HFL Fix - You're welcome (Hands free link fix)
#81
My hair dreyer, and then wrap in foil and bake (in minioven) method (about 7 or so threads above) continues to work flawlessly, months later, I'm pleased to report! Just wanted to update and let everyone know. Happy Holidays mates!
RB
RB
#82
Questions
Thanks for the videos. Does it require special tools to remove the cover in the overhead area? I have a '05 Acura RL. My HF Link hasn't been able to pair with my phone. It's now on and not allowing me to use any of my audio system (4 days now). I'd like to be able to put an up-to-date module in.
#83
Just did the 385F for 10min on both boards; I wrapped aluminum foils to the square board because there are parts on both sides and left the other on top of the cookie tray covered with foil with parts on the top side. It's working now; hope it stays that way.
Thanks.
Thanks.
#88
Senior Moderator
#91
Three Wheelin'
well, I just performed the bake method.
Left it in the oven for 8 minutes @ 350degrees and my module melted.
All the soldier joints and capacitors fell off, and that white connector too.
So,.............guess i'll be searching for used one.
Left it in the oven for 8 minutes @ 350degrees and my module melted.
All the soldier joints and capacitors fell off, and that white connector too.
So,.............guess i'll be searching for used one.
#92
there is some confusion in this thread.
HFL units are ~$200 brand new from dealer. the only people who have it for $500+ are canadians. it's got something to do with an extra feature I believe, but canadians have tried the US HFL model with absolutely no issues. never heard of $800 though, it must be $500 for the canadian part, and $300 for labor.
Also, I've heard about this "heat gun method" but in my opinion, its still not the correct way. If it's solder that broke loose, do it correctly and use a soldering iron, they are not expensive....
HFL units are ~$200 brand new from dealer. the only people who have it for $500+ are canadians. it's got something to do with an extra feature I believe, but canadians have tried the US HFL model with absolutely no issues. never heard of $800 though, it must be $500 for the canadian part, and $300 for labor.
Also, I've heard about this "heat gun method" but in my opinion, its still not the correct way. If it's solder that broke loose, do it correctly and use a soldering iron, they are not expensive....
#93
My next search was going to find out which method out of the oven bake and heat gun are better. But damn, sorry to hear about that man. Try amazon I found one for 250 on there but the Canadian dollar sucks so i'll be holding off from buying any parts from the states.
#94
4th Gear
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Ancaster, Ontario Canada
Age: 62
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There's more to the Canadian unit? I just bought a new unit from the US and I don't seem to have lost anything, although, maybe I just haven't discovered it yet.
Honestly, with the pricing you posted ($200 in US and $500 in Canada), that to me just seems like normal Canada vs US pricing, lol. Canadians get gouged like you wouldn't believe for everything. I haven't bought parts, besides oil filters, in Canada in about 8 years.
Honestly, with the pricing you posted ($200 in US and $500 in Canada), that to me just seems like normal Canada vs US pricing, lol. Canadians get gouged like you wouldn't believe for everything. I haven't bought parts, besides oil filters, in Canada in about 8 years.
im quite sure it's much cheaper in the US but the 30% exchange rate is a factor as well these days
#95
IDK, but my guess is that the HFL is not shutting down (within 30 minutes of shutting off the ignition) as designed. Check the draw after the car has been turned off for 40 minutes.
A number of people have had bad HFLs that worked, but did not shut down (subject of a TSB), while others of us had HFLs that just failed well after warranties had expired.
You can get a new HFL (@ $200 or so for the part now, + 10 minutes labor, max, to replace) or disconnect the existing one (5 minutes labor, max) to stop the battery drain.
Welcome to AZ.
A number of people have had bad HFLs that worked, but did not shut down (subject of a TSB), while others of us had HFLs that just failed well after warranties had expired.
You can get a new HFL (@ $200 or so for the part now, + 10 minutes labor, max, to replace) or disconnect the existing one (5 minutes labor, max) to stop the battery drain.
Welcome to AZ.
#96
Registered but harmless
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 59
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It's $238 at: CONTROL UNIT, HFI *NH167L* (GRAPHITE BLACK) for 2007 Acura TL|39770-SEP-A62ZA
Oemacuraparts.com is slightly higher at $245 (my 2005 HFL back in 2011 was @$180).
Welcome to AZ.
#97
Sorry, the HFL cost has increased, and is higher for the 2007-2008.
It's $238 at: CONTROL UNIT, HFI *NH167L* (GRAPHITE BLACK) for 2007 Acura TL|39770-SEP-A62ZA
Oemacuraparts.com is slightly higher at $245 (my 2005 HFL back in 2011 was @$180).
Welcome to AZ.
It's $238 at: CONTROL UNIT, HFI *NH167L* (GRAPHITE BLACK) for 2007 Acura TL|39770-SEP-A62ZA
Oemacuraparts.com is slightly higher at $245 (my 2005 HFL back in 2011 was @$180).
Welcome to AZ.
#100
Racer
Baked for ten minutes at 385 today. Seems to work better but still not 100%. It used to connect after 10-15 minutes of driving; now it connects within 30 seconds but not every time the car is started. So like I said, better but needs more time in the oven probably.
#101
I have a different problem that "baking" the HFL didn't solve...
It starts the pairing process to my phone (and I've tried Android, iOS, and Windows Phone), and gets all the way through the process to the point where it asks "What do you want to name this new phone". As soon as you respond with anything, you get the "bee-boop" sound that means "we're done here", and the pairing process quits. It's like the thing has lost the ability to store numbers or something. This started happening about two years ago, and I've just kept tolerating it until now.
Any ideas? Thanks to this thread, at least I don't have to pay the dealer's outrageous labor fees now...
-Paul in VA-
2005 Acura TL
It starts the pairing process to my phone (and I've tried Android, iOS, and Windows Phone), and gets all the way through the process to the point where it asks "What do you want to name this new phone". As soon as you respond with anything, you get the "bee-boop" sound that means "we're done here", and the pairing process quits. It's like the thing has lost the ability to store numbers or something. This started happening about two years ago, and I've just kept tolerating it until now.
Any ideas? Thanks to this thread, at least I don't have to pay the dealer's outrageous labor fees now...
-Paul in VA-
2005 Acura TL
#103
Pro
It looks like there has been some changes in Acura selling the HFL, there is now a core charge added to the HFL and once you send yours back they will refund it. Not sure what changed but I noticed that the other day.
#104
Team Owner
iTrader: (4)
Mine just went out.
I have a 2008 TL non-navi and I get no response when I press any of the HFL buttons on the steering wheel. It's worked well for the last 5 years that I have owned the car but it died.
How do I know it is not the switch?
Is there a fuse for it?
I do not plan on baking mine. I will replace it. I drive a lot for work and have calls when in the car. I need it to be reliable.
Any other fixes I am not seeing?
I have a 2008 TL non-navi and I get no response when I press any of the HFL buttons on the steering wheel. It's worked well for the last 5 years that I have owned the car but it died.
How do I know it is not the switch?
Is there a fuse for it?
I do not plan on baking mine. I will replace it. I drive a lot for work and have calls when in the car. I need it to be reliable.
Any other fixes I am not seeing?
#105
Senior Moderator
Mine just went out.
I have a 2008 TL non-navi and I get no response when I press any of the HFL buttons on the steering wheel. It's worked well for the last 5 years that I have owned the car but it died.
How do I know it is not the switch?
Is there a fuse for it?
I do not plan on baking mine. I will replace it. I drive a lot for work and have calls when in the car. I need it to be reliable.
Any other fixes I am not seeing?
I have a 2008 TL non-navi and I get no response when I press any of the HFL buttons on the steering wheel. It's worked well for the last 5 years that I have owned the car but it died.
How do I know it is not the switch?
Is there a fuse for it?
I do not plan on baking mine. I will replace it. I drive a lot for work and have calls when in the car. I need it to be reliable.
Any other fixes I am not seeing?
also not very likely it's the switch sorry to burst your bubble. I don't think you have any other options besides reflowing the solder on the existing board or buying a new one altogether.
#107
Registered but harmless
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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One other option is to send the HFL to Godin Technologies in FL for a $45 baking repair session.
#109
Pro
#112
I used the soldering gun on some connectors that had less solder material. Didnt burn any extra solder wire just ensured all the connections are soldered well. After it cooled, I used the hair dryer for about 5 mins. HFL link is now working fine on my 2008 TL type S. Thanks for saving me $700 CDN. Lets hope it stays that way
#113
you all using the oven and hair dryer is a short term fix.. YOU NEED to use a heat source that can get the solder up to MELTING temp. a heat gun is the best way to fix it and the results will last much longer. The reason these things fail is due to RoHS regulations that mandate lead free solder *that stuff sucks*.... the actual components rarely fail....
video here
video here
#114
Instructor
Thread Starter
Heat guns are really handy for more than just fixing solder problem, and you can get a decent one for $20. Just as an example, this is the heat gun I bought:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Since I bought it, it's primary function has been toasting marshmallows for s'mores... I have a gas fireplace with a permanent glass pane, so that doesn't work, and the gas burner on my stove will just destroy it. Microwave marshmallows are lame (but entertaining). But the heat gun toasts them better than any fire, and I've done a LOT of camping.
Anyway, it's really handy for lots of reasons.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Since I bought it, it's primary function has been toasting marshmallows for s'mores... I have a gas fireplace with a permanent glass pane, so that doesn't work, and the gas burner on my stove will just destroy it. Microwave marshmallows are lame (but entertaining). But the heat gun toasts them better than any fire, and I've done a LOT of camping.
Anyway, it's really handy for lots of reasons.
#115
Preheating oven as I type. 2 different sets of baking instructions here: 10 minutes @ 385 degrees, but also 8 minutes @ 350 degrees. What the heck, I'm going for the longer, hotter bake.
...& there's the oven letting me know it's reached temperature. Will report results!
...& there's the oven letting me know it's reached temperature. Will report results!
#116
Successful HFL Bake 7 min 385 convection oven
2005 MDX Touring with Nav 230,000 miles. I had battery drain for several times and I could not figure why....car works after a jump start....So I brought it in to the dealer and had them check the battery. The battery was fine and I was told it was the alternator ... not being very savvy or knowing much about cars...I ok'd the alternator replacement $600 not thinking that how could that be as I started it with a jump and drove it there. So after I got it home and parked for a few days not used it was dead again. Jumped it and brought it to another dealer and they mentioned the battery drain likely from the HFL unit that has not worked for years. Dealer wanted $500 to replace and $125 to disconnect the HFL. I declined both and went to google and found this awesome message community and saw so many posts on how to fix this issue by ....What???? baking the circuit board... this intrigued me most ... got close to going to Radio shack to replace the capacitor on the board but kept reading ....
I saw the baking suggestion at 385 degrees for 7 min. I used our convection oven and made small foil pieces to fit in the holes on the two boards after separating them to allow them to not sit directly on the silicone lined cooking sheet (not sure that is needed). After the bake allowed to cool for 15 minutes and reassembled pressed the HFL voice button and once again after years of no HFL.... PRESTO !!!! I heard "no phones have been found"....paired my phone and then....just like the old days hands free again!!!
I wish I could bake my transmission and fix that!
I saw the baking suggestion at 385 degrees for 7 min. I used our convection oven and made small foil pieces to fit in the holes on the two boards after separating them to allow them to not sit directly on the silicone lined cooking sheet (not sure that is needed). After the bake allowed to cool for 15 minutes and reassembled pressed the HFL voice button and once again after years of no HFL.... PRESTO !!!! I heard "no phones have been found"....paired my phone and then....just like the old days hands free again!!!
I wish I could bake my transmission and fix that!
#117
W/ the HFL unit out of the TL-S, so far the battery hasn't died. Then again, it's being driven pretty much every day, and we haven't had very cold weather either. So I'm not 100% certain the problem has gone away and plan to wait a bit before so concluding.
Meanwhile, I baked the HFL unit and served it with raspberry sauce; it went down hard -- and lets not even talk about the time later in the bathroom when....
Ok ok... it's baked, but until I reinstall it (once I'm certain the battery drain problem was fixed by its removal) I don't know whether the procedure was successful.
@ PeaCoatBlues -- I love the idea of baking the tranny! Maybe if you drive it continuously in the Southern Arizona Summer for some days?
Meanwhile, I baked the HFL unit and served it with raspberry sauce; it went down hard -- and lets not even talk about the time later in the bathroom when....
Ok ok... it's baked, but until I reinstall it (once I'm certain the battery drain problem was fixed by its removal) I don't know whether the procedure was successful.
@ PeaCoatBlues -- I love the idea of baking the tranny! Maybe if you drive it continuously in the Southern Arizona Summer for some days?
#118
HFL Fixed
2007 Acura TL-s with 88k miles.
Well add me to the believer list! I had the draining battery, intermittent phone problems and finally the HFL died.
An Internet search brought me here and I decided that the oven fix was the way to go. We purchased a new Samsung convection oven a few months back and I selected 385 F with the convection bake setting. I added 4 small bolts with nuts that made an elevated platform for the HFL board to stand on. My thought was that this would allow the heated convection air to circulate around the card.
Baked for 9 minutes after the oven had been at temperature for 15 minutes. Removed and allowed to cool.
The visual clues were revealing when viewed under the inspection glass. It was obvious that the solder had melted and reflowed on both sides of the board which is the object of the oven.
Reinstalled and as soon as I pressed the talk button I heard the beep, main menu appeared and I knew I had a winner! Thanks to all for the info on the fix.
Dave
Well add me to the believer list! I had the draining battery, intermittent phone problems and finally the HFL died.
An Internet search brought me here and I decided that the oven fix was the way to go. We purchased a new Samsung convection oven a few months back and I selected 385 F with the convection bake setting. I added 4 small bolts with nuts that made an elevated platform for the HFL board to stand on. My thought was that this would allow the heated convection air to circulate around the card.
Baked for 9 minutes after the oven had been at temperature for 15 minutes. Removed and allowed to cool.
The visual clues were revealing when viewed under the inspection glass. It was obvious that the solder had melted and reflowed on both sides of the board which is the object of the oven.
Reinstalled and as soon as I pressed the talk button I heard the beep, main menu appeared and I knew I had a winner! Thanks to all for the info on the fix.
Dave
#119
Pro
2007 Acura TL-s with 88k miles.
Well add me to the believer list! I had the draining battery, intermittent phone problems and finally the HFL died.
An Internet search brought me here and I decided that the oven fix was the way to go. We purchased a new Samsung convection oven a few months back and I selected 385 F with the convection bake setting. I added 4 small bolts with nuts that made an elevated platform for the HFL board to stand on. My thought was that this would allow the heated convection air to circulate around the card.
Baked for 9 minutes after the oven had been at temperature for 15 minutes. Removed and allowed to cool.
The visual clues were revealing when viewed under the inspection glass. It was obvious that the solder had melted and reflowed on both sides of the board which is the object of the oven.
Reinstalled and as soon as I pressed the talk button I heard the beep, main menu appeared and I knew I had a winner! Thanks to all for the info on the fix.
Dave
Well add me to the believer list! I had the draining battery, intermittent phone problems and finally the HFL died.
An Internet search brought me here and I decided that the oven fix was the way to go. We purchased a new Samsung convection oven a few months back and I selected 385 F with the convection bake setting. I added 4 small bolts with nuts that made an elevated platform for the HFL board to stand on. My thought was that this would allow the heated convection air to circulate around the card.
Baked for 9 minutes after the oven had been at temperature for 15 minutes. Removed and allowed to cool.
The visual clues were revealing when viewed under the inspection glass. It was obvious that the solder had melted and reflowed on both sides of the board which is the object of the oven.
Reinstalled and as soon as I pressed the talk button I heard the beep, main menu appeared and I knew I had a winner! Thanks to all for the info on the fix.
Dave
Glad it worked for you, however, this is usually a temporary fix for a few months. The only true way to fix it i;s to replace. Let us know how long it works for you.