Russell Kurtz
Level 1 (15 points)
Mac OS X

Q: iPod Classic freezes when used with Toyota sound system

My iPod Classic (160 GB), which worked perfectly with my Toyota Prius (USB mode), has difficulties with my 2014 Toyota Corolla (also USB mode).  When it works, it's pretty good, but now it tends to go into a terminal freeze (requires hard reboot to work, then it has lost my place in the music).  This only occurs if the iPod is left connected to the USB port (which it's supposed to be), and the car is turned off for at least half an hour; and it only occurs about once or twice per day, and only about one out of three times I start the car.  The music starts, plays for about five seconds, then stops; the screen on the iPod is dim, and claims to be connected to the car, but says also "OK to disconnect."

 

The car claims the iPod is still connected and is still playing, but nothing comes out of the speakers.

 

If I unplug the USB cable, then replug it, the car claims not to be connected to a USB source.  If I only turn off the car, then after a while (5 minutes, 8 hours, makes no difference) restart it, the stereo/nav system claims to be connected to a USB source called "iPad" (not the name I gave it).  If I wait long enough everything straightens out again; this is due to the iPod restarting itself after discharging most of the way.  (This implies that the car is not charging the iPod at this point...)

 

Any ideas on how to get the Corolla system to work the way the Prius used to?  Right now the best workaround is to use the iPod in earphone mode, but I don't always remember to turn it off, and it's a lot harder to figure out where I am in the music because I have to look at the iPod itself, rather than the car display.

Posted on May 17, 2014 4:33 PM

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Russell Kurtz

Q: iPod Classic freezes when used with Toyota sound system

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  • by n3tzd,

    n3tzd n3tzd Feb 27, 2015 7:15 PM in response to Russell Kurtz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 27, 2015 7:15 PM in response to Russell Kurtz

    I have the exact same problem. The iPod worked OK in my 2011 Camry but not in my 2014.5 Camry.

    Everything you wrote is the exact problem I have.

  • by Sue Dehner,

    Sue Dehner Sue Dehner Mar 4, 2015 12:04 PM in response to Russell Kurtz
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Mar 4, 2015 12:04 PM in response to Russell Kurtz

    My brand new Sienna 2015 did the exact same thing! I had replaced my almost new iPod and day 1 of the new one - 3 songs in and it completely froze.

    Very frustrating since I use the iPod in the car all the time - now I am afraid to plug it in.

  • by Big Pana,

    Big Pana Big Pana Aug 13, 2015 12:26 PM in response to Russell Kurtz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 13, 2015 12:26 PM in response to Russell Kurtz

    Have you got any help with this?

  • by Russell Kurtz,

    Russell Kurtz Russell Kurtz Aug 13, 2015 12:36 PM in response to Big Pana
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Mac OS X
    Aug 13, 2015 12:36 PM in response to Big Pana

    The final result was that the iOS that runs the iPod was an earlier version than what the Toyota accepted. In other words, since Apple was no longer updating or supporting these, Toyota felt no need to support them. My solution was to sell my iPod on eBay for significantly more than I paid for it, and run all my music through my iPhone with Bluetooth. It's not perfect but it seems to be the best solution for me, even with Apple screwing around with Music, iBooks, and audiobooks.

  • by Big Pana,

    Big Pana Big Pana Aug 13, 2015 12:49 PM in response to Russell Kurtz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 13, 2015 12:49 PM in response to Russell Kurtz

    Thanks so much!!!

    I'll give it a try!

  • by eidolonv2,

    eidolonv2 eidolonv2 Feb 7, 2016 10:39 AM in response to Russell Kurtz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Feb 7, 2016 10:39 AM in response to Russell Kurtz

    I've a 2014 4 Runner. My iPod classic crashes almost exactly at 50 songs. This has gone on since the vehicle was new. Actually took the iPod back and since the Apple Store service folks could find no issues they replaced the iPod with a new one. Nothing changed. Went back again and they thought maybe it was an iTunes issue. And wanted me to bring in my Mac mini to reload the software. Never did.

    Actually went to 63 songs this past week before crashing.

    All music is in lossless format.

    After this long I'm now an expert at rebooting.

  • by Robert Spofford,

    Robert Spofford Robert Spofford Sep 12, 2016 11:28 AM in response to Russell Kurtz
    Level 1 (9 points)
    Sep 12, 2016 11:28 AM in response to Russell Kurtz

    I have the same problem with my new Camry.  After extensive searching, I've found two lines of answers:

     

    1. The problem is mainly wit iPod Classic and traces to the idea that it has a mechanical hard disk (as opposed to a SSD) and that it responds too slowly to the Entune software in the newer Toyotas.  I have a less-old iPod touch I'm going to use to test this theory, since others report that the freezing problem exists to some degree with all iPods.

     

    2. A number of people report total success with just skipping the iPod and transferring their music collection to a large thumb/flash drive which they just insert into the USB port on the car. Some say that a free utility called "DoubleTwist"  makes the transfer easy.  I haven't tried it yet, so I have no idea if it preserves playlists, album art etc.