oreo9

I am hoping someone can help me out or has had the same problem.

I have a 2005 TL, manual transmission with navigation. I was driving with my navigation system a few weeks ago and noticed that when the navigation was giving the voice command back that the sound was fuzzy. I could understand the command, but it almost sounds like the speaker is blown. A few days later the navigation was back to normal and perfectly fine. Then 2 weeks ago the problem started again. I initially thought it was a wiring problem and not a speaker problem. I took the car to Acura and they said it was a bad center speaker and also I needed to change my handsfree switch. That was a first because I have always used the handsfree switch and still continue to use it and the car responds fine. Acura charged me $60 for the diagnostic test and then said it would cost $875 to change the center speaker and handsfree switch. I thought this was outrageous. My navigation system continues to give back fuzzy commands ever since I took it into Acura.

A couple of days ago I took my TL to an audio specialist who installs systems. When I told him my issue, he was puzzled because he said rarely does the speaker blow in the TL. He popped the center speaker out and tested it in his shop and said the speaker was perfect and nothing was wrong with it. He does not believe it is a wiring problem either. He thinks that it could be the navigation output jack on the amp in the passenger side front kick panel. He said if that wasn't the issue then I would need to change individual parts one by one until I found the problem. He said if I could find a used amp from a junk yard, he could install it to see if that was the issue. I also asked the audio specialist if the hot temperatures we have been experiencing could be the problem. He said it could very well be, but he would not be 100% sure if that was the issue. He said the only other way to know for sure would be to take it back to Acura and let them fix the issue as he wouldn't be able to know 100% for sure what the issue was. I am reluctant to take it back to Acura because of the price of the fix and the fact that they wrongly diagnosed my issue. I feel I would be taken for a ride.

So my question is if anyone has had this problem with their TL navigation system or if anyone knows what the issue is.

I hope someone can help.

Thanks,
oreo9

XelA05

I have the same problem! When I took it to a dealership in Texas they said that the nav voice volume was set too low. Of course, when I checked the nav voice while drive back home it was still muffled.
My first thought was that it may be a blown speaker, but occationally the nav voice returned to normal. Perhaps it a loose wire?

csmeance

Check the wires on at the amp to see if they are connected properly. I would get that replacement amp from a junkyard and see if that solves the issue. Also make sure to check the wires that lead to the amp too for shorts or loose wires.

KN_TL

iTrader: (3)

Also check the wires in going into the hfl module.

When I did my conversion, I had some connectors that weren't seated and it caused issues similar to what you are seeing.

To eliminate the amp as an issue, put the 5.1 demo disk in the player. If you get good sound out of the center channel, both the speaker and the amp are ok.

Your dealer sounds like a real dumbass. The switch is either working or not. It doesn't pass any audio through it. It's just a simple resistive path that the controller recognizes.

oreo9

Sorry to bump this post, but I have a new problem with the navigation voice through my center speaker. Before when the navigation was muffled I could still make out what the voice was saying in terms of where to turn and in how many meters. Now the navigation voice is completely gone and all I hear is this loud crackling/rambling noise every time the voice is supposed to talk. It seems like the navigation voice is trying to say the commands, but it is encrypted or scrambled and the unit is having trouble descrambling the voice command so that it is in plain english. By the way, whereas my navigation system used to come back to normal on occasion where the commands were crystal clear for a short period of time, this no longer happens. I do remember that right before the navigation completely went to its current state, any time that it was clear as I continued driving the navigation voice would slowly go until it was muffled. Now it is just completely gone and I hear just a scrambled noise. Has anyone ever had this problem or know what the issue is?

csmeance

there are 3 possible places where the problem can lie:

1. The Navi DVD drive - if the dvd drive is outputting a bad signal, that is what will be amplified and be heard.
2. The Amp - if the amplifier for the radio has a bad channel, then the speaker is getting the bad signal an that is heard.
3. The Center Speaker - if the speaker cannot reproduce the right sound, then you hear the wrong one

oreo9

Hey guys,

I finally bought a used amp for really cheap and was going to swap it with my original one to see if that was the problem. When I took off the right front kick panel to get to the amp, I noticed there was this black box attached to the amp. There were wires running into the black box and then out from the black box to the amp. The wires into the black box looked like they were coming from the navigation system as they ran along the passenger side straight back along the door. I know that an non-Navi and a Navi TL use the exact same amp so I was questioning from the very beginning if the amp was truly the problem. I'm wondering if anyone knows what this black box is that is attached to the amp. Is this possbily for the navigation system and could this be the part causing the trouble?

Just as an FYI, the used amp I bought did not come with this black box. It did have the clips on it to attach the black box like my original amp.

irocu1

I'm having the same issue. What was the fix. I'll have to check the AMP connectons. Where is that under the pass seat?

UA66

My '04 TL started having this problem a few months ago. Anyone figure out what the definitive fix is?
TIA

chckn

My 2005 TL just started having the exact same issue (loud crackling sound).
HELP!!!

UA66

Just putting this thread back on the board. Anyone have this or find a fix?
Thanks

djtsmith007

iTrader: (1)

Ive seen that typically when any speaker does this (ones usually on the dash exposed to sun) it is the speaker it self going out...ive had this same issue and during the winter it would be fine and summer not so fine at all, loose connections or bad soldering somewhere? I never found out for that car, sold before i fixed it.

I would suggest to figure out if its the speaker or not buy a cheapo speaker, or heck any speaker will work for testing, remove the old one and hook up the new/testing speaker and see what happens. Just make sure if the speaker you are using is NOT new that it works fine before hand.

If the problem persists, you now have one less variable to go though

If it does continue to happen, im going to say maybe a wire somewhere in the car between the amp up front, nav in the rear to back up front probably has some rubbing/wear on it that could be making a ground without completely shorting the center channel

cangbang

i have the same problem. I replaced the center speaker but it didn't fix the problem. I've had this problem for over a year now. So someone help me too!!

UA66

I've been having this problem with my '04 navigation system since late last year.

It started out all of a sudden. Literally one day it was working flawlessly and the next morning all that come out of the speaker for the navigation was a buzzing sound. The voice did come back a few times since then. When it started to act up, I turned off the nav volume and use the two screen navigation. But every time I plug in a route, I always press the voice button to check it. Sometimes I can hear the voice commands faintly beneath the buzzing sounds. The buzzing seems to last as long as the normal speech time of the navigation.

I ruled out a defective center speaker since I replaced/upgraded them just a few years ago. Also all the DVD-A's sound OK (I mean sound _great_); even with the volume of the center speaker and main volume cranked up. That eliminates the amplifier output/speakers.

Since the offer came in the mail, I upgraded to the latest navigation DVD in November 2009. I didn't expect this to fix the problem and it didn't.

Looking in the service manual, the audio originates in the DVD Navigation Unit in the trunk and is sent out of connector B on pins: 5/ +audio (WHITE), 11/ shield for terminals 5 & 12 (LT GREEN) and pin 12/ -audio (BLUE & RED). Connector B is on the back of the nav unit while it's still in the car, towards the front of the car, on the top.

I checked/inspected these wires. They look good. Also I had the nav unit out of the car so the battery power has been disconnected (more than once). That didn't help. Yes, I had to reenter the navi code.

From "connector B" these wires/signals make their way to the input on the "audio unit" on connector A, pins 13 + audio (WHITE) and pin 12 -audio (BLUE & RED). I haven't pulled the console, etc to check these wires & connection, but the in dash audio system (radio\CD) has been working OK. As is the Handsfree Link with the phone.


In order to troubleshoot this a little further, I'm asking for some help.

The "spec" for the output from the DVD Navigation Unit state that on connector B, pin #5 the voltage/audio signal should be 0.004 - 0.04V. If I cut this wire (to eliminate anything forward) and hook up this wire temporarily to the positive of a headphone jack. And the negative of the headphone jack to pin 12 (-audio), would the output from the DVD Navigation Unit be enough to drive a pair of ear bud headphones to hear the audio coming from the DVD Nav unit?

Another way might be to hookup the headphone output from a MP3 player to the + and - wires going into the car to the audio unit. Are the voltages from the MP3 player safe to send to the in dash audio system (radio\CD) without blowing it up?

I'm not sure where the logic comes in to tell the in dash audio system (radio\CD) to mute the front speakers to let the audio from the nav unit through. Whether it sees the audio voltage come in or triggers it through the communication bus line. That still works. However, again it's just the annoying buzzing noise that comes through the center speaker.

If anyone can help, it would be appreciated. Also if someone had this problem fixed at a dealership, what did they do/replace?
I wouldn't mind getting a refurbished DVD nav unit from Alpine - if this will fix it.


It looks like this may not be an isolated problem.

Thanks in advance for anything you guys and gals might think is important.

rbf351

amazing i found this post 5 minutes after i posted mine with basically the same issue

UA66 you have it down to basically where i am. it seems as if the HFL unit is what does the muting which is over a blue/red wire on connector C pin 20 if you have an 05-06 or pin 16 if you have an 04

this just started yesterday on my car, so i haven't had much time to look into this, but honestly i think it's the navi drive, and i am going to see if Acura will repair/replace mine under a good will


*edit, just tried it out, the HFL does nothing with the muting unless you press the steering wheel button

UA66

Hey RBF..
Sounds like you and I are not the only one with this problem. Let me know of any of the Acura people you run into have a quick fix for this. From what I read on here, there's a few $ to replace the DVD unit through Alpine.
I'm in Stamford if you'd want to work on this together.

rbf351

before i do anything on my own i am going to call acura in the morning, and see if they will take care of this.

ParaSurfer1979

very smart move. people here can tell you anything but w/o looking at it, id only take verbal assist with your issue with a grain of salt. let us know what comes out of your visit.

rbf351

the only reason why i am not touching it yet, is acura is a bitch when it comes to these things, especially when your warranty is gone. i've learned my lesson when dealing with car companies a long time ago with my first new car in 1997

rbf351

did a little more digging myself today since Acura will not help me without first charging me 150 bucks to see what the issue is.

according to the manual if the white wire which controls the voice prompts is shorted or cut the radio will buzz.

i tested the wire from the trunk to the passenger kick panel, and it is neither shorted or cut. i am also getting the proper voltage the service manual states.

tomorrow or the next day i am going to pull the radio out, and test the wire that goes from the kick panel to the radio to test it.

UA66

Thanks RBF, your much more ambitious than I to pull apart the dash.
Check out this thread too;

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ht=alpine+navi

Looks like we'll both be calling Alpine. Again, this is not an isolated incident. Alpine probably had a bad run of the nav units.

Anyway, can you let me know what you find out, checking the continuity of the wiring harness?
TIA - big time RBF!

rbf351

yeah i saw that thread too, i'm already ready to send the unit to alpine, spoke to them today.

i just would love to know what actually goes bad in the unit, as i pulled it apart today, and of course there was nothing inside that looked "burnt"

rbf351

tore the dash apart today to get to the radio harnesses. just as i thought there is nothing wrong with that white wire which carries the navi voice.

it's the navi unit, and there doesn't seem to be much to do as far as troubleshooting it. since the audio works, but is garbled it means internally it is shorted out. the problem is finding which chip or chips inside the navi unit it is.

UA66

Thanks rbf. I thought you were going the route of getting a new one from Alpine? Let me know what you find out after tearing it apart. I appreciate it.. thanks

rbf351

eventually i am going to send it to them, but for now i'll just keep the voice off

i already tore the unti apart, and there is nothing i can do with it. found the trace off the connector to a resistor, and from there i can't find where it goes.

UA66

Just an update; I finally sent in my Navigation DVD unit to Alpine. I did call them first (1-800-257•4631). Maybe they don’t take credit cards anymore. The person I talked to wanted a check or money order for $158.00 enclosed with the DVD drive, which I didn’t have a problem with. They’ll give you the shipping address. Make sure you pack your DVD unit right because you are going to get the same one back.

And it may be worth mentioning, besides the navigation voice being all static, the icon on the screen started to drift away from my heading. Some days it would work OK and then other days it was very erratic.

Also I had the touch screen, steering wheel controls; volume and tuning knobs lock up two times. The car had to be shut off/turned on to clear that up. So it was time to send it in and hope for the best.

Alpine received it on Tuesday October 12th, fixed on Friday the 15th and shipped it out on Monday the 18th. Alpine’s return service from CA is UPS ground.

According to the important stuff on Alpine’s Service Repair Order that was received with the repaired DVD unit:

Customer Complaint: Navigation, No Voice Guide

Service Action: Electrical Part, Replace Component, Replace Main PWB, P.C.B.

Parts Used:
01T55533Y03 PWB ASSY NAVI (BN-M30U03)

Additional Repairs:
DVD (Except Navigation), Error Code (text required)

Service Action: Mechanical, Apply Countermeasure (ATN # Req), Disk Mechanism , Bracket

Parts Used:
07-05603Z01 BKT, SPRING NUT2 ATN-A051620 Bracket, Disk Drive Mechanism

Note: navi voice is distorted
-defc. bn-m30u block
code# 6939[/SIZE]

I’ve had it back in the car for 3 days so far, and using the nav for everywhere I go and it’s working perfectly. I did notice when I place a phone call through the Bluetooth and if the screen is displaying the map, the screen does not change to the ‘Phone Call’ screen like it use to. I prefer it this way. But the navigation voice is back and so far the icon stays on the road in the direction the car is heading without wandering. FYI, I’m using the 2009 orange DVD.

Just a heads up; once you take the DVD unit out of the trunk, there is no display on the screen. The upper display is also blank as far as the radio/CD info. The radio still works: AM/FM/SAT. CD still works but again, no display. The only controls that still work are the steering wheel volume and station, the row of buttons to select stations & CD tracks below the cassette drive. Make sure you know what button numbers are assigned to the radio stations and SAT channels. The round volume and tuning knobs also work.
You can’t get into adjusting the bass, treble, etc so make sure the settings are what you want before taking out the DVD unit.

If there’s anything new or something goes south, I’ll update this thread.

Thanks

chardness

iTrader: (2)

did you ever find what part of the unit needs to be replaced?

rbf351

nope, sold the car

benzimm86

I had this same problem. The issue was with the Nav DVD Drive. The acura dealer i took my car to, removed the drive and sent it out for service. I then went back and they installed it. have not had the problem since. before getting the dvd drive repaired, the radio display unit was replaced (decision of who i was buying car from). Again i suggest getting the dvd drive repaired.

Also i agree completely with UA66 as i lost my display while the drive was being repaired. This is infact the fix for the issue!

jonboy10

Sent mine in today!!

andorabest

how do i get a replacement for a navigation dvd,i just bought a used mdx but without a navi dvd,i live in nigeria.thanks