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Level 2

310 points

iPhone not working with car iPod connection

I’ve got a fairly high end car audio setup. In the trunk I have a CleanSweep unit from JL Audio. It has an aux connection from which we’ve run a cable with an iPod connector so I can play my iPod through the system. Doesn’t allow for control of the iPod through the headunit, but it works.

But not with the iPhone. Interestingly, the plug works and the iPhone recognizes it’s been plugged in as it now charges off the cable, but it still plays out the iPhone’s speaker.

Anyone have any clue what the issue might be?

17” MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Jul 3, 2007 12:05 PM

38 replies

Jul 21, 2007 9:18 AM in response to Conejo

I have tried 4 different FM docks with my iPhone and the only one that worked was an older DLO unit my son has. Its mine now or until I find another one.

Jul 21, 2007 6:26 PM in response to Appleman4700

i did try my iphone with my ihome clock radio and it did work as long as i was in airplane mode, but who wants to do that? i atleast got audio out of it though.

Jul 25, 2007 11:22 AM in response to Appleman4700

I have an XtremeMac AirPlay2 fm transmitter that I bought to match my 8 gig black nano. Worked great with the nano and iPod video, but it does not work with the iPhone. I also have black Kensington Digital fm transmitter (w/ charger) that was great for both iPods but does not work with the iPhone either.

But it DOES work if I connect my ABT iJet Wireless Remote with Bottom Dock between the Kensington plug and the iPhone. The remote itself sometimes works and sometimes does not, but this is not an iPhone issue because sometimes it does not work with my video or nano.

My older Griffin power jolt charges the iPhone fine. But I have an older Apple house charger made for the video ipod that does not seem to charge the iPhone. I presume the iPhone needs a slightly higher rating than the video (amps, watts, whatever I don't remember my physics electricity lectures).

The iPhone plays ok on an iHome alarm clock, but I haven't tried it on my Logitech portable speakers yet.

erikfsn

Level 1

80 points

Jul 25, 2007 8:06 PM in response to Conejo

I use the Dension Ice Link system to directly connect my iPods to my car stereo and it works fine with my iPhone as well. I bought the system over a year ago.
Erik

honglv

Level 1

0 points

Jul 26, 2007 11:56 AM in response to Conejo

I have a Pioneer Premier DEH-P690UB that I purchased, so I could listen to my Nano. Never any problems. My iPhone comes up as "N/A USB" and it does not charge. Haven't tried the airplane mode yet, but there is no way I'm getting an FM adapter. I'll just continue to use my Nano. Just ***** I can't charge my iPhone without buying another adapter.

Jul 26, 2007 12:10 PM in response to erikfsn

erik- where did you get your Denison system? How does it work with your car?

Nathan C

Level 5

6,260 points

Jul 26, 2007 12:15 PM in response to Conejo

Conejo,

My point was that there is a process by which manufacturer's of existing adapters can test them, and certify if they will work with the iPhone. That is the "Works with iPhone" label. One of the other posters in this thread contacted their manufacturer, who had tested and found it won't work with the iPhone.

As a first step, I would recomend contacting the manufacturer of the cable to see if they have tried to certify it. They will be able to tell you if they have tested it. If they have tested it they will be able to tell you whether it will work with your iPhone or not.

Hope this helps,

Nathan C.

Conejo Author

Level 2

310 points

Jul 26, 2007 3:44 PM in response to Nathan C

thanks Nathan, I've actually got a rep working on that.

erikfsn

Level 1

80 points

Jul 26, 2007 8:48 PM in response to Wingit man

Wingit Man,

A local car stereo place ordered it and installed it for around $300. It's a direct wire connection which allows controlling the iPod/iPhone through the stereo's controls or you can bypass the stereo's controls and use the iPod/iPhone's controls directly. I usually do the latter as the interface with the car stereo isn't great.

I found this website: http://www.dension.com/main.htm

Conejo Author

Level 2

310 points

Jul 27, 2007 1:57 PM in response to Conejo

OK, the guy who coordinated the install of my system just talked with the main guy at JL Audio working on the CleanSweep project (a very cool device, by the way). He said that he has an iPhone and his doesn’t work, either, and that basically AUX input car devices are not working with the iPhone and those that are are the exception and not the rule. He said it’s not a case of them needing to develop a new cable that is certified to work with the iPhone, it’s a case of not understanding why the iPhone won’t support standard AUX input devices.

This is obviously a weird thing with the iPhone given that it plays with home stereo type of devices but not in most autos. Lends credence to the Apple Genius I spoke with who said he thinks the answer needs to be a software update that provides a setting to direct sound on demand via the AUX input connection.

So for now, it’s wait and see if Apple addresses this. Hopefully the first software/firmware update will fix this problem. Given the security flaw found in iPhone’s version of Safari, I'm hoping that the update is coming sooner rather than later.

deraven

Level 1

0 points

Aug 1, 2007 3:18 PM in response to deraven

OK, I installed the 1.0.1 update on my iPhone last night and it now seems to be working correctly with the dock connector in my Jeep. I still get the prompt about Airplane Mode, but the audio plays just fine with no interference either way, as expected.

Glad it appears to have been just a software issue, but it's unfortunate that I got back from my road trip Monday night and the fix was released on Tuesday!

Anyone else have success after installing 1.0.1?

deraven

Level 1

0 points

Aug 1, 2007 3:21 PM in response to Conejo

Conejo: The 1.0.1 iPhone software update (released yesterday) appears to have fixed the problem for me - give it a try.

Conejo Author

Level 2

310 points

Aug 1, 2007 5:44 PM in response to deraven

sadly, this did not fix my problem. After installing the update it still plays through the iPhone’s speaker instead of through the car’s audio system.

Bummer.

RickTV

Level 1

0 points

Aug 2, 2007 8:36 AM in response to Conejo

When I updated to version 1.0.1 my BMW factory installed iPod connection ceased working with the iPhone. All I get now is a flashing Airplane Warning and when I actually unlock the iPhone again I continually get the "Accessory Attached" menu also flashing and no connection to the Radio/CD like I used to get!

MX0268

Level 1

5 points

Aug 2, 2007 10:44 AM in response to RickTV

My friend has an alpine headunit in his car with the aux cable that plugs into the charger and it worked on his just fine. It switched over to airplane mode and came out of his speakers nicely.

iPhone not working with car iPod connection