I have a 2006 Gold TL Acura. I don't drive the car that much especially during the winters. Lately my hands free system is not working all the time. When I go through the commands on the dash it says that the system is booting up. Also the top lights on the console goes on and off. Now when the car sits for a few days the whole car goes dead. I go to jump it and the panic horn goes off. The battery is only a year old. Is there a short of relay that is causing this? I hate to go to a Acura dealer because they will probably say to replace the whole console. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Pete Sowiz

 

These cars are notorious for the HandsfreeLink going bad. It is pretty easy to fix, all you need is a flathead screwdriver or a butter knife to pop out the center overhead light fixture and a small socket to disconnect the HFL. I would bank on that solving your issues. Here is a youtube video how to do it.

 

well, obviously there is a reason for the battery dying...

 

Same here, wasted two batteries. Removed HFL module as explained above YouTube clip, no more dead battery.
Took all of 5 minutes.

 

If that is the problem then see one of the many threads on the repair if you choose to replace. You can get the part online for MUCH cheaper than the dealer will charge and the replacement is very easy. Some try the bake method which may work. I got mine to work for a short period of time with baking, but ultimately bought unit online for cheap and replaced....that was like 10 years ago.
Let us know.

 

I disconnected the HFL, started the car up and it still says booting up. Is that correct?
Pete Sowiz

 

yup.. that's expected behavior

 

Do I need to take the unit out completely? When I disconnected the HFL and stated the car it didn't ask me for the code to the navigation system.

Sowiz

 

If you disconnect it then that's enough. "Booting up" is normal as car is waiting for the message from the HFL, but it never receives it as HFL is disconnected.

Radio and navi won't ask for code when HFL is disconnected. They ask only when battery was disconnected or radio/navi itself.

 

Thanks for your help in this. Much appreciated.

Sowiz

 

Im at a dealership right now and my battery died after testing well lol

hopefully same issue but theyre doing electrical system test right now for investigative reasons (and to probably make money lol)

 

Disconnecting HFL took away my headaches. Don't see the need to purchase a new one so it can go bad since they are unreliable.