Level 1

9 points

Ipod Video (5th Gen) No Sound / Heavy Static - Read This! - Quick Fix Found

Hi There, first off I am one of the many upset people who finds their relatively new Ipod Video not playing audio any longer through either the headphone jack or the bottom dock connector. If this is you.. try this out:

** Pinch the bottom right corner of your Ipod and see if the audio comes back. **

I saw this tip on another forum and it worked like a charm. This obviously shows me this is a manufacturing defect and nothing else.

This problem can be described by the following:

1) Ipod 5th Generation, age of about 6-15 months.
2) Usually starts with heavy static in audio, increasing to nothing but static, fading into silence.
3) It's not the headphones, and it's not the bottom connector.
4) The 5 R's doesn't fix the problem.
5) Starts very suddenly.
6) Seems to be heat related as each morning after cooling off, the Ipod will play audio for about 5 minutes, then start the process all over.
7) Pinching the bottom right corner seems to temporarily fix the problem by fixing the broken solder/connection.

OK, my Ipod just left for server (another $30, thanks) and I have read others say that the service people claim nothing is wrong (usually because it takes 5 minutes or so for the problem to surface) and their Ipod is returned to them.

I just want Apple to be aware of this problem and offer to fix it, it's not fair to have a product break "under warranty" and still be faced with paying $30 (minimum) to fix it.

Please add to this if you have the same issue.

Ipod Video 60GB, Windows XP

Posted on Aug 21, 2007 5:08 PM

521 replies

ruffdog

Level 1

0 points

Aug 21, 2008 8:14 PM in response to slikk66

OK I have a 30g IPOD that will play everything but no sound from the head phones and no sound from the dock connection. I tried the 5 idiot fixes, restore I tried the pinching the right corner still nothing. Well is this what apple wants the customer to tell them the peoblems so they can work on how much they will charge us again. Thank You, let us know something about this problem it is so wide spread I am thinking of contacting the the Feds because it seems to be a defect and Apple will not own up to it. Thanks for the 200.00 paper weight with the touch light and shiny bottom and still looks new.

Aug 21, 2008 10:09 PM in response to slikk66

Patience, persistence, and kindness will get you far in getting another ipod. I've posted here before with the same problem everyone has, no sound out of my 30G. 5th gen ipod. After reading a previous post...can't remember who left it but I followed there directions exactly and wham-o, new 30GB. in my hands! First, you'll talk to a tech support person. Tell them your problem exactly and, here's where patience comes into play. He'll tell you all kinds of ways to fix it but be persistent and kind and keep asking to talk to a Customer Relations Manager and they should finaly put you through to one. Ryan was the woman who helped me whom I once again told my problem to and also mentioned this discussion forum thread to and was finally told for 30 dollars and change, they'd send me another 30GB. She kept her promise. Also I was helped out greatly by Michele, a wonderful, nice woman in Canada who set up the dispatch, sending me the box to send my ipod in. She was very thorough in checking to make sure I got my ipod back and over all, the customer service I recieved was excellent. Apple has redeamed themselves to me...for now. Remember, be nice but firm, patient but persistent and you will hopefully get great results!

Aug 21, 2008 10:23 PM in response to slikk66

It was JustinEMT9960.....around June 25, or 24.

Aug 22, 2008 8:52 AM in response to LapDOG707

OK, YOU WANT TO READ THIS!!!!!

I have VERY GOOD NEWS for all of you. I'm replying to myself since I have EXACTLY the same ploblem as descibed.

I had everything against me:

1. My ipod is 2 years old
2. I'm in South Africa which is known for bad service
3. and.. I had a "gray" product
4. I did not buy my product from the service centre - which are in a home office (very small) so they did not REALLY have any motivation in helping me since I guess they would obviously rather sell me a new unit

Well I have very positive feedback since my unit will be swapped out; and as I understand it; this will be a new unit.

I will be selling it; but this will again show you that Apple are aware of the defect with their product.

By the way; I found the service centre details on Apple's site.

Hope you all find this helpfull... and hopefully Apple will bring out a replacement unit which will no longer have this issue.

Cheers
LAPD

Dendrite

Level 1

0 points

Aug 22, 2008 6:11 PM in response to slikk66

Apple, stand by your products and start issuing recalls.

Dendrite

Level 1

0 points

Aug 22, 2008 6:22 PM in response to slikk66

Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall!

*Can you tell I am disappointed?*

Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!Recall! Recall!

Jim Gioia

Level 1

105 points

Aug 23, 2008 7:14 AM in response to Dendrite

So far, so good with mine. Apple called me back yesterday and told me they were sending me an empty DHL box. They want me to plop my Ipod into it and send it and I should have a new Ipod within a week. They are paying the shipping. It's costing me nothing.

Odin30

Level 1

0 points

Aug 23, 2008 8:06 AM in response to Jim Gioia

Well an update from me, the woman i talked to sent me and e-mail after 5 days saying they are having me ship my ipod back for repairs, i have no idea if they will replace it or not but this is a good step.
Everyone else follow the instructions and be nice and patient.
I think Apple knows the cats out of the bag now and they have no choice but to do something.
Hope everyone gets good results.

Aug 24, 2008 1:32 AM in response to crocke28

Do you still have a warranty? I am mostly worried about how much they will try to charge me for this. Does getting this positive response from customer service require a warranty or can anyone expect this magical reparation to this issue?
Also, will they transfer the stuff off your old ipod onto the new one for you? Like a cel phone? For some reason I doubt it, but maybe they want to make it as though it never happened or something, you know?

ski4

Level 1

4 points

Aug 24, 2008 7:50 AM in response to Laqueescious B

mine was not under warranty.
it is back at apple as we speak
they even picked up the tab for shipping

it's in the " diagnostic phase"
they are going to send a new one i was told
it is not going to have any of my music or videos on it
and i would not expect them to transfer any of it

i am more than happy to re install all my stuff. i mean seriously
these replacements are something they didn't have to do.
granted it would cost them future customers if they did not.

but im just happy that they are willing to do this for me / us
thanks

Aug 24, 2008 9:57 AM in response to Odin30

I'm having the same problem, 30g 5th gen ipod video, often no sound, high static. Headphones and fm transmitter not working through dock connector. After looking at all the suggestions, I called Apple, followed crocke28's instructions, spoke with a product specialist, and she is investigating the problem with the engineers, and I should hear back from her in a few days with the news, either a repair or a replacement maybe. I'm so glad I found this forum, which I told the product specialist about. I was getting so frustrated, I hope everything works out. Good Luck to everyone else.

tvo92844

Level 1

0 points

Aug 24, 2008 8:22 PM in response to gegg22

I also have the same issues with my 30Gig.

Normal use to the device. Well-taken care of the "pricy" product. Definitely a defect from Apple. One-year warranty should not be applicable in this situation where so many people have complained of the same problem.

Apple please consider a recall on this product.

tvo92844

Level 1

0 points

Aug 24, 2008 8:29 PM in response to PhillyPhan

Dear PhillyPhan,

Consumers are frustrated and wanted a resolution. You are professional so please don't get frustrated as well.

I would pay if I know Apple can fix the issues since my warranty expired.

Thanks.

tvo92844

Level 1

0 points

Aug 24, 2008 9:19 PM in response to cider-girl110

May I ask people from this "thread" who have static/no sound problem with your Ipod if you happen to use any Radio Transmitter or similar devices to play music on the road?

Could there be a chance that the variable electrical sources among direct (wall), car and USB charging cause the malfunction to the chips thus resulted the mentioned problems?

...

btheb

Level 1

4 points

Aug 24, 2008 10:44 PM in response to DanBMX

O.K I'm going to try Dan's method polite aggressiveness and see how it flys. Otherwise I'll be going in. I've read on other posts about running the the solder to that mystry chip. There ought to be a fix posted out there somewhere with pictures. Wish me luck!

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Ipod Video (5th Gen) No Sound / Heavy Static - Read This! - Quick Fix Found