Navigation System Symptom Troubleshooting - Poor RDS-TMC reception or interference
Poor RDS-TMC reception or interference
NOTE:
Check the vehicle battery condition first.
Check for aftermarket accessories including phones and chargers plugged into the vehicle accessory power sockets.
Check the RDS-TMC reception in an open area. Poor reception/interference can be caused by the following;
?
The RDS-TMC station is too far away
?
Atmospheric condition are unfavorable
?
Tall buildings, mountains, or high-voltage power lines are nearby
Check any official Honda service website for more service information about the navigation system.
Check the connectors for poor connections or loose terminals.
1.
Problem verification:

Problem verification
?1.
Park the vehicle outside where you have a clear view of the southern sky.

?2.
Press the engine start/stop button to select the ON mode.

?3.
Check if the RDS-TMC reception/interference is the same in several locations.

?4.
Compare to a known-good vehicle.

Is the reception/interference the same?

     
YES
     
     
     
Go to step 2.
     
NO
     
     
     
Multipath interference or weak station. Operation is normal.?
2.
Determine possible failure area (charging system and ignition system, others):

Determine possible failure area (charging system and ignition system, others)
?1.
Start the engine, and turn on the electrical loads one at a time (defrosters, seat heaters, blower motor, etc.).

?2.
Check if the reception/interference while the engine is running.

Is there noise (static or whine) only with the engine running?

     
YES
     
     
     
Check the antenna and audio-navigation unit grounds. If OK, check the charging system and the ignition system.?
     
NO
     
     
     
Go to step 3.
3.
Window antenna check:

Window antenna check
?1.
With the help of an assistant inside the vehicle, have the assistant shine a strong flashlight (A) along each antenna wire (B). Check from the outside of the vehicle for any breaks or openings in the antenna wires (the light shines through any breaks or cuts).
NOTE: It is easier to see the breaks if you do this test in a dark or shaded area.


Are there any breaks or cuts in the antenna wire?

     
YES
     
     
     
Repair the window antenna. Go to window antenna repair, or replace the rear window if the damaged section is too long.?
     
NO
     
     
     
Go to step 4.
4.
Determine possible failure area (SWD +B line, FMMPX line):

Determine possible failure area (SWD +B line, FMMPX line)
?1.
Press the engine start/stop button to select the OFF mode.

?2.
Disconnect the following connector.

?3.
Press the engine start/stop button to select the ON mode.

?4.
Turn on the audio-navigation unit.

?5.
Measure the voltage between test points 1 and 2.
Test condition
ON mode
 
RDS-TMC antenna amplifier 3P connector: disconnected
Test circuit
SWD +B
Test point 1
RDS-TMC antenna amplifier 3P connector No. 1
Test point 2
Body ground


Is there battery voltage?

     
YES
     
     
     
The SWD +B wire is OK. Go to step 5.
     
NO
     
     
     
Go to step 10.
5.
Open wire check (FMMPX line):

Open wire check (FMMPX line)
?1.
Press the engine start/stop button to select the OFF mode.

?2.
Disconnect the following connector.

?3.
Check for continuity between test points 1 and 2.
Test condition
OFF mode
 
RDS-TMC antenna amplifier 3P connector: disconnected
 
Audio-navigation unit connector L (3P): disconnected
Test circuit
FMMPX
Test point 1
Audio-navigation unit connector L (3P) No. 2
Test point 2
RDS-TMC antenna amplifier 3P connector No. 2


Is there continuity?

     
YES
     
     
     
The FMMPX wire is not open. Go to step 6.
     
NO
     
     
     
Replace the RDS-TMC antenna lead and/or the sublead.?
6.
Shorted wire check (FMMPX line):

Shorted wire check (FMMPX line)
?1.
Check for continuity between test points 1 and 2.
Test condition
OFF mode
 
RDS-TMC antenna amplifier 3P connector: disconnected
 
Audio-navigation unit connector L (3P): disconnected
Test circuit
FMMPX
Test point 1
Audio-navigation unit connector L (3P) No. 2
Test point 2
Body ground


Is there continuity?

     
YES
     
     
     
Replace the RDS-TMC antenna lead and/or the sublead.?
     
NO
     
     
     
The FMMPX wire is not shorted to ground. Go to step 7.
7.
Open wire check (SH (FMMPX) line):

Open wire check (SH (FMMPX) line)
?1.
Check for continuity between test points 1 and 2.
Test condition
OFF mode
 
RDS-TMC antenna amplifier 3P connector: disconnected
 
Audio-navigation unit connector L (3P): disconnected
Test circuit
SH (AM/FM)
Test point 1
Audio-navigation unit connector L (3P) No. 3
Test point 2
RDS-TMC antenna amplifier 3P connector No. 3


Is there continuity?

     
YES
     
     
     
The SH (FMMPX) wire is not open. Go to step 8.
     
NO
     
     
     
Replace the RDS-TMC antenna lead and/or the sublead.?
8.
Shorted wire check (FMMPX line to SH (FMMPX) line):

Shorted wire check (FMMPX line to SH (FMMPX) line)
?1.
Check for continuity between test points 1 and 2.
Test condition
OFF mode
 
RDS-TMC antenna amplifier 3P connector: disconnected
 
Audio-navigation unit connector L (3P): disconnected
Test circuit
FMMPX, SH (FMMPX)
Test point 1
Audio-navigation unit connector L (3P) No. 2
Test point 2
Audio-navigation unit connector L (3P) No. 3


Is there continuity?

     
YES
     
     
     
Replace the RDS-TMC antenna lead and/or the sublead.?
     
NO
     
     
     
The FMMPX, SH (FMMPX) wires is not shorted. Go to step 9.
9.
RDS-TMC antenna amplifier check (substitution):

RDS-TMC antenna amplifier check (substitution)
?1.
Substitute a known-good RDS-TMC antenna amplifier.

?2.
Reconnect all the connectors, and recheck.

Does the symptom go away?

     
YES
     
     
     
Replace the original RDS-TMC antenna amplifier.?
     
NO
     
     
     
10.
Open wire check (SWD +B line):

Open wire check (SWD +B line)
?1.
Press the engine start/stop button to select the OFF mode.

?2.
Disconnect the following connector.

?3.
Check for continuity between test points 1 and 2.
Test condition
OFF mode
 
RDS-TMC antenna amplifier 3P connector: disconnected
 
Audio-navigation unit connector L (3P): disconnected
Test circuit
SWD +B
Test point 1
Audio-navigation unit connector L (3P) No. 1
Test point 2
RDS-TMC antenna amplifier 3P connector No. 1


Is there continuity?

     
YES
     
     
     
The SWD +B wire is not open. Go to step 11.
     
NO
     
     
     
Repair an open in the wire between the audio unit and the RDS-TMC antenna amplifier. Also check the RDS-TMC antenna lead/sublead connector.?
11.
Shorted wire check (SWD +B line):

Shorted wire check (SWD +B line)
?1.
Check for continuity between test points 1 and 2.
Test condition
OFF mode
 
RDS-TMC antenna amplifier 3P connector: disconnected
 
Audio-navigation unit connector L (3P): disconnected
Test circuit
SWD +B
Test point 1
RDS-TMC antenna amplifier 3P connector No. 1
Test point 2
Body ground


Is there continuity?

     
YES
     
     
     
Repair a short to body ground in the wire between the audio-navigation unit and the RDS-TMC antenna amplifier.?
     
NO