Connecting iPod to Honda Music Link

I got a similar answer from my Acura service advisor today. He said it might be the end of the year, but he reassured me that we would be taken care of, even if it meant replacing the box. In the meantime, the old 4-button will carry me through...

I got a call from American Honda today, and the rep spouted the same thing about TTS conflicting with iTunes 7. I tried explaining to him that I use iTunes 7, and do not use TTS, and that my iPod doesn't work with firmware 1.2, and that it does work with firmware 1.1.2. So I told him it could not possibly be a conflict between iTunes 7 and TTS.

He said yes, but they were working on an upgrade to TTS to fix the issue. I reiterated taht I do not use the TTS, and said that I thought that you were supposed to be able to use Music Link without TTS. He said yes, you can, but Honda recommends you use TTS. I said right, but you don't have to, right? He said right. I said wrong, I cannot use the Music Link without TTS is I install firmware 1.2.

So he was stumped, stuck to the party line about the upcoming revision to the TTS software, and that was all he knew, and that I should probably work through my dealer. They just can't seem to get their heads around the fact that it may not be a TTS software fix, and that they may actually have to work with Apple to get them to correct the bug in the iPod firmware which seems to be causing this problem.

It should get interesting when they issue the TTS update, and continue to receive complaints from people who can't use Music Link without it as advertised. I think I want my money back so I can buy an aftermarket connection system.

I too have had no luck getting my 5G 80gig ipod to work on ilink in my 2006 Accord. I down-loaded installed and ran the new 1.3 TTS software, but have the same result - for me, a blinking CD5. I called Honda and vented my spleen for the 3rd time this AM, and am waiting to hear back from a 'case manager'. Obviously, the problem here is not the TTS s/w, but with 5G/ilink 'marriage' itself. It flat out don't work. My old 4-button ipod (with no TTS s/w on it) works great in random album/songs mode. (both ipods are up-to-date with iTunes)

Whose door should we be beating down at this point?

Well, I for one have given up on Honda at this point. I too went through multiple phone calls to their representatives, to be told flatly that it was a conflict between the TTS software and iTunes 7. I have been convinced for some time that that is not the issue; rather, that it is a conflict with the iPod firmware version 1.2. This is because I do not use the TTS software, so it could not possibly be the problem!

However, after my conversations with Honda, it became apparent to me that they were totally fixated on the TTS/iTunes thing, and weren't even addressing the firmware conflict that I suspected. In fact, they are now saying on their website that TTS is required to use a 5G iPod with Music Link, which was not the case when I purchased it. Originally, it was supposed to be optional.

So I have contacted my original Honda dealer and requested a refund on the Music Link. I just received an email from my salesman saying that he had "good news," so I may actually succeed in getting the refund. I'll post when I find out the final resolution.

Dell Windows XP

Got a call from the Sales Manager at my Honda dealership today, and they have gotten approval from corporate to take the Music Link out of my truck and refund my money. I wasn't too optimistic on my chances, but it looks like it's going to happen.

Dell Windows XP

Does anyone know whether the following logic is correct: There never was an incompatibility with the Honda TTS software because it wasn't required to use the Music Link. After the iPod upgraded to 1.2, the Music Link no longer works.

The question is: Even though Honda TTS wasn't required BEFORE the upgrade to 1.2, does the latest version of Honda TTS allow iPod's to work again using firmware 1.2?



PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8) Started with Mac Plus

PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8) Started with Mac Plus

Unfortunately the answer is NO. i patiently awaited for the new tts software and still had the same problem. I finally gave in and restored to v1.1.2. everything works fine now, although itunes taunts me everytime i run it, "would you like to upgrade to v1.2"

Not Woz,

I agree completely with your assessment. I never did use Honda's TTS software, and when I updated my iPod to firmware 1.2, it quit working. Therefore, it could not possibly be a conflict between TTS and iTunes 7, as Honda insists.

I went through this twice with Honda customer service phone reps. Both times, they stuck to the script that Honda was updating TTS to resolve the conflict with iTunes. When I explained my situation, each rep calmly explained that Honda "recommends" that TTS be used with Music Link. When I asked them if use of TTS was optional (as all the original documentation states), they said yes, but that Honda recommends using the TTS.

It was then that I realized that no solution to my problem would be forthcoming in the near future. Honda does not even appear to be addressing the issue with firmware 1.2 (since they haven't acknowledged it's existence). So I contacted my dealer and asked that they remove the Music Link from my Ridgeline and refund my money. They have agreed to do so.

To answer your question, supposedly the new TTS does allow an iPod operating with firmware 1.2 to work with the Music Link, but if you have a 5G iPod, you MUST use the TTS. Where TTS was once optional, it is now mandatory if you have a 5G. I can't personally vouch for that, though...since I am through fooling with Honda's Music Link.

Dell Windows XP

Thanks, Kentucky.
I might have time to install the updated TTS and try it today. Note that the current Honda Music Link web page on the Honda owner's link website, does reference iTunes 7.01 and firmware 1.2, so they are now explicitly claiming it works. We'll see.

PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8) Started with Mac Plus

I started following this thread back in late september as I was in the process of purchasing a 2007 Honda Pilot and I was going to get the music link adapter. I remember reading the requirements posted by Honda indicating that you needed a 4G or higher iPod to work with it. I was bummed because I only have a 3G iPod. However, on a whim I took my ipod up to the dealer and plugged it into a demo unit and VIOLA! it worked fine. Come to find out it is the Honda TTS software that requires a 4G or higher iPod. Fine I could live with that, besides most of you seemed to indicate that the TTS software was pretty lame.

Today I had a friend visiting who has a 5G 60 GB Video iPod. I checked his firmware version and he had version 1.2 installed. We hooked it up and BAM! it worked fine... no issue whatsoever in terms of playback. He bought his shortly after they were originally announced from Apple.

Obviously there is an issue. You all can't be hallucinating. Honda (and Apple perhaps) have obviously tested the music link adapter with all firmware revisions they list in their readme file with the latest TTS software. (iPod firmware: 3.1.1 (click wheel), 1.2.1 (photo), 1.4.1 (mini), 1.2 (nano), 1.2 (video). ) So what's the common factor?

From my personal experience now it seems that not every 5G iPod running firmware rev 1.2 is subject to this incompatibility.

It makes me wonder if there is a internal hardware revision that took place under the hood at some point in the life span of these devices... something that when coupled with the 1.2 firmware upgrade caused the issue. I just bought my dad a Nano for Christmas so I look forward to installing the latest Firmware on it and hooking it up to see if it will work or not.

OK, everyone, the workaround does work. I have a 5G Video iPod. I went to my Applications Folder and opened the Utilities Folder and found all the old iPod updaters. I opened the one called 6-28-06 and did a "restore." It recognized that I had firmware 1.2 installed and it asked me if I wanted to restore. I said yes, and it replaced it with 1.1.3. I then opened iTunes and uploaded all my music and photos. BAM! It works as advertised with Music Link. I still have my TTS introductions because I hadn't removed them from iTunes, so it even allows me those controls through the radio.

I agree that some 5G iPods have an incompatibility with firmware 1.2. Wouldn't it be our luck if none of the incompatible ones were sold in Japan where the Honda software kids are who are trying to fix this.

At least I'm now getting what I paid for from Honda.

PowerBook G4 Mac OS X (10.4.8) Started with Mac Plus

I downloaded 1.21 for my 5g 80gb model and it now WORKS with Music Link!! Yeah! Now if they could just fix the firmware for my new Nano...

Is this a special wire in your Honda?

I used a SenStation iPod Dock - will that continue to work?

jimbo, how did you rollback the firmware????

Anyone having this problem with the Nano??? I can't get any apple firmware version to work and Honda can't seem to answer any questions at all. I keep getting the blinking D-1...Thanks