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Audio System: Diagnosis Honda Pilot II

Entertainment Systems 9 illustrations ~1486 words

Symptom Troubleshooting Index

SymptomDiagnostic procedureAlso check for
Poor AM or FM radio reception or interferenceSymptom Troubleshooting (see POOR AM OR FM RADIO RECEPTION OR INTERFERENCE )AM/FM antenna lead and/or sublead short or open in the wire AM/FM antenna open
Audio unit power switch will not turn on (No information display and no sound)Symptom Troubleshooting (see AUDIO UNIT POWER SWITCH WILL NOT TURN ON (NO INFORMATION DISPLAY AND NO SOUND) )
Audio unit power switch will not turn offSymptom Troubleshooting (see AUDIO UNIT POWER SWITCH WILL NOT TURN OFF )
No sound is heard from speaker(s) from all inputs (display is normal) (with rear entertainment system and/or navigation)Symptom Troubleshooting (see NO SOUND IS HEARD FROM SPEAKER(S) FROM ALL INPUTS (DISPLAY IS NORMAL) (WITH REAR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM AND/OR NAVIGATION) )
No sound is heard from speaker(s) from all inputs (display is normal) (without navigation and rear entertainment system)Symptom Troubleshooting (see NO SOUND IS HEARD FROM SPEAKER(S) FROM ALL INPUTS (DISPLAY IS NORMAL) (WITHOUT NAVIGATION AND REAR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM) )
Auxiliary audio input sound is low or cannot be heardSymptom Troubleshooting (see AUXILIARY AUDIO INPUT SOUND IS LOW OR CANNOT BE HEARD )
Audio system sound is weak or distorted (display is normal)Symptom Troubleshooting (see AUDIO SYSTEM SOUND IS WEAK OR DISTORTED (DISPLAY IS NORMAL) )
Volume does not changeSymptom Troubleshooting (see VOLUME DOES NOT CHANGE )
Volume does not increase with speedSymptom Troubleshooting (see VOLUME DOES NOT INCREASE WITH SPEED )
Volume is too high or too low when driving at freeway speeds but is normal when the vehicle is stoppedSymptom Troubleshooting (see VOLUME IS TOO HIGH OR TOO LOW WHEN DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS BUT IS NORMAL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED )
Audio system information does not display on the audio-HVAC display unit (without navigation)Symptom Troubleshooting (see AUDIO SYSTEM INFORMATION DOES NOT DISPLAY ON THE AUDIO-HVAC DISPLAY UNIT (WITHOUT NAVIGATION) )
Audio unit button illumination does not workSymptom Troubleshooting (see AUDIO UNIT BUTTON ILLUMINATION DOES NOT WORK (1 CD TYPE) )
Audio disc does not loadSymptom Troubleshooting (see AUDIO DISC DOES NOT LOAD )Disc labels peeling off disc
Audio disc does not ejectSymptom Troubleshooting (see AUDIO DISC DOES NOT EJECT )Disc labels peeling off disc
Audio disc changer does not load all six discsSymptom Troubleshooting (see AUDIO DISC CHANGER DOES NOT LOAD ALL SIX DISCS )Disc labels peeling off disc Tire pressure (over-inflated), causing excess vibration, disc smudged, dirty, or scratched
Audio disc changer does not move between discsSymptom Troubleshooting (see AUDIO DISC CHANGER DOES NOT MOVE BETWEEN DISCS )Disc labels peeling off disc
Audio disc does not playSymptom Troubleshooting (see AUDIO DISC DOES NOT PLAY )Foreign objects such coins or paper inserted in the CD player Disc labels peeling off disc
Audio disc skipsSymptom Troubleshooting (see AUDIO DISC SKIPS )Tire pressure (over-inflated), causing excess vibration, disc smudged, dirty, or scratched Disc labels peeling off disc
Audio remote switch does not work properlySymptom Troubleshooting (see AUDIO REMOTE SWITCH DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY )
Audio unit button does not workSymptom Troubleshooting (see AUDIO UNIT BUTTON DOES NOT WORK )
Audio unit disc indicator does not workSymptom Troubleshooting (see AUDIO UNIT DISC INDICATOR DOES NOT WORK )
Security indicator does not work properlySymptom Troubleshooting (see SECURITY INDICATOR DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY )
USB input sound is low or cannot be heardSymptom Troubleshooting (see USB INPUT SOUND IS LOW OR CANNOT BE HEARD (WITH NAVIGATION) )Requirement of the USB devices (see Owner's manual)
USB audio device does not workSymptom Troubleshooting (see USB AUDIO DEVICE DOES NOT WORK (WITH NAVIGATION) )Requirement of the USB devices (see Owner's manual)
Booming sound while driving with audio unit on or off (with rear entertainment system and/or navigation)Symptom Troubleshooting (see BOOMING SOUND WHILE DRIVING WITH AUDIO UNIT ON OR OFF (PART 1) (WITH REAR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM AND/OR NAVIGATION) )Aftermarket speakers or amplifier
Booming sound while driving with audio unit on or off (without navigation and rear entertainment system)Symptom Troubleshooting (see BOOMING SOUND WHILE DRIVING WITH AUDIO UNIT ON OR OFF (WITHOUT NAVIGATION AND REAR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM) )Aftermarket speakers or amplifier
Error code: XM NO SIGNAL or XM ANTENNA is displayedSymptom Troubleshooting (see ERROR CODE: XM NO SIGNAL OR XM ANTENNA IS DISPLAYED )
XM radio display is blank and no station information is displayedSymptom Troubleshooting (see XM RADIO DISPLAY IS BLANK AND NO STATION INFORMATION IS DISPLAYED )
XM radio preset memory is lostSymptom Troubleshooting (see XM RADIO PRESET MEMORY IS LOST )
Poor or no sound with XM radio (Audio unit does display XM channels)Symptom Troubleshooting (see POOR OR NO SOUND WITH XM RADIO (AUDIO UNIT DOES DISPLAY XM CHANNELS) )

TROUBLESHOOTING TABLE

Phase Test

Do this test to confirm proper speaker phasing.

  1. Insert the audio diagnostic CD (T/N 07AAZ-SDBA100) into the audio unit.
  2. Play track No. 2 (phase) at a normal, or slightly higher than normal, volume level.
  3. The voice should sound centered and focused when it is in-phase.
  4. The voice should sound diffused, and have less bass when it is out of phase.
  1. If the voice changes from in-phase to out of phase as indicated by the prompt, the phasing is correct. Go to «ELECTRICAL NOISE TEST»(ref-333639-S14441311692009072100000) .
  2. If the voice always sounds out of phase, phasing is not correct. Check for
  1. Crossed speaker wires
  2. Faulty amplifier
  3. Faulty audio unit

Electrical Noise Test

Do this test to check for electrical noise being induced into the audio system.

Note. Electrical noise may be caused by outside sources that cannot be handled by the audio system. Make sure you remove any cell phones and/or turn off any aftermarket devices before beginning this test.

  1. Insert the audio diagnostic CD (T/N 07AAZ-SDBA100) into the audio unit.
  2. Play track No. 4 (digital zero) at a normal, or slightly higher than normal, volume level.
  3. Operate any electrical device that may create electrical noise in the audio system, including starting the engine.
  4. Play track No. 5 (near digital zero) at a normal, or slightly higher than normal, volume level.
  5. Operate any electrical device that may create electrical noise in the audio system, including starting the engine.
  6. Play track No. 6 (SNR) at a normal, or slightly higher than normal, volume level.
  7. Operate any electrical device that may create electrical noise in the audio system, including starting the engine.
  1. If no abnormal noise is heard, go to «INDIVIDUAL SPEAKER TEST»(ref-333639-S31192612442009072100000) .
  2. If the noise is present only during the SNR track, replace the audio unit (see «AUDIO UNIT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(ref-333639-S09667756202009072100000) ).
  3. If the noise is heard during the digital zero or near digital zero track, check for
  1. Poor ground at the audio unit, amplifier, engine, or battery cable
  2. Pinched or shorted speaker or amplifier wire
  3. Faulty amplifier
  4. Faulty audio unit
  5. Other faulty components causing excessive electrical noise (ignition coils, alternator, door lock actuators, etc.). Disconnect any suspect components, and then replay the tracks that were originally noisy. If the noise is gone, check the component's circuit and the component.

Individual Speaker Test

Do this test to identify a faulty speaker.

  1. Insert the audio diagnostic CD (T/N 07AAZ-SDBA100) into the audio unit.
  2. Play track No. 30 (steady 300 Hz tone) at a normal, or slightly higher than normal, volume level.
  3. Listen to each speaker for poor sound compared to the other channels. Use the audio unit's fader and balance settings to help isolate the channel with the problem.
  1. If the sound quality produced by a specific speaker is poor, substitute it with a known-good speaker. If the poor sound quality continues, go to «SOUND BALANCE TEST»(ref-333639-S17789956032009072100000) .
  2. If the sound quality is OK, go to «SOUND BALANCE TEST»(ref-333639-S17789956032009072100000) .

Sound Balance Test

Perform this test to identify a faulty channel or speaker.

  1. Insert the audio diagnostic CD (T/N 07AAZ-SDBA100) into the audio unit.
  2. Confirm the bass and treble are set to the center positions.
  3. Play track No. 3 (pink noise) at a normal, or slightly higher than normal, volume level.
  4. A static type sound should be heard through all speakers.
  5. Insert the audio diagnostic CD (T/N 07AAZ-SDBA100) into the audio unit of a known-good vehicle.
  6. Set the bass and treble to the center positions.
  7. Play track No. 3 (pink noise) all the same level as was played in step 3.
  8. Compare the sounds made by the two vehicles.
  1. If the sound does not have as much bass, check the subwoofer and circuit.
  2. If the sound does not have enough hiss, check the tweeters and their circuits.

Seek Stop Test

Do this test to check the performance of the audio unit's AM and FM reception. Refer to symptom troubleshooting: audio sound weak or distorted, or no sound is heard from speakers (display is normal) (see AUDIO UNIT POWER SWITCH WILL NOT TURN OFF ) before continuing with this test.

Note. Window tint, aftermarket theft-recovery devices and other aftermarket devices may affect reception. Changes in cloud cover and other atmospheric conditions will affect the ability of the audio unit to receive radio signals.

  1. Park the customer's vehicle in an open area away from buildings or other obstructions.
  2. Park a known-good vehicle (same year, model, and trim level) next to the customer's vehicle, facing the same direction.
  3. Start the engine in the customer's vehicle, and turn on the radio.
  4. Set the FM receiver to 87.7 MHz.
  5. Press the Seek + button, and record the first station that the audio unit locks onto.
  6. Press the Seek + button repeatedly, and write down each station that the audio unit locks onto until the station recorded in step 5 is reached again.
  7. Set the AM receiver to 530 kHz.
  8. Press the Seek + button, and record the first station that the audio unit locks onto.
  9. Press the Seek + button repeatedly, and write down each station that the audio unit locks onto until the station recorded in step 8 is reached again.
  10. Turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
  11. Start the engine in the known-good vehicle, and then perform steps 4 thru 10 on the known-good vehicle.
  12. Compare the number of stations received in steps 6 and 9 in the customer's vehicle with the number of stations received in the known-good vehicle.
  1. If the number of stations received is the same, or within 10%, the audio unit's tuner performance is OK. The problem may be atmospheric conditions, multi-path interference, or other obstructions to the radio signal.
  2. If the customer's vehicle receives fewer stations by at least 10%, go to step 2 of poor AM or FM radio reception or interference (see «SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING»(ref-333639-S36068060492009072100000) ).

Center Speaker and Test

Note. Put on gloves to protect your hands. Take care not scratch the dashboard.

Scheme 6

Scheme 6: Center Speaker and Test
Scheme 6: Center Speaker and Test
  1. Remove the center upper panel (see «CENTER UPPER PANEL REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(ref-333587-S23754137772009072100000) ).
  2. Remove the screws and the speaker (A).
  3. Measure the resistance between terminals No. 1 and No. 2. There should be about 4 ohms.
  4. If the resistance is not as specified, replace the center speaker.

Scheme 7

Scheme 7: Tweeter and Test
Scheme 7: Tweeter and Test

Scheme 8

Scheme 8
Scheme 8

Scheme 9

Scheme 9
Scheme 9

Scheme 10

Scheme 10
Scheme 10
  1. From the notch (A), carefully pry the tweeter grille (B) out of the dashboard with a small screwdriver. Be careful not to damage the tweeter grille and the dashboard.
  2. Disconnect the 2P connector (C) from the tweeter.
  3. Remove the tweeter (A) from the speaker grille by prying at the hook (C).
  4. Without navigation and rear entertainment system, check the capacitor (B) condition. If any problem is found, replace the tweeter.
  5. Measure the resistance between the tweeter (A) terminals as shown. With rear entertainment system and/or navigation: Measure the resistance between the front door tweeter 2P connector terminals No. 1 and No. 2. There should be about 3.3 ohms. Without navigation and rear entertainment system: Measure the resistance between the tweeter (A) terminal No. 2 and the outside terminal of the capacitor. There should be about 6 ohms. With rear entertainment system and/or navigation Without navigation and rear entertainment system
  6. If the resistance is not as specified, replace the tweeter.

Scheme 11

Scheme 11: Satellite Speaker and Test
Scheme 11: Satellite Speaker and Test
  1. Remove the quarter pillar trim (see «TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - PILLAR AREAS»(ref-333585-S08240123312009072100000) ).
  2. Remove the speaker grille (A) and connector clip (B).
  3. Remove the screws and the satellite speaker (C).
  4. Measure the resistance between terminals No. 1 and No. 2. There should be about 4 ohms.
  5. If the resistance is not as specified, replace the satellite speaker.

Scheme 12

Scheme 12: Subwoofer and Test
Scheme 12: Subwoofer and Test
  1. Remove the right rear side trim panel (see «TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - REAR SIDE AREA»(ref-333585-S17052326012009072100000) ).
  2. Disconnect the 2P connector (A), then remove the bolts, nuts and pull out the subwoofer (B).
  3. Measure the resistance between terminals No. 1 and No. 2. There should be about 2 ohms.
  4. If the resistance is not as specified, replace the subwoofer.

Audio Remote Switch Test

SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS COMPONENT LOCATION INDEX and PRECAUTIONS AND PROCEDURES before doing repairs or service.

Scheme 13

Scheme 13: Audio Remote Switch Test
Scheme 13: Audio Remote Switch Test
  1. Remove the steering wheel (see «STEERING WHEEL REMOVAL»(ref-333571-S30479083692009072100000) ).
  2. Remove the audio remote switch (see «STEERING WHEEL DISASSEMBLY/REASSEMBLY»(ref-333571-S29396259642009072100000) ).
  3. Measure the resistance between terminals No. 1 and No. 8 in each switch position according to the table below. RESISTANCE REFERENCE TABLE Position Resistance No button pressed About 10 kohms MODE About 3.7 kohms CH (+) About 1.7 kohms CH (-) About 775 ohms ↑ (VOL. UP) About 357 ohms ↓ (VOL. DOWN) About 100 ohms
  4. If the resistance is not as specified, replace the audio remote switch (see «STEERING WHEEL DISASSEMBLY/REASSEMBLY»(ref-333571-S29396259642009072100000) ).

Scheme 14

Scheme 14: AM/FM Antenna Amplifier Replacement
Scheme 14: AM/FM Antenna Amplifier Replacement
  1. Remove the right quarter pillar trim (see «TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - REAR SIDE AREA»(ref-333585-S17052326012009072100000) ).
  2. Disconnect the connector (A) from the AM/FM antenna amplifier (B).
  3. Remove the bolt and AM/FM antenna amplifier.
  4. Install the amplifier in the reverse order of removal.

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