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Acura RL. Manual - part 203

Special tools required

Diagnostics CD 07AAZ-SDBA100

Use the following tests to check sound quality.

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 base" when it is out of phase.



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 .



If the voice always sounds out of phase, phasing is not correct. Check for



Crossed speaker wire



Faulty amplifier



Faulty audio unit

Special tools required

Diagnostics CD 07AAZ-SDBA100

ELECTRICAL NOISE TEST

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

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

NOTE:

Before beginning the following tests, write down the client's bass, treble,
fader and balance settings, then set them to their center positions for the
testing.

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.

2007 Acura RL

2005-08 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Audio System - RL

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the engine.



If no abnormal noise is heard, go to the INDIVIDUAL SPEAKER TEST .



If the noise is present only during the SNR track, replace the audio unit.



If the noise is heard during the digital zero or near digital zero track, check for:



Poor ground at the audio unit, amplifier, engine, or battery cable



Pinched or shorted speaker or amplifier wire



Faulty amplifier



Faulty audio unit



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.

Special tools required

Diagnostics CD 07AAZ-SDBA100

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.



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 the SOUND BALANCE TEST .



If the sound quality is OK, go to the SOUND BALANCE TEST .

Special tools required

Diagnostics CD 07AAZ-SDBA100

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.

2007 Acura RL

2005-08 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Audio System - RL

Friday, June 05, 2009 3:53:07 PM

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

If the sound does not have as much bass, check the subwoofer and circuit.



If the sound does not have enough "hiss," check the tweeters and their circuits.

Special Tools Required

Diagnostics CD 07AAZ-SDBA100

FREQUENCY SWEEP

Do this test to find rattles or reverberations that may cause a perception of poor sound quality.

1. Insert the audio diagnostic CD (T/N 07AAZ-SDBA100) into the audio unit.

2. Play track No. 13 (sweep from 500 Hz to 35 Hz) at a normal, or slightly higher than normal, volume

level.

3. Listen to each speaker for poor sound quality or reverberations caused by specific frequencies. Use

the voice-over to estimate the frequency that causes the vibration. Use the audio unit's fader and
balance settings to help isolate the channel with the problem.



If vibrations or poor sound quality are heard, go to step 4.



If no vibrations or poor sound quality are heard, go to SOUND JUDGING .

4. Choose the appropriate track from No. 14 to 25 (small range frequency sweep) or 26 to 53 (single

frequencies) to recreate the frequency that caused the poor sound quality or vibration witnessed in
step 3; this aids in diagnosis of the cause.

5. Replace or insulate the source of the vibration or, if the speaker is the source of the poor sound

quality, replace it.

Special tools required

Diagnostics CD 07AAZ-SDBA100

SOUND JUDGING

Do this test to compare overall sound quality, imaging, and dynamics between the client's vehicle and a
known-good vehicle. Only use a vehicle of the same model and trim level for this test.

1. In the client's vehicle, set the bass, treble, fader, and balance settings to the client's normal settings

that were written down before beginning the test.

2. Insert the audio diagnostic CD (T/N 07AAZ-SDBA100) into the audio unit.

3. Play tracks No. 7 to 12 (sound quality, midland, dynamics, and imaging demonstration tracks) at a

normal, or slightly higher than normal, volume level. Write down the volume setting being used.

4. Listen to areas of the track that stand out as being either very clear or poorer than other areas of the

track.

5. In a known-good vehicle, insert the audio diagnostic CD (T/N 07AAZ-SDBA100) into the audio unit.

6. Play the tracks at the same volume level and the same bass, treble, balance, and fader settings as used

NOTE:

When you get to the track that recreates the problem, select the repeat
function on the audio unit, this will help you isolate the cause.

2007 Acura RL

2005-08 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Audio System - RL

Friday, June 05, 2009 3:53:07 PM

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in step 3 in the client's vehicle.

7. Listen to the same area of the track that stood out as being either very clear or poorer than other areas

of the track.

8. Compare the client's vehicle's sound quality results to the known-good vehicle's results.



If the sound quality in the client's vehicle is comparable to the sound quality in the known-good
vehicle, then the client's vehicle is operating as designed.



If the sound quality is not comparable, check these items in order.



Loose or improperly installed speakers or other hardware that may create interference
from the vibrations generated by the speakers



Poor power or ground to the stereo amplifier



Damaged speaker(s)



Faulty amplifier



Faulty audio unit

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 speaker(s) (display is normal)
(see NO SOUND IS HEARD FROM SPEAKER(S) (DISPLAY IS NORMAL) ) before continuing with
this test.

1. Park the client'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 client's vehicle, facing the

same direction.

3. Start the engine in the client'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 client's vehicle with the number of

stations received in the known-good vehicle.



If the number of stations received is the same, or within 10 %, the audio unit's tuner

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.

2007 Acura RL

2005-08 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Audio System - RL

Friday, June 05, 2009 3:53:07 PM

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