Audio system sound is weak or distorted (display is normal) (With Navigation, With ELS Audio)

2018 Acura RLX BaseSECTION Audio system sound is weak or distorted (display is normal) (With Navigation, With ELS Audio)

NOTE: 

  1. Problem verification

    -1. Turn on the audio system, and check for sound in each mode (AM/FM, XM, AUX, USB, Bluetooth audio, and CD).

    Is the sound weak or distorted in each mode?

    YES: Sound is weak or distorted in all modes

    The failure is duplicated, go to step 2.

    YES: Sound is weak or distorted in AM/FM mode

    Go to AM/FM radio display is blank or no station information is displayed troubleshooting .

    YES: Sound is weak or distorted in XM mode

    Go to Poor or no sound with XM radio (Audio-navigation unit does display XM channels) troubleshooting .

    YES: Sound is weak or distorted in AUX mode

    Go to Auxiliary input sound is low or cannot be heard troubleshooting .

    YES: Sound is weak or distorted in USB mode

    Go to USB input sound is low or cannot be heard troubleshooting .

    YES: Sound is weak or distorted in Bluetooth audio mode

    Go to No sound when Bluetooth audio is used troubleshooting .

    YES: Sound is weak or distorted in CD mode

    Go to Audio disc does not play troubleshooting .

    NO 

    Intermittent failure, the system is OK at this time.

  2. Speaker output check 1

    -1. Go into the System Diagnostic Mode, and use the speaker check mode .

    Did all check mode (FL, FR, RR, RL) produce a tone?

    YES 

    Go to step 3.

    NO 

    Go to step 4.

  3. Speaker output check 2

    -1. Go into the System Diagnostic Mode, and use the speaker check mode .

    Did all speakers produce a tone?

    YES 

    Go to step 7.

    NO: Sound is low or cannot be heard in front door tweeter (s)

    Go to step 11.

    NO: Sound is low or cannot be heard in some speaker except front door tweeter (s)

    Go to step 14.

  4. Shorted wire check (PRE lines)

    -1. Turn the vehicle to the OFF (LOCK) mode.

    -2. Disconnect the following connectors.

    NOTE:  Eject the disc before disconnecting the audio-navigation unit to prevent damaging the CD/DVD player's load mechanism.

    Stereo amplifier connector B (28P)
    Audio-navigation unit connector A (24P)

    -3. Check for continuity between these test points and body ground individually.

    Test condition Vehicle OFF (LOCK) mode
      Stereo amplifier connector B (28P): disconnected
      Audio-navigation unit connector A (24P): disconnected
    Connector  Test circuits  Terminal 
    Audio-navigation unit connector A (24P) FL PRE+ No. 15 (BLK)
    FL PRE- No. 16 (GRN)
    FR PRE+ No. 19 (WHT)
    FR PRE- No. 20 (RED)
    GHH340785Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

    Is there continuity?

    YES 

    There is a short to body ground in the wires between the audio-navigation unit and the stereo amplifier. Replace the affected shielded harness.

    NO 

    The PRE wires are not shorted to ground. Go to step 5.

  5. Shorted wire check (PRE+ lines to PRE- lines)

    -1. Check for continuity between test points 1 and 2.

    Test condition Vehicle OFF (LOCK) mode
      Stereo amplifier connector B (28P): disconnected
      Audio-navigation unit connector A (24P): disconnected
    Test circuits  Connector: Audio-navigation unit connector A (24P) 
    Test point 1  Test points 2 
    FL PRE+ to FL PRE- No. 15 (BLK) No. 16 (GRN)
    FR PRE+ to FR PRE- No. 19 (WHT) No. 20 (RED)
    GHH340786Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

    Is there continuity?

    YES 

    There is a short in the wires between the audio-navigation unit and the stereo amplifier. Replace the affected shielded harness.

    NO 

    The PRE+and the PRE- wires are not shorted. Go to step 6.

  6. Open wire check (PRE lines)

    -1. Check for continuity between test points 1 and 2.

    Test condition Vehicle OFF (LOCK) mode
      Stereo amplifier connector B (28P): disconnected
      Audio-navigation unit connector A (24P): disconnected
    Test circuits  Test point 1:Audio-navigation unit connector A (24P)  Test point 2:Stereo amplifier connector B (28P) 
    FL PRE+ No. 15 (BLK) No. 9 (BLK)
    FL PRE- No. 16 (GRN) No. 23 (GRN)
    FR PRE+ No. 19 (WHT) No. 8 (WHT)
    FR PRE- No. 20 (RED) No. 22 (RED)
    GHH340787Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.
    GHH340788Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

    Is there continuity

    YES 

    The PRE wires are OK. Go to step 10.

    NO 

    There is an open in the wire (s) between the audio-navigation unit and the stereo amplifier. Replace the affected shielded harness.

  7. Shorted wire check (PRE lines)

    -1. Turn the vehicle to the OFF (LOCK) mode.

    -2. Disconnect the following connectors.

    NOTE:  Eject the disc before disconnecting the audio-navigation unit to prevent damaging the CD/DVD player's load mechanism.

    Stereo amplifier connector B (28P)
    Audio-navigation unit connector A (24P)
    Audio-navigation unit connector B (8P)

    -3. Check for continuity between these test points and body ground individually.

    Test condition Vehicle OFF (LOCK) mode
      Stereo amplifier connector B (28P): disconnected
      Audio-navigation unit connector A (24P): disconnected
      Audio-navigation unit connector B (8P): disconnected
    Connector  Test circuits  Terminal 
    Audio-navigation unit connector A (24P) RL PRE+ No. 5 (BLU)
    RL PRE- No. 6 (RED)
    RR PRE+ No. 9 (BLK)
    RR PRE- No. 10 (WHT)
    Connector  Test circuits  Terminal 
    Audio-navigation unit connector B (8P) CTR PRE+ No. 1 (PNK)
    CTR PRE- No. 3 (LT GRN)
    SUB W PRE+ No. 5 (LT BLU)
    SUB W PRE- No. 7 (ORN)
    GHH340789Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.
    GHH340790Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

    Is there continuity?

    YES 

    There is a short to body ground in the wire (s) between the audio-navigation unit and the stereo amplifier. Replace the affected shielded harness.

    NO 

    The PRE wires are not shorted to ground. Go to step 8.

  8. Shorted wire check (PRE+ lines to PRE- lines)

    -1. Check for continuity between test points 1 and 2.

    Test condition Vehicle OFF (LOCK) mode
      Stereo amplifier connector B (28P): disconnected
      Audio-navigation unit connector A (24P): disconnected
      Audio-navigation unit connector B (8P): disconnected
    Test circuits  Connector: Audio-navigation unit connector A (24P) 
    Test point 1  Test points 2 
    RL PRE+ to RL PRE- No. 5 (BLU) No. 6 (RED)
    RR PRE+ to RR PRE- No. 9 (BLK) No. 10 (WHT)
    Test circuits  Connector: Audio-navigation unit connector B (8P) 
    Test point 1  Test points 2 
    CTR PRE+ to CTR PRE- No. 1 (PNK) No. 3 (LT GRN)
    SUB W PRE+ to SUB W PRE- No. 5 (LT BLU) No. 7 (ORN)
    GHH340791Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.
    GHH340792Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

    Is there continuity?

    YES 

    There is a short in the wires between the audio-navigation unit and the stereo amplifier. Replace the affected shielded harness.

    NO 

    The PRE+and the PRE- wires are not shorted. Go to step 9.

  9. Open wire check (PRE lines)

    -1. Check for continuity between test points 1 and 2.

    Test condition Vehicle OFF (LOCK) mode
      Stereo amplifier connector B (28P): disconnected
      Audio-navigation unit connector A (24P): disconnected
      Audio-navigation unit connector B (8P): disconnected
    Test circuits  Test point 1:Audio-navigation unit connector A (24P)  Test point 2:Stereo amplifier connector B (28P) 
    RL PRE+ No. 5 (BLU) No. 7 (BLU)
    RL PRE- No. 6 (RED) No. 21 (RED)
    RR PRE+ No. 9 (BLK) No. 6 (BLK)
    Test circuits  Test point 1:Audio-navigation unit connector A (24P)  Test point 2:Stereo amplifier connector B (28P) 
    RR PRE- No. 10 (WHT) No. 20 (WHT)
    Test circuits  Test point 1:Audio-navigation unit connector B (8P)  Test point 2:Stereo amplifier connector B (28P) 
    CTR PRE+ No. 1 (PNK) No. 11 (PNK)
    CTR PRE- No. 3 (LT GRN) No. 25 (LT GRN)
    SUB W PRE+ No. 5 (LT BLU) No. 10 (LT BLU)
    SUB W PRE- No. 7 (ORN) No. 24 (ORN)
    GHH340793Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.
    GHH340794Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.
    GHH340795Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

    Is there continuity

    YES 

    The PRE wires are OK. Go to step 10.

    NO 

    There is an open in the wire (s) between the audio-navigation unit and the stereo amplifier. Replace the affected shielded harness.

  10. Stereo amplifier check (substitution)

    -1. Substitute a known-good stereo amplifier .

    -2. Reconnect all the connectors, and recheck.

    Does the symptom go away?

    YES 

    Replace the original stereo amplifier.

    NO 

    Replace the audio-navigation unit .

  11. Determine possible failure area (speaker, others) 1

    -1. Turn the vehicle to the OFF (LOCK) mode.

    -2. Check the speaker (s) for any damage.

    Is there any damage?

    YES 

    Replace the faulty speaker (s) .

    NO 

    Go to step 12.

  12. Determine possible failure area (speaker, others) 2

    -1. Test the speaker (s) .

    Is the speaker (s) OK?

    YES 

    Go to step 13.

    NO 

    Replace the faulty speaker (s) .

  13. Open wire check (FL TWEETER lines, FR TWEETER lines)

    -1. Disconnect the following connector.

    Stereo amplifier connector A (18P)

    -2. Check for continuity between test points 1 and 2.

    Test condition Vehicle OFF (LOCK) mode
      Stereo amplifier connector A (18P): disconnected
      Front door tweeter 2P connector: disconnected
    Test circuit  Test point 1:Stereo amplifier connector A (18P)  Test point 2:Left front door tweeter 2P connector 
    FL TWEETER+ No. 14 (BRN) No. 2 (BRN)
    FL TWEETER- No. 15 (RED) No. 1 (RED)
    Test circuit  Test point 1:Stereo amplifier connector A (18P)  Test point 2:Right front door tweeter 2P connector 
    FR TWEETER+ No. 16 (BLU) No. 2 (BLU)
    FR TWEETER- No. 17 (BRN) No. 1 (BRN)
    GHH340796Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.
    GHH340797Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

    Is there continuity?

    YES 

    Replace the stereo amplifier .

    NO 

    Repair an open in the wire (s) between the stereo amplifier and the front door tweeter.

  14. Determine possible failure area (speaker, others) 1

    -1. Turn the vehicle to the OFF (LOCK) mode.

    -2. Check the speaker (s) for any damage.

    Is there any damage?

    YES 

    Replace the faulty speaker (s) .

    NO 

    Go to step 15.

  15. Determine possible failure area (speaker, others) 2

    -1. Test the speaker (s) .

    Is the speaker (s) OK?

    YES 

    Go to step 16.

    NO 

    Replace the faulty speaker (s) .

  16. Open wire check (SPKR lines, TWEETER lines, SUB WOOFER lines)

    -1. Reconnect all the speaker connectors .

    -2. Disconnect the following connectors.

    Stereo amplifier connector A (18P)
    Stereo amplifier connector C (8P)
    ANC/active sound control unit 20P connector

    -3. Measure the resistance between test points 1 and 2.

    NOTE:  If you check the RL SATE SPKR lines or the RR SATE SPKR lines, disconnect the connector at each speaker (rear speaker, rear tweeter) in the circuit one at a time, and measure the resistance.

    Test condition Vehicle OFF (LOCK) mode
      Stereo amplifier connector A (18P): disconnected
      Stereo amplifier connector C (8P): disconnected
      ANC/active sound control unit 20P connector: disconnected
    Test circuits  Test point 1:Stereo amplifier connector A (18P)  Test point 2:Stereo amplifier connector A (18P)  Resistance 
    FL SPKR+, FL SPKR- No. 5 (GRN) No. 6 (WHT) About 2 Ω
    FR SPKR+, FR SPKR- No. 13 (RED) No. 12 (BLU) About 2 Ω
    CTR SPKR+, CTR SPKR- No. 11 (BRN) No. 18 (YEL) About 2 Ω
    RL SPKR+, RL SPKR- No. 10 (BLU) No. 9 (YEL) About 2 Ω
    RR SPKR+, RR SPKR- No. 8 (RED) No. 7 (GRN) About 2 Ω
    SUB WOOFER+, SUB WOOFER- No. 2 (GRN) No. 4 (RED) About 2 Ω
    Test circuits  Test point 1:Stereo amplifier connector C (8P)  Test point 2:Stereo amplifier connector C (8P)  Resistance 
    RL TWEETER+, RL TWEETER- No. 7 (RED) No. 8 (GRY) About 2 Ω
    RR TWEETER+, RR TWEETER- No. 5 (PNK) No. 6 (PUR) About 2 Ω
    RL SATE SPKR+, RL SATE SPKR- No. 3 (BRN) No. 4 (GRY) About 2 Ω
    RL SATE SPKR+, RL SATE SPKR- No. 1 (PNK) No. 2 (PUR) About 2 Ω
    GHH340798Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.
    GHH340799Courtesy of HONDA, U.S.A., INC.

    Is the resistance OK?

    YES 

    Replace the stereo amplifier .

    NO 

    Repair an open in the wire (s) between the stereo amplifier and the speaker.

RENDER: 1.0x

NO RELATED

Recommended Tools & Savings

Use the Manual With the Right Hardware

Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.

Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

When to See a Mechanic

Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

  • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
  • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
  • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
  • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.