Home

ServiceNews Article

1. can t hear the caller but he or she can hear me just fine 1 Make sure that the phone s Bluetooth power is turned on 2 Make sure that the cell phone is paired to the HFL and that it s linked 3 Check the phone s answer options The ideal setting for use with the HFL is a multi key or any key answer If the phone is set to flip open to answer your client should change that setting to any key answer or just leave the phone flipped open when using the HFL Make sure that Auto Answer is disabled If it s enabled the HFL can t accept any incoming calls Try doing a soft reset by turning off the phone and turning it back on Make sure that the battery is fully charged and there s a good strong signal Find out if your client has downloaded specific ring tones or ringer IDs to specific callers If so your client should return them to a standard ring tone 8 Find out if your client is using the correct buttons on the steering wheel Clients often confuse the HFL and navigation Talk buttons Your client should be pressing the HFL Talk button not the HFL Back button You ll hear one beep when you press the Talk button and two beeps when you press the Back button I can t place calls with the HFL If your client complains that he or she can t place calls with the HFL find out if your client is actually doing it with the HFL he or she is using voice commands or with the cell phone itself If calls are bein
2. As with any new cutting edge technology though it comes with a price The HFL system can be a tough challenge to troubleshoot and repair HFL system problems are complicated by the fact that it s only one part of a much bigger system You re not just dealing with the HFL system in the vehicle but also your service client s cell phone the navigation system if the vehicle has it and even how your client works the HFL system some problems simply stem from pilot error And something else you need to keep in mind The HFL system uses the cell phone to provide hands free operation it does nothing to kick up performance Any problems with static poor signal strength poor sound quality or dropped calls are the cell phone s or their wireless carrier s doings and not something you can fix by tinkering with the HFL system cont d November 2007 A Troubleshooting Guide cont d This article is the first of a five part series of articles to help you understand the HFL system and to troubleshoot problems tied to it We begin the series with a discussion on how to check a cell phone s compatibility with the HFL system In future articles we ll show you how to troubleshoot problems with pairing problems with dropped calls and problems with receiving and placing calls And finally as an extra bonus we re going to toss in a handy glossary of terms that deal specifically with the HFL system Checking
3. e Does the call drop in the same location e Does the call drop at the same time of the day or night e Where do you keep your cell phone when the problem happens e Have you compared the number of dropped calls using the HFL to the number of dropped calls using the cell phone just by itself e Does your cell phone have a retractable antenna If they re not written on your RO check with the service consultant Many of the reasons for dropped calls aren t even related to the HFL For example e If the number of dropped calls is about the same when your client uses the HFL than when using the cell phone by itself it s likely due to the cell phone or the wireless carrier e If the cell phone has a retractable antenna it must be fully extended to get the highest signal strength e Keeping the cell phone in a purse a metal briefcase under the seat in the glove box or center console or in the trunk can have a negative affect on signal reception 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved B0O8010J 10 of 12 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time e f your client notices that the calls tend to drop in the same areas the HFL may be working just fine but something about that area cuts cellular coverage to a point where the call drops e There are gaps in the cellular coverage While driving a call gets typically passed from one transmission tower to another If you hap
4. NOTE The bottle is labeled Honda Genuine not Acura Precision Crafted Fluids Don t worry you ordered the right stuff 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved 2 of 2 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time VSA Activation Indicator On After VSA Modulator Control Unit R amp R Currently Applies To 03 06 MDXs 07 08 RDXs 05 08 RLs 04 08 TLs and 04 08 TSXs March 2008 Just replaced the VSA modulator control unit VSA modulator assembly but now the VSA activation indicator is on Try doing the VSA sensor neutral position memorization in the applicable S M Online enter keywords VSA SENSOR and select VSA Sensor Neutral Position Memorization from the list NOTE For RDXs this procedure is called VSA system steering angle sensor center point writing Online enter keywords STEERING ANGLE and select VSA System Steering Angle Sensor Center Point Writing from the list The VSA activation indicator should go out when you re done but if it s still on continue with normal troubleshooting 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8030D 1 of 1 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time VSA DTC 66 After VSA Modulator Control Unit Replacement Currently Applies To 00 04 3 5RLs March 2008 Just replaced the VSA modulator control unit VSA modulator assembly but now you
5. 2of6 SRS Indicator On With SRS DTC 81 79 After Body Work Currently Applies To 03 08 MDXs 07 08 RDXs 05 08 RLs 05 08 TLs and 06 08 TSXs Got a vehicle that s back from the body shop with the SRS indicator on and SRS DTC 81 79 front passenger s weight sensors drift check failure front passenger s weight sensors initial check failure Binding of the seat base the seat weight sensors or both can cause this problem Here s how you fix it 1 Loosen all four front passenger s seat base mounting bolts 2 Grab a hold of the seat and give it a good shaking This neutralizes the seat base 3 Tighten the seat base mounting bolts according to the applicable S M 4 Do the seat weight sensor calibration procedure in the applicable S M using the measured weight Handy Tip A case 6 gallons of Acura Precision Crafted Longlife Antifreeze Coolant Type 2 makes an ideal measured weight for seat weight sensor calibration It weighs about 58 pounds Nevertheless always check the actual weight before entering it in the HDS No Negative A F Sensor Output With Gen Scan Tools Currently Applies To 07 MDXs and 07 TLs Here s something you need to keep in mind when troubleshooting If you re using a generic scan tool to read the A F sensor output the tool doesn t show you negative rich values Whenever the output is negative you ll always see 0 mA Interior Lights Stay On With Doors
6. Before you troubleshoot for dropped calls you need to make sure that certain cell phone settings are disabled If they aren t disabled here s what could happen e Auto Answer Incoming calls will be routed to voice mail e Always Ask Trust Authorize Device or Similar Setting Each time the HFL tries to link to the cell phone the cell phone will ask if you want to connect If you don t allow that connection the HFL won t work For permission the cell phone must be set to Never Ask Authorize Device etc based on the cell phone maker and the wireless carrier Check out the cell phone s operating manual for more info e Flip Open to Answer The cell phone must stay flipped open in the vehicle If it s flipped closed the incoming calls will be routed to voice mail Check with the service consultant to find out whether your clients number of dropped calls is higher while using the HFL than when using the cell phone just by itself Clients often mistake problems with their cell phones or wireless carriers for problems with the HFL itself Remember the HFL can t control or determine these items e Cellular connection quality e Signal strength e Cellular coverage e Weather conditions that can affect cellular signals When you re working on a vehicle for a dropped call problem you need to know your clients answers to these questions e Can you show me what the problem is e Do you drive the same route on a regular basis
7. MACURA ServiceNews November 2005 Head Bolt Design Changed for V6 Engines NOTE This article applies only to 05 Acura V6 equipped models built in North America In July 05 our Ohio engine plant and Alabama factory changed the type of cylinder head bolts used to assemble V6 engines The original head bolts were 6 point elasticity range bolts You tighten these bolts using a three step torque method The new head bolts are 12 point plasticity range bolts You tighten these bolts using a torque angle method 12 POINT 6 POINT As a rule you should never mix these two different bolt types Mixing the bolts or switching between their bolt tightening methods could cause bolt failure or cylinder distortion Always order the same type of head bolts that originally came with the engine If for instance the engine came from the factory with 6 point bolts don t order 12 point bolts even if you re replacing all the bolts The parts catalog lists both types of bolts for 705 vehicles You can take the guesswork out of ordering if you ve got the vehicle s engine number handy Before reusing 12 point bolts you need to measure the bolt diameter in two places If either diameter is less than 11 3 mm 0 44 in you must replace that bolt If you re using 6 point bolts you can keep using the same ones again and again unless of course they re damaged B 50 mm 2 0 in A 45 mm 1 8 in J 2 C
8. proper rotation has just two worn tires needing replacement where should you mount those new tires on the front or the rear Well here s the answer If you re replacing just two tires always mount the new tires on the rear With those new tires on the rear the vehicle can deliver the best overall handling on wet roads A Troubleshooting Guide to HandsFreeLink Part 2 of 5 Currently Applies To 05 08 MDXs 07 08 RDXs 05 08 RLs 04 08 TLs and 06 08 TSXs Last month we introduced the first of a five part series of articles to help you understand the HandsFreeLink HFL and to troubleshoot problems tied to it In that article we talked about how to check your service client s cell phone s compatibility with the HFL In this article we ll discuss what to do when your client is having a tough time pairing his or her phone Dealing With Pairing Problems Many pairing problems can be fixed simply by tweaking the phone settings Make sure that the Bluetooth feature is turned on To conserve battery power phone makers often set the default to disable Bluetooth Cell phones may provide procedures to temporarily power on Bluetooth or power it on Turn on the Bluetooth feature and pair the phone to the HFL To make sure that the phone is successfully linked turn off the phone and turn it back on and then make or receive a call using the HFL When Bluetooth is on other hands free accessories such
9. ve got a VSA DTC 66 pressure sensor Try doing the precharge brake line bleeding procedure in the applicable S M Online enter keyword PRECHARGE and select Precharge Brake Line Bleeding from the list When you re done manually clear this DTC Don t try clearing it with the HDS or you ll wind up with a VSA DTC 98 a bogus DTC To learn more about this problem see the December 04 ServiceNews article HDS Software Bug Causes Bogus VSA DTC 98 After doing the bleeding procedure and manually clearing DTC 66 you should be done with this repair But if that DTC just won t go away then check out the VSA DTC 66 troubleshooting procedure Online enter keywords DTC 66 and select DTC Troubleshooting 66 from the list 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8030E 1 of 1 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time Intermittent Communication Loss Between VSA System and HDS Currently Applies To 00 04 3 5RLs March 2008 The VSA modulator control unit VSA modulator assembly messaging isn t fully compatible with the HDS This causes an intermittent communication loss between the two units You ll notice a repeating pattern of communication loss and restoration Unfortunately there s really nothing that you can do about this intermittent communication loss it s considered a normal characteristic of the VSA system If you re using the HDS to do the s
10. CONNECTION OK GREEN COLOR CONNECTION NG RED COLOR 3 Check the digital audio lead s connector at the rear controller and screen and make sure that it s securely plugged in Refer to page 23 134 of the S M for details Online enter keywords REAR CONTROLLER and select Rear Controller and Screen Removal Installation from the list e If NG in the red box now changes to OK in a green box you ve fixed the problem Play a DVD in the DVD player and listen for audio in the headphones just to make sure e f you still see NG in the red box go to step 4 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8030A 1 of 2 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time 4 Check the digital audio lead s connector and the digital audio sublead s connector in the right A pillar and make sure that they re securely plugged in Refer to pages 20 78 thru 20 80 of the S M for details Online enter keywords A PILLAR and select Trim Removal installation A Pillar Trim from the list e If NG in the red box now changes to OK in a green box you ve fixed the problem Play a DVD in the DVD player and listen for audio in the headphones just to make sure e If you still see NG in the red box go to step 5 5 Check the digital audio sublead s connector connector F at the back of the audio unit and make sure that it s securely plugged in Refer to page 23 90 of the S M for details Online en
11. Cell Phone Compatibility The HFL system works only with approved Bluetooth enabled cell phones with a hands free profile The most important step in troubleshooting an HFL problem is to identify your client s cell phone model the software version it s loaded with and your client s wireless carrier Not all cell phones with Bluetooth and a hands free profile are compatible with the HFL system If you re not sure that the cell phone you re working with is compatible with the HFL system call HandsFreeLink Consumer Support at 888 528 7876 and a representative will answer your questions You can also visit their website at www acura com handstreelink Here s the best way to make sure that the phone you re working with is compatible 1 Log onto www acura com handsfreelink 2 Click on Find a Phone 3 Choose the vehicle model that you re working on then click on CONTINUE November 2007 4 Choose the vehicle model year then click on CONTINUE pn Choose the vehicle trim level then click on CONTINUE 6 Choose your search type you can search by either carrier or device manufacturer then click on CONTINUE Yov ll see a list of all current model phones that have been tested with the Acura HFL system If you don t see the phone that you re working with on this list look under the Currently Testing list and the Archived Phones list If you don t see your phone listed anywhere on the website c
12. If you count six you ve got to delete one phone before you can pair an additional one 2 of 4 Pairing Tips Here are some handy tips to help ensure a successful pairing 1 Make sure that the cell phone is compatible with the HFL 2 Make sure that Bluetooth is turned on 3 Make sure that the cell phone s battery is fully charged and there s a good strong signal 4 Make sure that you re using the HFL Talk and Back buttons on the steering wheel not the navigation buttons 5 If you re trying to pair a BlackBerry or a Palm Treo device make sure that you re pressing the shift key on the device when entering the four digit pass code If you don t press the shift key you may be entering letters instead of numbers The HFL doesn t recognize letters 6 If you can t get the phone to pair with the HFL try doing a soft reset by turning off the phone and turning it back on For more info on pairing refer to the cell phone s operating manual or go to www acura com handsfreelink In next month s ServiceNews we ll deal with troubleshooting those dreaded dropped Calls VSA Indicator On With VSA DTC 91 Read This First Currently Applies To 07 08 MDXs Got a vehicle in your shop with the VSA indicator on and VSA DTC 91 F CAN communication Before you consider replacing the VSA modulator control unit VSA modulator assembly remember what this DTC is all about VSA DTC 91 sets when one of
13. Rights Reserved BO8030C 1 of 2 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time 2 Make sure that the engine and the radiator are cool to the touch then remove the calculated amount of engine coolant from the radiator and replace that amount with Extreme Cold Weather Antifreeze Coolant Type 2 3 If needed add fresh Longlife Antifreeze Coolant Type 2 until the coolant level reaches the base of the filler neck Handy Tip Mark the reservoir with a grease pen to clearly show that the antifreeze concentration is now at 60 Keep it simple yet easily recognizable like XC60 or COOL60 If sometime later you need to replace this coolant with normal coolant the marking easily wipes off You won t find this tip in the instructions its something new The front of the bottle includes some important do s and dont s Here s the lowdown e Never dilute or mix Extreme Cold Weather Antifreeze Coolant Type 2 with water Doing so shortens the engine coolant service life and could harm the cooling system e Never exceed a 60 concentration of antifreeze e f you re planning to drive in extremely hot weather conditions you need to drain the engine coolant from the radiator and coolant reservoir and replace it with fresh Longlife Antifreeze Coolant Type 2 If you don t do this the engine could overheat This new fluid is now available from Acura parts stock It comes in 1 quart bottles Order P N OL999 9020
14. as earpieces or headsets may automatically reconnect to the phone when you turn on that accessory or move it within range of the phone If this happens the phone won t connect to the HFL when you get into the vehicle Before the HFL can connect you ve got to unlink that hands free accessory from the phone If it s not obvious how to do that refer to the cell phone s operating manual Some phones have an Auto Answer setting that works with a headset Make sure that this setting is turned off or the HFL can t accept any incoming calls If that setting is on the HFL is blocked from answering incoming calls and every call will go directly to voice mail This situation can cause your client to think that his or her phone isn t paired to the vehicle Up to six Bluetooth compatible phones can be paired to the HEL If you try to pair an additional phone the HFL won t tell you that you can t it simply won t work To check how many phones are currently paired press and release the HFL Talk button on the steering wheel After the beep say Phone setup The HFL responds with Phone setup options are status pair edit delete and list Press and release the Talk button After the beep say List The HFL responds by listing the name of each paired phone When all paired phones have been read the HFL says The entire list has been read Returning to the main menu Count the number of phones called out by the HFL
15. at the same time until the LED on the remote blinks once it s twice for RLs then release the buttons Go to step 3 3 Adjust the seat to a new position and store that position in memory e Press and release the MEMO button on the driver s door e Immediately press and hold the memory 1 button until you hear two beeps The indicator in the button comes on telling you that the seat position is now stored 4 Adjust the seat again Then press the memory 1 button until you hear a beep and release it e If the seat goes back to its memorized position go to step 6 e If the seat doesn t go back to its memorized position troubleshoot the DPMS according to the applicable S M or ISIS MDXs and TLs or go to step 5 RLs 5 Check the MEMORY POSITION LINK setting in the MID e if MEMORY POSITION LINK is set to OFF set it to ON Then go to step 6 e If it s already set to ON go to step 6 6 Open the driver s door and make sure that the interior lights come on with the ceiling light switch in the door activated center position The DPMS must see a door open signal from the door switch circuit e If the interior lights come on troubleshoot the DPMS according to the applicable S M or ISIS e lf the interior lights don t come on test the driver s door switch and replace it if needed New Software for HDS Version 2 012 013 During the week of December 10 2007 each Acura dealership was sent a n
16. be intermittent And that s due to what we re calling phase matching The most critical speed for tire induced vibration is from 55 to 65 mph At those speeds a tire spins ata rate of anywhere from 10 to 15 times per second When two out of balance tires are spinning so that their heavy spots hit the road at different times they re said to be out of phase and at a certain point their vibrations can actually cancel each other out But if both tires are spinning so that their heavy spots are now hitting the road at the same time they re said to be in phase and their vibrations can actually add together When those vibrations cancel each other out you get steering wheel shimmy When they add together you get chassis vibration floorboard shake although in some vehicles the steering can be more sensitive than the floor As the tires continually come into and out of phase the steering wheel shimmy continually comes and goes You feel it grow reach a peak and then diminish over and over again And when you drive on a curved road or change lanes that shimmy will happen even more often For instance when you turn to the left the outside tire must travel farther than the inside tire so it spins faster This constant changing in spin rate while making turns results in more frequent vibration cancelling and adding action than you d get just cruising down a straight road One final note on phase matching The cause of each tire
17. induced vibration doesn t need to be the same for phase matching to happen It s entirely possible to have one tire with a poorly seated bead while the other one has a heavy spot The Bottom Line So far we ve talked about test driving your service client s vehicle to identify wheel vibrations We ve then looked at how to interpret those vibrations and we ve explored phase matching in some detail In the next issue of ServiceNews we ll get into the fix it side of things starting with how to read rim runout using the GSP9700 wheel balancer and how to properly mount a tire on a rim Replacing Just Two Tires Mount New Tires on the Rear Currently Applies To All models except NSXs To increase tire life and distribute wear more evenly tires should be rotated at the recommended maintenance intervals And they should be rotated using the applicable tire rotation pattern that s shown in the O M That tire rotation pattern assumes that all four tires have the same amount of wear So it s reasonable to assume that if you follow the maintenance intervals and stick to the pattern all four tires should wear slowly and evenly and only need replacement as a four tire set Front Front For Non directional Tires and Wheels i For Directional Tires and Wheels Of course in the real world that simply doesn t happen so uneven tire wear is a common problem If you get a vehicle in your shop that due to lack of
18. next stud to the right of your reference Test drive the vehicle If the vibration goes away you re done with this repair otherwise repeat this process until you find the ideal mounting location If the vibration still won t go away you may need to measure the tire rim runout using a Hunter GSP9700 and do tire rim matching 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved 8 of 12 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time Calibrating the Wheel Balancer Do this procedure when you re balancing a wheel type or size that you ve never balanced before when you suspect that there s a problem with your wheel balancer or after you ve done about 100 wheel balances 1 Turn off the measurement rounding feature you want the measurements to read in 1 gram increments 2 Balance a damage free alloy wheel and tire assembly until both the inner and outer rims read zero imbalance 3 Loosen the wing nut attachment turn the wheel half a turn 180 retighten the wing nut and recheck the balance e If the imbalance reads 5 grams or less the zero calibration is OK Rebalance the wheel to read zero then go to step 5 to check the static balance e lf the imbalance reads more than 5 grams go to step 4 4 Loosen the wing nut attachment turn the wheel a quarter turn 90 retighten the wing nut and recheck the balance e Ifthe imbalance now reads 5 grams or less the wheel is
19. stores carry long pipe cleaners and sell them in bundles of cool assorted colors e Fold over the end of the pipe cleaner so there s no sharp edges and insert that end all the way down into the tube of grease so that you coat the pipe cleaner 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8020B 1 of 3 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time e Insert the coated pipe cleaner into the door weatherstrip s upper vent hole and feed it in as far as you can so that just the end is sticking out e Pull out the pipe cleaner and repeat this for the door weatherstrip s lower vent hole 5 Repeat steps 1 thru 4 for the other front door 6 Go out for a test drive to make sure that the noise is gone e If the noise is gone you re done with this repair e If the noise is still there go to step 7 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved 2 of 3 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time 7 Use isopropyl alcohol to clean the vehicle body where the door weatherstrip makes contact Cut two 11 inch lengths of 1 4 inch Squeak Reduction Tape 9 Starting at the upper corner next to the B pillar apply one length of tape across the vehicle body pressing firmly with your fingers to ensure a good bond When you re done apply the other length of tape down the vehicle body the same way 2 10 Repeat steps 7 t
20. the other vehicle systems sets a DTC or when the VSA system has other DTCs and sends an error message by way of F CAN to the VSA modulator control unit Every other system has the potential to set this DTC Even low battery voltage can be a culprit So if you ve got VSA DTC 91 know that it s not a problem with the VSA modulator control unit but with another component in the VSA system or something else in another system Use the HDS to check all systems for DTCs then troubleshoot those other DTCs first December 2007 CMBS DTC 103 After VSA Modulator Control Unit Replacement Currently Applies To 06 08 RLs Replacing the VSA modulator control unit Make sure that you re installing the right replacement unit If you install a replacement unit that s made for a vehicle without the collision mitigation braking system CMBS on a vehicle with CMBS you ll wind up with CMBS DTC 103 CMBS brake control prohibition You can avoid this problem by referring to this handy chart RL RL Hawaii RL Alaska Teennology CMBSIPAX Package Package 2006 57110 SJA A02 57110 SJA A02 57110 SJA A02 57110 SJA A92 2007 57110 SJA A02 57110 SJA A02 57110 SJA A02 57110 SJA A92 NOTE VIN JH4KB16 8C000001 thru JH4KB16 8C002636 use 57110 SJA A02 VIN JH4KB16 8C002637 thru JH4KB16 8C999999 use 57110 SJA A03 Always Refer to Applicable S M When Adjusting Headlights Whenever you re adjusting the headlights always refer to the procedu
21. tire warms up it softens and normally rounds out With the axle now riding steady the vibration goes away November 2007 A flat spot can be just temporary where the tire rounds out after it warms up But sometimes it can also be permanent in which the tire s memory effectively destroys its ride quality A flat spot s severity often depends on the tire s size its construction the load it s under the ambient temperature and how long it s been sitting and at what temperature If the tire has a temporary flat spot don t replace the tire just because of it Of course if that flat spot is permanent the only real cure is tire replacement Abrasion Related Flat Spots Tires can also develop flat spots if the brakes lock up causing them to skid This is more likely to happen in vehicles without ABS or VSA or if you misuse the parking brake Since these flat spots are obviously permanent the only real cure is tire replacement Constant Vibrations A badly mounted tire bead can cause vibrations that you can feel right through the seat the floor and the steering column while driving The steering wheel can also shimmy In rare cases more than one tire can be the culprit If the tire looks new and you suspect a badly mounted bead you need to measure the tire rim runout if you ve got access toa Hunter GSP 9700 wheel balancer If you don t have access to one you need to mount a known good stock tire and rim and te
22. to check out the vehicle history and to look at the undercarriage for any signs of impact damage you may need to replace other SRS components Always check the SRS component replacement list in the applicable S M or in ISIS and make sure that all required parts were installed And double check the part numbers to make sure that those parts are the right ones for that vehicle Be aware that some aftermarket companies claim that they can reset the SRS indicator and clear crash data from OEM SRS units after a deployment Acura does not support any reset procedure after deployment Data storage is only one function of the SRS unit there are other components in the unit that could have been damaged in the deployment The only repair is to replace the SRS unit If an SRS unit is reused after a deployment it may not work properly and may lead to serious injury or death And one more thing replacement of SRS components due to deployment from a collision is not covered by Acura warranty Do not return an SRS unit to Warranty Parts Inspection WPI if its got deployment DTCs If their inspection and investigation reveals that a collision was involved your claim could be debited So if you ve got an SRS unit with deployment DTCs always replace it with a new one but do not file a warranty claim or return the unit to WPI Our best advice If you re not sure how to proceed with the repair work just talk to your DPSM 2008 American Honda Mo
23. with a new sealing washer 10 Refill the A T with ATF Z1 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8010A 1 of 12 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time PAN ZUSE Hour Meter Tells You When to Replace ATF Cooler Cleaner Filters Currently Applies To All models with an in radiator ATF cooler To ensure top notch performance of the ATF Cooler Cleaner P N GHTTTCF6H you ve got to replace its two magnetic nonbypass spin on filters on a regular basis And the time to do that is after cleaning a hundred ATF coolers or after 20 hours of cooler cleaner operation But lets face it keeping track of how many ATF coolers you ve cleaned or how many hours you ve run the cooler cleaner can be a real hassle especially in a busy shop Hey who s got the time So we ve come up with a clever solution a vibration hour meter Last November each Acura dealership was sent a kit containing one of these hour meters along with a set of color illustrated instructions on how to install it The meter mounts directly to the cooler cleaner pump and automatically senses vibration when the pump is running Vibration is displayed in hours and 1 10ths of an hour The meter displays 0 0 hours when you first install it Each cooler cleaning takes 12 minutes 0 2 hour six minutes 0 1 hour in each direction So when you re done with the job the meter racks up 0 2 hour When the meter reaches 2
24. 0 hours it s time to replace those spin on filters The meter doesn t reset so you need to make note of the hours displayed on the meter when you replace the filters The next filter replacement will be due when the meter reaches the next 20 hours To make it easy here s a tip Write down the projected hours for the next filter replacement on an adhesive backed label and stick it on one of the new filters after mounting It s like putting those static cling service reminder stickers on your service clients windshields If you get into the habit of replacing the spin on filters on a regular basis the cooler cleaner will perform as it was designed every time you use it 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8010C 2 of 12 ServiceNews Article DTC P0420 or P0430 Comes Back After Catalytic Converter R amp R Currently Applies To 03 08 MDXs 05 08 RLs and 04 08 TLs Just replaced a catalytic converter for DTC P0420 rear bank catalyst efficiency below threshold bank 1 or DTC P0430 front bank catalyst efficiency below threshold bank 2 but now that DTC is back You may have replaced the wrong catalytic converter Acura s compact V6 engine uses three catalytic converters e The front warm up three way catalytic converter WU TWC that s bolted to the front cylinder head e The rear WU TWC that s bolted to the rear cylinder head e The under floor TWC that s downstream and mou
25. Closed Currently Applies To 07 RDXs A bad multiplex integrated control unit MICU in the drivers under dash fuse relay box can cause the interior lights to stay on when e The front ceiling light switch is in the door activated center position e All the doors are closed e The ignition switch is turned to LOCK 0 When you slide the front ceiling light switch to the off position the interior lights go out To fix this problem replace the MICU November 2007 Excessive Steering Wheel Shimmy or Chassis Vibration Part 2of 5 Last month we introduced the first article in a five part series that will look at the whole issue of steering wheel shimmy and chassis vibration and what it takes to fix the problem In that article we gave youa step by step procedure to test drive your service client s vehicle The final step of that procedure was to test drive a known good vehicle and compare your two test drives If your client s vehicle was similar or better than the known good you were told the vibration was a normal characteristic of the vehicle This article deals with the situation where your client s vehicle was noticeably worse than the known good Before you can move ahead you ve got to interpret the vibration Cold Start Vibrations Temperature Time Related Flat Spots When you park a vehicle overnight in cold temperatures or park it for a few days weeks or months the tires can form what are commo
26. HDS and reinstall the HFL units No Keyless Remote Not Detected Message Here s a heads up if you ve installed the updated AcuraLink control unit in a 05 RL using S B 05 022 Product Update AcuraLink Control Unit Causes Excessive Battery Drain Refreshes XM Program Data Slowly Does Not Receive Real Time Traffic If you remove the keyless remote transmitter from the vehicle with the engine running and driver s door closed you won t see a Keyless Remote Not Detected message on the navigation system display screen and no such message will be stored In vehicles with the updated control unit and on all 06 RLs this message only shows up on the MID No Pass Airbag Off Message Here s another heads up if you ve installed the updated AcuraLink control unit in a 05 RL using S B 05 022 Product Update AcuraLink Control Unit Causes Excessive Battery Drain Refreshes XM Program Data Slowly Does Not Receive Real Time Traffic If the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator comes on a Pass Airbag Off message is stored and comes up on the navigation system display screen In vehicles with the updated control unit and on all 06 RLs this message comes up and is stored only once no matter how many times the indicator comes on while driving 4of6 OnStar System Status Light Is Solid Red After Update NOTE This article applies to 05 MDXs with the navigation system and 05 RLs Before you update the OnSt
27. Inc All Rights Reserved BO8020A 1 of 1 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time Ticking Creaking Popping or Rattling From Front Door Feb 2008 Currently Applies To 04 08 TLs and 04 08 TSXs Some vehicles can make an annoying ticking creaking popping or rattling from the front door when you re driving with the window all the way up The noise goes away though when you lower the window just a bit This noise comes from a stick slip action of the door weatherstrip A thin coat of silicone grease will get rid of that noise but after a few months it just comes back To get rid of that noise for good here s what you need to do 1 Use isopropyl alcohol to clean the surface under the front door weatherstrip 2 Cut a 22 inch length of 1 4 inch Squeak Reduction Tape P N 70200 ALL 999 3 Lift up the weatherstrip at the upper corner of the door and apply half the tape across the top of the door surface pressing firmly with your fingers to ensure a good bond Then apply the other half of the tape down the back of the door surface just the same way When you re done press down on the tape where it wraps around the corner you want a nice smooth contour with no edges sticking up 4 Apply Shin Etsu Silicone Grease P N 08798 9013 to the inside of the front door weatherstrip Handy Tip A long pipe cleaner makes a great tool for applying the grease Most retail craft
28. Normally the ignition switch returns to ON II when you let go of the switch But due to a rather hefty spring inside the switch can jump back to ACC D if you let go of it too quickly In ACC D the engine climate control and gauges are off but the audio system and navigation system stay on Vehicle owners think they ve got an engine starting problem and report it on the service drive as either a crank but no start problem or an engine start then stall problem There s nothing wrong with the ignition switch Just tell your service clients they just need to avoid letting go of the switch too soon December 2005 Sidewall Cracking on Low Profile Tires Low profile tires are the hot setup these days and sure look cool but you ve got to keep the tire pressures up to spec or the sidewalls can crack A low profile tire in good condition can lose as much as 1 to 2 psi of pressure every month so it s a good idea to check and adjust tire pressures at least once a month CRACKS ON SIDEWALL T iy AN p AIN esi j Hnn d mi M imn nimam iin Ih i ME ni MF E Ka 7 f lij WL tile MLO i If you ve got a vehicle in your shop with cracked sidewalls on a tire that s still under warranty refer your service client to the appropriate tire dealer one that services that brand for possible goodwill consideration Keep in mind though any reimbursement will likely be prorated If your dealership does bu
29. OMM If you re using 6 point bolts follow the three step torque method in the appropriate S M If you re using 12 point bolts follow the torque angle method in these steps 1 Apply fresh engine oil to the threads and under each bolt head 2 Use a beam type torque wrench to torque the bolts in sequence to 29 N m 22 Ib ft If you re using a preset torque wrench make sure you torque them slowly to prevent overtightening If a bolt makes a noise while you re torquing it loosen that bolt and torque it again from the first step eiei a AA Ol uU jO Mi PA Kye HOOKS Le L 9 3 When you re done torquing all the bolts tighten them further in two steps 90 degrees per step in sequence If you re using a new bolt tighten that bolt an extra 90 degrees If you tighten a bolt beyond the specified angle remove that bolt and remeasure its diameter Replace the bolt if needed Don t loosen it back to the specified angle FIRST STEP SECOND STEP THIRD STEP New bolt IMPORTANT Make yourself a copy of this article and keep it at your workstation Not all S Ms include this 12 point head bolt info yet Those S Ms will be revised at a later time Cruise Downhill Without Tapping the Brakes The cruise control in 05 06 RLs has a cool driver convenience feature that lets you cruise downhill at your set crui
30. Stains on Chrome or Stainless Steel Unsightly stains on chrome or stainless steel trim around the door glass no longer means trim replacement A good quality chrome or aluminum polish some careful masking to protect rubber molding and painted surfaces and a little elbow grease can work wonders to get back that showroom shine A couple of good brands to try are Mothers PowerMetal or Meguiars All Metal Polish or NXT Generation All Metal Polish 2of6 CHECK FUEL CAP TIGHTEN FUEL CAP Messages NOTE This article applies to 05 06 RLs 05 06 RSXs 04 06 TLs and 05 06 TSXs If a vehicle s fuel fill cap is loose or missing and the ECM PCM detects an EVAP system leak when it runs the EVAP monitor the CHECK FUEL CAP message appears on the information display when the engine is started On 06 RLs TLs TSXs and future Acura models it s the TIGHTEN FUEL CAP message A temporary DTC is also stored in the ECM PCM s memory If this happens there s really no need for the owner to bring the vehicle in for service All he or she has to do is shut off the engine and make sure the fuel fill cap is in place and properly tightened it s one or three clicks depending on what s written on the cap Although the owner can cycle the message from the display with the reset button the actual button name varies by model the temporary DTC that s setting the message is still there This means the me
31. TCs e TPMS DTC 11 right front low tire pressure e TPMS DTC 13 left front low tire pressure e TPMS DTC 15 right rear low tire pressure e TPMS DTC 17 left rear low tire pressure If this is the indicator the RO says came on check the tire pressure against its recommended value Check for a leak if you suspect there might be one otherwise set the tire pressure accordingly Always check tire pressures when the tires are cold and make sure you re using an accurate tire pressure gauge when you do Accuracy can sometimes be an issue with these gauges so it s a good idea to calibrate your tire pressure gauge often If the RO isn t clear about whether this indicator came on and you don t see it on a quick check with the HDS for TPMS DTC 11 13 15 or 17 will tell the story November 2005 Something else to keep in mind Colder weather means lower tire pressures A 10 F change in tire temperature changes tire pressure by 1 psi If the tire pressure was already below its recommended value even by only 20 a big dip in temperature could cause the indicator to come on Here s a typical scenario to show just what we re talking about The tire temperature was warm from driving 90 F when the tire pressure was checked and set it to its recommended value Your client then parked the vehicle outside and the outside temperature and the tire temperature plummeted to 10 F This 80 F drop in tire temperat
32. ailed A T cores that after inspection wind up checking out No Trouble Found NTF The inspection process typically includes a dynamometer test an in vehicle test a high temperature high pressure leak test and often a thorough teardown analysis To avoid needless A T replacement make sure you follow these guidelines to the letter e Test drive the vehicle Unless there s an obvious problem you ve got to do a test drive to check out your service client s complaint Were now requiring the name of the service tech who checked out the problem be entered on the Warranty A T Order form in the Customer Contention field e Check all fittings lines and hoses Many A Ts get replaced for suspected leaks Before ordering a reman A T for a suspected leak make sure all fittings lines and hoses are properly attached and any suspected leak just isn t residual ATF from an earlier service Use a pressure washer to thoroughly clean the A T then check for leaks using Met L Chek D 70 Developer while following all manufacturer s instructions Use a felt tipmarker to circle the location of any leaks you find e Do a full vehicle inspection If your client s complaint is about noise from the A T make sure other components such as worn tires or bad wheel bearings aren t the culprit e Use only Honda ATF Z1 There s only one ATF that s suitable for Honda A Ts that s Honda ATF Z1 Use of non Honda ATF could result in poor sh
33. ar control unit using S B 05 028 Product Update OnStar Control Unit May Lose Minutes first check if the OnStar system status indicator is solid red If it is there s a problem with the system You ve got to fix that problem before you can move on The update procedure only fixes the OnStar lost minutes problem If after you ve done the update procedure the OnStar system status indicator is lit solid red follow these steps to read and clear any DTCs stored in the control unit 1 With the ignition switch turned to LOCK 0 press and hold the call answer call end button 2 Quickly cycle the ignition switch from LOCK 0 to ACCESSORY 1 four times within 6 seconds Leave the ignition switch in ACCESSORY D after the fourth cycle then release the call answer call end button The indicator will blink the stored DTCs 3 Toclear any stored DTCs wait until the OnStar system status indicator stops blinking and turns solid red Then within 2 seconds press and release the Onstar button For more info see pages 22 472 and 22 473 of the 03 06 MDX S M or pages 23 168 thru 23 171 of the 05 RL S M Online enter the keyword ONSTAR and select How to Troubleshoot the OnStar System from the list Warranty Parts Retention of Driveshaft Boots and Bands We got a request recently from our Ohio factory to make sure all Acura dealerships save the boot band along with the old driveshaft boot when repairing driveshafts un
34. by model and trim level so refer to Adjusting the Sound in the applicable O M for details If the PL Il is turned on have your client demonstrate the problem If that s not possible then try duplicating the complaint as best you can Now turn off the PL Il and see what happens If the problem goes away have the service consultant explain to your client that some material may sound better with the PL II turned off If the problem is still there refer to the Audio Navigation and Telematics section of the applicable S M and continue with normal troubleshooting 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8020F 1 of 1 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time Important Change to Warranty Audio Order System Currently Applies To All 02 and earlier Acura models Feb 2008 The Warranty Audio Order system supplies reman audio units navigation units and RES units for vehicles covered by normal warranty Beginning January 1 2008 reman audio and navigation units for all 02 and earlier models are no longer available through this system If you need to repair a vehicle that s out of warranty see OUT OF WARRANTY REPAIR BACK TO 82 UNITS on page 5 of S B 06 001 Audio Navigation and RES Unit In Warranty Exchange and Audio and DVD Player Out of Warranty Repair for instructions 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8020G 1 of 1 AACURA Ser
35. cle Helping you fix it right the first time every time New Software for HDS Version 2 013 011 Currently Applies To General Information Feb 2008 During the week of February 18 2008 each Acura dealership was sent a new CD containing HDS software version 2 013 011 This new CD bears a gray label that reads HDS VER 2 013 011 and it s dated February 2008 Your system administrator should have this software already loaded onto the master server Here s some important info on 2 013 011 e It includes new reprogramming software to support an upcoming product update for the AcuraLink in 08 RLs e t improves the ABS VSA system function learning test 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8020L 1 of 1 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time Check Out the Latest Word on A T Flushing Currently Applies To General Information Jan 2008 Some A T repair procedures call for flushing the trans using Acura Precision Crafted ATF Z1 and no substitutes Problem is where do you find the info to do that It s not listed in the S Ms and if you do an ISIS search you ll find a few ServiceNews articles on this subject but they re rather dated and none of them say the same thing NOTE The term flushing refers to repeatedly draining and refilling the trans with Acura Precision Crafted ATF Z1 Don t confuse it with aftermarket flush systems American Honda s
36. critical info you need for an accurate diagnosis We discussed the various kinds of vibrations and their causes We then gave you the fixes We walked you through the process of balancing the wheels and matching them to the hubs And for those situations where that doesn t do the trick we showed you how to read tire rim runout with a Hunter GSP9700 wheel balancer and properly mount a tire As an Acura service tech you ve got one primary goal fix it right the first time As you can see there s no quick fix when it comes to steering wheel shimmy and chassis vibration problems In fact the work more often resembles something right out of the pages of a whodunnit novel with lots of twists and turns and you re the detective To successfully solve the case fix your client s vehicle you ve got to be methodical persistent and patient Sometimes you ve got to follow your hunches even think outside the box in order to get the job done It s not easy work but with your training and experience and the tools and the resources we provide you can make it happen 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved 3 of 3 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time A Troubleshooting Guide to HandsFreeLink Part 4 of 5 Currently Applies To 05 08 MDXs 07 08 RDXs 05 08 RLs 04 08 TLs and 06 08 TSXs Feb 2008 Last month we introduced the third of a five
37. der warranty The boot band includes important lot control numbers that the factory can use to track down any potential problems that could happen at the factory or during vehicle transport When you cut off the boot band fold it over and stick it inside the old driveshaft boot Hang onto these parts until you re either asked to return them by the factory warranty group or you re authorized to do your normal parts scrapping November 2005 Know Your Low Tire Pressure and TPMS Indicators NOTE This article applies to 04 06 MDXs 05 06 RLs and 06 TLs Do you know the difference between the low tire pressure indicator and the TPMS indicator Service clients sometimes get these two mixed up so they might tell the service consultant A light came on in my dash and I think it s got something to do with tire pressure If the RO doesn t clearly state which indicator is involved knowing which one it is could mean the difference between a slam dunk repair and a lot of wasted troubleshooting time and effort Low Tire Pressure Indicator This icon indicator comes on when the tire pressure is 25 below its recommended value listed on the driver s doorjamb sticker On RLs and TLs you ll also see a CHECK TIRE PRESSURE message in the MID This value is always the recommended cold inflation value 1 CHECK ci TIRE FRESSURE When this indicator comes on the TPMS control unit sets one or more of these D
38. e Moonroof Won t Work After a Jump Start Currently Applies To 07 08 MDXs Jan 2008 If the engine was jump started because of a dead battery the auto reverse feature and the moonroof motor may not work To fix this problem you ll need to reset the moonroof control unit You ll find the resetting steps listed on page 22 357 of the 07 08 MDX S M or in ISIS but we thought you might appreciate having them listed right here to save you some time Close all the doors and the tailgate Turn the ignition switch to LOCK 0 Press and hold the center of the moonroof switch tilt and turn the ignition switch to ON Il Release the moonroof switch and turn the ignition switch to LOCK 0 Repeat steps 3 and 4 four more times Pull and hold the moonroof switch open for 3 more seconds after the moonroof is fully opened Push and hold the moonroof switch close for 3 more seconds after the moonroof is fully closed Make sure that the moonroof control unit is reset by using the auto open and auto close feature es Sa PSS as 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8010G 5 of 12 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time pareve Excessive Steering Wheel Shimmy or Chassis Vibration Part 4 of 5 Currently Applies To General Information Last month we introduced the third in our five part series of articles dealing with the issue of steering wheel shimmy and chassis v
39. e Bluetooth power is turned on Discovery Mode This cell phone setting lets the HFL find the phone during the pairing process You must have the phone in Discovery Mode in order to pair it to the HFL Downloaded Ringtones These are special ringtones that your client gets from websites a mobile phone store or other source to customize his or her phone They can be parts of favorite tunes sound effects etc HFL Back Button This button on the steering wheel lets you end a call or go to a previous prompt on the HFL menu Pressing that button twice or holding it down takes you back to the HFL main menu LA S HFL TALK BUTTON sc Sal HFL BACK BUTTON 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8030I 1 of 2 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time HFL Talk Button This button on the steering wheel lets you give voice commands Always press it and wait for the single beep before giving a command Hard Reset When you do a hard reset it clears the saved settings in the cell phone and restores it to the factory defaults Do a hard reset only as a last resort Linking This is when your paired cell phone is actively ready to use the HFL You can pair up to six phones to the HFL but only one phone can be linked at a time If you ve got two paired phones in your vehicle only the phone that s linked can use the HFL The other phone must be used like a regular ha
40. e shop doesn t have a GSP9700 visit Hunter s GSP9700 website at www GSP9700 com and find another shop in your area that does NOTES e f you ve got to replace tires always use OEM tires For replacement tires call The Tire Rack at 877 327 8473 e Make sure that this repair procedure gets followed to the letter whether it s done in your service shop or by an outside vendor e RFV consists of four parts total indicated runout TIR 1st harmonic radial force variation RFV 1 2nd harmonic radial force variation RFV 2 and 3rd harmonic radial force variation RFV 3 All tire rim matching done in this repair procedure is based on RFV 1 e The rest of this repair procedure refers to RFV as road force measurement RFM it s Hunter s trade name e Tocheck the wheel balancing calibration see Calibrating the Wheel Balancer in part 4 of this series or refer to the operators manual e To check the RFM calibration you need to do this about once a week use the calibration tools that came with the wheel balancer and follow the on screen instructions 1 To make sure that you re getting the right tire rim runout readings raise the vehicle so that all four wheels are off the ground within 10 minutes of completing your test drive You must do this to avoid temporary flat spots that could affect the wheel balance 2 Make sure that all four tire pressures read exactly as listed on the driver s doorjamb sticker 3 Mark each ti
41. e sure your client understands this if he or she won t leave you the phone or can t stay long enough to demonstrate his or her concerns Talk to Your Client to Get the Facts If you can have a one on one with your client get as much info as you can about the complaint Specific info on where and when the problem happens is key to successful troubleshooting This info will also help you determine if the HFL system is causing the problem or if something else might be the culprit December 2005 Some clients may not be tuned into all this new technology stuff and could need your help If you can watch how your client uses the phone with the HFL system Make sure he or she is using the right commands and steps called out in the vehicle s O M If the problem involves dialing a point of interest POD phone number in the navigation system refer to the navigation system Write down the phone s make model number passwords phone name and service provider If the problem involved the navigation system get the POI phone number your client was trying to dial Make sure you re working with a Bluetooth model phone with an approved Hands Free profile Go to www acurahandsfreelink com for a complete list of approved phones This website also has pairing instructions for each listed phone Print out a copy of the pairing instructions for the model you re working on and keep it handy Make sure your client s service provider account
42. es while climbing in or out of the vehicle It s very common among elderly or disabled drivers Doing this though turns the front wheels which twists the tires against the ground and applies torque to the steering column With the ignition switch in LOCK 0 the steering column lock pin is engaged But the applied torque on the steering column binds the lock pin making it tough to turn the ignition switch The ignition switch won t turn to ON II if the lock pin isn t disengaged from the steering column Tell your client there s nothing wrong with the ignition switch itself All he or she needs to do is turn the steering wheel from side to side while turning the switch This usually releases the lock pin so the engine can be started In some cases though your client may need to give a good tug on the wheel This could easily happen when parking on a hill and the wheels are turned sharply before the engine is shut off This problem is common to all Acura models but on 05 06 RLs it could be misunderstood as a keyless access problem Engine Cranks but Won t Start or Starts Then Stalls Got an 05 06 RL owner complaining the engine cranks but it won t start or it starts and then stalls The reason might just be the PCM auto start feature When your turn and hold the ignition switch to START IID for at least 1 second this feature keeps the starter motor running for up to 15 seconds or until the engine starts
43. est spot of the wheel The light spot should be less than 5 grams When you re done go to Matching the Wheels to the Hubs Mark the light spot on the tire 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved 7 of 12 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time Matching the Wheels to the Hubs 1 Match the light spot on the wheel to the heavy spot on the front brake disc and hub assembly The heavy spot is that ground off area on the edge of the disc although not all vehicles have these markings HEAVY SPOT ON THE EDGE OF THE DISC 2 Turn the brake disc by hand so that the heavy spot is facing straight up 3 Mount the wheel to the hub with the light spot chalk mark facing straight up You want to get the heavy spot on the disc and the light spot on the wheel to line up as closely as possible The wheel studs may keep you from getting a perfect match but that s OK Then test drive the vehicle If the vibration goes away you re done with this repair If it s still there you may need to measure the tire rim runout using a Hunter GSP9700 and do tire rim matching HEAVY SPOT ON DISC LIGHT SPOT CHALK MARK ON WHEEL 4 If you can t find the heavy spot on the disc mount the wheel and test drive the vehicle If you notice that there s still too much vibration remove the wheel mark one of the studs with a felt tip pen for reference then remount the wheel onto the
44. ew cutting edge technology though it comes with a price The HFL system can be a real challenge to troubleshoot and repair HFL system problems are complicated by the fact that it s only one part of a much bigger system You re not just dealing with the HFL system in the vehicle but also your service client s phone the navigation system if so equipped and even how your client interacts with the system some problems simply stem from pilot error And something else you need to keep in mind the HFL system uses the phone to provide hands free operation it does nothing to step up phone performance Any problems with static poor signal strength poor sound quality or dropped calls are the phone s doings and not something you can fix by tinkering with the HFL system Here are some basic tips you can use to help get you off to a good start troubleshooting a client s HFL system complaint Before You Start If your client calls ahead for an appointment try to make it a waiter This way you ve got both your client and the phone right there in your shop so you can get all the facts firsthand and check out the phone s functions If your client can t stick around your shop or won t leave the phone with you then you ll need to find a compatible Bluetooth phone to troubleshoot with But consider this your client s phone could have some specific functional quirks that won t show up on the one you re using Mak
45. ew CD containing HDS software version 2 012 013 This new CD sports a lime green label that reads HDS VER 2 012 013 and its dated December 2007 Your system administrator should have this software already loaded onto the master server Here s some important info on 2 012 013 e It includes updated ECM PCM software for various models e It enhances the verbiage for the data list parameter help screen e It includes an updated internal file transfer schedule AUTOMOTIVE YHS Gi JE Be Pa DOT Fal DACURA 4ayleAaN asi 2007 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved Published by AHM Parts and Service Communications 1919 Torrance Blvd Torrance CA 90501 2746 All suggestions LEER become the property of American Honda Motor Co Inc sending a suggestion gives Honda permission to publish it without further consideration AUTOMOTI VE BSN 38433 0712 EXCELLENCE DACURA SeKUIEeNetys November 2007 Helping you fix it right the first time every time Inflating Tires for Low Tire Pressure Indication s Not a Warranty Repair Currently Applies To Acura models with TPMS Throughout this year we ve run a handful of articles telling you about the low tire pressure indicator in Acura vehicles with TPMS And in each of those articles we ve hammered home the point that this indicator is like a low fuel indicator for the tires its sole purpose is to warn you that one or mo
46. fast forward to November 1 and the outside temperature is now a nippy 50 F The owner checks the tire pressures but now they re reading only 25 psi and on top of that the low tire pressure indicator in the dashboard is on and the TPMS control unit has set a low tire pressure DTC It s really the vehicle owner s responsibility to check and set the tire pressures otherwise that low tire pressure indicator is going to be coming on And in cold weather that could happen a lot If you get a vehicle in your shop because the low tire pressure indicator is on or has been intermittently coming on before you start any sort of troubleshooting remember what that low tire pressure indicator is telling you It s not saying there s a problem with the TPMS so hold off on heavy troubleshooting To make things right first check the tire pressures If they re lower than the recommended cold inflation pressures fill the tires to their recommended pressures If the low tire pressure indicator stays on after you ve done that drive the vehicle over 30 mph for about 1 minute the indicator should go out If it goes out you re done with this repair If it stays on or you suspect there s a leak then it s high time to start troubleshooting And although one or more of the low tire pressure TPMS DTCs 11 13 15 or 17 will have been set in the TPMS control unit don t bother clearing them they just stay in memory So
47. from the rim e Clean off any dirt tar or rocks from the rim and inspect the tire bead area for any debris that could keep the bead from properly sealing on the rim e Use tire mounting paste to coat all the areas where the tire touches the rim inner and outer tire beads rim flange middle of the rim Never use soap and water or a silicone spray If your shop doesn t have tire mounting paste there are a number of brands available at your local retail auto supply store If the vehicle s got TPMS be careful not to get any of that paste on the TPMS sensor TIRE MOUNTING PASTE e Seat the tire beads on the rim by fully inflating the tire to the max pressure shown on the sidewall e Let all the air out then inflate the tire to the recommended cold inflation pressure that s listed on the driver s doorjamb sticker 11 Mount the wheel on the vehicle and go out for a test drive If the vibration is gone congratulations you re done with this repair But if it s still there you may need to look at other things that could be Causing it 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved 2 of 3 Helping you fix it right the first time every time AACURA ServiceNews Article Some Final Thoughts So there you have it In this five part series we ve looked at what it takes to find and fix a steering wheel shimmy and chassis vibration problem We showed you how to do a proper test drive to help you gather the
48. g placed with the HFL voice commands AO OY 1 Make sure that the phone s Bluetooth power is turned on 2 Make sure that the cell phone is paired to the HFL and that it s linked 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8020l 1 of 2 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time 3 Find out if your client is using the correct buttons on the steering wheel and is properly going through the calling process Clients often confuse the HFL and navigation Talk buttons Before each command your client should be pressing the HFL Talk button not the HFL Back button You ll hear one beep when you press the Talk button and two beeps when you press the Back button 4 Check to see if the phone has an Always Ask Trust Authorize Device or similar option If so make sure that the phone is set to Never Ask Authorize Device Trust etc The actual setting name will depend on the cell phone maker and wireless carrier 5 Try doing a soft reset by turning off the phone and turning it back on If calls are being placed with the cell phone Every call will stay in the handset until it s transferred to the HFL To continue a call using the HFL you must use the Transfer command During an active call press and release the HFL Talk button on the steering wheel and say Transfer The Bottom Line Most problems dealing with connection to the HFL or receiving and placing calls with
49. he HIM it works as a communications gateway between the vehicle and a PC As an Acura service tech you need to get familiar with this tool if you re not already You need it to use HDS PC software and to update control units modules And it s the only tool that can update the AcuraLink XM HIP control unit If you re new to the GNA600 or just a tad fuzzy on some of its operating details here s some good info that will help get you up to speed e Teradyne GNA600 Gateway Device User Guide for Acura Vehicles e S B 07 027 Updating the AcuraLink Control Unit e S B 01 026 Updating Control Units Modules e Installation Instructions for HDS PC Software You ll find these documents in ISIS under SEARCH BY PUBLICATION For the user guide and installation instructions click on Tool Information and scroll down the list For S B 01 026 and S B 07 027 click on Service Bulletins and search by Keyword Section or Year IMPORTANT Your PC must have outbound http port 80 access to ahmhds com and all users must have administrator rights to install uninstall and run the required applications 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8030B 1 of 1 March 2008 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time Now Available Extreme Cold Weather Antifreeze Coolant Type 2 Currently Applies To General Information Acura s gone extreme when it comes to its engine coolant Meet
50. here s the bottom line The low tire pressure indicator is like a low fuel indicator for the tires Normal tire pressure loss is not covered by Acura warranty unless it s traced to a manufacturer defect So that means adding air to the tires just to turn off the indicator is not a warranty repair Think of it as just a maintenance thing it s really no different than filling up the fuel tank when the low fuel indicator comes on Window Film Can Block Electronic Device Signals Many aftermarket high performance metallic and ceramic automotive window films can actually block signals associated with common electronic devices such as cell phones a GPS antenna for a navigation system or keyless remotes They can also create audio reception issues and even interfere with a tire pressure monitoring system If you re working on an Acura vehicle for a keyless remote or a TPMS problem and you suspect that window film is the culprit here s a tip Try lowering the windows all the way down If the problem goes away the window film is blocking the signal NOTE This tip won t work for reception problems associated with the audio unit AM FM and XM or the GPS antenna For those problems you need to find out what type of window film was applied Blue Arrows Mean One Way Traffic Currently Applies To 08 MDXs RDXs RLs TLs and TSXs Here s something to kick up your product knowledge The navigation system has a
51. hru 9 for the other front door 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved 3 of 3 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time SRS Units With Deployment DTCs What You Should Know Currently Applies To All models with SRS Feb 2008 Got a vehicle with the SRS indicator on Before you start troubleshooting the SRS check the SRS unit for deployment DTCs Those DTCs mean that the vehicle was in a collision in which one or more SRS components seat belt tensioners seat belt buckle tensioners airbags side airbags side curtain airbags etc deployed To ensure driver and passenger safety every applicable S M gives specific instructions on what to do after an SRS deployment Online enter keywords SRS DEPLOYMENT and select Component Replacement Inspection After SRS Deployment from the list For each deployed component there s a list of SRS components that must be replaced The SRS unit must be replaced with a new one after every deployment Deployment sets specific DTCs depending on what components deployed Once those DTCs are set the SRS indicator comes on and stays on And those DTCs are permanent you can t clear them Keep in mind that a vehicle that was involved in a collision may come back from a body shop with the SRS indicator on simply because the necessary SRS components weren t replaced after the collision If the SRS unit has deployment DTCs it s a good idea
52. ibration and what it takes to find and fix the problem In that article we explored the mysterious world of phase matching This month we ll look at what it takes to fix these vibration problems In this article we ll walk you through the process of balancing the wheels using a commercially available wheel balancer such as the GSP9700 matching the wheels to the hubs and calibrating the wheel balancer when needed Editor s Note Although we mentioned in the last article that this one would be about tire rim runout and proper tire mounting we thought it would be more effective to cover wheel balancing hub matching and calibration at this time We ll cover tire rim runout and proper tire mounting in the fifth and final article of this series Balancing the Wheels 1 Before you start drive the vehicle to heat up the tires then raise the wheels on a lift within 10 minutes of completing your drive You must do this to avoid temporary flat spots that could affect the wheel balance 2 Use the proper centering cone attachment for the wheel that you re balancing The centering cone must have a low taper and fit inside the hub bore CENTERING CONE wee GOOD NO GOOD 3 Mount the wheel onto the wheel balancer shaft and secure it in place using the proper attachments If the wheel has a lot of flat surface around its hub bore a rubber cup attachment works just fine But if it has a lot of uneven surfaces Some newer mode
53. ift quality or lockup clutch judder SRS DTC 81 64 or 85 64 After SRS Unit Replacement Just replaced the SRS unit in a 03 06 MDX and now you ve got either of these SRS DTCs SRS DTC 81 64 ECU serial number ID code inconsistent internal failure of the front passenger s seat weight sensor unit SRS DTC 85 64 ECU serial number ID code inconsistent internal failure of the OPDS unit To fix this problem here s what you need to do L Refer to the front passenger s weight sensor unit calibration procedure on page 23 32 of the 03 06 MDX S M Online enter keyword SRS select How to Troubleshoot the SRS from the list and go to Calibrating the Front Passenger s Weight Sensor Unit 03 06 Models Do steps 1 thru 3 of the calibration procedure Do step 4 of the procedure and follow the screen prompts to initialize the seat weight sensor SWS After the initialization is done turn the ignition switch to LOCK 0 then disconnect the HDS Wait 3 minutes then reconnect the HDS and turn the ignition switch to ON ID Continue with steps 5 thru 18 of the procedure to complete the calibration AUTOMOTIVE YAS 2005 American Honda Motor Co Inc AACURA ServiceNews All Rights Reserved Published by AHM Parts and Service Communications 1919 Torrance Blvd Torrance CA 90501 2746 All suggestions CER become the property of American Honda Motor Co Inc sending a suggestion gives H
54. imits of the vehicle that you re working on If the vehicle s got an aftermarket air intake system have the service consultant talk with your client He or she can either have the air intake system returned to stock and return later if the DTC comes back or he or she can take up this problem with the maker of the aftermarket air intake system Of course if the vehicle already has a stock air intake system then it s high time to troubleshoot 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8030G 1 of 1 MACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time Stained Paint Under the Wrap Guard It s Just Trapped Moisture March 2008 Currently Applies To General Information Trapped moisture under the plastic or white wrap guard can make even the best factory paint job look stained fogged or discolored Fortunately there s an easy fix for this problem and all you need is a hair dryer or a heat gun Just carefully warm the paint and that trapped moisture evaporates To avoid damaging the paint or any plastic or rubber parts apply the heat in a circular motion and make sure that the surface temperature stays under 150 F You may need to do this heat treatment more than once to get rid of that moisture so just be patient and take your time 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8030H 1 of 1 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fi
55. ing Manuals and conse tse Owner s Manuals submenus by breaking out all supported Acura models in alphabetical order Just click on a listed model and you ll see a complete listing pits of the available manuals for that model And this is just the beginning more changes are on the way So check out our handiwork We think you ll like what we ve done it s the new ISIS 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8010K 12 of 12 MACURA gt AM JU 7 KA N x A Ihe December 2007 Helping you fix it right the first time every time Excessive Steering Wheel Shimmy or Chassis Vibration Part 3 of 5 Last month we introduced the second in our five part series of articles dealing with the issue of steering wheel shimmy and chassis vibration and what it takes to find and fix the problem In that article we discussed different types of tire induced vibrations cold start constant and intermittent and how to interpret them We also mentioned something about steering wheel shimmy and how tire phase matching can affect it In this article we ll delve deeper into the world of phase matching Phase Matching A Matter of Balance In our last article we said that steering wheel shimmy can be caused by static tire imbalance and it can be either constant or intermittent If just one front tire is out of balance the shimmy can be constant But if both front tires are out of balance the shimmy can
56. is active An easy way to tell is to try making a local call with just the phone If the call goes through the account is good If you re having trouble connecting to the AcuraLink server in vehicles so equipped make sure your client has data activated on the account too Remember any problems making or receiving calls with just the phone is a phone problem Do a Function Check Make sure the HFL system and the phone are powered up and the phone s battery level is good A low battery level can cause functional issues in some phones If the battery level is low connect a battery charger to the phone Make sure the phone isn t set to a power saver mode This could be set up in one of the menus and if it is the phone might not work with the HFL system Check the phone s signal strength A weak signal could hamper its ability to make or receive calls or affect the sound quality during a call If you re dealing with a weak signal park the vehicle outside for better reception Try Duplicating the Problem Using the info you gathered from your client try duplicating the problem Then refer to the troubleshooting info in section 22 of the appropriate S M Online enter the keyword HEFL and select from the list If you need help call the HFL Customer Support Line at 888 528 7876 3 of 4 Guidelines to Avoid Needless A T Replacement Our factories and reman centers have been getting an increasing number of f
57. l wheels do because of their elaborate design you ve got to use a flange plate with studs like the one shown here to ensure accurate center mounting FLANGE PLATE WITH STUDS 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8010l 6 of 12 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time 4 Make sure that the wheel balancer is calibrated If it needs calibration go to Calibrating the Wheel Balancer 5 Set the wheel balancer to dynamic balance 6 Turn off the measurement rounding feature you want the measurements to read in 1 gram increments 7 Balance the wheel until its total imbalance reads less than 5 grams on each side 8 Doa static balance e f your shop has an on vehicle finish balancer like the one that s shown here follow the instructions for the balancer and do a static balance Then test drive the vehicle If the vibration goes away you re done with this repair If it s still there you may need to measure the tire rim runout using a Hunter GSP9700 and do tire rim matching e If your shop doesn t have an on vehicle finish balancer set the wheel balancer to static balance Turn off the measurement rounding feature you want to read measurements in 1 gram increments Measure the imbalance of the wheel but don t add any weight Use chalk for the tire and a permanent marker for the inner rim flange to mark where the weight should go This is the light
58. ler Is Loose or Lifting Up Currently Applies To 04 08 TLs If you get a vehicle in your shop with an accessory trunk spoiler that s loose that s lifting up on either end or bowing in the middle or is doing both check to see if the flange nuts are securely in place and tighten them if needed If the trunk spoiler is still loose or lifting up chances are it wasn t installed properly and the holes for the studs are misaligned To fix the problem you ve got to replace the spoiler since the adhesive from the original one is probably no good For a quality job make sure you follow the installation instructions carefully Clean the trunk lid then use the two templates A and B from the kit to see if the original holes in the trunk are properly aligned If they are go ahead and mount the replacement spoiler and torque the flange nuts to spec If they aren t properly aligned use a round file to open up the holes until they are then apply paint to the holes to prevent rust When the paint is dry mount the replacement spoiler and torque the flange nuts to spec A Troubleshooting Guide to HandsFreeLink Part 1 of 5 Currently Applies To All 06 08 vehicles with HandsFreeLink One of the cool features that reminds us the future is now is Acura s HandsFreeLink HFL system With a compatible Bluetooth cell phone you can receive and place calls while driving and never have to take your hands off the steering wheel
59. ly to certain gears that apply to its particular backup mode Here are some common symptoms you get in backup mode e Harsh upshifting and downshifting e Vehicle starts in 2nd gear and then shifts to 4th gear e Vehicle starts in 2nd gear and then shifts to 3rd gear When an A T is in backup mode service clients commonly complain about low power or lousy acceleration because the vehicle starts in 2nd or 4th gear Troubleshoot A T and PGM FI DTCs With the HDS NOTE This article applies to 03 06 MDXs 05 06 RLs 05 06 RSXs 04 06 TLs and 04 06 TSXs These models have on board snapshot OBS capability Got some A T or PGM FI DTC troubleshooting to do Make the HDS your troubleshooting work buddy Don t go with a generic scan tool Only the HDS can send freeze OBS data to Tech Line This data is crucial for monitoring market trends and helping to identify root causes of problems 2 of 4 Impact Wrench on Axle Nuts A Big Taboo Never use an impact wrench to torque axle nuts Modern pneumatic impact wrenches can whip up a whopping 500 to 600 Ib ft of torque Axle nuts that are too tight can break the snout off the CV joints They also increase rolling resistance in the wheel bearings This not only cuts fuel economy but causes excess preload that can lead to premature bearing wear and noise Fogged or Discolored Paint Under Wrap Guard Moisture trapped under the plastic or white wrap guard can make the
60. n t centered on the wheel balancer Make sure that you re using the proper centering cone cup and wing nut for the wheel that you re balancing If you re not sure check out the operators manual or ask the manufacturer what attachments you need When you ve got the proper attachments go back to step 1 e Ifthe imbalance still reads more than 5 grams the wheel balancer needs calibrating repair or both Call the manufacturer for the nearest repair representative 5 Mount a 5 gram weight to the outer rim and recheck the balance The wheel balancer should read 5 2 grams of imbalance that s 170 to 190 from that 5 gram weight e If5 2 grams of imbalance was read the static balance calibration is OK Go to step 6 to check the dynamic balance e If5 2 grams of imbalance wasn t read the wheel balancer needs calibrating Call the manufacturer for the nearest repair representative 6 At 180 from the weight that you added to the outer rim mount a 5 gram weight to the inner rim and recheck the balance The wheel balancer should read 5 2 grams of imbalance 170 to 190 from both of the weights that you mounted e If5 2 grams of imbalance was read the dynamic balance calibration is OK and the wheel balancer is ready for use e f5 2 grams of imbalance wasn t read the wheel balancer needs calibrating Call the manufacturer for the nearest repair representative The Bottom Line Most steering wheel shimmy or chassis vib
61. nder because they re shorter Typically a wind up as cool conversation pieces for a coffee healthy engine has a carbon line that s 6 mm table or desk deep An engine that s suffering from bent rods has a second carbon line that s 9 to 12 mm deep Connecting rods break only after they ve gotten bent And they won t get bent unless the engine hydro locks or the rod bearings fail When troubleshooting a bent or broken connecting rod here are some things to consider e The number one culprit for connecting rod breakage is hydro lock This happens when liquid water or fuel entering the combustion chamber exceeds the chamber s volume Since liquids don t compress that extra volume in the chamber causes the rod to bend You won t really notice anything wrong until that bent rod finally gives out and breaks This could e Connecting rod bearings fail for a number of reasons To properly determine what actually caused a rod bearing to fail you ve got to take apart all rod bearings and main bearings and compare them side by side If all or most of the happen if you re driving through deep standing water and someone coming the other way splashes water over your hood On very rare occasions a bad ECM PCM or fuel injector can cause too much fuel to enter a cylinder causing hydro lock and resulting in a bent rod Before this happens though there are usually some kind of driveability problems tha
62. ndset Pairing A description for linking two Bluetooth devices together In this case you re linking a cell phone to the HFL After the pairing process is done the devices can recognize each other and communicate wirelessly by way of Bluetooth Soft Reset This helps restore the cell phone s basic functions To do a soft reset turn off the phone power remove the battery and reinstall it then turn the power back on Software Version This refers to the software version that s loaded into the cell phone The software version that was tested and found to be compatible with the HFL may be listed in the HFL website Not all software versions though are compatible with the HFL Standard Ringtone These are the ringtones that are factory installed on the cell phone 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved 2 of 2 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time Radiator Damage From Doing A C System Repairs Currently Applies To 05 06 RLs Feb 2008 We ve noticed an increasing number of radiators being replaced shortly after doing A C system repairs Inspection of these radiators tells us that they re getting damaged during these repairs To avoid damage make sure that you re really careful when you re working near the radiator Any damage to the radiator that comes from doing A C system repairs is not covered under Acura warranty 2008 American Honda Motor Co
63. new feature that displays blue arrows to indicate one way traffic This feature works only when you select ICON OPTIONS from the icon bar Other icons from the Select category for icon settings screen and ONE WAY 1 20 mile from the Select other icons screen ONE WAY TRAFFIC TTI MAP MENU Male Voice Prompts Gone From 08 Navi DVDs Currently Applies To 05 08 MDxXs 07 08 RDXs 05 08 RLs 07 08 TLs and 06 08 TSXs Here s something you need to know about To make room for more points of interest and other features we ve removed all male voice prompts from current 08 production navigation systems This also applies to the white and green navigation system update DVDs that are available from the Honda Navigation Disc Fulfillment Center so it affects owners of older vehicles who want to upgrade their DVDs As a result the navigation system user s manual in some early production 08 vehicles may show the SETUP screens that were available to change the voice prompt from female to male Future releases of those manuals will be revised to eliminate that option And if that s not confusing enough some early production 08 vehicles may have come with a 07 production navigation system DVD which includes those now absent male voice prompts If the vehicle also came with a 2nd release navigation system users manual that manual won t match the DVD since it mentions nothing about those prompts
64. nly called flat spots These flat spots can cause a noticeable vibration when traveling at low speeds that goes away after just a few miles of driving Due to their construction and materials many heavy duty and high performance tires have a memory meaning they continue to remember the position in which they were last parked when you begin driving again Unfortunately that memory can become a problem when the tires go through wide swings in ambient temperature or they ve been sitting overnight in cold temperatures or for a long period of time When a tire is suspended in the air there s no load on it each of the sidewall cords has the same tension As the tire rolls on the ground each of those sidewall cords goes from a relaxed state to a loaded state for every rotation And this happens about 800 times every mile This constant deflection generates heat which makes the tires more flexible But once you park the vehicle and those tires start to cool the spot that s touching the ground the tire s footprint flattens and the cords around that spot relax as the tire presses down from the weight of the vehicle The cords at the top of the tire however are held at their maximum tension If it s cold overnight or you don t drive the vehicle for a while the tire will remember its position forming a flat spot After a cold start the axle rises and falls in response to that flat spot causing a noticeable vibration But as
65. nted to exhaust pipe A REAR WARM UP THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER WU TWC BANK 1 FRONT WARM UP THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER M x WU TWC BANK 2 CS UNDER FLOOR THREE WAY CATALYTIC CONVERTER TWC Both of the WU TWCs are monitored and can set DTCs Each bank has a specific DTC P0420 for bank 1 and P0430 for bank 2 The under floor TWC isn t monitored and won t set any DTCs If you replaced the under floor TWC or the wrong WU TWC for the DTC that was set you ll wind up with that same DIC To fix the problem replace the WU TWC that s responsible for the set DTC Then use the HDS to clear that DTC 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8010D 3 of 12 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time VSA Activation Indicator Stays On After Doing S B 07 041 Currently Applies To 05 07 RLs 04 06 TLs and 04 07 TSXs Jan 2008 Just wrapped up doing S B 07 041 Brake Pedal Is Low and Feels Soft but the VSA activation indicator is still on Refer to the applicable S M or to ISIS and do the VSA sensor neutral position memorization procedure If you forget to do this procedure the VSA activation indicator will stay on whenever you ve got the ignition switch turned to ON Il 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8010F 4 of 12 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every tim
66. ntermittent because of phase matching You may notice that the vibration tends to come and go more often when driving on curved roads This is a good indication of phase matching In the next issue of ServiceNews we ll discuss phase matching in a lot more detail Security System Sounds by ltself Currently Applies To 07 08 MDXs 07 08 RDXs 05 08 RLs 04 08 TLs and 04 08 TSXs When the security system sounds the B CAN stores the last input Security breach history data that set off the alarm If you ve got a vehicle in your shop because the security system sounded by itself for no apparent reason you can use the HDS to access that stored history data to help you find and fix the problem Once you ve found and fixed the problem you ll then want to use the HDS to clear that history data before you wrap things up Here s how you do it To access the last security breach history data 1 Connect the HDS to the 16P DLC 2 Turn the ignition switch to ON Il 3 From the System Selection Menu select BODY ELECTRICAL 4 From the Mode Menu select Security 5 From the Security Menu select HISTORY DATA 6 Scroll down and select the last entry posted To clear the last security breach history data after you ve found and fixed the problem 1 Return to the Security Menu and select HISTORY CLEAR 2 Turn the ignition switch to LOCK 0 3 Disconnect the HDS 4of6 Accessory Trunk Spoi
67. oard joint With the set ring centered you should have no trouble prying the inboard joint away from the differential But be careful not to damage the differential seal when you remove the driveshaft And to keep the inboard joint from pulling apart make sure you remove the driveshaft by prying on the inboard joint not by pulling on the driveshaft CENTERING THE SET RING FOR LEFT DRIVESHAFT REMOVAL DIFFERENTIAL SET RING DRIVESHAFT Push the set ring to center it on the driveshaft Tips From Training Honda amp Penn College Partnership Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport PA recently became American Honda s newest partner in the Professional Automotive Career Training PACT program This associate degree PACT program dovetails with Penn College s own unique combination of automotive and academic training to give tomorrow s service techs the skills they need to find work at Acura dealerships This college is the first partner school at which students can transfer into a four year automotive technology management major to give them an even sharper edge in the working world Students will leave Penn College with a solid understanding of Acura products and will be credited with about 65 percent of the training they ll need as service techs In addition to internship opportunities with sponsoring Acura dealerships throughout the mid Atlantic region American Honda provides special tool
68. onda permission to publish it without further consideration AUTOMOTI VE BSN 31536 33866 0610 EXCELLENCE AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time Wireless Headphones Don t Work With the RES Currently Applies To 07 08 MDXs with RES March 2008 Got a vehicle in your shop because the wireless headphones don t work with the RES although they work just fine with the AM FM radio XM radio or the in dash disc changer The digital audio lead the digital audio sublead or both could be the culprit The audio for the wireless headphones is supplied by these leads to the rear controller and screen which contains infrared sensors that transmit the digital audio signal to the headphones If either the lead or the sublead isn t securely plugged in at each end or the lead or the sublead itself is bad you can wind up with this problem To check for and fix this problem here s what you need to do 1 Refer to pages 23 112 and 23 113 of the 07 08 MDX S M and enter the self diagnostic function Online enter keyword HEADPHONES and select Wireless headphones do not work from the list 2 From the Diagnosis Menu on the overhead screen select 1 CONNECT Check the DIGITAL OUT status e If you see NG in a red box go to step 3 e If you see OK in a green box continue with normal troubleshooting 1 CONNECT Fa RR OISP Wa XM DIGITAL OUT DIGITAL LINE CONNECTION CHECK
69. onsider it to be incompatible with the HFL system SEARCH BY CARRIER SEARCH BY MANUFACTURER CURRENTLY TESTING ARCHIVED PHONES 5 of 6 7 If you see the phone model that your client is using click on it You ll see the HFL supported features for that phone A POU a NOTES e The approved archived and currently testing phone model lists are always changing so make sure you check them whenever you ve got a vehicle with an HFL issue e New phones are added as they re approved e A phone can be removed from the approved list if a software bug is discovered that makes that phone incompatible The phone can be added back to the approved list if the device manufacturer fixes the bug e lf the software bug is fixed a new software version is created and may be listed in the Supported Features section of the phone e The Acura website now includes the software versions that are tested and approved When software versions are listed you need to know which version is loaded on the phone that you re working with to help you troubleshoot your clients complaint If you can t get onto the Acura website call HandsFreeLink Consumer Support at 888 528 7876 for further help It s open Monday thru Friday from 6 00 a m to 6 00 p m CST Saturday from 7 00 a m to 6 00 p m CST and Sunday from 8 00 a m to 6 00 p m CST In the next issue of ServiceNews we ll discuss what to do when you have pairing is
70. paint look fogged or discolored Fortunately there s an easy fix for this problem Just carefully warm the paint with a hair drier or heat gun and the moisture evaporates To prevent damage to the paint or any plastic or rubber parts don t let the drier temperature exceed 150 F You may need to do this heat treatment more than once so just be patient Get Into the Habit of Doing a VIN Status Inquiry We can t emphasize enough just how important it is to do a VIN status inquiry on the ZN It lists outstanding campaigns that need to be done on that vehicle Its American Honda policy that any vehicle in for service must get all outstanding campaign repairs done as part of that service Doing a VIN status inquiry is quick and easy From the N main menu just click on SERVICE Vehicle Information and then VIN Status Inquiry Enter the VIN and click on Submit Any outstanding campaigns for that vehicle are listed If there s a C to the right of the S B number that campaign has been completed December 2005 Troubleshooting a Client s HandsFreeLink System Complaint NOTE This article applies to 05 06 MDXs 05 06 RLs 04 06 TLs and 06 TSXs One of the cool features that reminds us we re now living in the 21st century is Acura s HandsFreeLink HFL system With a compatible Bluetooth cell phone you can place and receive calls while driving and never have to take your hands off the steering wheel As with any n
71. part series of articles to help you understand the HandsFreeLink HFL and to troubleshoot problems tied to it In that article we discussed those dreaded dropped calls This month we ll show you what to do when your service client s cell phone won t automatically connect to the HFL or your client is having problems receiving and placing calls with the HFL My cell phone won t automatically connect to the HFL When you get into the vehicle the cell phone should automatically connect to the HFL But if your client complains that it doesn t here s what you need to do 1 Make sure that the phone s Bluetooth power is turned on 2 Make sure that the phone is properly paired to the HFL 3 Try doing a soft reset by turning off the phone and turning it back on 4 Check to see if the phone has an Always Ask Trust Authorize Device or similar option If so make sure that the phone is set to Never Ask Authorize Device Trust etc The actual setting name will depend on the cell phone maker and wireless carrier 5 Check the phone s battery charge level and signal strength Pairing the phone requires a near fully charged battery and a good strong signal I can t receive calls with the HFL If your client complains that he or she can t receive calls with the HFL those calls may be getting routed to the cell phone instead of the HFL You ll know this is what s happening if your client says something like
72. pen to be driving through an area where there s a coverage gap between towers the call drops e Mountains or hills as well as tall buildings bridges or other large structures can block or interfere with cellular signals e Thunder storms heavy rain or overcast skies can affect signal strength e The cell phone s battery charge level can affect signal reception A low battery can reduce the cell phone s ability to boost the antenna s power and work properly especially in low signal strength areas Some cell phone makers give up signal transmission and reception strength for battery life As the battery gets weaker the signal strength may also get weaker Some cell phones may work better than others in low signal strength areas especially with a partially charged battery and depending on whether or not the retractable antenna if equipped is fully extended On cell phones with a retractable antenna always make sure that it s fully extended to get the highest signal strength and to extend battery life The Bottom Line Dropped calls are a fact of life with cell phone use Most of the time they re due to problems with the cell phone or the wireless carrier and not the HFL So make sure that you read the RO carefully or check with the service consultant before you start troubleshooting the HFL it could save you needless time and effort In next month s ServiceNews we ll show you how to troubleshoot problems connecting to
73. ration problems can be fixed by balancing the wheels and matching them to the hubs But if that doesn t do the trick you may need to measure the tire rim runout Excessive runout under load can cause vibration that wheel balancing won t fix We ll discuss that subject along with proper tire mounting in the fifth and final article of this series in next month s ServiceNews 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved 9 of 12 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time A Troubleshooting Guide to HandsFreeLink Part 3 of 5 Currently Applies To 05 08 MDXs 07 08 RDXs 05 08 RLs 04 08 TLs and 06 08 TSXs Jan 2008 Last month we introduced the second of a five part series of articles to help you understand the HandsFreeLink HFL and to troubleshoot problems tied to it In that article we talked about what to do when your service client is having a tough time pairing his or her cell phone In this article we ll discuss what to do about dropped calls Those Dreaded Dropped Calls Just mention dropped calls to a die hard cell phone user and you get grimaces and growls Service clients may blame those dropped calls on the HFL but most of the time though they re really the fault of the cell phone or wireless carrier The HFL doesn t directly handle the cell phone signal it just lets the cell phone transmit the audio over the vehicle s audio system
74. re s position L F R F L R and R R 4 Remove all wheel weights and clean off any mud from the rims Wheel weights would keep you from reading RFM and any extra weight would cause wheel imbalance 5 Clean out any pebbles mud or other debris trapped between the tire treads Anything causing a bump on the tires would throw off RFM and balancer readings 6 Inspect the wheels for damage Tire or rim damage can cause high RFM readings and wheel imbalance 7 Make sure that the arbor and baseplate threads on the wheel balancer are clean 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8020H 1 of 3 Helping you fix it right the first time every time AACURA ServiceNews Article 8 Make sure that all mating surfaces between the wheel and the wheel balancer are clean then mount the wheel NOTE Use the GSP9700 Centering Check Feature it s on software version 2 1 or higher to check for a possible centering error between the rim and the wheel balancer 9 Use the wheel balancer to find the initial RFM readings pounds and peak locations of the tire the rim and the tire rim combination For more info see the operator s manual If the RFM is higher than 10 Ibs do the match mounting procedure in the manual If the RFM is still higher than 10 Ibs after you ve done that replace that tire 10 After you ve found the problem wheel remount the tire e Let all the air out of the tire and break the bead seal
75. re in the applicable S M or in ISIS Adjustment procedures can vary from model to model and from model year to model year depending on what type of headlight is being used To show you just what we mean here are two S M excerpts from different model year MDXs The 03 MDX has a visually optically aligned left VOL style of headlight you adjust the headlight just below the headlight height The 08 MDX has a visually optically aligned right VOR style of headlight you adjust the cut line to the headlights height VOL STYLE VOR STYLE HEADLIGHT HEIGHT D D HEADLIGHT HEIGHT _ n HEADLIGHT A HEADLIGHT A gt HEIGHT ee HEIGHT oo o o December 2007 3of4 Seat Won t Go to Memorized Driving Position When Opening Door Currently Applies To 07 08 MDXs 05 08 RLs and 04 08 TLs Got a vehicle in your shop because the driver s seat won t go to its memorized position when you open the door Here s what you need to do to find and fix the problem 1 Using a keyless remote lock and unlock the doors 2 Check to see if the remote is linked by opening the driver s door and turning the ignition switch to ON Il e If you see WELCOME DRIVER 1 or WELCOME DRIVER 2 in the MID the remote is linked Go to step 3 e If you don t see WELCOME DRIVER 1 or WELCOME DRIVER 2 in the MID you need to link the remote Press and hold the remote s LOCK and UNLOCK buttons
76. re of the tires is low on air We ve also stressed that any repairs claimed for low tire pressure or normal tire pressure loss is not covered by Acura warranty unless the cause is traced to a manufacturer defect Yet we keep seeing warranty claims for inflating the tires just to turn off that little indicator According to NHTSA regulations the low tire pressure indicator must come on when the tire pressure is 25 percent below the listed recommended cold inflation pressure To guard against tolerance variations the low tire pressure indicator in Acura vehicles with TPMS is set to come on when the tire pressure drops to around 20 percent All Acura O Ms recommend that the tire pressures be checked and set at least once per month And they should be checked cold which means that the vehicle has been sitting for at least 3 hours or driven for less than 1 mile All tires even those in good condition lose tire pressure naturally for a number of reasons but mainly because they re porous It s common to lose up to 1 5 psi per month Secondly it s a scientific fact that tire pressure drops with a drop in temperature You can count on a loss of 1 psi for every 10 degrees of temperature drop Here s what can typically happen It s August 1 and the outside temperature is a balmy 80 F The vehicle owner checks and sets his or her tire pressures to 32 psi just like it says on the driver s doorjamb sticker and in the O M We
77. s a fleet of vehicles on which PACT students get to work on and state of the art instructor training The first PACT offerings will be in the Spring 06 semester with the first internship opportunities coming up that following summer Course work is taught by ASE certified instructors under the stringent guidelines of the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation For more info about Penn College s PACT program e mail them at transportation pct edu You can also call the School of Transportation Technology at 570 327 4516 or visit their website at www pct edu schools tt AUTOMOTIVE TRE AACURA ServiceNews 2006 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved Published by AHM Parts and Toii Service Communications 1919 Torrance Blvd Torrance CA 90501 2746 All suggestions VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN become the property of American Honda Motor Co Inc sending a suggestion gives Honda ES National Institute for AUTOMOTIVE permission to publish it without further consideration SERVICE BSN 31356 36310 0705 EXCELLENCE MACURA ServiceNews Can t Turn Ignition Switch Check for Locked Steering Got a service client complaining he or she can t turn the ignition switch to start the engine The reason could just be the steering column lock pin is engaged with the front wheels turned Here s what typically happens Some folks use the steering wheel to help support themselv
78. siness with The Tire Rack contact them for your client Tire warranty is handled by a tire dealer and isn t covered under the vehicle warranty Dead Power Socket Keep Electrical Load Below Max NOTE This article applies to 05 06 RLs 02 06 RSXs and 04 06 TSXs The accessory power socket is made to handle a maximum electrical load of 120 watts 10 amps Exceed that limit over a period of time and the socket could overheat and cause an open circuit If you ve got a vehicle in your shop with a dead accessory power socket check for continuity between the center contact and the wire terminal If you find an open circuit remind your service client to keep the electrical load below 120 watts or the problem could wind up happening again Don t Test Drive With MIL On or D Indicator Blinking NOTE This article applies to 01 03 3 2CLs 01 06 MDXs 99 04 3 5RLs 05 06 RLs 02 06 RSXs 99 03 3 2TLs 04 06 TLs and 04 06 TSXs When the PCM detects a problem that turns on the MIL starts the D indicator blinking or both it can revert to a backup mode or limp home mode This mode differs depending on the A T design the cause of the malfunction or DTC or both When you test drive a vehicle make sure you first clear all A T DTCs You can t evaluate the A T if the MIL is on the D indicator is blinking or both are on In backup mode some A Ts let you manually shift while others let you shift on
79. sing speed Your speed seldom exceeds that setting so you don t need to tap the brakes to keep it constant Of course tapping the brakes cancels the cruise control With the cruise control set the A T downshifts itself when the vehicle speed starts to exceed your set cruising speed When the vehicle doesn t need additional engine braking the A T then upshifts to 5th gear Use a Steamer to Smooth Out Fabric Upholstery A garment steamer and a stiff bristle brush make a great team for removing those nasty wrinkles lines or impressions in fabric upholstery You can buy an inexpensive small hand held garment fabric steamer from a number of different manufacturers Some of these units even come with a handy built in brush Once you ve got your steamer follow the manufacturer s instructions to get it ready for use Then apply a generous amount of steam to the problem area Keep the steamer moving slowly over the area until it s hot and moist A Word of Caution Go easy on the steam if you re cleaning the front passenger seat in a vehicle with side airbags Moisture can adversely affect or damage the OPDS sensors in the seat back While the area is hot and moist use a stiff bristle brush or the built in brush if your steamer has one to work the fabric back and forth and up and down Stubborn areas might need more steam and brushing so be patient and stay with it It s worth the effort Getting Rid of
80. ssage never really goes away It can be cycled back with the reset button and it comes on again if the ignition switch is cycled or the engine is restarted This message keeps coming back until the EVAP monitor runs again and it detects no EVAP system leak This could take several days even weeks depending on how often the vehicle is driven If when the next EVAP monitor runs the cap wasn t tightened or there s another EVAP system leak detected the MIL comes on and the message goes off A permanent DTC is now stored in the ECM PCM s memory If the owner now tightens the cap the MIL should go off after the next EVAP monitor run yet this could still take days or weeks If the MIL is still on after that monitor run then it s time to bring the vehicle in for service If the vehicle comes into your shop with the fuel cap message or the MIL on make sure the fuel fill cap is in place and properly tightened Record the DTC then clear it with the HDS and run the EVAP system function test If there s still a problem press on with normal troubleshooting November 2005 Why Do Connecting Rods Break Curious why connecting rods break After all e A bent rod might not show any symptoms these are heavy duty parts specifically designed to until it actually breaks But bent rods leave a endure punishing forces and temperatures Yet wider than normal carbon witness line in the every once in a while they do bend or break and cyli
81. st drive your customer s vehicle under the same conditions that are listed on your RO We ll be discussing exactly how to do this in future articles of this series Intermittent Vibrations Vibrations that you can feel while driving that come from tires rims hubs and brakes happen when you re going 50 mph or faster And they tend to get stronger when you reach about 70 mph NOTE If you feel the vibration only when you re driving between 45 and 55 mph this article doesn t apply You may be dealing with a vibration from another source Intermittent wheel vibration normally isn t affected by these factors e Engine speed e Gear selection this includes Neutral e Engine load e Hill climbing e Acceleration e Deceleration But if it is affected by one these factors then stop right here You may be dealing with a vibration from another source exhaust engine A C etc cont d 3 of 6 Excessive Steering Wheel Shimmy cont d Often the wheel vibration is intermittent because of tire phase matching Steering Wheel Shimmy Steering wheel shimmy can be caused by static tire imbalance Static balance is simply the wheel s weight distribution while it s at rest When one part of the wheel the tire rim hub or brake disc is heavier by more than 7 grams you can feel this as a shimmy If one wheel is out of balance the shimmy will be constant If two wheels are out of balance it will be i
82. sues DE PIN E DACURA J ZKULE AN gibs t 2007 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved Published by AHM Parts and duc Service Communications 1919 Torrance Blvd Torrance CA 90501 2746 All suggestions become the property of American Honda Motor Co Inc sending a suggestion gives Honda permission to publish it without further consideration BSN 38291 0711 WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION THROUGH National Institute for AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EXCELLENCE
83. t crop up and remain after the engine is fixed November 2005 bearings and journals show similar damage scoring exposed copper or heat discoloration the likely cause is oil starvation poor maintenance client abuse or running the engine with an aftermarket power booster nitrous oxide setup supercharger turbocharger If only the bearing or journal for the failed rod looks bad but all the other ones look good no scoring no exposed copper or heat discoloration and the crankshaft journals are smooth with no heat discoloration then that particular bearing clearance would be suspect 3of6 Resetting the HFL Passcode in an 05 06 MDX Got a 05 06 MDX owner who s lost or forgotten his or her HandsFreeLink HFL passcode You need to clear the old passcode with the HDS before he or she can add a new one There s just one small hitch though 05 MDXs can t talk with the HFL they don t have B CAN To get the job done you ve got to pull the HFL unit out of your client s vehicle remove the HFL unit from an 05 06 RL 04 06 TL or 06 TSX and install your client s unit Once you ve done that connect the HDS to the 16P data link connector DLC From the System Selection Menu select Body Electrical Hands Free Link Inspection and then Passcode Clear Follow the prompts The HDS clears only the passcode All phone entries and paired phones stay in the system When you re done disconnect the
84. tches to Night mode you re done with this repair Remove the towel from the sunlight sensor oo amp e If the display screen stays in Day mode refer to the Navigation System section of the applicable S M and continue with normal troubleshooting For more info on automatic display mode switching and for recommended display mode settings check out System Set up in the applicable O M 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8020E 1 of 1 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time Poor XM CD Aux Device Sound Quality Weak Volume From Speakers Currently Applies To 07 08 MDXs 07 08 RDXs 05 08 RLs and 04 08 TLs Feb 2008 Dolby PL ProLogic II can create simulated surround sound from an audio signal that s recorded with two channel stereo audio sources It s designed to work with sources from the audio system CDs XM radio DVD audio etc as well as auxiliary devices such as an iPod Depending on the audio source sometimes there s not enough info embedded in the audio signal for the PL II to process things properly As a result service clients might complain of poor sound quality or weak volume from the front or rear speakers If you get a vehicle in your shop for this sort of problem check to see if the PL II is turned on You ll see an indication in the audio display if it is The exact text for that indication and its location can vary
85. teering angle sensor neutral position memorization make sure that you start this procedure just as soon as the communication is restored If you don t act quickly there s simply not enough time for sensor memorization to wrap up before the communication is lost again 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8030F 1 of 1 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time MIL On With DTC P0171 or P0172 Check for an Aftermarket Air Intake Currently Applies To 07 08 MDXs and 07 08 RDXs March 2008 Got a vehicle in your shop with the MIL on and either DTC P0171 fuel system too lean or DTC P0172 fuel system too rich Check to see if the vehicle has an aftermarket air intake system If it does you ve probably found the culprit Aftermarket air intake systems can throw off the MAF sensor causing either of these DTCs to set Even worse they can cause serious engine damage which is not covered by warranty For more info take a look at Cold Air Intake Systems and Low Restriction Air Filters A Word to the Wise in the April 05 issue of ServiceNews The airflow characteristics of these aftermarket systems can vary from one to the other The MAF sensor provides feedback to the PCM to get the proper air fuel ratio If the long term fuel trim exceeds the specified limits the PCM will set one of those DTCs Check out the Advanced Diagnostics in ISIS for the specific DTC l
86. ter keywords AUDIO UNIT and select Audio Unit Removal Installation from the list e If NG in the red box now changes to OK in a green box you ve fixed the problem Play a DVD in the DVD player and listen for audio in the headphones just to make sure e f you still see NG in the red box go to step 6 i 4 E a CONNECTOR F 2 GRY 6 Refer to page 23 99 of the S M and replace both the digital audio lead rear wire harness P N 32153 STX A0OO and the digital audio sublead P N 39117 STX A01 Online enter keywords DIGITAL AUDIO and select Rear Entertainment System Component Location Index from the list IMPORTANT During removal be really careful not to damage the lead or the sublead or their connectors Warranty Parts Inspection WPI needs those parts intact so that they can properly inspect and test them And do not cut off the lead s or sublead s connectors just to make things easier to remove If you do your warranty claim will be rejected 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved 2 of 2 MACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time Get to Know the GNA600 Gateway Device Currently Applies To General Information March 2008 In the fall of 2006 each Acura dealership was sent a kit P N TDS35540402 which included a GNA600 Gateway Device along with a set of accessories for it The GNA600 replaces the Honda Interface Module HIM And like t
87. the HFL as well as receiving and placing calls 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved 11 of 12 Jan 2008 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time Check Out the New ISIS Currently Applies To General Information This year everyone seems to be talking about change And speaking of change we ve recently made some important changes to the SEARCH BY PUBLICATION feature in ISIS that we d like you to know about Here s the lowdown e We ve arranged the main menu in alphabetical order so that it s easier and faster to find things And we ve whittled down that menu from 22 publication types to 19 by grouping certain ones together and moving ISIS Information bares etna over to WHAT S NEW it s now listed under Acura System Enhancements r REE 2 EEE pne TROT e We ve revamped the Consumer Information submenu to include the P REESE ES SR Accessory User s Information Manuals and Owners Manual s We ve also Ce eee added General Information and Personalized Settings to that menu D Pre Belivery amp Hee Medel biho D Pubs amp Supplier Ordering Inte OY Service Advisor Mews letters O Vehicle Identification Info VIN Cards a Warranty Ihooklets amp Cnoiasions Parts Lista F Warranty Certificates e We ve made it easier to find things in the Accessory User s Information Boner ny Danny Manuals Body Repair Manuals Electrical Troubleshoot
88. the HFL wind up being due to the cell phone itself and not the HEL It s always a good idea to read your RO carefully or check with the service consultant before you start any troubleshooting of the HFL it could save you needless time and effort In next month s ServiceNews we ll introduce the fifth and final article of this series That article will include a handy glossary of HFL terms 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved 2 of 2 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time Airbag ON OFF Switch Kits No Longer Available From CALHAC Currently Applies To General Information Feb 2008 Beginning March 1 2008 you won t be able to order any airbag ON OFF switch kits from CALHAC If you get a vehicle in your shop to have an airbag ON OFF switch installed make sure that the service consultant lets your client know this If you get a vehicle in your shop to have an airbag ON OFF switch removed go ahead and remove it American Honda will reimburse your dealership and your client 100 00 each after the switch has been removed For help with reimbursement call Acura Client Services at 800 382 2238 NOTE If your dealership has any vehicles in its previously owned vehicle inventory equipped with an airbag ON OFF switch that switch must be removed before the vehicle is sold 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8020K 1 of 1 AACURA ServiceNews Arti
89. the latest member of the Acura Precision Crafted vital fluids family Extreme Cold Weather Antifreeze Coolant Type 2 This new brew is just the ticket when you re driving in areas where the mercury drops way down into the subzero zone Our normal engine coolant Longlife Antifreeze Coolant Type 2 is a 50 concentration of antifreeze and water It s formulated to work straight from the jug at temperatures as low as 34 F But below that temperature the coolant freezes up And not even an accessory block heater can prevent it from doing so That s where Extreme Cold Weather Antifreeze Coolant Type 2 comes in When properly measured and added to the engine coolant it raises the antifreeze concentration to 60 which lowers the coolant freezing point to 62 F And it does this without affecting the original cooling system service interval too The instructions for using this new coolant are on the back of the bottle Here are what they say ina nutshell 1 Look up the total engine coolant capacity for the vehicle that you re working on see the applicable S M or ISIS You need to replace 20 of that capacity with Extreme Cold Weather Antifreeze Coolant Type 2 The chart below gives you a general idea of how much coolant to replace but don t just rely on it You still need to figure the actual amount If the Total Engine Coolant Capacity Is Replace This Amount of Engine Coolant 2008 American Honda Motor Co Inc All
90. till strongly recommends that you avoid using them on any Acura vehicle The original procedure was written for simpler A Ts that readily upshifted when you ran the vehicle on a lift But A Ts have come a long way since then and most of the newer ones balk at shifting past 2nd gear when on a lift unless you work the shift lever a certain way In light of all this we thought it was high time that the A T flushing procedure got a facelift So here s the latest word on flushing that works for all A Ts 1 Set the parking brake and raise the vehicle on a lift 2 Drain the trans and refill it with Acura Precision Crafted ATF Z1 Refer to the applicable S M or to ISIS for details 3 Start the engine shift into Drive and release the parking brake 4 Push down on the accelerator pedal to raise the vehicle speed to 2 500 rpm e Ifthe trans shifts past 2nd gear go to step 5 e fthe trans won t shift past 2nd gear keep the engine speed at 2 500 rom and shift from Drive to Neutral and back to Drive Then go to step 5 5 Make sure that the trans shifts through all the forward gears and goes into torque converter lockup 6 Let off the accelerator pedal and press the brake pedal to drop the vehicle speed to zero Shift into Reverse and then into Neutral 7 Shift into Drive and repeat steps 4 thru 6 four more times 8 Set the parking brake and repeat steps 2 thru 6 two more times 9 Drain the trans and reinstall the drain plug
91. tor Co Inc All Rights Reserved BO8020C 1 of 1 AACURA ServiceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time Navi Display Won t Switch to Night Mode With Headlights Turned On Currently Applies To 07 08 MDXs 00 04 3 5RLs 05 08 RLs 04 08 TLs and 04 08 TSXs Feb 2008 Got a vehicle in your shop because the navigation system display screen won t automatically switch to 1 Night mode when you turn on the headlights The reason could be the dash illumination control setting NOTE Depending on the vehicle that you re working on this control could be a knob a button or a pair of buttons If the control is set to full brightness when the headlights are on it overrides automatic display mode switching and the display screen stays in Day mode no matter if the headlights are on or off This comes in handy if you re driving in daylight with the headlights on but you want the display screen bright so that it s easier to read To fix this problem here s what you need to do 1 Start the engine 2 Turnonthe headlights and adjust the dash illumination control setting from full brightness down a few clicks to middle brightness Turn off the headlights and shut off the engine Start the engine again Cover the sunlight sensor on the dashboard with a towel to keep any light from reaching it Turn on the headlights and watch the display screen e If the display screen swi
92. ure causes a corresponding 8 psi drop in tire pressure If the tire pressure gauge was off by 1 psi now you re dealing with a 9 psi change in tire pressure This will cause the low tire pressure indicator to come on and the TPMS control unit to set a TPMS DTC When the tire heats up from driving the tire pressure rises and the indicator will go off In cold weather this could happen a lot TPMS Indicator This text indicator comes on and stays on when there s a definite problem with the TPMS as a system On RLs it s a CHECK TPMS SYSTEM message in the MID On TLs it this indicator plus the message The TPMS shuts off and stops monitoring tire pressures If this indicator or message is on use the HDS to check for set TPMS DTCs in the TPMS control unit and troubleshoot accordingly TPMS CHECK TEMS 5 of 6 Removing a Stuck Left Driveshaft javseasiz07 To keep the left driveshaft properly mated to the differential the set ring on the end of the inboard joint compresses as it goes through the differential side gear and then expands on the other side of the gear If the set ring isn t centered when you pry out the inboard joint the set ring will catch on the gear causing the driveshaft to stick To remove a stuck left driveshaft first remove the intermediate shaft Then looking into the right side of the differential use a long thin flat tip screwdriver to center the set ring on the end of the inb
93. viceNews Article Helping you fix it right the first time every time Excessive Steering Wheel Shimmy and Chassis Vibration Part 5 of 5 Feb 2008 Currently Applies To General Information Last month we introduced the fourth in our five part series of articles dealing with the issue of steering wheel shimmy and chassis vibration and what it takes to find and fix the problem In that article we gave you step by step instructions for balancing the wheels using a commercially available wheel balancer such as the Hunter GSP9700 matching the wheels to the hubs and calibrating the wheel balancer when needed In this month s article the last of this series we ll wrap things up with a discussion on how to read tire rim runout using the GSP9700 and how to properly mount a tire to a rim Reading Tire Rim Runout With a GSP9700 Excessive tire rim runout under load can cause vehicle vibration that wheel balancing simply won t fix To reduce the effect of runout you ve got to find the radial force variation RFV of each tire and rim and then match the tires to the rims by indexing their peak RFV areas Matching tires to rims this way helps to cut down on wheel vibration To accurately read tire rim runout you need equipment that can simulate road force on a wheel and show you the peak RFV area on the tire and on the rim The GSP9700 besides being a wheel balancer can accurately calculate peak RFV readings on tires and rims If your servic
94. x it right the first time every time A Troubleshooting Guide to HandsFreeLink Part 5 of 5 Currently Applies To 05 08 MDXs 07 08 RDXs 05 08 RLs 04 08 TLs and 06 08 TSXs March 2008 Last month we introduced the fourth of a five part series of articles to help you understand the HandsFreeLink HFL and to troubleshoot problems tied to it In that article we discussed what to do when your service client s cell phone won t automatically connect to the HFL or your client is having problems receiving and placing calls with the HFL This month we ll wrap things up with a handy glossary of HFL terms Auto Answer This cell phone setting forces incoming calls to automatically be answered by the handset Make sure this feature is disabled when you re using the HFL since it may interfere with the HFL answering incoming calls Set the phone to Send Only Any Key Multi Key or a similar answer option Answer Options These cell phone settings let you choose how you d like to answer an incoming call on the handset The answer option can affect incoming calls on the HFL Authorized Connection This cell phone setting lets the phone automatically connect to the HFL without first asking you for permission In some cases it can affect the phone s ability to properly route sound to the HFL Bluetooth Power This cell phone setting turns the Bluetooth power on or off When you re using the HFL make sure that th

ServiceNews Article

Contents

Download Pdf Manuals

Related Search

Related Contents