iPhone y-adapter/bluetooth audio distortion

Hey everyone. I've been having an issue with my 2011 135i while using the y-adapter and bluetooth. The audio is extremely distorted. I took my car into BMW and they couldn't identify the exact issue. They wanted to try to replace the ULD/SBX Interface however that was $1,800 and not guaranteed to fix the issue. If I use just the AUX cable, the audio is clear.

I have reset the audio settings in the car & tried multiple y-adapters. No luck.

Has anyone ever hear of this interface box (located in the trunk per BMW) or come across the audio distortion?

[Tuxedo]

I use the tune2air WMA3000-B (Amazon purchase) instead of the Y-cable. try that instead then still not working see if a DIY for the parts on realoem.com research part numbers and find an indy shop prob does it for lots less

Perfect! Will give that a shot. Also found on this forum that someone had good luck with the BMW W cable. Going to research that as well.

Thanks for the post!

[Gangplank]

Which viseo/bovee model you need depends on what stereo, combox, ect you have. But it works like magic

[Tuxedo]

found this set of pics that may help with locating the interface box
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showp...8&postcount=32

[tock172]

Funny that you mention this, because I had the EXACT same problem.

In short, when I had my iPhone connected via the Lighting USB + audio jack BMW Y-cable, the audio was always distorted. It was as if the phone was sending out a signal that was slightly amplified, but there was no way to adjust it. I ended up buying the Tune2Air adapter that others have mentioned in this thread to allow for Bluetooth audio streaming, which worked perfectly. The car was a 2011 135i with iDrive but no combos.

I since sold the genuine BMW Y-cable (both the Lightning and 30-pin version) and then I let the next owner of my 2011 135i take the Tune2Air bluetooth adapter, as my 2012 came with enhanced BT.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by tock172

Funny that you mention this, because I had the EXACT same problem.

In short, when I had my iPhone connected via the Lighting USB + audio jack BMW Y-cable, the audio was always distorted. It was as if the phone was sending out a signal that was slightly amplified, but there was no way to adjust it. I ended up buying the Tune2Air adapter that others have mentioned in this thread to allow for Bluetooth audio streaming, which worked perfectly. The car was a 2011 135i with iDrive but no combos.

I since sold the genuine BMW Y-cable (both the Lightning and 30-pin version) and then I let the next owner of my 2011 135i take the Tune2Air bluetooth adapter, as my 2012 came with enhanced BT.

What is this enhanced BT you speak of?

BTW the Tune2Air works great (aka Bovee). Better sound than the Y cable too.

[tock172]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

What is this enhanced BT you speak of?

BTW the Tune2Air works great (aka Bovee). Better sound than the Y cable too.

Enhanced Bluetooth was available on later model 1ers and allows for audio streaming in addition to phone calls instead of just the latter.

Thanks all. Just purchased Tune2Air. Let's see how it works out!

[Tuxedo]

Originally Posted by xRobx

Thanks all. Just purchased Tune2Air. Let's see how it works out!

tip make sure your phone volume is about 7/8's+

Thanks everyone for the Tune2Air recommendation. Fixed all my audio issues. Also have full control over the music on my phone as if it was plugged in with the y cable.

Great product!

Hey Everyone... The audio distortion is back and worse than ever (even with Tune2Air). Bluetooth calls and USB audio (Tune2Air) audio quality is horrible. I did some research and I believe the next step in resolving this issue is to replace the MULE2 box in the trunk. Looks to be common. I found a couple on eBay matching the part number 100% roughly $100-$250. Just to laugh I called BMW parts and brand new the cost is $700 just for the part. The MULE2 seems very simple to replace however I'm not 100% sure if coding is needed once this device is replaced. I have zero experience with any BMW coding. There is a shop in town that may be able to code for me if needed.

Does anyone have any experience with this replacement to advise if I'm moving in the right direction?

[Jrman]

I am sorry if I did not search enough but I honestly cannot find the answer to my question.
I have a 2011 BMW 135i and it DOES NOT have IDRIVE. I have a USB and Auxiliary jack under the armrest.

I ordered the Y Cable from the BMW dealership in Baton Rouge. The Genius at BMW and I tried to get it to work with my I phone 6 but there is only silence through the aux. We adjusted headphone volume on the phone, adjusted aux volume on the head unit and then the actual aux volume, to no avail.

The car does not have bluetooth so I cannot go that route.

Is it just not possible to play audio through an Iphone or android phone?

I tried one of those phones too.

I even downloaded the BMW software update too. Without I drive I cannot install it. The USB interface does not do anything.
I also checked the fuse and electrical connections. The cigarette lighter, the USB and the Aux jack all have power.

The Y cable will charge my phone. But no audio.

Is there anything I can do besides installing a new head unit?

[Gangplank]

Have you tried just plugging the iPhone into the usb with an iPhone cable and/or just using the aux cable?

On my 2011 I can play with just the usb and iPhone cable. But I also have Bluetooth so I use the Tune2Air.

[Jrman]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Have you tried just plugging the iPhone into the usb with an iPhone cable and/or just using the aux cable?

On my 2011 I can play with just the usb and iPhone cable. But I also have Bluetooth so I use the Tune2Air.

I have tried that.

There is no audio from the head unit on auxiliary.

I think my radio may just not be capable of doing that.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by Jrman

I have tried that.

There is no audio from the head unit on auxiliary.

I think my radio may just not be capable of doing that.

Might be a problem with the unit or with the aux. plug?

[Tuxedo]

Originally Posted by Jrman

I am sorry if I did not search enough but I honestly cannot find the answer to my question.
I have a 2011 BMW 135i and it DOES NOT have IDRIVE. I have a USB and Auxiliary jack under the armrest.

I ordered the Y Cable from the BMW dealership in Baton Rouge. The Genius at BMW and I tried to get it to work with my I phone 6 but there is only silence through the aux. We adjusted headphone volume on the phone, adjusted aux volume on the head unit and then the actual aux volume, to no avail.

The car does not have bluetooth so I cannot go that route.

Is it just not possible to play audio through an Iphone or android phone?

I tried one of those phones too.

I even downloaded the BMW software update too. Without I drive I cannot install it. The USB interface does not do anything.
I also checked the fuse and electrical connections. The cigarette lighter, the USB and the Aux jack all have power.

The Y cable will charge my phone. But no audio.

Is there anything I can do besides installing a new head unit?

No iDrive here, I also use tune2air and can be found here
https://www.amazon.com/Bovee-WMA3000.../dp/B0131P6P5E

connect and make sure the volume on the phone is up 7/8's of the way

[Jrman]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Might be a problem with the unit or with the aux. plug?

I checked all the fuses.
They are good.
It is getting power.

[Gangplank]

Originally Posted by Jrman

I checked all the fuses.
They are good.
It is getting power.

Are you selecting AUX or USB/IPod on the head unit radio?

Have you run your vin through a vin decoder to see what you have? For example my car has USB & combox do I can just use the iPhone cable without the y cable.

6AB CONTROL TELESERVICES
6FL USB-/AUDIO INTERFACE
6VC CONTROL COMBOX
639 COMPLETE PREP. CELLULAR PHONE USA/CDN 676 HIFI LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM

[Jrman]

Originally Posted by Gangplank

Are you selecting AUX or USB/IPod on the head unit radio?

Have you run your vin through a vin decoder to see what you have? For example my car has USB & combox do I can just use the iPhone cable without the y cable.

6AB CONTROL TELESERVICES
6FL USB-/AUDIO INTERFACE
6VC CONTROL COMBOX
639 COMPLETE PREP. CELLULAR PHONE USA/CDN 676 HIFI LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM

Thank you for responding.
I have decoded the vin and its says I have...
VALUE PACKAGE
iPod and USB adapter
Under the Premium package it lists.
BMW Assist with Bluetooth

I have the cigarette lighter, USB and the auxiliary jack all in a row under the arm rest.

I bought the BMW Y cable but it does not allow me to play any sound from my phone.

The Genius at the dealership does not have an answer for me.

[Jrman]

How can I reprogram my radio?