iPod Quibbles

[BMWRX]

I'm using a Gen 5 iPod Classic (80Gb) with a non-genuine cable (USB and Aux connection). It'll run from anywhere between five minutes to an hour, but then lock up. The head unit comes up pretty much saying that the iPod is not connected. The iPod makes a bit of a clicking sounds right before locking up but I think they may just be the hard drive working. It locks up while changing songs and also mid-song.

Now, my question is, is the iPod dodgy or is the iPod cactus? The iPod will work if I plug it in using the white Apple cable, but it takes forever to scroll through songs/albums/artists. Ordinarily I'd just bite the bullet and go buy a genuine cable, but at $162 (as quoted from Westside this morning), it's too big a bullet to swallow.

So, I was wondering is there anyone in Brisbane I can borrow their genuine iPod cable from (if for only a day or so) to work out if it's the iPod or the cable that is causing my grief? I've come to the startling realisation that no one in my family owns an iPod, so I can't plug another iPod in to test it out.

[wmj73]

yo craig you can borrow mine if you want. pm me

[AW123d]

Originally Posted by BMWRX

I'm using a Gen 5 iPod Classic (80Gb) with a non-genuine cable (USB and Aux connection). It'll run from anywhere between five minutes to an hour, but then lock up. The head unit comes up pretty much saying that the iPod is not connected. The iPod makes a bit of a clicking sounds right before locking up but I think they may just be the hard drive working. It locks up while changing songs and also mid-song.

Now, my question is, is the iPod dodgy or is the iPod cactus? The iPod will work if I plug it in using the white Apple cable, but it takes forever to scroll through songs/albums/artists. Ordinarily I'd just bite the bullet and go buy a genuine cable, but at $162 (as quoted from Westside this morning), it's too big a bullet to swallow.

So, I was wondering is there anyone in Brisbane I can borrow their genuine iPod cable from (if for only a day or so) to work out if it's the iPod or the cable that is causing my grief? I've come to the startling realisation that no one in my family owns an iPod, so I can't plug another iPod in to test it out.

It definitely sounds like your iPod's hard drive is not happy. The iPod - car interface, whether cable or software, should never cause your iPod to lockup.

[BMWRX]

Originally Posted by AW123d

It definitely sounds like your iPod's hard drive is not happy. The iPod - car interface, whether cable or software, should never cause your iPod to lockup.

The iPod itself doesn't lock up. Just the head unit seems to lose connection with the iPod.

I've tested it with the iPod perfectly still in a motionless car to ensure that it wasn't a dodgy connection on the cable, and it still had the issue, so I'm confident the cable mechanics are fine.

[AW123d]

Originally Posted by BMWRX

The iPod itself doesn't lock up. Just the head unit seems to lose connection with the iPod.

I've tested it with the iPod perfectly still in a motionless car to ensure that it wasn't a dodgy connection on the cable, and it still had the issue, so I'm confident the cable mechanics are fine.

You mentioned the iPod was scrolling slowly, was that on the head unit as well?

[BMWRX]

Originally Posted by AW123d

You mentioned the iPod was scrolling slowly, was that on the head unit as well?

The albums/artists scroll slowly on the head unit if you use the white apple cable. They move much faster using the USB/Aux cable.

Once the iPod is plugged into the car, I don't touch it. Everything is controlled through the head unit.

[BMWRX]

Originally Posted by AW123d

You mentioned the iPod was scrolling slowly, was that on the head unit as well?

The albums/artists scroll slowly on the head unit if you use the white apple cable. They move much faster using the USB/Aux cable.

Once the iPod is plugged into the car, I don't touch it. Everything is controlled through the head unit.

[BMWRX]

Originally Posted by AW123d

You mentioned the iPod was scrolling slowly, was that on the head unit as well?

The albums/artists scroll slowly on the head unit if you use the white apple cable. They move much faster using the USB/Aux cable.

Once the iPod is plugged into the car, I don't touch it. Everything is controlled through the head unit.

[TimMc]

I've had a 160gb iPod under the armrest since I got my car - and I use a genuine cable. Every now and again my head unit can't "see" the iPod. I pull the cable out of the iPod, reconnect it and all is good again. Dodgy connection or dodgy software? Not sure.

[BMWRX]

Originally Posted by TimMc

I've had a 160gb iPod under the armrest since I got my car - and I use a genuine cable. Every now and again my head unit can't "see" the iPod. I pull the cable out of the iPod, reconnect it and all is good again. Dodgy connection or dodgy software? Not sure.

That's pretty much what happens to mine. Although it's not so much now and then, but regularly. And once it does it, it'll keep doing it repeatedly until I give up and just use the white Apple cable.

[TimMc]

You're welcome to give mine a try (live Murarrie & work Eagle Farm) though it sounds like the result may be the same. Do you update your iPod software frequently?

I have similar sporadic issues with the bluetooth connection of my Nokia E51 to the car. The phone locks up. The only fix is to turn the phone off and back on again. Only ever happens when connected to the car?

While on iPod issues, is there a way to keep your radio/ipod playing in the car without the engine running. At the moment the ignition turns off after a preset time - which is a bit annoying when I'm doing an oil change or just playing around in the garage.

[Teddieman]

I have the touch and had the same problem found it to be the connector or cable cleaned both and used a little elecrta lube on the plug its now gone away

Cheers

[BMWRX]

Originally Posted by Teddieman

I have the touch and had the same problem found it to be the connector or cable cleaned both and used a little elecrta lube on the plug its now gone away

Cheers

Which end of the cable was causing the issue (or did you just clean everything)? I'll give this a go and see what happens.

[Teddieman]

the Interface to the Idrive connection the connection to the touch didnt need it
as I could tell it was the other end

Cheers if you need a hand just call

[BMWRX]

Ok, it appears that the source of the issue has been determined. It was a combination of the non-genuine cable being crud, plus the USB connection in the car was dirty. After borrowing Warren's genuine cable over the weekend, it has not skipped a beat. So, a genuine cable is on its way (from the UK, waaaay cheaper than buying it here).