There are some really early models of the iPod that just will not charge from the Mini as they required FireWire for charging. But you stated that it charged int eh BMW. Was that a factory kit for the BMW?

What model and year was your BMW?

This may also affect the charging. I know that my GF's new Nano WILL charge in my Mini but NOT in her BMW.

 

You'll have to buy a new iPod. Apple changed the internal circuitry as far as how it charges through USB and not through Firewire (or something along those lines) so new MINIs/old iPods don't work. I know from personal experience as I had an 80 GB iPod Photo and was having the same issue as you. Bought a 120GB Classic and it works flawlessly.

 

Except that i have a 80gig iPod video and a brand new 120gig and both work with the MINI just fine. It is really only the First Gen iPods that should have a problem with the Mini.

 

Nope, mine was a 4th gen iPod color (right before they gave them video capabilities) and it definitely would not charge. Apple must have changed the charging configuration after my iPod generation and before yours.

Edit (from WikiPedia, so you know it must be true!

As of the first generation iPod Nano and the fifth generation iPod Classic, Apple discontinued using FireWire for data transfer (while still allowing for use of FireWire to charge the device) in an attempt to reduce cost and form factor.

So basically any iPod prior to 5th gen will not charge in a MINI

 

Although true the First Gen iPod was Fire Wire Charging ONLY. For 2nd - 5th Gen iPods, Gen 1-3 Nanos and 1st Gen iPhone they would take either 5VDC USB or 12 Firewire. As for iTouch, 2nd Gen and later iPhone and Gen 4 Nanos they can not charge off of 12VDC Firewire, and will only charge from High Power USB ports. The iPod battery is only 3.7 VDC and the cahrging regulator in the earlier iPods will take anywhere from 5-12VDC to charge from. The later versions will only accept 5VDC from High Power USB ports

So no this is not true any iPod from Gen 2 on shoudl charge, if it does not then the most likely problem is the battery needs to much current to charge properly and this will drop the voltage down on the Mini causing the iPod to think that there is not enough power to charge the iPod. I have friend that are using Gen 3 and Gen 4 iPods with no problem charging in the MINI.

 

Good for your friend, as they had much better luck than I did with a 4th gen then. I think what you said about the current was something I had heard on here as well when I was researching my issue. I'd start with a fully charged iPod, hook it in, it'd play fine, but every few days it'd be dead. Then I learned on here about the change that Apple had done in changing from Firewire to USB, and how only the newer ones would charge off of USB, or something along those lines.

All I know for a fact is that my 4th gen wouldn't maintain a charge (even with a newly replaced battery) and that these forums led me to the idea that the wiring had been changed for newer iPods to enable the USB charging, and the new one does charge/hold a charge, so I'm happy!

 

Thanks for the input. Another twist... I looked at my early 20gig while connected to the mini, after I turned the car off, and instead of having the check mark on the screen it looked like it was on with the menu showing. When I checked the circle to go back to menu, the check mark came on and it started charging. This happens each time I turn off the car. hmmm so the mini is not turning the iPod off and that is why the battery goes dead... but now if I click the circle it will go into charging mode. Very strange. I am sure it is probably the iPod... so I will try it with a newer model and report back.

 

That does sound strange. The USB power never goes off so the iPod should really stay in the charge mode. But if there is a slight fluctuation in the voltage the iPod i guess could see that as a disconnect and then just be finicky about going back to charge mode.

 

My newer "Classic" model does that as well. I just made the screen go dark in I believe 5 seconds to make sure it didn't drain it. But even if your screen was set to stay on all the time, I think the Classic iPods all have some sort of factory-setting in them where they power themselves down after so much inactivity.

I know the Touch has an option where it never shuts off, I guess since you could be watching a 2 hour movie and not touching the screen...so if you have a Touch, that might be your problem as well.

So the key is, when you shut the car off, is the iPod paused? As long as you're seeing it in the Pause mode, that should not be your problem.

 

Well, after using just the Apple USB cable, I found out a couple of things.
1) Many songs/artists were missing
2) iPod screen has the flashing "Do Not Disconnect"

Number 2 was not a big deal, but #1 was unacceptable. Broke down and paid the $67+tax on the stupid cable at the local dealership. Works fine now (obviously). But why do that have to make the cable so stinkin' short???

 

I bought a basic USB male to Female extender and an audio cable extender. I installed them to the chassis of "Spike" and ran the cables to the glove box where I attached the tiny USB/Aux cable from the dealer. I charge (120G Classic) and can control everything through the radio and steering wheel. I figured the box thingy at the end of the tiny cable bust be the magic trick and anything before it (from the plug thing to the box) wouldn't matter.

I got the USB male/female extender from CompUSA and the Aux (audio) extender from BestBuy.

Hope this helps someone.

 

I use a Mini ipod cable witha 2nd gen ipod touch and it works flawlessly.
But my dealer did say, always plug in the ipod to the cable after connecting the aux and the usb otherwise the IPOD may not function 100% correctly.

One mod that is now been done here in UK is to remove the aux and usb ports from below the toggle switches and connect the ipod cable behind the stereo (also tape them up to stop the movement which causes interference)
and put the ipod connector into one of the two gloveboxes

 

There are two options.

1.USB/Bluetooth/iPod - put the usb and the aux connector undert he center console

2. Ipod connection - plugs the iPod connector to the back of the radio and has the connector in the glove box or secret compartment.

 

Sorry, I was not very clear.
The mod is been carried out on cars with the USB/Aux sockets because the MINI Ipod lead is not very long and during shifting gears the cable can be wobbled and it crackles.
So the USB and Aux sockets are being withdrawn behind the centre console and theh MINI Ipod lead is then connected and secured out of sight with the IPOD connector being located in one of the gloveboxes (depends where individuals want to locate their IPOD)

 

That is the stupidest thing i have ever heard of. The USB will not longer be usabe for USB Memory Sticks or nay ohter USB device like phones.

I doubt that MINI would be that stupid.

Also the MINI iPod lead is jsut the right length to have the iPod in teh small cubie at the bottom fo the center stack. I have had mini in there for more than a year and NEVER EVER has it been a problem with shiifting.

THe ohter place tha tmany people put the iPod is in the cargo net on the cneter hump in the passenger footwell and the cord is jsut long enough for that as well.

I surely hope MINI doe not do what you are saying. It will distroy the use of the USB connector. and in fact they should then change it all together and not even bother with the USB and just go back to offering the one style of iPod connection.

 

Never said that it was right or wrong, its only what some people have done.
It would also be possible to use a USB splitter to retain the USB at the front.
Maybe people that own left hand drive cars have a slight advantage also, the lead is not long enough to reach the small net in the passenger footwell on right hand drive cars.

But whatever mods people do to their cars will always be subjective, which I believe provokes healthy discusion otherwise the positive/negative sides may be overlooked.

 

I am gonna do an extension of my existing USB/AUX port since now I have the XM radio unit in my cubby, I wanna be able to still use the ports without having to fumble back there every time. I found a few kits that might be of interest:
http://www.baileyswholesale.com/mb-q...AUX-RV-USB.htm

You would also need a right angle usb extension (Ebay)

and an rca double female to single male aux extension (Ebay)

Plus an aux port splitter cable (Ebay)

You can tuck it below the center console and drill out a hole for the extension. That way no more problems with having to unplug wires. I am going to do this when the parts come in next week. If anyone is interested in a photo lesson, let me know...

 

This cable works well if you already have the Mini Y-cable.

http://www.radtech.us/Products/Cable...x#DockExtender

 

I have the Cable Jive 6' (?) Dock Extender and it does work. About once a week it will stop charging, but I think that is when I have GPS up and the recharge draw is just too much for it for some reason.

Overall I am happy with this setup.

 

Never mind.

 

I've connected my iPod nano 3rd generation using the Apple white USB cable + aux cable. Songs, playlist, artwork, controls from steering wheel work fine but:

1) Can't see videos on Nav screen but I can hear the sound.
2) Volume and sound quality are very low.

I really can't get why they need this Y cable (can't believe they went through so much trouble and unsatisfied customers to make a few more $$). They just can because in the end we buy MINIs and pay for their multiple iPod connection$.

I have a Sony car stereo (similar to CDX-GT660UV but bought 4 years ago) that only requires the Apple USB cable for control and sound.

Cheers,
lG

 

Would this work?

http://www.radtech.us/Products/proca...usb-audio.aspx