My system:
Factory HK CD player
Denison Ipod control hooked thru the factory rear CD Changer wiring
Factory AUX input cable

This past weekend I finally got around to installing the factory AUX input wiring so that I could install my Sirius Stiletto in my car. I removed the car stereo from the cage and plugged in the AUX cable into the back of the stereo and routed the wires behind the center console and behind the knee bolster. I didn't bother to drill holes for the mounting plate because It would only be used for the Sirius unit. So I instead just plugged in the 'headphone' cable into the adapter. I checked the unit by turning on the stereo and was able to switch to AUX, AUX1 (ipod), CD, and Radio. So I reinstalled the stereo again.

After driving for an hour, listening to the Sirius, it suddenly cut out and switched to the AUX1(Ipod). I tried switching back to the AUX (Sirius) but it wasn't an option. I also noticed that I had lost all my FM/AM presets AND my radio reception was horrible. I couldn't pull in the NYC mega stations and only got the real local ones. The Sirius unit didn't have FM modulation turned on (double checked) and I still had the bad reception with Sirius unit turned off (so it wasn't that).

The next morning I turned on the car again to find AUX had returned to the stereo menu. I switched and listenend to Sirius for about 5 minutes before it cut out again.

So i later removed the stereo again, and removed the AUX input. I also pressed in the Antenna lead to make sure it was all the way in. I pulled the 10amp fuse and it looked ok. With the AUX unplugged I checked the radio reception and it seemed to have returned to normal.

Turning off the car, I then removed the entire plug unit from the back of the stereo using the lever arm and plugged the AUX input into the block. And then reinserted the unit into the stereo and closed the locking arm.

I turned on the car and checked all the settings. Everything works (AUX, AUX1, CD, Radio).

I rescrewed all stereo into the cage and reinstalled the downtubes. Turned off the car again , turned back on the car. Rechecked everything. All seems to be A-OK.

So this morning I turn on my Stilletto, switch to AUX, and listen to satelitte radio. About 1 mile down the road.. it cuts out again to AUX1 (Ipod) and I lose all satelitte radio. (no AUX) I also notice my radio reception is bad again.


Anyone have any idea of what is going on? I don't think the Stiletto unit is the problem as the only connection to the HK stereo is thru an audio input (no power down the line, or overloading it). Do i have a bad head unit? or simply a bad AUX input? Any ideas?

I may pull and replace the 10amp fuse tonight anyway. Is there another fuse at the fuse box for the radio?

ANY ideas appreciated!

 

How is the power for your Sirius rigged? Lighter adapter or ??? Sounds like a ground loop problem - lots of folks have had similar problems with other devices plugged into aux when running off car power. One fix is to get a ground loop isolator from Radio Shack or Cruthfield and plug it between your device and the aux. I use the Crutchfield one (with mini plug/jack) permanently plugged into the aux in my glovebox. Makes this a non issue with my MP3 player and portable GPS.

You can do a search on "ground loop" for more info.

 

A seperate lighter adapter I installed in the EuroShelf. Maybe I'll try the stock lighter socket to see if that makes a difference.

 

I would also suggest trying another device on the Aux input, that is self-powered... like your iPod. Just disconnect it from the iPod adapter and use the headphone jack (even though a line-out jack is preferred... this is a "quick and dirty" test). Of course, if you have access to a second iPod, leaving yours on the adapter would be a more "thorough" test.

 

Hmmm... I've had a similar problem. I have an AUX input (dealer installed) on my 2006 MCS. I use a XM MyFi connected through this AUX. When I use my MyFi for more than an hour or two, the Aux will cut out and switch to CD or radio. The Aux option no longer appears on the radio. If I turn the car off and disconnect the MyFi, the problem goes away.

I've taken the car into the dealer twice for this problem. The first time the computer showed a radio fault so they replaced the radio. The second time they couldn't find a problem so they didn't do anything (told me to keep an eye on it! ).

I recently installed an iPod adapter and have been using that. I'm guessing the Aux problem is still there.

 

I *almost* guarantee these are both ground loop issues. The aux test with a non-plugged-in source (ipod) is a good diagnostic. If it works forever off your battery powered ipod (plugged into aux) but fails after it's been running off car power for a while, this is *the* symptom of ground loop faults with the MINI stereo. Not so much of a "defect" as a "feature" - it's a common enough automotive issue that companies *make* ground loop isolators, after all.

$18 bucks or so to Crutchfield and *poof* no more problem.

 

Awesome! Your post confirms my hunch. I had actually typed my theory that it was a grounding problem, but I deleted it as I really had no basis for it (other than "hunch".) In the short term I will just run my MyFi off it's internal battery (4 hours or so of life).

Thanks again!

 

A quick test confirms the fix! Unfortunatly, Radio Shack only carries the unit with the RCA inputs, so Ill have to wait for my crutchfield order to confirm.

Thanks for the help!