I bought an Aux input cable on eBay and installed myself, although my boyfriend drilled the holes for the faceplate that is mounted below the toggle bank.

My problem is it works, but if I plug my male-male jack cord in all the way I only get sound out of the left speakers. I need to pull the end out slightly to get sound in both sides of the speakers, and then it is still touchy. If it is too far out I get an irritating whine, and the jack cord falls out over bumps. There is *one* perfect place for that jack end, and finding it isn't always easy.

Do I have a bad cable, or do I need the ground loop thing I read so much about? I'd like to be able to push the male-male jack all the way in.

 

First, try powering your player on batteries instead of a vehicle power cord (in the case of a satellite radio receiver which has to be powered via vehicle power, use some sort of battery powered CD player, iPod, etc). If the problem continues, try another patch cord to connect to the Aux. If the problem still persists, the aux cable assembly is most likely bad. If the problem goes away when powering the device via batteries, this is the 'ground loop' issue. The aux input uses a 'phantom' ground in order the help stop ground loop problems, but this gets thwarted if the combination of external player and vehicle power adaptor creates a floating DC voltage on the common (ground) terminal of the patch cord.. An isolator is needed in these rare cases to break the DC voltage and noise loop that is sometimes created.

Another problem that arises is the 'disappearance' of the Aux option in the mode menu when certain players or devices are connected. Again, adding a ground loop isolator will fix the problem.

 

This is nothing to do with ground loop. You would still get both channels of audio just with lots of noise and decreased volume. Are you sure you're using a 3 conductor stereo cable between the ipod and the aux input jack? If you're only using a 2 conductor mono cable you'll only be getting one side of the audio, or if you rig the cable like you said you'll get one channel of audio through both sides, but it won't be true stereo. Look at the plug on your cable and make sure it has three metal pieces, sparated by two non-metal rings. If there's only one ring you need a new cable. If you have the correct cable then you may may have a damged aux input cable.

 

I agree that, based on your description, the problem lies with the mini-plug/cable type being used. Confirm that you're using the correct plug/cable before tearing into the dash again.

 

OK, I'm really confused. I should have added that I have been using this with my 5G iPod. It runs on batteries only; I have no car charger.

This is what my cable looks like on the ends, is it the wrong cable? (I obviously know nothing about audio stuff). Is a "3 conductor stereo cable" different?



Thanks!

 

Yep, that's a mono cable, you need go get a stereo cable. You can find one at any electronics shop, Best Buy, Radio Shack, etc. Ask for help if you're unsure. You see that black band? A stereo cable will have two bands.

 

Like this?

radioshack link

 

Here's an example of a stereo mini-plug. This particular end has green bands, but you get the idea...

EDIT: just saw your link; yes, that should work.

 

Thanks so much to all of you!