HandsFree Link: Issues and Problems: Part 1- Phone Pairing Issues

This is Part 1 of a series of entries addressing issues and problems with HandsFree Link in your Acura.  This first entry will cover Pairing Issues.

There are two phone settings which are known to cause issues with pairing, one is the Bluetooth® set-up and the other is "Auto Answer" time.

Bluetooth set up: Bluetooth feature settings have to be turned ON. (Phone manufacturers set the default to disable Bluetooth feature to conserve battery life.)

The cell phone may provide procedures to "Temporary Power On Bluetooth" or to "Power On Bluetooth" (leaving Bluetooth on until you turn it off).

Once the Bluetooth feature in the cell phone is turned on, pair the phone to the vehicle and reconfirm phone linkage. Turn the phone off and then back on again. Make or receive a call as a test to confirm if HFL is paired successfully.

When your phone's Bluetooth power is on, your hands free accessory (eg. earpiece) can automatically reconnect to the phone when you turn on the accessory or move it within range of the phone.

"Auto Answer" time: "Auto Answer" is a setting on the cell phone, which functions with a headset.

This feature must be turned OFF or it will not allow the HFL system to accept any incoming calls.

This setting, when enabled, blocks the HFL system from picking up the call and it eventually goes to voice mail. The perception is the cell phone is not paired properly because all calls are going to voicemail.