ordered ). If you have an Acura TL 2004 like mine, you should definitely have this replaced. The HFL responses to my voice much more accurate now than before.

neuronbob

Awsome thread. I get the "888" the first time I use the phone after starting the car, EVERY time. After that first call, though, all is fine. Bizarre problem, I'll have to call the dealer to set something up.

First test of the extended warranty.

JoganJani

There is 05-020 TSB in the TSB section of the forum. I referred this TSB to the dealerand I just got a call that they found it and will replace the HFL. This TSB has early built VINs first 19UUA6...4A000001 through 19UUA6...4A069734.


NuronBob, good you have extended warranty, however, this TSB also says that

So if dealer persists this can be done even out of warranty.

maddog136

I had a 04TL that got totalled and now drive an 06. In the 04 you could not enter "Home" in the phonebook, but in the 06 you can. Much fewer problems with the HFL.