i know many have been affected by Bluetooth units draining batteries. maybe some restitution is on the way. Save your receipts if you have this issue, luckily, I don't right now.

Hagens Berman: Acura Owners File Class-Action Lawsuit against Honda for Battery-Draining Bluetooth HandsFreeLink Defect | Business Wire

 

This makes me wonder if my dead alternator from a couple years back happened because of this defect...

Thanks for posting rlerman

 

Is this why most answers for most electrical problems are: change your battery?

 

^ I don't believe so. This issue will drain battery after battery to the point where the car won't start, and I believe it only affected the early model years of the RL.

 

I recall a few 2005 RL owners were diagnosed with a parasitic draw from HFL. I believe Bob was one of them. There were software updates that I believed was the fix. I believe there was also an issue with HFL and some phone models where if the phone was within range of the car, the HFL would remain connected and not disconnect. I cannot recall what brand / model phones had that issue (my Moto RAZR connected and disconnected without fail). And likely none of those phones are anywhere to be found at this point.

My 2006 RL did not experience that and even sitting weeks to over a month at a time, the car started. If had a parasitic draw, surely the battery would be dead over that length of time. That said, my 10 year old RL was on its 4th battery when I sold it.

 

I think it has to do with a feature where if you turn off the car while in a conversation the call would remain thru the speakers. It happened to me and i thought it was cool. Only I'm not certain what happens if you get out and close the door and walk away. I think it's supposed to shutoff together with the DRL when u close the door, and maybe the HFL doesn't... ?

 

I think it is supposed to have a determined timeout like 15-30 min, but it wasn't always working.