How to Check the Audio System Condition

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2014 Honda Ridgeline, 2013 Honda Ridgeline, 2012 Honda Ridgeline, 2011 Honda Ridgeline, and 2010 Honda Ridgeline. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The audio system has a self-diagnostic function to help find problems with the audio system. To run the self-diagnostic function, do the following:

NOTE:

Not all self-diagnostic functions appear on all models.
There may be other self-diagnostic functions that are for factory use only.
The self-diagnostic function does not find every problem with the audio system. Check any official Honda service website for more information about audio system.

Turn the ignition switch to ON (II).
Make sure the audio system is turned OFF.
Push and hold the No. 1 and No. 6 buttons.
While holding the buttons, push the PWR knob to ON.
Release the buttons, and the self-diagnostic function begins.
NOTE: If display says ENTER CODE, enter the security code and begin again.

Fig 1: Identifying Audio System Knob And Button
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
When you are in the self-diagnostic mode, pressing a preset button starts the diagnostic mode that is assigned to that preset button.
NOTE: Any other diagnostic screens shown are for factory use only.

No. 3 button

Entire LCD lighting/light-out mode: Turns on/off the entire LCD to show the presence (LCD stuck on) or absence (LCD dead) of an LCD segment.

No. 4 button (With navigation)

Duty indication mode (for the illumination dim): Indicates the duty for the illumination dim control when the dashlights are on.

Gauge dimmer control values:

Headlights off: OFF

Headlights on: 01 (max low) through 22 (max high)

No. 5 button

Vehicle speed pulse (VSP) indication mode: Indicates the Vehicle speed pulse input in hertz (Hz) and in speed (km/h).

AM/FM button (Push and hold 5 sec.)

Reception level indication mode: Indicates the reception level (dB) with the antenna amplifier on. Press the A.SEL button to turn the antenna amplifier off.
The self-diagnostic function, ends when you turn the audio unit off or turn the ignition switch to LOCK (0).
Display Specifications

Entry LCD lighting mode (press No. 3 button)

This diagnostic screen checks for segments that may be dead (off) or stack on.

All the display segments should be on. If any segments are dead (off), replace the audio unit.

Fig 2: Screen Display - Entry LCD Lighting Mode (With/Without Navigation)
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Entry LCD lights-outs mode (press No. 3 button)

This diagnostic screen checks for segments that may be stuck on.

The entire display must turn black. If any segments are stuck on, replace the audio unit.

Fig 3: Screen Display - Entry LCD Lights-Outs Mode (With/Without Navigation)
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Illumination level (for the gauge illumination) indication (press No. 4 button) (With navigation)

This diagnostic screen checks the gauge illumination.

With the headlights on, you should see a values between 01 (max low) and 22 max high.

When you dim and brighten the gauge with the dimmer knob, you should see this value change accordingly.

Fig 4: Screen Display - Illumination Level (With Navigation)
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Reception level indication (Push and hold the AM/FM button for more than 5 seconds)

This diagnostic screen checks the audio unit's reception level.

This level than can be used in the diagnosis of audio unit reception quality.

The reception level is displayed in decibels (DB).

Fig 5: Screen Display - Reception Level Indication (With/Without Navigation)
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.