Audio-Navigation Unit and HDD Replacement Troubleshooting

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Acura MDX, 2012 Acura MDX, 2011 Acura MDX, and 2010 Acura MDX. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

To protect client information and data from theft, the audio-navigation unit and the HDD have a passcode that prevents the HDD from being accessed by any audio-navigation unit. When the HDD is first installed in an audio-navigation unit, and the ignition switch to ON (II), the HDD writes the passcode from the audio-navigation unit to its memory, which is also known as mating. Every time the ignition switch to ON (II), the audio-navigation unit and HDD confirm the passcode against the other component. If the audio-navigation unit has a different passcode than the HDD, the audio-navigation unit cannot access the HDD.

When you order a new audio-navigation unit, it arrives able to mate one time to a new or previously mated HDD. When you mate the two components, the new audio-navigation unit overwrites the HDD's original passcode with the new one. If you try to install the HDD back into the original audio-navigation unit, the passcode is different, and the audio-navigation unit cannot mate to the HDD.

When you order a new HDD, it arrives able to mate to a new or a previously mated audio-navigation unit. Once the HDD is mated, it then can only mate with a new audio-navigation unit.

For more information, refer to AUDIO-NAVIGATION UNIT AND HDD SERVICE PRECAUTIONS . The outline of the audio-navigation unit and the HDD replacement and substitution is shown in the following table.

NOTE:

Original units are known-good units that have been mated at least one time, and new units have never been mated.
You can substitute a mated audio-navigation unit and HDD into another vehicle, but you cannot substitute known-good components individually.

Audio-Navigation unit	HDD	Result
New	New	OK
Original	New	OK
New	Original	OK
Original	A HDD mated to a different audio-navigation unit	NG
An audio-navigation unit mated to a different HDD	Original	NG

NAVIGATION UPDATE FAQS

Question	Answer
Can you turn the ignition switch from ON (II) to LOCK (0) while the navigation system is updating?	Yes, when the ignition switch is turn to LOCK (0), and then back to ON (II), the updating procedure continues automatically from the point where it stopped.
How long does the update take?	Image Copy (full update mode): about 20 minutes (2GB). Background update: about 8 hours (2GB).
What is the difference between the two update modes? Can I use the audio system and the navigation system during the update?	Image Copy (full update mode): You cannot use the navigation system or any function that uses the HDD. You can use the audio system in the AM/FM, XM, and USB modes, but not the HDD or CD/DVD. The navigation screen is not available so you need to use the front climate control unit display to control the audio system. Background update: Audio functions and navigation functions are no limited.
How many digits is the passcode, and what happens if 1 enter it incorrectly?	The pass code is 16 digits which you need to manually enter. You cannot use the voice commands. There is no limit to the number of times you can attempt to enter the passcode.
Can the update DVD be inserted at any time?	Yes, if the navigation screen has timed out, "OK" needs to be selected, then follow screen prompts.
Can the client see the navigation update progress?	Image Copy (full update mode): a progress bar appears on the navigation display. Background update: The update progress can be confirmed on the Map Update data status screen.
Can music be transferred from one HDD to another?	No. Music can only be ripped to a HDD.
Can music be recovered from a damaged HDD?	If the HDD is damaged, there is no way to recover music, data, or personal information.
When transferring the HDD to a new audio-navigation unit, are the client settings also transferred?	Yes. When the HDD is installed in a new unit, all the ripped music, client data and settings are automatically transferred with the HDD.