Hi All,

When i hook up my iPhone 3G via my Y-cable, it does show that it is plugged into power but refuses to charge the phone...

Has anyone experienced it? if so, any word of advice would be well appreciated.

Thanks,
Marcin

 

.

 

I have the same issue, but on a 2G iPhone.

It just wont charge...

 

it charges ipod touch ? I use a 8G flash drive and works like a charm

 

Has anyone tested this out with a 09 yet? There was some word they were changing the BMW part on Y cable or the USB Ipod adapter itself.

 

Mine drained with usb y split and aux plugged in. but showed charging. charges with the orig Iphone usb charging cable but then cannot play ipod music.

 

The issue is that the iPhone 3G changed the pins that charge the iPhone from the dock connector. It used to work over the firewire or USB pins, but now it only works over the USB pins. Most cables out there now charged over firewire (including the MINI cable), regardless of what that cable was hooked up to.

It's possible MINI could release a new cable that does work, but as it stands it simply won't charge the 3G.

It should charge the original iPhone no problem, though (it charges mine just fine).


Edit - just read the other thread where people note that it may not be due to the firewire vs. USB pins. It looks like they've done a bit more research in that thread than I've done.

 

Also, you may be able to use something like this:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB...mco=MTIxODk3Mw

You'd just have to use an adapter to change the RCA audio outputs to a 1/8" mini output.

 

I'm not experiencing this issue on my '08 MCS. My 3G chimes and displays the battery charging graphic when it's plugged in.

About the only problem I have is the iPod app on the iPhone doesn't always communicate with radio and I have to force quit the app and reconnect the phone.

 

Mine seems to be charging fine in an 09.

 

hello,
just to be sure it is charging here is the question. when it's plugged via usb into the iphone 3G there should be a symbol of a lightning bolt (charging) the other symbol looks like a usb icon-that just means it's connected. my 2008 clubman only shows the usb icon. can u please clarify?
thank you-

EDIT:
OK i just did a test with my wifes 2g (v2 software) iphone and the cable DOES charge the phone as i expected. It does not charge my 3G iphone

 

Haven't noticed what symbol it shows, but I can tell you the 09 is absolutely for sure charging. Got in the car at the end of the day, with maybe half charge on the phone, and it was up to nearly full by the time I got home. Granted, I took the long way :-).

 

Hmm...perhaps I spoke too soon. It has definitely been charging most of the time...but tonight, I just got the "plugged in" icon rather than the "charging" icon, and it didn't charge.

I will keep an eye on it and report back if I figure out any sort of pattern.

 

And of course, today, charging with no problem. Lol.

 

I get the icon that says it will not charge and it requests me to place the iphone in airplane mode. I haven't tried charging it, but I do see the lightning bolt-very weird.

 

Sorry for the long post....

I had my 08 MCS in for a minor checkup, but I addressed the iphone 3G issue. I have the comfort access Y-cable, not the IPOD adapter in the compartment above the glovebox. The Service Manager said that MINI supports the 1G and 2G iphone with the Y-cable, but the 3G draws > 500MA power, which is the limit of the cable, hence the flakey power issues everyone is experiencing. There are no plans for MINI to address this Y-cable. On the repair order it says "CHECKED SERVICE MANUALS AND FOUND THAT IPODS THAT DRAW MORE THAN 500 MA WILL NOT CHARGE IN THIS SYSTEM THEREFORE SYSTEM WORKING CORRECTLY NO FURTHER ACTION NEEDED"

However, he said the dock, which inserts into the armrest will be upgraded to handle the 3G. There is circuitry in this dock that will handle the power draw. The new part will be available from MINI or BMW in November, part number is 84109182792. It will cost ($121.95 USD) plus optional $50 install. He said I could easily do it though.

Doesn't help the IPOD functionality. I'll take care of that with my other IPOD but this is somewhat disappointing.

 

Not conclusive, but here are my initial observations. Will report back with additional attempts when time allows...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&postcount=116

 

I think the ones before August of 2007 will not charge the phone, however the Y-Cables were revised, so a 2008 MINI should work fine.

http://wireless4mini.com/phones2.html in the PDF for the iPhone

 

See this post

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&postcount=121

 

I have an 09 JCW with an early October build date. My iPod 3G does not charge via the Mini supplied cable. I get the "powered" symbol but it does not charge the battery.

However, if I take the original Apple cable and plug it into the USB port the phone DOES charge hence I do believe this is a cable issue. When I have some time I'll play around more and look into making some sort of custom cable that I think will address the issue.

 

If you plug in the original Apple cable does the Mini recognize that an iPod is plugged in? If so there is a very easy solution to all of this.

 

No. It only charges the iPhone 3G.

Attempting to select the USB port gives you an ERROR on the display. If you play anything on the iPod it plays through the iPhone's speaker.

 

The standard cable does not charge, I tested it today on a long drive and my phone went dead when connected. I really think that MINI needs to step up and address this.

 

I just got my 2009 clubman and it seems to charge (at lease shows the bolt) if the phone is over half charged. Under that it goes to the plug and does not charge. So the lack of current does make since. The question is why does the MINI cable cut the current down? Like every one else the apple cable does charge but no ipone music. I will test my nano and old ipod.

Test results
Old ipod charges fine from the red low bat status. nano was charged so dont know what would have happened with it. I charged my 3g so it was over half full and now it show charging in the car and I think I saw the green indication move more to the left. I will see if I can take the car for a long drive tomorow(if the wife lets me) and see if it goes to full charge. If it will charge and from half full or more that I can just keep and apple cable to get it over the hump if needed untill MINI fixes the cable to the snap in come in.

 

Part of the problem here is that the USB standard limits current draw on USB to 500 milliamps (0.5 A). That's the short answer. I glanced at the USB standard but didn't study it long. It looks like it's possible to configure for higher amperages, but involves a whole 'nother mess of standards to follow.

So I suspect that BMW just designed to the base standard (the easy way out). Anyone who wants to go argue with BMW about it can look at section 7.2.3 of the USB standard at www.usb.org.