Great video and he is spot on. I’ve had battery drain issues over the past year and the Acura dealer had no idea. My local non-dealer shop figured it out quickly and knew that this was common with Acura’s.
You’d think this should be the other way around and the dealership should know this is common but I’d bet then they would have to have a recall if they knew it’s widespread.
@@JDMRightHandDrive how long you own it? Just asking my wife is looking to buy one from my friend says the battery drains is the only problem did it stop drying your battery after you did this?
@@ericsanchez2060 We owned the 09 MDX for just over 6 years. Yes the battery drain issue was resolved after unplugging the BT module. We got rid the the car because transmission was starting to fail at 145k miles.
@@rasheedthorpe9785 it looks like there's a couple different videos on the Bluetooth module on RU-vid for your car. from what I saw it looks like it's in the dash just below the steering wheel to the left side. Good luck!
Great! I,ve had this problem for 7yrs with my 2009 Acura tsx . no one could figure out whats the problem. Out this goes out my car! i noticed after i unpaired my phone it would last 3dys, i went out of the country for 10dys it started right away. came out the next morning it was dead! that prompted me to believe it had something to do with the bluetooth. i googled and found your video! thanks so much! problem solved!
Great video. I had this problem on my 2006 MDX. On that car the Bluetooth module is inside the dome light fixture. I pryed the piece off with a chisel so the narrow end in and then wider to expand it out. Unclip 2 wire connections and remove the light assemby. Then remove four 8 mm bolts and take down the plastic trim piece. There unclip the green connector to the Bluetooth adaptor. This cut my drain from 300 milliamps to 100 milliamps or less. I checked all my fuses and saw no change so ~100 ma might be the minimum or there is something causing another small loss. Hopefully this makes the car more reliable.
thanks for posting. my Acura sat for 2 days (it's sat longer than 2 days without any issue countless times before). weak startup this morning (a huge surprise since this car always starts) and when I shut the car off turn off the dash displayed "battery drained, turn off all lights and accessories". so I had battery and alternator checked at O'REILLYs and everything was fine, 100% battery and 100% alternator. I'm going to disconnect BT module right now. I never use he BT module anyways.
So glad to help. I did all the same stuff as you thinking it was something else. I replaced several batteries and finally went to the MDX forums to figure out it was the BT module. Glad you got things sorted out, this is such a frustrating problem to deal with. Thanks for watching.
Christ ..replace two batteries ony Mom 08 RDX with Tech PKG. On gonna go unplug this s...!! Thx bro. Following u now. She just gave me the vehicle back ...
Thanks I was having trouble with my Acura rl. I thought it was my starter then battery then I was thinking alternator but this helps out a lot because I lost hope in the car. So thank you ✅
My 2012 MDX isn’t starting today. I did some research and found out about the HFL causing the battery drain. Since we are in quarantine I haven’t been driving much at all. My car hasn’t been driven for days. I disconnected the HFL. I will get my car jump started tomorrow. Wish me luck!!!! I hope this is the issue!
Interesting symptom of a bad module. My module never drained the battery but was never able to remember any phones that connected to it after about a week. Seems that they were junk in multiple ways! Thanks for the vid.
I had the same issue with my 06 TL. If it sat for more than a couple of days it wouldn't start. So started checking voltage on each fuse. Turns out my issue was with the #7 fuse which controls the interior lights and the remote lock. So now I carry needle nose pliers with me and if I know the car will sit for more than a couple of days, I pull out the fuse. It can sit for a week (and has when the temps were near 20) and it will still start up like a champ. Have the voltage tested before you just start replacing parts cause we all know that isn't cheap!
I never voltage tested parts. I did put a meter on the battery to see if I could measure voltage drain when the car was off and the meter did show parasitic drain. I was able to read a few forums and discovered the BT module issues. I unplugged that module and our issue was fixed. We ended up selling the MDX because the transmission was beginning to fail at only 145k miles. Thanks for watching, glad you figured out your issues. If you have time share it with the Acura community somehow to help others!
Great tutorial and video like this helps out lot of people. By any chance does anyone know where the module is located on a 2016 ILX, I'm having the same issue.
I finally found out what the problem was, my bluetooth was on and it was draining my battery because it was constantly running in search of pairing with another device. I went in my setting on the infotainment system and turned the bluetooth off.
Great video. If you have a TL, the HFL is in the assembly that houses from cabin lights by the rear view mirror. Takes about 10 minutes top to get to the HFL and disconnect it. Surprisingly lousy engineering on the Acuras...
Yeah I totally agree from Honda/Acura to have something so simple like this affect the entire product line up and cause so much frustration to owners is almost embarrassing for the brand. Glad you liked the video and I hope it helped you out.
@@JDMRightHandDrive I mean, its a 15 year old vehicle. Nothing lasts forever and it was bound to fail at some point. Any board that's connected to the battery has the potential to do this as it ages.
If that doesn't work, replace the AC clutch relay and the accompanying 7.5 amp fuse underneath the hood (located on the passenger side under the hood of an MDX)
I have a 2007 Acura MDX with parasitic drain. I replaced the battery, alternator, clutch relay fuses, and I “dis-connected” the HFL module as per your recommendation. I still am having dead batteries after about 48hrs. I am aware that the module replacement worked for you. I am still searching for a viable solution. Any other ideas that you could share that you may have come across during your research?
So I have a 2017 Acura ILX and have replaced the battery 3 times so far. Last battery I got was a gold battery and it only lasted 20 months. If I turn off the bluetooth in the settings, would that alleviate the issue? I shouldn't have to do that as I like using bluetooth but there is no warning when the battery dies these days. It was driving fine the day before then the morning I am taking my kid to college it wouldn't start and the display lights were going bonkers. Luckily battery was under warranty so replacement was free but it's still very annoying.
Our car would battery would die if it sat longer than 24 hours. I would find the module and unplug it. Turning off the BT settings from what I understand does not fix the issue. Good luck!
You can purchase another module if you want to use the in car blu tooth phone feature. If you unplug the module, you wont be able to use the in car phone feature, but no more dead battery. I not sure how long the module would last if you replaced it. Probably around 8-10 years would be my guess. Good luck with your fix!
I was about to replace the Alternator on my 05 MDX but decided to try this first. Although my MDX's bluetooth module was located above the rear-view mirror. Hopefully it'll work out.
Do you think the Bluetooth module for DMX Acura 2016 is located at the same place I need to pull it out… Or have someone pull it out it drains my battery horribly and I can’t keep buying new batteries. Thank you
Changed battery twice. Alternator twice. No luck. Started to unhook the battery at night and plug back in in the morning. Now the Canadian freeze… so never could figure it out. Tom I’m going to do this and see.
Most likely. Every single Honda and Acura vehicles in the entire product line suffer from this BT module failure. I would research where your BT module is and unplug it. Good luck and I hope this fixes your dead battery issue.
From what I have learned since making this video a few years ago. The entire Honda/Acura product line of cars with factory bluetooth suffer from this problem. Do some research for your RL as to where the BT module is and unplug it. Good luck, I hope that is an easy fix for you guys.
Will disconnecting the Bluetooth disable your ability to connect your cell phone to the radio or is this a separate Bluetooth only for hands-free calling?
@@JDMRightHandDrive what's your solution? Do you not use Bluetooth at all? Music or for calls? Aux cord? I want to get a mdx but I think it has that draining issue
Yeah for something that is so frustrating to deal with everyday on your car. The solution is way to easy. Thanks for watching and glad the video help you guys out.
I have a acura Rlx 2014, when I use Bluetooth audio mode no sound is coming. I took the positive cable off the battery and that fixed the audio issue... but next day lost the Bluetooth mode audio again. Tried different phones same issue so I know it's related to my acura . USB & radio works fine. Any tips please?
No, it does not have anything to do with the vehicles emissions to trigger the check engine light. Do dash lights come on either from unplugging the BT module.
just when through the same scenario with my 2012 mdx. just pulled the plug cause can't get the part from honda/acura anymore. They're not producing it. sucks that acura won't support an 11 y.o. car parts. can buy it used but may have the same issue. not sure how to test the module if i buy a pre owned one. next car won't be a company that doesn't support their older vehicals.
I have this problem in my 2015 Acura tlx. If my car sits overnight, it won't start and I have to jump it or just keep my battery disconnected in order for the car to start. My battery is brand new and the alternator and starter checked out good btw. Where is the Bluetooth module located in a Acura tlx?
Found this on a TLX forum. finally I was able to find it, it’s above the glove box. you would need to take out the entire glove box and its located on the left side. I hope this help you out, good luck it sounds like this one is pretty hard to get to compared to my older MDX. acurazine.com/forums/first-generation-tlx-2015-2020-415/2015-tlx-where-hands-free-module-located-985823/
@@ricardovelez2596 Yes, I serviced the transmission with OEM Acura fluid every 30,000 miles and transmission still was starting to fail just over 145,000 miles.
@@pa7333 That's interesting. Are you sure it's a parasitic drain on the battery, and not just a normal drain? Today, so much runs in the background, my battery only went 4.5 years.
@@WildWing-wl7nj I'm not sure. Nothing is left on. However I've been driving w a voltage indicator in the cigarette lighter and the voltage fluctuates from as low as 12.4 to 14.3. When lights are turned on voltage shows charging. I replaced the OAD on the alternator to see if that helped and it did for about a month the voltage was between 12.7-14.3.
@@pa7333 These days, it doesn't matter if you don't leave anything on. The hands up display runs in the background, including Bluetooth. The security system keeps on running. All these things drain the batter, in my experience, in 4 to 4.5 years. We were used to longer batter life in the past, but that's the past. Now, normal drain is 4 to 4.5 years. I replace batteries at that point, even though they may test fine. A battery can still have a bad cell and show up fine with a test. They simply don't last as long as they used to. Hope that helps.
From the information I have gathered from the Honda/Acura forums, the Bluetooth issues is a problem across the entire Acura product line. I would try unplugging the module and see if that makes a difference! Good luck!
So if the battery was tested with a battery analyzer and a test came out that the battery was OK why would you replace it. ? A simple voltage drop test across the fuses would find the problem within 10 minutes. Isolate that circuit, check the wiring diagram and you're off to the races.
I have an 09 TL as well, just hit 116,000 miles on it this week. It’s my baby, but having this same battery drain issue myself. Replaced the battery which helped for 2-3 weeks but definitely didn’t resolve it completely.
@@freshlando I would first check were the key fob goes in the dash.the slot will sometimes stay engaged after inserting the fob.it can be disengage with your finger and some fiddling.you will know this is the issue if you have lights on the dash after vehicle is turned off or you here the Chim noise as if the keys are still in vehicle.ive gotten by with never using the inverted key fobband only using keyless start. 2nd the most common issue is the Bluetooth could be constantly searching for device causing battery drain.the Bluetooth is a box located under the console unplug and leave unplugged to eliminate.replace with new Bluetooth if desired
@@freshlando for me the issues was the fob slot on dash. Insert finger feeling downward will be a flat piece of plastic that moves forward when fob is inserted. Applying pressure try and pull the piece toward you or giggle it until lights or chim sound stop. 😂
Got it unplugged. The flashing exclamation point went off and seems to be starting fine for now. Hopefully it fixed the issue. Thanks so much bro @@JDMRightHandDrive
Something is causing the a slow parasitic draw on the battery for sure. Battery is low again. Going to test to see where it's drawing power from. Seems like this is a common issue with the mdx
2008 TL going to order my 3rd module have replaced 3 batteries and 1 alternator. 125 k miles. I'm going to change emblem to Ford. Temporary repairs. Other than this great car but tired of having wife call me with the batteries dead again.
You and me both, it's never fun when your wife calls with a dead battery time and time again. We switched out emblem from Acura to Mazda now. Wife is driving a 2021 Mazda CX9. Car is 8 months old, has driven 5000 miles and is perfect so far.
That is frustrating. Have you checked there are no cabin lights in the back maybe left on from passengers. Beyond that, you will have to read some forums to try and troubleshoot.
That is a good question, I think that Honda should issues a recall with almost every single car and SUV model they produced in the last 10+ years having this same issue. Not what you would expect from a reliable Japanese car manufacture.
Yes, I hope that is the issue for you guys. That would be an inexpensive and easy fix. It's crazy how almost every Honda and Acura product have this exact same issue with the Bluetooth module going bad and killing the battery. It creates a huge amount of frustration in the Honda and Acura community. Good luck!
I've been dealing with this problem for about 6 years or more. Finally bought a portable jumper battery, and have jumped my dead car battery countless times in the past 2 years. Otherwise I have to drive it everyday to keep it charged. I had the dealer perform an electrical check 2 times, but they report nothing wrong. This week I took the car in for maintenance, and they said they would try disconnecting the Blu-tooth. Don't know yet if it worked or not. They kept suggesting it might be the Blu-tooth, which means they know its a common problem, but never bothered to troubleshoot it. This time the shop foreman basically insisted on disconnecting it. I don't care since I never used it.
Wow I feel your frustration on this. My wife and I were dealing with this and I did not like not knowing if my wife's car would not start and she would be stranded potentially. I hope that unplugging the BT module was the source of your battery drain and fixed your problem with your car. Good luck and thanks for watching.
Never installed a new one. The car bluetooth is outdated and we never use it anymore. Plus the new module was close to $400 and we didn't want to spend that kind of money for this older SUV.
That's right. But this is procedure is properly termed a 'Workaround'. It is NOT a 'Fix.' Some of us like having the 'Handsfreelink' (Part #39770-STX-A110-M1) functional. Unfortunately, the only real 'fix' is to replace the module. But that doesn't guarantee the problem won't return. Unfortunately, the Acura MDX proves that 'Luxury' doesn't necessarily mean 'high quality.' It only means 'Costly to buy and costly to maintain.' I'll go for a Honda Pilot Elite next time I buy!
Its the same with mine Or it could be the worst kind The serpentine bent If it keeps on honking Check the the fuse Of the left corner Remove it while your car charge
I've got a 2007 Acura MDX. I've disconnected the HFL, replaced the AC clutch relay, disconnected the microphone located in the ceiling control section, replaced battery and both positive and negative terminal cables, disconnected the fan on the radio as we noticed it was coming on while the car was parked. unfortunately..... None of these fixed my issue. Car dies after sitting for one day. Any other ideas anyone? Please help
Wow, that is very extensive the attempting to figure out your battery drain source. I am not sure where to go next off the top of my head. I would check out some MDX forums and see what other owners have to say with similar issues. Beyond the Blu Tooth module, we never and any issues with the car.
@@JDMRightHandDrive finally figured it out. It was the stereo. at first I thought it was just the fan on the stereo so I unplugged the fan from inside the stereo. This did not fix the problem. Rather than purchasing another OEM used stereo that might potentially have this issue in the future, i instead installed an aftermarket pioneer head unit. Problem solved. For me it was a battery drain coming from the hfl unit and the stereo.
@@hiramchen5916 Hello, for me it turned out not to be just the fan. I removed mine and it continued to drain the battery. In the end, I replaced the entire stereo and it solved my problem 100%. If you insist on trying the fan first, I remember that when I removed the four screws, the harness for the fan was nearby. Very easy.
It was definitely a frustrating issue to have to deal with. Especially it being my wife's car. Such and easy fix, but a problem that especially a Honda/Acura product should never have in the first place.
You're absolutely right. Acura and Honda should issue a recall. This is not just an issue on the MDX it's on most Acura products of oils Honda products that have the Bluetooth calling feature.
Nah, they probably make too much money selling replacement batteries, and doing diagnostic repairs. I have the same problem - been struggling with it for 6 years. They finally disconnected my Blu-tooth, but I won't know if it worked until I stop driving the car for at least 3 days. Not difficult when it rains for a week, but it's summer right now.
I did this, along with the disconnecting the radio, and even the 6 disc CD mechanism, along with battery and new alternator, and AC clutch relay. Still have the same issue, anyone here have any other ideas??
Was always concerned when I realized that my phone that was in the house showed that it was connecting to the car bluetooth HFL module while the car in the driveway while the car had not been used and was currently OFF...
Yes, that would be a little concerning to have your phone still connected to the car after turning the car off. Your phone probably would not work unless you went into the Bluetooth settings and disconnected from the car?
@@gaborszu7691 I didn't take any action on the bluetooth module as i think that was only a trickle drain for our car. Otherwise, we trained ourselves not to play the radio without the car running, had the dealer replace the original battery under warranty, and realized, a few years later, that the dealer installed the incorrect battery for the car (not AGM) so that's another reason the battery was not holding charge. An auto start/stop car requires an AGM battery to handle the battery usage for this feature.
Doesn’t seem is normal….I ordered a new Bluetooth module…See If will helps the problem!looks like the Bluetooth running in the background and drain the battery after 2 days sitting in the parking lot!
@@JDMRightHandDrive yes i went thru 2 batteries an alternator and them took it to an electrician till he finally told me it was thos crap lol like 1k down the drain
