My car was just in at the dealer (90 miles away) for its 1-year service. They had to also re-program the windows, since they were opening and closing incorrectly. After receiving my car today, I find that my bluetooth on my car cannot be detected (so I cannot obviously use my paired phone) and the ipod, when plugged in, is also unable to be detected (and therefore music cannot be played). My bluetooth/ipod system worked great from the moment I picked the car up (someone on the sales floor paired my phone and ipod), a year ago, until today. The dealership is being unhelpful and 866-ask-mini is telling me that my phone is incompatible with the car's bluetooth system (incorrect, especially since I've been using it flawlessly for a year). I imagine that my iphone (an earlier version than the 3G) and ipod need to be re-paired. I cannot find any information on how to do this, other than I need a passkey (which I have no idea what that is). Can anyone help me figure out what to do? It's extremely frustrating. Thanks! Bobbi

 

I dont have the instructions in front of me.

Not sure what you mean by pairing your ipod. Do you mean that when you plug your ipod/iphone into the Y-cable, it no longer works in the car?

If thats the case, then I would be all over the dealer about fixing it. Especially if it worked prior to the SW upgrade.

I am getting this same problem fixed next week, so now you have me worried.

As far as the passkey goes. In short, you need to have a 4 digit pin to match the 4 digit pin you type in the car.

I believe when you first pair the phone, you go into settings through the radio, pick your 4 digit pin. Then when you select to pair your phone on the iphone, it asks for a 4 digit pin. Type in the same pin you typed into the radio and they should sync up.

Again dont have the instructions, so that is a SWAG answer.

 

It's unfortunately true that my ipod and iphone no longer work in the car. Bluetooth doesn't seem to be available anymore in my car, and the adapter will charge both my iphone and ipod, but I can't access anything on either one. I'm livid and the dealership is being very unhelpful. Everything worked until they re-programmed the car.

 

Alex is correct. Interestingly, I had the same problem. I will only address the iPhone issue. The iPod could be a loose cable connection, but I don't know.
For the bluetooth pairing, first, make sure your phone is accepted by the MINI (I assume you have a post-2007) and has the right software edition (you can check all this at www.miniusa.com/bluetooth). See also the .pdf instructions next to your phone type.
Since you mentioned the iPhone, go to the settings, then "general", then "bluetooth". If your bluetooth is on, then allow the "devices" to detect your MINI....it should come up as "MINI11111" (actually the last five numbers of your VIN).
After it has detected yor MINI, then go into the phone section of your large instrument display and push the "pair" button. After it has "seen" your phone, it should say "READY". That's when you push the "add" button, it will then ask for your code, type in four numbers you want to use, then your iphone should show a keypad, type in the same four numbers and your phone should pair.
While the pairing instructions on the website say the same thing, they don't tell you that you have to type in the numbers on the MINI display first, then on your phone.
It can be frustrating, but this should work.
Good luck.

 

bobbi, if your iphone was paired before your SW update, AND you could see your music on your display via the Y-cable, I would be very persistent with the dealer.

If not, tell MINIUSA the short version. Eg All your stuff worked BEFORE the SW update.

The fact that you live 90 miles from the dealer just makes it worse.

All i can say is sorry you are being treated that way and keep calling until you get the answer that is right for you.

 

I can't pair my phone because bluetooth does not seem to be available on my car anymore, so there aren't any associate buttons available anymore on my console. They're gone. Poof.

I've spent the last hour on the phone with a 866-ask-mini guy and he suggested that my car may need to be re-programmed again and it may also be an issue with the ipod cord as well. He also mentioned that my iphone version (2.2.1) is presently incompatible with MINI right now, and I may have to downgrade to version 2.2. I think this is kind of B.S. because my iphone has worked absolutely flawless with the integrated bluetooth from the day I bought my car until...today (right after the car was re-programmed for the faulty windows!). I'm so irritated, I could just die. The take-home message here is that it's my problem that my phone is incompatible with the car (which it hasn't been for the past year!) and no one really knows what to make of the suddenly non-working ipod.

 

The "Ask Mini" guy is correct as far as reading the posted information on their website. However, I have a iPhone 3G with software version 2.2.1 and it pairs and works fine (even though the website does not list version 2.2.1). So, that shouldn't make a difference.
It does sound like when the dealer reprogrammed your car's computer, they may have put an old version in, and one not compatable with your model. So, the electronics doesn't even have the phone and bluetooth software loaded. Sounds like a dealer "headspace and timing" issue...i.e. they caused the problem.
Start going at both the dealer and MINIUSA's customer service organizations. Also, tell them you want them to send a mobile tech to your car to fix it (if your car is still in warranty and I imagine it is, then this is covered and part of your warranty and roadside assistance coverage).
I know it goes against our better nature to want to yell and scream, but sometimes it is the only way to get their attention.

 

Okay, I just spoke with the shop foreman at the dealership and he said that during the window re-programming, something must have inadvertently shut off the whole bluetooth mechanism. He suggested that it does indeed need to be re-programmed and that would likely take care of the problem.

I just find it weird that I'm getting completely opposing messages from two different people at MINI.

MINIspud: make sure you test your iphone/ipod etc. after getting your windows re-programmed next week. Good luck.

Thanks everybody!

Bobbi

 

Definitely!!!!!!!!!

 

I have the iPhone with version 2.2.1 software as well however the car will not control the volume. The volume on the phone is all the way up but the car volume will not lower or raise the volume at all.

It is not very loud and makes it difficult to hear with any kind of speed. I am bummed. I wish I could revert to the lesser version.

Do you have a secret that I can use?

Pat

 

PatM...try this: When your radio is on (in tuner mode), press the "Audio" button. The display should then list some output devices including "Tuner" as well as "Aux" at the very end. Scroll over to "Aux" and depress the **** just below the display (the **** that normally will change the radio stations, not the radio on/off ****). The "Aux" volume level should appear and here, you should be able to raise the "Aux" volume level to 6. If you do this, it should work much better. If not, you should contact your dealer, for sure.

FYI to all: I have finally successfully had my strange iphone/windows issues addressed at the dealership. The end result is that the dealer was re-programming vehicles with bad software, which resulted in all sorts of electrical issues. Now that the car has been correctly re-programmed (the MINI dealership was finally delivered a good version of software to download from MINIUSA), all issues have been put to rest.

 

PatM:
I noticed the same problem. I fixed it by going into the "Phone" control on the MINI dash, where there is a volume control. I turned it all the way up and now the iPhone comes in loud and clear. See if that works for you.

 

Is this the same thing that Bobbi is describing in the thread before? If so I did as Bobbi described. I appreciate the feedback everyone. I have made the changes as described and will provide an update tomorrow.

Thanks again,

Pat