Part Two

How to Troubleshoot the HandsFreeLink System

Dropped Calls

Clients may perceive dropped calls as being an HFL system fault, but most dropped calls are resultant from cell phone and cell phone carrier issues. The HFL system does not directly handle the cell phone signal. It allows the cell phones to transmit the cell phone audio over the vehicle's audio system.

Before troubleshooting for dropped calls, confirm the cell phone settings:

- Disable Audio Answer. If Auto Answer is enabled, incoming calls are routed to voice mail.
- Disable Always Ask/Trust, Authorize Device, or similar setting, If these settings are enabled, each time the HFL system attempts to link to the phone, the phone will ask if you want to connect. If you do not allow the connection, the HFL will not operate. The phone must be set to Never Ask, Authorize Device, etc. (based on the phone manufacturer and carrier) for permission. Refer to the cell phone owner's manual for more information or call Acura's dedicated call center at 888-528-7876.
- Disable Flip Open to an Answer. If this setting is enabled, the phone must remain open in the vehicle. If it is closed, the incoming calls are routed to voice mail.

Always confirm with the client if the number of dropped calls is higher while using the HFL system as opposed to using the cell phone only. Clients often confuse problems with their phone or carrier as a problem with the HFL system. The HFL system cannot control or determine:

- Cellular connection quality
- Signal strength
- Cellular coverage
- Ambient weather conditions that affect cellular signals

When a client complains about dropped calls, ask questions about when or where the calls are dropped, such as:

- Do you drive the same route on a regular basis?
- Does the call drop in the same location?
- Where do you keep your cell phone?
- Have you compared the number of dropped calls using the HFL versus making calls from the handset?
- Does your phone have an antenna that needs to be extended?

Many reasons for a dropped call are not related to the HFL system. Here are some causes for dropped calls:

- If the quantity of dropped calls is about the same when the client uses the HFL system versus the handset, the issue is likely due to the cellular phone or carrier.
- If the phone is equipped with a retractable antenna, it needs to be extended to maximize signal strength.
- If a client also notices that the calls tend to drop in the same areas, the HFL system may be operating normally, but something about the area diminishes cellular coverage to a point where the call drops.
- Hills or mountains can block or interfere with cellular signals.
- High-rise buildings, bridges, or other large structures may block or interfere with cellular signals.
- Placing the cell phone in a purse, in a metal briefcase, under the seat, in the glove box, or in the trunk can all affect signal reception.
- There are coverage gaps in the cellular service. When driving, a call is typically passed from one tower to another. If the client drives through an area where there is a coverage gap between towers, the call drops.
- Electrical storms, heavy rain, or overcast conditions interfere with signal strength.
- The cell phone battery's state of charge can affect signal reception. A low battery may reduce the phone's ability to boost the antenna's power and function properly, especially in low signal strength areas. Some phone manufacturers trade off signal transmission and reception strength for battery life. As the battery weakens, the signal strength may also weaken. Some cell phones may operate more effectively than others in low signal strength areas, especially with a partially charged battery, and depending on whether or not the retractable antenna is fully extended (if applicable). On these models, make sure the antenna is always extended to maximize signal strength and extend battery life.

Phone Will Not Automatically Connect to the HFL

Call the HFL call center at 888-528-7876 after you have duplicated the problem.

If a client complains that their cell phone is not automatically connecting to the HFL system when they enter the vehicle, do this:

1. Make sure the Bluetooth feature is turned on in the cell phone.

2. Make sure the cell phone is properly paired to the HFL system.

3. Do a soft reset to the cell phone.

4. Check if the phone has an Authorized Connection or Trusted option.

5. Check the battery and signal strength on the cell phone. Pairing a phone requires optimal signal strength and a nearly full battery.

Incoming Calls

Call the HFL call center at 888-528-7876 after you have duplicated the problem.

If a client complains that they cannot receive incoming calls through the HFL system, see if the call is routing to the cell phone instead of the HFL system. An easy way to know if the call is routed to the cell phone is when the client says, "I can't hear the caller, but they can hear me."

1. Make sure the Bluetooth feature is turned on in the cell phone.

2. Make sure the cell phone is paired to the HFL system and linked.

3. Make sure the answer settings in the cell phone are set to multi-key or any-key answer. If the phone is set to flip open to answer, recommend changing the setting to Any Key or leaving the phone flipped open when using the HFL system.

4. Make sure the Auto Answer feature is turned off in the cell phone.

5. Do a soft reset to the phone.

6. Make sure the battery is fully charged and there is adequate signal strength.

7. Ask the client if they have set specific ring tones or ringer IDs to specific contacts. If they have, recommend using one standard ring tone for all calls.

8. Make sure the client is pressing the PICK-UP button (A) or the HFL TALK button (B) and not the HANG-UP button (C), the HFL BACK button (D), the TALK button (E), or the BACK button (F).






Outgoing Calls

If a client says that they cannot place a call using the HFL system, ask if the call was initiated through the HFL system or the cell phone itself.

Call the HFL call center at 888-528-7876 after you have duplicated the problem.

If the call is placed by the HFL system:

1. Make sure the Bluetooth feature is turned on in the cell phone.

2. Make sure the cell phone is paired to the HFL system and linked.

3. Make sure the client is pressing the TALK button (A) or the HFL TALK button (B) before each command and going through the calling process correctly.






4. Make sure the client is pressing the PICK-UP button (C) or the HFL TALK button and not the HANG-UP button (D), the HFL BACK button (E), the TALK button, or the BACK button (F).

5. Check if the cell phone has an Authorized Connections or Trusted option.

6. Do a soft reset to the cell phone.

If the call is placed by the cell phone:

By default, the call will automatically transfer to HFL. This setting can be changed using the "Auto Transfer" command under the "System Setup" menu. If it is preferred to have a call placed by the cell phone remain on the cell phone, then the Auto Transfer featured should be set to Disabled. The "Transfer" command can be used to transfer calls between the HFL and handset.

Clearing the HFL system

With navigation

The commands for deleting a phone can either be selected using the interface dial or by using the voice recognition system (use the TALK and BACK buttons).

NOTE:

- The entire HFL system cannot be deleted at once. You must delete one phone at a time.
- If the system is locked and the pass code is lost or forgotten, see symptom troubleshooting.

1. Turn the ignition switch to ACC (I).

2. Press the INFO button, and turn the interface dial to select Cellular Phone, then press ENTER.

3. Move the interface dial down to select Phone Setup.

4. Select Edit User, and press ENTER.

5. Select Delete, then select the phone you want to delete from the list. Press ENTER to select the phone, then press ENTER again to confirm.

6. Repeat steps 4-5 for each phone you want to delete.

Without navigation

NOTE:

- This operation clears the HFL system of all pass code(s), any paired phones, and all names in the HFL phonebook.
- Clearing the HFL system is recommend before selling the vehicle.
- If the system is locked and the pass code is lost or forgotten, see the symptom troubleshooting.

1. Press and release the HFL TALK button. After the beep, say "System Setup Clear" and the HFL system responds, "This process will clear all paired phones, clear all entries in the phonebook, clear the security pass code and restore all defaults in the system setup. Is this what you would like to do?"

2. Press and release the HFL TALK button. After the beep, say "Yes" and the HFL system responds, "Preparing to clear the system, which may take up to 2 minutes to complete. To proceed, press the talk button, and say continue. Otherwise say go back or cancel."

3. Press and release the HFL TALK button. After the beep, say "Continue" to proceed, or say "Go back" or "Cancel."

4. If you said "Continue," the HFL responds, "Please wait until the system is cleared." After a short period of time (up to 2 minutes) the HFL responds, "The system has been cleared."

Self-Diagnostic Function

NOTE: This procedure should be used only if HDS is unavailable.

To run the self-diagnostic function, do the following:

1. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).

2. Press and hold the BACK button (A) or the HFL BACK button (B) for more than 5 seconds.






3. When the HandsFreeLink system enters the self-diagnostic function, the following will occur.

- If the system has not completed testing for DTCs, the HandsFreeLink system says "The hands free system test is in progress."
- If there is no DTC, the HandsFreeLink system says "The hands free system is OK."
- If there is any DTC, the HandsFreeLink system says "The hands free system needs to be serviced."
- The self-diagnostic function ends when the units return to idle state.

NOTE: The self-diagnostic function can only be initiated while the HFL is in an idle state.

Glossary of Terms

Auto Answer

This cell phone setting forces incoming calls to automatically be answered by the handset. Disable this feature on the phone when using the HFL system, as it may interfere with the HFL system answering incoming calls. Set the phone setting to:

- Send Key
- Any Key
- Multi Key answer

Answer Options

These cell phone settings allow you to select how you would like to answer an incoming call on the handset. The answer option in the phone can affect inbound calls on the HFL system.

Authorized Connection

This cell phone setting allows the phone to connect automatically with the HFL system without prompting the client for permission to connect. In some instances, it can affect the ability of the phone to properly route sound to the HFL system.

Bluetooth Power

This cell phone function enables or disables the Bluetooth application. When using a hands-free device such as HFL, the Bluetooth application needs to be enabled.

Discovery Mode

You need to have the cell phone in Discovery Mode to allow other devices with Bluetooth capabilities (such as the HFL system) to find the phone during the pairing process.

HFL Buttons

- TALK button (A) or the HFL TALK button (B): This button activates the voice control system and is used for all voice commends. Press and release it, wait for a beep, and give a voice command.
- BACK button (C) or the HFL BACK button (D): This button has the same function as the CANCEL button. When you press and release it, the current voice command is canceled and the display returns to the previous screen.
- PICK-UP button (E) or the HFL TALK button: This button is used to answer incoming calls or to make outgoing calls. You can also go directly to the Cellular Phone screen by pressing this button.
- HANG-UP button (F) or the HFL BACK button: This button is used to end a call.





Linking

This is when your paired phone is actively ready to use the HFL system. You can pair up to six phones to the HFL system, but only one phone can be linked at a time. If two paired phones are in the vehicle, only the phone that is detected first and is linked can use the HFL system and functions. The second phone must be used as a normal handset.

Pairing

A description for linking two Bluetooth devices together. In this case, you are linking a cell phone with the HFL system. After the pairing process is complete, the devices are able to recognize each other and communicate wirelessly via Bluetooth.

Hard Reset (Cellular phone)

Hard reset clears the saved settings in the cell phone and restores it to the factory defaults. A hard reset should be done only as a last resort (see the cell phone owner's manual for more information).

Soft Reset (Cellular phone)

This helps to restore the basic functions of the phone. To do a soft reset, turn the phone power off, remove and reinsert the cell phone battery, then turn the phone back on. See the cell phone user manual for more information.

Software Version

This refers to the software version loaded in the cell phone. The software version that was tested and determined to be compatible with the HFL system may be listed on the HFL website. Not all software versions are compatible with the HFL system.

Standard Ringtone

These ringtones come factory-installed on the cell phone.