Ipod Connector problems

[135iPSU]

I got the Ipod connector from factory installed, and I have never had as many problems with something in my life. It works when it wants to, and doesn't when you need it to. So I will explain what it has been doing and see if anyone else has had this problem:
When you attach your Ipod it reads that it is there, but while you will be driving with it on it will all of a sudden stop the music and shut off. Sending you directly to the radio. BMW has already checked it out twice, first time they gave me a new cord and the second they said it was my specific Ipod that was causing it. I'm sorry but i fail to believe that my specific Ipod is causing it to cut out and go straight to the radio, so i tested, and yes it did it to others. Problem is, when BMW test it, it works fine. Does anyone else have this problem with their Ipod Connector?

[adc]

That happens in my 335i because it won't charge the iPod properly. So as long as the iPod has a charge, everything works fine - and 1-2 weeks later when it is depleted, it will switch to the radio. From that point on it may work intermittently for a short time, after which it stops working.

I've been through 2 cable updates, one module swap, 2 software reprograms and it still does that. Mind you, only with hard drive iPods, not with the Nano. So I'm currently using a 32GB USB stick which takes forever to load up the song index, but at least doesn't have charging problems.

[MOCKBA]

iPod should get charge from car battery.

[adc]

Originally Posted by MOCKBA

iPod should get charge from car battery.

Yes, should. But doesn't.

[135iPSU]

Mine is always charged tho, when its in my house it sits in the charger until i go to the gym or use the car, so it couldn't be the charge, because it always has a full charge

[adc]

Originally Posted by 135iPSU

Mine is always charged tho, when its in my house it sits in the charger until i go to the gym or use the car, so it couldn't be the charge, because it always has a full charge

In that case, welcome to the murky world of 6FL problems. :smile:

I'm requesting a software update for this and the v29.2 turbo lag - hopefully it will cure both problems. But if it doesn't cure the iPod issue, I'm leaving it be - this is a lease going back to BMW this summer.

Hopefully I'll have more luck in my next car with the 6FL option.

[1Ronnie]

You may want to do some additional diagnostics. Try and get a cable with two 1/8th inch stereo connectors on it, connect one end to the iPod, and the other to the AUX port under the armrest, instead of the iPod "Y Cable". Select AUX from the Head Unit, and control the iPod by hand. This should work fine, but if the Head Unit resets back to the Radio. that would clearly indicate a problem with the Head Unit.

Another thing to try is a standard iPod USB cable between the iPOd and the car. This will only work if you have MP3's on the iPod. Protected music from iTunes will not play in this case. Again, if the Head Unit resets back to Radio, the problem is not the Y-Cable.

I wouldn;t be surprised if there is some kind of wiring problem between the USB connector and the Head Unit, running over a bump, raising the arm rest, or anything maybe enough to cause a disconnection, and the unit will then decide their is no longer a device connected. and jump to the Radio.

[2K2 DNA]

To the OP, and I may be headed in the wrong direction but please indulge me. Do you put "pressure" (are you aware that you are...) on the armrest when driving?

Reason for asking is that I had a similar problem..., but not all the time. To elaborate -- at times I find that when/if my aux connection cuts out when listening to my iPod and switches to the radio, I've put too much pressure on the armrest which, depending on how the iPod connection cable is "folded" with the armrest down, may cause the cable to disengage connection with the iPod enough to shut if off! If you notice, there isn't much of a tolerance between the arm rest and center console trim below so the cable can get "pinched" if not folded properly and with the arm rest down.

So this might explain why dealership/service never experiences the same issue -- more than likely they are testing it with the armrest up, not down, and with no "real world" pressure on the armrest.

Just a thought...,seems to be the case in my situation!

[135iUSN]

only issue I have is sometimes when I choose a song, I have to < exit out and come back, and then it will choose the song.

I plugged mine in today before a 2 hour drive and my touch had about 10% battery life - and was fully charged once I pulled it out to take it inside when I arrived home.

[Addict...Nah Im A Junkie!]

I've noticed that when it's below freezing out (even tough it's in a garage) the iPods battery dies. The car does not recognize the iPod until the temperature in the car gets warm enough. After this the iPod is fine and it doesn't think it's battery is dead anymore. So I guess mine is an iPod problem. Not the car.

[135iPSU]

thanks for everything guys, I'm going to try the cords that you suggested 1Ronnie...and I will see if it the pressure on the armrest, it's so frustrating when it happens as some of you may have found out

[bozola]

My audio was not working and they spend a week with it.

Eventually replacing the MULF.. Got MULF? :biggrin:

[MOCKBA]

It looks like a cable problem for me.

[nobbyv]

Originally Posted by 2K2 DNA

To the OP, and I may be headed in the wrong direction but please indulge me. Do you put "pressure" (are you aware that you are...) on the armrest when driving?

Reason for asking is that I had a similar problem..., but not all the time. To elaborate -- at times I find that when/if my aux connection cuts out when listening to my iPod and switches to the radio, I've put too much pressure on the armrest which, depending on how the iPod connection cable is "folded" with the armrest down, may cause the cable to disengage connection with the iPod enough to shut if off! If you notice, there isn't much of a tolerance between the arm rest and center console trim below so the cable can get "pinched" if not folded properly and with the arm rest down.

So this might explain why dealership/service never experiences the same issue -- more than likely they are testing it with the armrest up, not down, and with no "real world" pressure on the armrest.

Just a thought...,seems to be the case in my situation!

x2...noticed the same thing with mine. Cable got "pinched" in the arm rest hinge. When I would put the arm rest up, it worked fine, then would flake out when the arm rest was down. Replaced the cable, and made sure it was not pinched, and has been fine since.

[MOCKBA]

It looks like design flaw which issues a cable fail after some time of use. I hope BMW will fix it providing more flexible and possible change iPod /plugs position.