Last week I purchased a new 4G iPod Nano to replace the 2G Nano in my '07 MCS (with the factory iPod adapter kit). This morning when I tried to play a song, I got the "loading" screen. I opened the secret compartment to check the iPod, and found it was out of power. Is there an issue with the factory iPod kits and charging 4G Nanos? Thanks.

 

I just bought a new 16GB 4th gen Nano, and it works just fine with the iPod integration that came as part of the convenience package. The charging seems to work fine so far.

 

The following Apple units have a different charging pin in the connector now.

iPod Touch (8,16,32GB) iPod Classic (120GB only) and the iPod Nano Gen4 (8,16GB). This change has been a large problem with other items such as the Bose Sound Dock (original), Klipsh iGroove, Altec Lansing Docks, and ohters.

So unfortunately this wil be a problem on many Mini/BMW vehicals, as they were designed for the old iPods.

You will very posibly also find that the charger you have for your Gen2 Nano will not charge the Gen4 Nano. And also any older USB cable you may have for your Gen2 may not charge the Gen4 as well.

Thanks Apple for changing the way the charging circuits are connected in the dock connector.

 

Apple never prevented USB charging, what they changed was the ability to charge via the firewire bus. This was a long time coming as they prevented sycning via firewire years ago with the fifth-gen video iPod although companies still liked to use the firewire charging as USB is never as powerful as firewire. Most of the time, you can't tell what charging mechanism the device is using unless the other end of the cable is a USB connector. That being said just get yourself a cheap USB charger and you'll be fine. You have an iPod that is smaller, more efficient, and probably has more features due to lack of cost of the firwire circuitry. Appreciate that.

 

My car is an '07. I do not have the USB port. I was hooping that Mini would have a new cable, or a converter (I have a call in to the sales manager) or an outside company would have made a converter.

 

If that is truely the case then why will my Gen2 Nano not charge with the Gen4 cable and why will my Gen4 Nano not charge with my Gen 2 cable.

There is more to it than just removing the Fire wire charging capability and circuitry.

There are thousands upon thousands of reports of this problem, and it is not JUST the fire wire removal, There are other issues as well.

 

That's stupid of them to change that for no good reason. Reason enough for me to remove those units from my holiday shopping lists, as you never know who has one of the docking units or headunits that need the old pin config. to charge (I have an AL unit myself).

 

I had the Nano 3G working just fine, with my playlists all set and I was happy. Then, 2 weeks after I got it, Apple came out with the iPod Nano Chromatic at $50 less than I paid for the 3G. It has an accelerometer and some other cool features so I thought, no prob, I can get a refund on the 3G and replace it. Amazon took it back, gave me a full refund, I got the new one and.......crap, it doesn't charge in my car. The screen says that "This feature is not supported". Sweet. How stupid is that? And, of course, I took advantage of the free personalization feature, got "Big Daddy" engraved on it and , because of that, I now find out that I can't return it. Apple just dropped to the level of Microsoft in my books.

 

Forget the iPod use a flash drive works great!

 

So how does something like that integrate with the head unit? Does it do any kind of playlists, artists, genres, etc., as with the iPod?

 

That only works if you have a USB equipped car.

 

Ok, I have an 08 Clubman with the USB/Ipod option. I was using a 3rd Gen 4gb Nano, but replaced it about a week ago with a 16 gig 4th Gen Nano. I leave it plugged into the car all the time.

As far as I can tell, the new 4th Gen is charging using the iPod USB cord which came with the MINI package. I've been playing it for a week and when I unplugged it, the battery indicator was fully green. When it is plugged in to the car, the battery indicator has a plug (or arrow) in it which according to the Apple website, indicates it is receiving a charge. (I checked and the indicator is the same when its plugged into the car and when its plugged into my computer)

Why would my 4th gen nano be charging in the car, but others find theirs won't?

I've got 30 days to return this thing to BestBuy if there is gonna be a problem. So I don't want to miss a problem if its there!

 

Is this the Y-Cable that plugs into both the USB and the Aux Ports?

If so can yo find a part number on it so that i can check it against mine to see if it is a different part number.

 

+1

 

First off, Schatzy, I just want to say that you are a freakin' gold mine of information on this site. It amazes me how helpful you are to all of us here. I just wanted to tell you that directly!

The part number from the USB/iPod cord that came with my MINI is 0440796. This number was stamped on the big plastic part at the base of the Y. It is the only number I could find on it.

I double checked this morning and this is what is happening with my 4th Gen 16 gig Nano:
- When it is plugged in to the car, there is a "plug" symbol on the battery icon.
- If I unplug it, the battery icon changes to a solid green color.
- When I plug it back in to the car, the battery icon has a "lightening bolt" symbol on the battery (which I think means 'charging')
- After a few seconds, it changes back to the "plug" sympbol (which I think means 'fully charged').

So, I think the iPod is charging with the MINI cord. It has been in my car for over a week and has a fully charged symbol when I disconnect it from the car. I hope I am right about this.

 

It must be charging. I hooked up my Nano Chromatic when it was fully-charged and in 3 days, with very little use, it was completely drained.

 

I think we are talking about the same iPod. Mine is a 4th generation, 16 gig Nano in black. Chromatics are the 4th gen nanos, correct?

Does your car have the USB/iPod package with the Y cable from MINI?

And, does your nano have the same battery indicators and symbols I was talking about in my post?

Thanks, Rich

 

Yes. we are talking about the same Nano.

I have an '05 with the OEM iPod adapter. No USB cable, just the white Apple connector in the glove box.

The only symbol that I noticed when I checked it was, in small print, "This feature (charging) is not supported".

I wound up selling the Chromatic for a little less and got the earlier 3rd Gen version. It works and charges fine in the MINI.

 

Thanks for the info.
I've never seen that language on my ipod, so hopefully its charging.
Rich

 

This is because your 05 was set up for what is called "Firewire" charging and all the new iPods are set up for USB charging.

The difference here is the pin in the connector that is used as the charging pin. It has changed and thus there is not way to charge the iPod as the correct pin on the new iPod is not connected to the power for charging.

There are some items out that that claim to be able to charge new iPods from old style cable (wired for Firewire charging). I have not tried any yet so i can not vouch for the actual operation of these adapters. here are links to some of them.

http://scosche.com/products/sfID1/21...productID/1667

http://cablejive.com/iphone_3g_charge_converter.html

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/new...rge-converter/

Yes this does mean your iPod is charging in the car.

 

Shatzy, you beat me to the punch! http://="http://www.ilounge.com/inde...-converter/"]\

I ordered one today, and when it comes, I will post a review!

 

Thanks, schatzy. I feel much better.

Just curious. Does your Y cord have the same MINI part number as mine?

 

The guys that are saying charging is working all look like the Clubman owners right? That seems to be the same case over in the iPhone 3G thread. If it's not a software thing, I would guess the USB power output might be a little under spec on the coupes, and that the new iPods and iPhone are more strict about the power input.

As for why they got rid of FireWire, leaving out the controller chip (for syncing) saved a big chunk of space inside, probably along with some money. I figure this is just another step in simplifying the design for more space and money.

 

I have the new JCW with the iPod adapter that plugs in with the USB/minipin cable in the console. I verified my 16GB iPod Nano 4G charges just fine.

 

UPDATE
I received the Ridax adapter in the mail this afternoon. Immediately upon connecting it, the green battery icon on my 4G iPod lit up, so it must be charging. I will report back in a week or so to confirm that my iPod's charge is maintained/topped off.