Level 1

0 points

iPhone 3GS in BMW Mini using adapter cable - no charging

Hi all

I have recently purchased a 3GS and have tried to use it in my Mini - it plays music using the iPod cable (into USB and 3.5mm audio) just fine - but says not able to charge with this accesory.

According to all I have read the 3G and 3GS have identical charging - but my wife's 3G works just fine in the car and charges too.

I spoke to the local Apple store and they were confused. They recommended to try adapters that change from firewire to USB charging pins - tried one made by Scosche and by Griffin -both make no differnce

I have also tried it in another Mini with the dealership and tried different cables etc - all seems to point to the iPhone!
If any one can help I would appreciate it

3GS, iPhone OS 3.0

Posted on Jul 7, 2009 2:35 AM

111 replies

nu2mac00

Level 1

31 points

Jul 14, 2009 10:21 AM in response to wegras

I have 06 Mini Conv S (sooo much fun) and I use the aux adapter for sound and a griffen adapter for power. Works Fine with my 2G & 3GS.

newpike Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 14, 2009 10:22 AM in response to newpike

Sorry but that does not answer it at all! That is just for the 3G

3G iPhones do charge in our Mini's but the 3GS does not!

nu2mac00

Level 1

31 points

Jul 14, 2009 10:35 AM in response to newpike

My 3GS does charge with the griffen charger.

STLLEX

Level 1

0 points

Jul 14, 2009 10:55 AM in response to newpike

It's funny I have a Lexus gs430 with an aftermarket kenwood system. My first iphone and my 3g iphone worked fine. Apple says every thing is the same but I for the life of me cannot get the 3gs to not only charge but it wont display the characters or connect to the system but it will play the music. I have the scosche adapter and it does nothing. They had to have changed something.

Jul 14, 2009 11:37 AM in response to newpike

Interesting theory... but what has changed from 3G to 3GS? Are you suggesting that there is some identifying electrical signature (if you will) that allows the car to see that a 3G is connected and provide the power necessary, but with the 3GS, it cannot communicate because it cannot recognize the signature on the 3GS? Hmmm... I'm not technical guru, but that could be possible, and somehow allow the physical ports on both phone remain the same. When we bought our CM, the MINI service dealer said that between 1st and 2nd gen iPhones, MINI/BMW had to develop new updates to "software" for their cars (BMW and MINIs) to handle the new power requirements (presumably with the whole change over from FW to USB) and any other physical power connector changes. I suppose it might just be a MINI software issue. I'm going to contact my local dealer and make an inquiry. But, I think I mentioned in a post above... I still think it might be a connector issue to some degree, unless I just have a bad connector. Because my wife's 3G will charge via a charge converter for our other car, but mine won't... same car charger, with same charge converter....3G will charge, but 3GS won't... argh

STLLEX

Level 1

0 points

Jul 14, 2009 11:44 AM in response to Romel Cunanan

I think it,s a connector problem because it dosen,t make sense that the 3g is communicating and the 3gs is not. I talked to kenwood and they had me update all of their equipment to the latest firmware and still nothing. So i think it is in the connection.

Jul 14, 2009 11:52 AM in response to STLLEX

STLLEX... deep down, I think it is really connector issue, but I doubt Apple will admit anything, at least not for a while.... otherwise, they'll have lots of angry (already a few frustrated) people out their not knowing if they need to upgrade there car wire connectors.... not to mention all the frustration with companies who make these car units that it will create because they'll have to develop new solutions.... maybe there is a charge converter (like a new Scosche or similar) that will solve the problem...in this case, if there is a slightly different pin-out on the connector, maybe it will correct it

newpike Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 14, 2009 12:38 PM in response to Romel Cunanan

No I think that it is a power requirement on the iPhone that is different. I have just proved this by taking my wifes 3G and a usb cable and plugging it into the car (engine off, no key inserted) and it began charging immediately. Then swapped it out for the 3GS and nothing even after 1 minute under exactly the same conditions.

I don't think any connector will solve it in the same way. What is needed is something that bumps up the power consumption. I would imagine that would have to be something on the USB area of the Mini that allows out more power.

Armed with this information I am now going to confront the local Apple store and demand some answers.

I assume no one from Apple reads this site as I have had no response from them so I will try to contact them via an email address somewhere.

Let you know how things go!!

newpike Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 14, 2009 12:39 PM in response to nu2mac00

I'm sure it does, but we are talking about a connector to our stereo's.

I want to charge sure, but I also want to play music through the head unit and be able to change track etc from the unit or steering wheel

wegras

Level 6

15,311 points

Jul 14, 2009 1:19 PM in response to newpike

As you have probably realised this is User to User forum and it unlikely that
Apple are following it
There is a feedback page

http://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

which may be what you are looking for if fellow Users do not have a solution

newpike Author

Level 1

0 points

Jul 14, 2009 2:31 PM in response to wegras

Yeah I see what you are saying, but at the risk of being kicked off here, I know plenty of other sites where the company employees respond, microsoft being a prime example.
Anyway - I have made progress

After searching around I thought I may as well try calling a support line. Of course the UK was closed so I opted to try the US instead. But you can't call 1-800 numbers from the UK........but you can with Skype!!
The guys on the other end were pretty helpful, although a bit suprised to speak to someone from the UK.

Neither the initial guy or the tech support had heard of the problem yet, but both agreed there must be something different in the 3GS and have promised to take it further and either call or email me.

So heres to hoping!

I suggest that if you have the problem your self, make a nuiscance of yourself, make calls, visit shops, send emails. The more people complain and look for answers the more likely we will get a fix or solution

wegras

Level 6

15,311 points

Jul 14, 2009 2:39 PM in response to newpike

That is a very persuasive argument for Skype 🙂
(I cannot use the BMW "Y" cable on my 08 1 series with 3G but that is the firewire issue )

dnaxp

Level 1

0 points

Jul 14, 2009 3:01 PM in response to newpike

Same problem, different car with an external adapter (perfectly working with iPhone 3G and iPhone 2G)

Marco_SF

Level 1

0 points

Jul 14, 2009 8:21 PM in response to newpike

The adapter is only made for iPods not iPhone if you keep using it the battery will die and will not be covered by the warranty. The message you are getting tells you that the accessory was not designed for the iPhone if you do notice that the phone will get really hot and in the event that your phone runs out of "juice" don't use the adapter for the car.

captfred

Level 7

26,446 points

Jul 14, 2009 9:45 PM in response to dnaxp

Same problem, Jag XF 2009.

Apple!!! so you hear us yet? We buy the most expensive toys and you screw us? NOT a good idea.

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iPhone 3GS in BMW Mini using adapter cable - no charging