Research in the replacement of Canadian HFL with US HFL Module
 

So there are many Canadians who are seeking information on whether or not it is possible to replace their HFL module with the significantly cheaper US version. So far there are no posts dedicated to this specific issue so I thought I would start one. I have been doing a little research with Kaleb from Hanselauto.com and we are trying to see if there is a way to make the two parts compatible. So far the differences we see are:

1) US version does not support french
2) US version sends signals to a module behind the dash, where the CAD does not

The US part number in question is
39770-SEP-A62ZA


I am unsure of the exact part number of the CAD version ATM however, it came out of my 2007 TL-S.

Kaleb is receiving the part today and will have his master tech go over the two connections in question. If they look like they will fit, he is going to ship me the part today and I will test it on my car when I receive it. If not, maybe we can find a way to wire it in.

If the part is compatible, I will be ordering bulk parts and will sell them to people in Canada. I am located in the GTA but will ship across the country.

Lets hope this works.

Here are some pics of the CAD version I pulled from my car. Wish me luck, this could save us Canadians a lot of $$.

Attachment 89906
Attachment 89907
Attachment 89908
Attachment 89909

I too am interested, although I don't have a TL, but an RDX. The Canadian RDX HFL is like $700 but the US version is about $250. Please let us know if this works as I also have to replace mine and would like to replace mine with a US version.

If anyone is interested, on my 2007 RDX tech, the HFL is located on the passenger side of the stick/center console, just to the left of the DVD drive.

Attachment 112872

So it appears the connections are the same from a visual inspection. The part was shipped today. Will let you know how it goes when I get it. I will be ordering up some parts if it works and can get yours in the same shipment if you want to save on the shipping costs. Where are you located?

Actually I am way across the country, Vancouver BC. But don't worry, I can get it ordered and shipped to a friend in the US to send it up here.

Let me know how it goes and hopefully you will have good news.

Thanks.

Hey, just came across this after replying to your PM MGS2007.

Hi mattymac, please let me know how the install goes as I'll order a part so we can ship them together. I'm in the GTA and have the 2007 TL as well with NAVI, but not the Type-S.

I've called around and spoke to a few Acura specialists who say there's no difference but the French support in the CDN models. I haven't heard of the other difference: sending a signal behind the dash. Do you know why or what it's purpose is?

Your part number is the alphanumerical SEP number. I think the original installs start with "83251" and the replacement parts start with "39770". I just called Markham Acura, and the parts guy quoted "39770-SEP-C12ZA". The major difference between this and the US replacement part is that the third set of digits start with a "C" and the other with a "A", each denoting the country of use.

I replied to another thread months back, but nobody replied, so thanks for starting a new one! Look forward to hearing of your results!

Okay so I got the replacement part in today and good news is that it was identical to the Canadian part. It came shipped with firmware version 3.0, where my old part was version 2.0. I tested the French language and it works perfectly as well. SO ORDER AWAY, the parts are OFFICIALLY INTERCHANGEABLE! As for the other models of cars, cannot say for certain however my best guess is that it will work. Best thing to do is take a picture of the unit you take out of the car and send it to the distributor to verify it has the same components. Any other questions feel free to ask.

I am still waiting for my '07 RDX tech HFL module to come in. I just ordered it a few days ago as well and I have a suspicion that these modules are interchangeable. And you just proved it... at least on a TL. Fantastic news !! I will update this thread once I can confirm if the RDX module also works. Thanks !!

why is the canadian part so much more expensive?...it's got to be more expensive for a reason? although I'm sure it works well, but have you tried everything to see if all features and functions stayed the same?

It is the exact same part with a different number on it. YES all the features are the exact same.

The basic reason is Honda Canada. They make the rules and prices for all Honda cars and parts for the entire Canadian market. Why is a mystery to me, but perhaps its due to the perception that the Canadian dollar should be rated lower than the US dollar...i dunno. Just like books, magazines, food, etc... Always costs more in Canada for the exact same item.

That's why crossing the border to shop in the states is a popular activity for ALL Canadians :thumbsup:

wait a minute, are you TLS owners having the infamous dead HFL module issue as well? It has been only 5 years!?! Mines was broken for no reason (I rarely use it) some time ago and I decided to remove it completely, because how I found out the unit was dead ALL 3 times was when it completely drained my battery, not fun!

I'm skeptical to get a new unit for something that I don't really use.

Did the Kableb master tech figure out why the unit is broken? It is very nice that you make the effort to do this and tell us your findings. Thx!

Yes we are having that issue. You can unhook it to solve the battery drain issue however on my car if I do that, my microphone doesn't work for the voice commands. Not sure why it died, but from my research it is the placement of the module being subject to extreme temperatures. From what I gather it will ultimately happen again if replaced.

I seem to be having the same issue as well.

Hoping that it will work on my car.

I have a Base TL 05.

Thanks for the info Matty

Just installed the US HFL module on my Canadian 07 RDX. It works perfectly. Just thought i would update this thread too. FYI, bought the module for $185us delivered to my US address. Dealer here is asking over $700cdn for the same unit.

Thanks Everyone!

can someone tell me if the US unit works in French language ...I'm from Quebec, Canada and I was using it in french. For sure I can use it in English but if I sell the car later people mostly speaks french down here.

P.S. be sure to have a good french to come back to English since I think it's by voice that you come back to it.

Yea.. sorry man, my french leaves a lot to be desired. I don't think I can help you on this as I don't think I can revert it back to english if I set it to french.

On the other hand, I don't think it would make any difference as the HFL unit is strictly for the bluetooth connection. I think the language portion is part of the radio and has nothing to do with the HFL unit.. but not sure.

Perhaps someone here can confirm this???

Oops... should have read this whole thread... the French language test has already been done on post #6. Sorry about that...

sorry I've post a question already answered so good news that the french language works since she have a nice voice lol Too bad she don't answer all the questions like what are u doing tonight?

Still working on having my unit come back alive...I already start to change some parts on it and it worked one time but the part was too big so I changed it and now it's not working so I think its a bad welding. I'm an electronic engineer so that's why I'm still working on it.

Where do you guys ordered the unit...some are not shipping outside of the US...dunno if can write it here or PM me

MDX HFL Unit
 

Hi all,

Just wanted to say thanks so much for the great info. I was wondering about the compatability and stumbled on this forum. I relied on the fact that it worked for you guys and I purchased an American HFL unit from ebay for my 2005 CDN MDX. Installed it and it works! I was quoted $1,000 for part and installation from the dealership and I purchased the part from ebay for US$200.

My CDN Part # was 8325AS3V C000 and the American Part # is 8325AS3V A000.

Also, for anyone wondering if the part is interchangeable for different models - the guy I purchased it from inadvertently sent me the part for a TL and it didn't work. I had to return it to him and he sent me the MDX HFL unit and it worked. Make sure that if you are going to order a US part that you remove your HFL unit from your vehicle and order the same part #. The only difference should be the A & C noted above on my part #s. A for American and C for Canadian.

Thanks again......it is much appreciated! :yum:

Sorry if this may have already been answered, but I noticed that you are in Canada. I opened up an account at a US Postal Service called Mail Boxes International (they are just across the border here in Blane, WA). I am sure you have places like this just across the border. They are basically a post office box service, but they also are able to setup a "real" US address for deliveries. They receive parcels and hold it for 2 weeks.

I normally order from the US and have them ship to that address. My billing address is in Canada so I am able to use my Canadian Credit Cards or Paypal.

I am sure this is all legal.. Canadian car parts, especially for Acura is really expensive in Canada.

I ordered my part off ebay because they deliver to Canada. However, I don't think there are any left right now. If you have a US address to send to you can order the part from OEMacuraparts.

Good luck!

Yes, you can order parts from Ebay to Canada, but your shipping, duty/taxes and sometimes custom broker fees just increase the price too much. Having a US Address costs $10.00 per year and $2.75 for each parcel. Ebay shipping is usually free to US addresses. US Acura Dealer shipping is like $3.00 to ship to a US address and like $30.00 to ship to Canada.

Yes, having a US address is a good idea especially if you frequently order things from the US. I rarely get anything from the US so I was fine with doing a one-off. I paid about $30 for shipping and there were no extra costs.

Hey mattymac,

Not sure if you are still watching this thread....firstly, it is great you have done these experiments for the folks here on acurazine, thanks!

I looked and your module...I drive an 06 TL navi and my module is pretty different than yours, it has a daughter board on it, they probably unified the HFL design into on board only later, since your car is 07 and mine is 06.

Do you happen to know anyone who found good compatibility on these modules (Canadian / US) on 06 TL?

Catalin

Just to clarify... On a previous post someone said that the US HFL was working in french for 2007. I received my HFL from Delray and it works... but for people who were using the FRENCH language on the HFL forget it for a 2006 TL Base. The HFL is working great in English (display and commands) but I was hoping that french was working.

Does anyone asked the price of the HFL for 06 TL Base in a canadian dealer and if the answer is yes how much? If the price is like the ones I saw in upper post I can live with English.

FYI I bought for about 200$ from delray (HFL, driver Mirror, clips) and no shipping charges have been added to the bill and I received a the 5% too...but 40$ of customs/tax

Hope it helps!

Just an update from another CDN, although this topic has been beaten to death.

I bought the HFL from Delray Acura / acuraoemparts.com for my 07 TL /Navi. Installed it, set-up my phone, imported contacts and it's working fine. Haven't checked French compatibility as I'm afraid I'd never be able to revert back to English due to my inability to speak French. But point is for the Anglophones, the US HFL part works fine for CDN cars. Cheers.

Good to know, in case I need to get one.

I just read that the American HFL module for the 2007 TL in BC is compatible with the Canadian. I have a 2006 TL with Navi and the p/n I was quoted by the dealer is 39770-SEP-C22ZA for $489cdn + tax. Does any know the equivalent american p/n and who I can order from? Thanks

Welcome to the forums yfm302. This thread tells you how and where to get it.

As I can see it helps people to save money from Candian Acura dealers or stealers lol

acura in vancouver told me that 39770-SEP-A02ZA supersedes to 39770-SEP-C22ZA

Hi, Does anyone have the capacitor specifications for this module. I have 4 capacitors out on mine and I want to buy them an replace them. Unfortunately, these capacitors go by manufacturer and they are the only ones who know the capacitance and voltage for each. You can only measure capacitance on working capacitors. Can someone help me? I have a picture of the ones out.

Bringing this thread up from the dead :D

I have the same issue and just ordered my part from Delray. The stealer here quoted 438 plus HST for the part. Buying from the US and even paying customs and shipping still makes it cheaper than buying the part from Acura Canada.

I have the 2007 TL/Navi, and I too live in Canada. I'm new to this forum, can someone please let me know which part I should order? Is it hard to replace? Dealer quoted me for $600 and they even suggested I get it from the states. thanks in advance.

Hey Activemind,

I was just checking my old messages and I found an old thread that stated the US HFL Module won't work if you use the French language. So my mistake on my previous message to you. If you need to use the French language, you may have to get the Canadian version of the HFL. If you are like me and only use English, get the US version and save some $$$.

Sorry for the mixup.

Mark

^^
I got my replacement module from delay acura. While it took forever to get the part as customs sent it back to them the first time around for some reason, I finally got the part in the mail last week.

It cost me 197 canadian all in. Way better than the 450 plus the dealer here was quoting. I dont use French so losing that function was not a big deal for me.

Beyond that, the module works perfectly. Good luck.

Canadian replaced module working flawlessly
 

To all Canadian Acura TL owners I just installed a US purchased HFL Module, working flawlessly
This is the product part number
39770-SEP-A12ZC TELEPHONE ASSJC *YR240L* (LIGHT CREAM IVORY)

The YR240L references the bezel color, which I did not change even though the units ships complete.
All you need to replace is the actual electronic board (39770-SEP-A12ZC)

My Year and Model /2007 TL

To all Canadians and US 07-08 Acura TL Type S owners (it could work with other models too) with HFL module defective, before you decide to buy a new module you might try to fix it by baking the HFL circuit board in an oven at 385F for 7 minutes. Yes that rights, baking. What do you have to lose, nothing. I had success in the past fixing video cards and computer motherboards using this technique and today fixing my HFL problem. Just do a search on YouTube. Yesterday my Hands Free Link on dashboard was Booting… forever and I have waited one day to see if the problem will disappear and it didn’t, still no connectivity with the phone.
Thank you mattymac for the pictures and all for the posts, great help in taking the module apart. On the plastic cover the sticker shows the Canadian part # 83251 SEP C400C6 NH16 C4.
Replacement believe is 39770-SEP-A62ZA
I have removed only the circuit Bluetooth board and didn’t detach the microphone off the assembly.
Method used:
• Preheat the oven to 385F (the temperature that solder melt).
• Make 4 pointy cones from aluminum foil
• Place the board with the capacitors and the gray connector UP on the tray using the cones to keep it raised from the baking tray (Stick the cones in the tiny board holes, to keep it horizontally steady)
• Bake the card for 7 minutes.
• The purpose of this is to redo all the soldering connections on the circuit board. No plastic or electrical components will melt.
• After the 7 minutes open the oven’s door, leave the card in the oven for another minute to cool gradually.
• Once cold, place the circuit board on the assembly and connect everything in the reverse order.
For me it worked and hopefully I don’t have to buy a new one.

Acura on Brant in Burlington had a special sale on the HFL modules, i think it was 250 for anyone who may be interested contact andrew at parts.