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I have a problem with the Harman Kardon system in my 05 Mini. I use the aux input to make a direct connection to my aftermarket Sirius unit. To do this I went to the dealership about 2 years ago and bought the factory plug that inserts into the rear of the head unit and ends in a female plug. I use a double ended male plug to connect to the Sirius unit. The sound to me is perfect.
Last week I noticed that the "aux" input option would suddenly disappear, leaving me to toggle between CD and tuner only. All the connections seem tight. Sometimes the "aux" input option is there and sometimes not. Worse yet, even if it is there it disappears without warning. So I can be listening through the "aux" connection and it will cut out without warning.
The radio and CD work fine.
The "aux" option NEVER comes back if the head unit is left on. If I turn it off and wait a minute or so, it comes back as an option maybe 1 out of 5 tries. I can see no pattern to this problem.
It's a common problem when a music player is plugged into AUX and power (cigarette lighter) at the same time. The power connection can cause electrical noise that makes the headunit think the aux is not connected. The remedy is to use a ground loop isolator such as this: http://www.crutchfield.com/p_127SNI1...r.html?tp=2653. Other versions are sold at Best Buy and Radio Shack, but if they have RCA connectors you will also need stereo jack adapters.
