iPod battery drains when connected to Toyota Solara iPod adapter

Question

Level 1

14 points

iPod battery drains when connected to Toyota Solara iPod adapter

Several months ago we had an iPod adapter installed in my wife's 2008 Toyota Solara. This is the kind of adapter that connects to the iPod USB port and integrates with the car stereo. Although everything works correctly when the car is running, the iPod battery will completely drain if the iPod is left connected to the adapter when you turn off the car.

The adapter owner's manual says the adapter will continue charging the iPod for an hour when you turn off the car, after which the iPod is supposed to go to sleep. Although the iPod doesn't keep playing (it picks up where it left off when you start the car), it will completely drain if left connected overnight. I also have an iPod classic, and the same thing happens with that one.

The Toyota dealer has tried to resolve this several times, even replacing both the radio and the iPod adapter, but the problem remains. They can't find anything wrong with the adapter, and they believe the problem is on the iPod itself. Has anyone else encountered this problem? I googled for other references to this issue, but didn't find anything relevant. We've used the same iPods with iPod adapters in other cars, and never had this problem before.

iPod classic

Posted on Nov 24, 2009 2:41 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Mitch 751

Level 6

11,644 points

Nov 24, 2009 5:41 PM in response to Roofless

Both my iPod Mini and iPod Nano got the same problem when connected to my Benz C230. I believe that it does not get charged when my car get turn off completely, otherwise, the iPod battery needs to be replaced.

Reply

Answer 2

iNexxFear

Level 2

410 points

Nov 25, 2009 6:43 AM in response to Roofless

Does the toyota USB ports offer line voltage in? If it does not, then by nature the iPod's battery will depleat instead.... As the iPod needs to notice the constant voltage in, and at the appopriate voltage level, otherwise it remains on its own battery power and just ports the audio out (similar to a dock connector for your home A/V systems).

Reply

Answer 3

Roofless Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 25, 2009 7:40 AM in response to iNexxFear

Are you saying that if the USB connector doesn't supply power to the iPod, the iPod will discharge, even if it's not playing anything? That's what I believe is happening, and I've tried to the convince the dealership, without success. The iPod will not discharge if it's not connected to the adapter, so there's nothing wrong with the iPod battery.

This iPod adapter will stop charging the iPod one hour after shutting off the car. Do other iPod adapters continue to charge the iPod as long as it's connected? If so, I guess that would explain why I've haven't seen this problem in the other iPod adapters I've used (two BMW models and one Nissan).

Reply