Bringing together several threads on this issue as there are a few different permutations of folks complaining about audio static issues on the Honda Pilot 2016 or 2017 with a Navi head unit found on the Touring and Elite models. My hope is that we can explore the possible solutions in one thread for folks experiencing this specific audio issue with these years of vehicles and arrive at the best way to solve it that doesn't involve taking it to the dealer and paying exorbitant amounts of money to address as many of us now have vehicles outside of the Honda extended warranty.
Problem description: Audio works perfect for around 10 minutes (give or take, some can go as long as an hour or as fast a few minutes) but then static can be heard and it eventually overtakes the sound completely. Sounds on the Navi and Diag modes can still be heard. Example video of issue:
In the video, you can see the head unit in diagnostic mode and hear the static in the background, it eventually fades to near silence. In diag mode, the speaker test produces no sound on the speakers; however, entering into diag mode you can hear the chimes just fine. While the video does not specifically show this, the Navi also produces sound perfectly clear.
Quite a few folks are experiencing this problem. Here are some example threads and even one outside of Piloteers describing this issue. In those threads, several different fixes have been proposed:
Proposed Solutions:
In all of the above proposed solutions there are only limited folks reporting success with any one potential fix. In my personal experience #3 was not a solution, although some claimed that fixed it for them. The "neural" mode is disabled in my head unit and, to my knowledge, has never been enabled and I'm the only owner of this vehicle.
- Replace Head Unit
- Replace Amp
- Disable "Neural" in the Audio Settings
- Remove strain on wiring harness to the Amp
Questions for the great folks in this community to chime in on:
I'll continue to update this thread with a definnitive solution when found.
- Is this happening to you? Chime in with your symptoms to see if they match mine.
- Have you had this problem and had it fixed? Even if its, "I took it to the dealer and they fixed it." Please share what was fixed. For those of us unlucky enough to have his happen outside of the warranty, we'll have to shoulder the expense and time to fix.
- Have you tried any of the above solutions and had it not resolve your problem?
Honda Pilot 2016/17 Touring/Elite Audio Static Issue (Compound Thread)
Bringing together several threads on this issue as there are a few different permutations of folks complaining about audio static issues on the Honda Pilot 2016 or 2017 with a Navi head unit found on the Touring and Elite models. My hope is that we can explore the possible solutions in one thread for folks experiencing this specific audio issue with these years of vehicles and arrive at the best way to solve it that doesn't involve taking it to the dealer and paying exorbitant amounts of money to address as many of us now have vehicles outside of the Honda extended warranty.
Problem description: Audio works perfect for around 10 minutes (give or take, some can go as long as an hour or as fast a few minutes) but then static can be heard and it eventually overtakes the sound completely. Sounds on the Navi and Diag modes can still be heard. Example video of issue:
In the video, you can see the head unit in diagnostic mode and hear the static in the background, it eventually fades to near silence. In diag mode, the speaker test produces no sound on the speakers; however, entering into diag mode you can hear the chimes just fine. While the video does not specifically show this, the Navi also produces sound perfectly clear.
Quite a few folks are experiencing this problem. Here are some example threads and even one outside of Piloteers describing this issue. In those threads, several different fixes have been proposed:
Proposed Solutions:
Questions for the great folks in this community to chime in on:
Problem description: Audio works perfect for around 10 minutes (give or take, some can go as long as an hour or as fast a few minutes) but then static can be heard and it eventually overtakes the sound completely. Sounds on the Navi and Diag modes can still be heard. Example video of issue:
In the video, you can see the head unit in diagnostic mode and hear the static in the background, it eventually fades to near silence. In diag mode, the speaker test produces no sound on the speakers; however, entering into diag mode you can hear the chimes just fine. While the video does not specifically show this, the Navi also produces sound perfectly clear.
Quite a few folks are experiencing this problem. Here are some example threads and even one outside of Piloteers describing this issue. In those threads, several different fixes have been proposed:
Proposed Solutions:
- Replace Head Unit
- Replace Amp
- Disable "Neural" in the Audio Settings
- Remove strain on wiring harness to the Amp
Questions for the great folks in this community to chime in on:
- Is this happening to you? Chime in with your symptoms to see if they match mine.
- Have you had this problem and had it fixed? Even if its, "I took it to the dealer and they fixed it." Please share what was fixed. For those of us unlucky enough to have his happen outside of the warranty, we'll have to shoulder the expense and time to fix.
- Have you tried any of the above solutions and had it not resolve your problem?
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
. Same issues on my 2016 pilot after 30 - 40 min and dealer service tech mentioned the fakra connections and there is a thread under FAKRA if you use that as the search word, seems several folks found success
Yep, seems to be related to faulty FAKRA connectors that service the MOST bus, which Honda uses to transport audio and video through the vehicle. New FAKRA connectors aren't easily installed on existing cabling, so whole harnesses are replaced. Very labor intensive it seems, as the cabling is routed through the dash and console.
This is very interesting AVC. I'm seeing two primary tracks here where there seems to be consensus. First is that it's a an overheating issue with the head unit. Second track is the connectors/wiring. I think we can eliminate amp replacement and "neural" setting from the mix.Yep, seems to be related to faulty FAKRA connectors that service the MOST bus, which Honda uses to transport audio and video through the vehicle. New FAKRA connectors aren't easily installed on existing cabling, so whole harnesses are replaced. Very labor intensive it seems, as the cabling is routed through the dash and console.
Just in the spirit of adding to this thread to consolidate several others together on this issue, here some additional references:
I'm debating taking it to the dealer and just showing them this bulletin for the 2019 and see where that leads.
I got a message back from my Honda dealer service tech telling me that the 2016 models did not have FAKRA connections so I need to bring my car in to let them try and determine the cause, not sure if I want to expose myself to an expensive search and not sure if they would figure it out, Very frustrating
100% agree. There are so many people experiencing this problem that it's clearly not a one-off. We shouldn't be required to pay thousands to fix something that is systemic.I got a message back from my Honda dealer service tech telling me that the 2016 models did not have FAKRA connections so I need to bring my car in to let them try and determine the cause, not sure if I want to expose myself to an expensive search and not sure if they would figure it out, Very frustrating
I have the same problem on my 2016 Touring. Started in November 2016 and I posted about it here on Piloteers. Just finally took to the dealer last week and they confirmed our year does not have the ring (MOST) network with the Fakra connectors. The later Pilots, Passports, and Oodyssey are having static issues but the symptom is different and theirs is the Fakra connector issue.I got a message back from my Honda dealer service tech telling me that the 2016 models did not have FAKRA connections so I need to bring my car in to let them try and determine the cause, not sure if I want to expose myself to an expensive search and not sure if they would figure it out, Very frustrating
My dealer suggested replacing the head unit and I am still waiting on pricing, though online it seems you can get a 2016-2018 (all are compatible) remanufactured head unit for about $700. There are also some repair options, my dealer even suggested they might be able to send it out for repair.
On another Piloteers thread, there is a fellow 2016 Touring owner who just had his wife's radio replaced and he said it has fixed it, but that is just a few days ago, I'd prefer to see it work for a while without issue before taking the same plunge.
If I do replace, I will likely go with a 2017 Touring head unit so that I get Carplay. Dealer confirmed they could program that one just fine and all other things (steering wheel controls, camera, Navi, etc) would continue to work as normal.
If anyone else does a repair, please add it here.
Thanks!
Well, I read something else last week that Honda is now experimenting with re-routing the MOST cables, as new cables aren't always fixing it. And, I beleive some 2019 and 2020's are experiencing similar issues. Of course "static" can have root causes anywhere in the digital and analog circuitry chain. One would have to sample signals in multiple places with logging equipment to suss the source. Most DIY's don't have this capability.
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
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