4th Generation iPod not charging

I have been having some trouble with getting my 4th generation iPod (grayscale) to charge. When I plug it into the usb power brick, the battery icon with the exclamation point flashes, and the iPod never boots. I can force it to boot after it has been flashing for a while by unplugging it and resetting using select + menu, however when it is booted and plugged in there is no indication that is charging and eventually dies. The built in diagnostics give a "wousbpwr" when the charger is plugged in. I am wondering if the battery itself is at fault or if I have another shiny paperweight? I also have an iPod photo with similar symptoms.

iPod classic, Windows 7

Posted on Mar 14, 2016 10:32 AM

23 replies

Mar 27, 2016 10:40 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Yes, FireWire uses 12V vs USB's 5V. I have extra 30 pin cables and extra FireWire cables so I figured I could hack the two together to make myself a FireWire to 30 pin cable. The pinouts exist online and seem pretty straightforward.

Are there docks that charge via both FireWire and USB? That may be something worth investing in for the future.

I think I may focus more on the color screen iPod in the end... It seemed to charge before the connector broke off, so I have a little more faith in it at this point. Of course I ordered the wrong connectors the first time, so I am going to have to wait until the correct ones arrive to further that project.

Until then, however, I am still going to poke around the dock connector and see if I can't get the monochrome iPod to show signs of life. I figure I really don't have anything to lose. If I break it farther, I can always just purchase another device, like you say. And, in its current state, it is essentially useless.

I have gotten to the point where I have too much time invested in this project to see it fail. That being said, I am also becoming more determined to find the source of the problem on the board I have, rather than simply replacing parts! It worked when it left Apple's factory, why shouldn't it work now?

What can I say, I am a hacker at heart.

If I get anywhere I will be sure to post an update. Thank you for your help thus far!

Mar 27, 2016 11:13 PM in response to mynameisnotrobert

I figured I could hack the two together to make myself a FireWire to 30 pin cable.

Does that mean you have a FireWire power adapter? Maybe one of your iPods came with it... Apple used to sell a special odd-looking docking cable that had both USB and FireWire connectors. It looks like this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Dock-Y-Cable-30-pin-to-Firewire-USB-for-iPod-2nd-3 rd-4th-Gen-M9688G-A-/131754464001

I'm not sure if the item description is entirely accurate. It's purpose is to allow the older 3rd gen iPod, which ONLY charges using FireWire, to connect (for data) to a USB port while getting power from a FireWire port. Connect iPod to dock connector (obviously). Connect USB connector to the computer's USB port. Connect FireWire connector to a FireWire power adapter. Most Mac users at that time had FireWire, but not Windows users. This cable let Apple sell the 3rd gen iPod to Windows users.

After the 3rd gen iPod, the iPod mini and 4th gen iPod are fully supported with USB (and still work with FireWire), so this special cable was no longer needed for this purpose on later iPods. I have one of these cables, and I can use with with both my 3rd gen iPod and 4th gen iPod. I use it with my Mac to connect my 3rd gen iPod to USB (with power from a FireWire power adapter), and it happens to also work with my 4th gen iPod. So, maybe you can "hack" one of these cables, and connect your 4th gen iPod to USB while using FireWire for power. Just an idea, since it sounds like you're skilled at soldering...

Mar 28, 2016 6:39 AM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

I actually do have an iPod FireWire power adapter, like this

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-OEM-Apple-A1070-iPod-Power-Adapter-AC-Firewire-W all-Charger-Plug-/231697728831?hash=item35f242c53f:g:6E0AAOSw37tWAfpY

just no cable. That's an interesting cable, i've never seen one of those before... Yeah, since the two standards are on different pins it should be simple to wire it up, I will definitely try that. It wouldn't be the end of the world if I have to use FireWire with this thing, anyway.

Sounds like you have quite a collection! I've just been saving these things from the trash, which is why i'm not too afraid of opening them up and fixing them. Plus, soldering is fun!

Apr 11, 2016 7:27 AM in response to mynameisnotrobert

Just wanted to give a quick update. I have received the correct hard drive connectors for the color screen iPod, as well as all parts necessary to build a FireWire to 30 pin cable. I have become quite busy lately, which is why I haven't been making any progress. But I'm still here! And I will post further updates once they come.

May 4, 2016 8:21 AM in response to mynameisnotrobert

The FireWire cable was the ticket! I am still not sure why the USB cable did not work, but the FireWire one sure does! One of my friends had a FireWire to 30 pin cable laying around and he let me have it - so now the iPod works! Thanks for all your help.

May 4, 2016 9:48 PM in response to mynameisnotrobert

The reason could be the "pins" that are used for USB charging (in the iPod's dock connector) not connecting properly to the docking cable. But the pins used for FireWire charging connect properly. However, if this happens with both of your 4th gen iPod, this seems less likely (if you tried multiple cables).

If your PC has USB 3.0 ports, there might be some incompatibility there. I can't recall if this was discussed already, in this long thread... If you have an older USB 2.0 hub that is self-powered (has its own power supply that connects to a wall outlet), you can try connecting that hub to your computer and connecting the iPod to the hub.

In any case, glad to hear that your iPod(s) are (finally) working... 🙂

Mar 16, 2016 10:07 AM in response to mynameisnotrobert

In addition, neither of them will mount on a computer. I am hoping a battery will solve this.

Mar 16, 2016 11:13 PM in response to Kenichi Watanabe

Same results with different cables. I have not tried to connect it to a computer without the battery hooked up, I will try that next and report back.

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4th Generation iPod not charging