Problems using iPod while connected to aux input (armrest)

misere · 05-28-2009, 10:17 AM

Hi

I have my iPod connected to the aux input plug(s) in my armrest. When it works - it is perfect.

Unfortunately a few times a day, the iPod connection drops out. Half the time, the iPod reconnects itself in about 10-15 seconds and carries on playing where it left off. This is highly annoying (especially as the car does everything else so well), but not critical. However, the other half of the time, the connection does not recover. I simply lose the iPod connection entirely. It might come back by itself a few hours or a few days later. This is REALLY annoying.

When I lose the ipod altogether, I can't for the life of me work out how to re-connect it. I have tried unplugging and re-plugging in he ipod to no avail. I have tried doing a soft reset of the ipod and then reconnecting - to no avail. I have tried unplugging and re-plugging in the Y-cable - to no avail.

I have swapped out my ipod for my wife's ipod -- the same problem occurs.

I have swapped out my Y-cable for another Y-cable -- the same problem occurs.

I have taken the car to BMW and they claim to have reset the aux system, tested it, etc -- BUT the same problem continues to occur.

I have reached the end of my ideas and my patience. Aghhhh.....

Has anyone had any similar issues?
Can anyone shed any light on why this might be happenning and what I can do to rectify?
Should I be using a particular model ipod? Do some ipods work and are some others unstable?
Is there anything I should be requesting the BMW service guys to check/do?

PLEASE, PLEASE HELP .....

JayKay335i · 05-28-2009, 02:11 PM

The auxiliary port in the center console is nothing but a line it. It plugs into your ipods headphone jack. Basically your ipod uses the car as giant head phones. Since the auxiliary port does nothing, its a problem with your ipod or the cable. Just get a regular short 3.5mm male/male mini cable and use it. Could be a problem with the Y connector that your using. Dont ipods stop playing when they dont recognize headphones being plugged in? Sounds like the cords the culprit.

amlebede · 05-28-2009, 02:42 PM

The jack may also be damaged.

Dwill335i · 05-28-2009, 06:35 PM

He mentions the use of the Y cable, which implies to me that he has the 6FL option with the USB port and the aux jack. The aux jack just plays the sound, but the control and connectivity comes through the USB port. Could be a bad USB port.

DANMACINSD · 05-28-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

The auxiliary port in the center console is nothing but a line it. It plugs into your ipods headphone jack. Basically your ipod uses the car as giant head phones. Since the auxiliary port does nothing, its a problem with your ipod or the cable. Just get a regular short 3.5mm male/male mini cable and use it. Could be a problem with the Y connector that your using. Dont ipods stop playing when they dont recognize headphones being plugged in? Sounds like the cords the culprit.

+1, just to amplify...I had a cheapo cable from radio shack that, over time, developed a short from sticking through the armrest. It would play with a lot of static and noise. I replaced the cable and all is well again. I use it all the time. I would have to guess that it is something with the car's connector.

JayKay335i · 05-28-2009, 11:37 PM

Go to BMW and make the change that shit up!

misere · 05-29-2009, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwill335i

He mentions the use of the Y cable, which implies to me that he has the 6FL option with the USB port and the aux jack. The aux jack just plays the sound, but the control and connectivity comes through the USB port. Could be a bad USB port.

I should have been more specific. I do have the aux + USB setup; not just the aux 3.5mm cable by itself.

I have come across other forums that mention these problems, but I haven't come across any that are specific about the solution.

Once again -- PLEASE HELP

techforge · 05-31-2009, 04:27 PM

Michael I replied to your PM about this. For anyone else who is interested my car does the same thing. The only way to keep it working reliably is to plug it in and leave it connected all the time. My dealer gave me a new cable and claimed to have replaced the connector in the console, to no avail. For whatever reason the car seems to be flaky about synchronizing with the ipod. Although I can't confirm this, it seems like the ipod needs to be connected when the car's ecu "wakes up" or it won't work reliably. I quit taking the ipod out at night and simply leave it plugged in all the time. That's the only thing that keeps it working reliably.

05-28-2009, 10:17 AM	#1
misere Registered 1 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	Problems using iPod while connected to aux input (armrest) - HELP PLEASE Hi I have my iPod connected to the aux input plug(s) in my armrest. When it works - it is perfect. Unfortunately a few times a day, the iPod connection drops out. Half the time, the iPod reconnects itself in about 10-15 seconds and carries on playing where it left off. This is highly annoying (especially as the car does everything else so well), but not critical. However, the other half of the time, the connection does not recover. I simply lose the iPod connection entirely. It might come back by itself a few hours or a few days later. This is REALLY annoying. When I lose the ipod altogether, I can't for the life of me work out how to re-connect it. I have tried unplugging and re-plugging in he ipod to no avail. I have tried doing a soft reset of the ipod and then reconnecting - to no avail. I have tried unplugging and re-plugging in the Y-cable - to no avail. I have swapped out my ipod for my wife's ipod -- the same problem occurs. I have swapped out my Y-cable for another Y-cable -- the same problem occurs. I have taken the car to BMW and they claim to have reset the aux system, tested it, etc -- BUT the same problem continues to occur. I have reached the end of my ideas and my patience. Aghhhh..... Has anyone had any similar issues? Can anyone shed any light on why this might be happenning and what I can do to rectify? Should I be using a particular model ipod? Do some ipods work and are some others unstable? Is there anything I should be requesting the BMW service guys to check/do? PLEASE, PLEASE HELP .....
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05-28-2009, 02:11 PM	#2
JayKay335i Banned 198 Rep 5,046 Posts Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH iTrader: (1)	The auxiliary port in the center console is nothing but a line it. It plugs into your ipods headphone jack. Basically your ipod uses the car as giant head phones. Since the auxiliary port does nothing, its a problem with your ipod or the cable. Just get a regular short 3.5mm male/male mini cable and use it. Could be a problem with the Y connector that your using. Dont ipods stop playing when they dont recognize headphones being plugged in? Sounds like the cords the culprit.
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05-28-2009, 02:42 PM	#3
amlebede Guest 36 Rep 611 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 330i Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chapel Hill, NC iTrader: (0)	The jack may also be damaged. __________________ 2006 Black BMW 330i, Black interior, ZSP, ZPP, Logic 7, Xenon, Ipod, Satellite Radio Preparation, Moonroof, 12'' 2 P2 subwoofers running on KAC-7204 amplifier, Hardwired Escort Passport 8500, Hardwired Garmin Nuvi 650 on Kuda Mount. tutor,math tutoring,math tutoring,test prep,tutoring jobs,tutoring blog
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05-28-2009, 06:35 PM	#4
Dwill335i Second Lieutenant 2 Rep 238 Posts Drives: 2012 535i White/Beige Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: FL, USA iTrader: (0)	He mentions the use of the Y cable, which implies to me that he has the 6FL option with the USB port and the aux jack. The aux jack just plays the sound, but the control and connectivity comes through the USB port. Could be a bad USB port. __________________ 2012 F10 Alpine White/Venetian Beige ZPP/ZTP/Sat Radio (previous 09 335i E92)
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05-28-2009, 11:37 PM	#6
JayKay335i Banned 198 Rep 5,046 Posts Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH iTrader: (1)	Go to BMW and make the change that shit up!
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05-31-2009, 04:27 PM	#8
techforge Lieutenant 29 Rep 577 Posts Drives: 335xi coupe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Denver iTrader: (2)	Michael I replied to your PM about this. For anyone else who is interested my car does the same thing. The only way to keep it working reliably is to plug it in and leave it connected all the time. My dealer gave me a new cable and claimed to have replaced the connector in the console, to no avail. For whatever reason the car seems to be flaky about synchronizing with the ipod. Although I can't confirm this, it seems like the ipod needs to be connected when the car's ecu "wakes up" or it won't work reliably. I quit taking the ipod out at night and simply leave it plugged in all the time. That's the only thing that keeps it working reliably.
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