If you’re having problems with your Acuras HandsFreeLink, or the battery in your TL is going dead overnight, check out this video. HandsFreeLink problems are common on the 04-08 Acura TL, in this video I show you how to address those problems and also how to replace the HandsFreeLink unit.
This is Episode 10 in the Acura TL Series.
Episode 9: https://youtu.be/AOiB5ePMS_8
Episode 11: Link posted when video is live
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Links
How To connect your phone to HandsFreeLink Honda/Acura: https://www.handsfreelink.com
Parts
HandsFree Assembly (Moon Lake Grey): https://www.alldiscountparts.com/oem-parts/acura-telephone-assembly-hands-free-nh528l-moon-lake-gray-39770sepa12za
Tools
Plastic Trim Tools: https://www.jbtools.com/cal-van-tools-117-trim-fastner-molding-remover-set/
Related Videos
How To Find a Parasitic Draw: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KF1gijj03_0&t=7s
2008 Acura TL Inspection Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI_wno4uJb8
Honda J Series Valve Adjustment (Part 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnyqVg3nWRk&t=2s
Honda J Series Valve Adjustment (Part 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLdgivYwUiQ&t=26s
2004 Acura TL Engine Replacement (Part 1): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-Vm4Yd4pvk
2004 Acura TL Engine Replacement (Part 2): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNgHErpLf3M
2004 Acura TL Engine Replacement (Part 3): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csyxyTHFwfM
2004 Acura TL Engine Replacement (Part 4): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTpKDF1tXFg
2008 Acura TL Repair Series (#ETCGBlackura): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI_wno4uJb8&list=PLSzhQ6St-ov0J2n3Z7BsYU5kLkJrvMALD
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Thank you for this video. I did have parasitic battery drain. Watched your video, disconnected that module; no more battery depletion over the weekend.. I have owned my 2005 TL since new. The Hands Free phone set up is well planned out by Acura but unusable from the day you buy it. The ambient noise in the car makes using it nearly impossible due in part to the the installed microphone not being noise cancelling. No body can understand you!! Nor you them. We bought a 2010 Honda CR-V for my wife….SAME ISSUE!!! Not until we traded the CR-V in for a 2020 Acura RDX does hand free phone calls work. The RDX is relatively quiet and the mic is noise cancelling.
Thanks again!
How do i find the 4 digit code for my bluetooth?
Hello what’s the blue connector for ,
Any updates on if this is still working? I don't want to spend the money if it's just going to die again.
I just bought a 2008 mdx and I don't know the code what I can do?
Does the car need to be running or just in on position?
This fix is great HOWEVER A RECALL WILL BE BETTER!! Contact & complain to Acura at (888) 234-2138 this issue isn’t even in their database!
Dude thank you so much for this video. My 06’ TL kept needing a jump because I wasn’t driving it daily. Now that I disconnected the HFL hopefully it won’t happen anymoreðŸ‘ÂÂ
lol that's great thanks for posting this I've been having a battery problem for a couple years now and could not figure it out. I have a 07 TL and my HFL doesn't work so this has to be the fix im gonna unplug it tomorrow Lol thanks again love you're videos on the TL"s Keep it up God Bless
I was toiling for months trying to figure out why my battery drain was happening. Try a few different new batteries and finally broke down and took it to the shop. I tested the alternator at 65 amps prior to taking it in but the shop still said the alternator needed to be replaced. Low and behold, within the next week the battery died again. I went back to the shop and got my money back for the labor. They admitted it wasn't the alternator and was this handsfree link problem. thank you so much for posting this. I'm sleeping better with this problem solved.
RDX 2008 HFL location please
Do you know if the replacement fixes the problem all together? I have replaced mine at the dealer once, and it went bad after 3 years. The car is 13 years old, the original bluetooth lasted about 8 years, the replacement failed and started to drain after 3.
i know that is my problem, now i know where the location is going to unplug it until i can get another one
I have a 2005 Acura TL, about 8 years ago it had a battery that ran out of battery, replaced a total of 5 batteries too, I'm tired of it.
later on I used the electric gauge and knowing it hit the index 6 pole (under the driver's left foot) I removed it and it never drained the battery again. (Provisional advice to use should remove lead pole number 6).
the car has no trouble driving, but there is no door opening light in the seat and remove the door control. (I've been driving like that for about 8 years).
Now I know that the Bluetooth has been unplugged, the car is back to the original state, just can't use the Bluetooth for the phone, I don't need it.
because it was just removed today, so it is not good to know?
Thank you for the guidance.
That's the problem am having! Where did you purchase it from?
Eric, nice video. I have a 2012 TSX, the new battery only lasted for 7 days, I am assuming it is the bluetooth unit issue, do you know where is the 12 TSX bluetooth unit located? any tips to get there? many thanks;
This just happened to my 2016 Acura ILX. Bluetooth no longer works, and the head unit will not respond to any of the Bluetooth options. Have not been able to find any information about where it's located in my car. I'd be open to any help 🙂
If you have the navigation screen you could go into the factory diagnostic menu an it will show you if your HFL an other components are working properly
Plz help buying tl tomorrow with this problem does the radio and sound system work after I disconnect this module?
Hi! If you replace won’t it still have the same issue? Or did Honda make a whole replacement since there was a class act lawsuit against the for this exact problem?
Did you sell this TL already?
WELL THAT IS SMART…GET A 200 DOLLARS CAR JUST TO MAKE YOUTUBE VIDEOS….
I have a 2007 Acura TL. I will try this! Hope this is the small problem bc I replaced the battery,alternator and some wiring. However, if you guys know anything let me know on here?
Nice. Thank you.
Thanks again, Eric. Great video. So helpful. You're a life saver!
Fantastic vid, thanks.
Ever since that shit went bad on my TL-S, I just bought an aftermarket Bluetooth receiver. The handsfreelink is a pain in the ass to keep fixing
I know this might sound stupid but I just added an additional radio under the main screen that shows the back up cam so I can connect my phone to play music can hands free link still work with that there or will I need the original radio there ?
Wish it were that simple on all cars. Sometimes it's a case of removing the entire front console; they don't usually try to make it easy.
Uh you mind helping me find a $200 tl😲✌ï¸ÂÂ