technical help required please - car radios...

[Profpointy]

If the radio can't be fixed, I've something like this in mine which works well and the long lead (mine's hard wired because Peugeot lighter sockets are stupid) allows you to choose the location.


Not if non-Apple stuff also isn't working though.

true that (confess I didn't read it all)

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

proper apple i-pods often (deliberately) won't charge if plugged into non-Apple chargers so it's as likely Apple's corporate trickery as BMW issue

I have the proper chipped Alpine cable which clearly states it is a) apple compatible and b) that it should charge the iPod. It also states that it should see the iPod and play it which is does not. In addition, the cable (as I have already stated) works when connected to my laptop and charges the iPod and opens iTunes which tells me it is not a cable issue.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Looking through the wiring diagram on the pdf of the manual you linked to nothing is screaming out 'this might not be attached' but I'm not a ICE expert.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Ah - that may be your problem. The bit between the where you plug in the iPhone cable (I presume you'e using the Aux inputs in the console between the driver and the front passenger - the one with the USB and audio jack socket) and the back of the car radio runs through the BMW cabling and console management system. You may need a BMW Apple cable. I had to get one for my car (BMW 520d) and they're about £35.

This is also an Apple issue. No other makes of phones are such pains in the butt to connect to the car - my Blackberry plugs in with no problems or additional special cables.

The manual mentioned two types, one with rear USB and one with front USB. Looking at the pictures for the model mentioned it looks like front USB socket, so I presume the OP has tried plugging a stick directly in to the front of the radio (no other cables in use) and it still hasn't lit up like it should. Doesn't sound like there is any other cabling for the USB side of things required, it's just an adaptor cable to connect Apple to USB at the front. If I've surmised correctly, that's why I'm presuming that bit of the radio is defunct.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

The manual mentioned two types, one with rear USB and one with front USB. Looking at the pictures for the model mentioned it looks like front USB socket, so I presume the OP has tried plugging a stick directly in to the front of the radio (no other cables in use) and it still hasn't lit up like it should. Doesn't sound like there is any other cabling for the USB side of things required, it's just an adaptor cable to connect Apple to USB at the front. If I've surmised correctly, that's why I'm presuming that bit of the radio is defunct.

We have the Alpine CDE-173BT which only has a the front USB port. and yep - neither the USB stick with mp3's on it or the iPod worked on the USB port. The light on the side of the USB stick did not power up, same as the iPod not recognising it was plugged into anything. Hence my conclusion that there is no power getting to it or that it is faulty.

Ah - that may be your problem. The bit between the where you plug in the iPhone cable (I presume you'e using the Aux inputs in the console between the driver and the front passenger - the one with the USB and audio jack socket) and the back of the car radio runs through the BMW cabling and console management system. You may need a BMW Apple cable. I had to get one for my car (BMW 520d) and they're about £35.

no. I am plugging the Alpine iPod cable (not apple but we have tried an apple cable as well) directly into the USB slot. The car does not have the additional BMW USB or Aux slots, it is a more basic model.
Also plugging a standard USB stick in to the same USB slot on the radio does not work either.

Looking through the wiring diagram on the pdf of the manual you linked to nothing is screaming out 'this might not be attached' but I'm not a ICE expert.

thank you. that was what I was needing. I can take the cover off the radio and check inside easily enough. I used to build custom desktops and servers so can easily check to see if something is not attached.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Ah - OK.

Looking at page 30 of the handbook, it does seem as though the unit is actually quite limited on what it accepts - particularly which iPod/iPhone software versions (the ones listed are quite old software). Could this be a factor?

goes off to check page 30 of the handbook again... back in a minute

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

We have 2. one older and one that is the last model of the iPod Classic 160Gb and is on software version 2.0.4. I have just double checked it plugging it into the laptop.

Edit: Both of them appear to be covered in the spec of what should work.

 

[jefmcg]

Do you have the heated seat plugged in? If so, unplug it, in case it's a power draw issue.
(I have no idea whether that's possible, but I imagine a heating element draws quite a current)

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Do you have the heated seat plugged in? If so, unplug it, in case it's a power draw issue.
(I have no idea whether that's possible, but I imagine a heating element draws quite a current)

tried with and without. thank you.

 

[w00hoo_kent]

Logically, the radio is plugged in to 12v and giving 5v at the USB socket, so power conversion is happening inside the radio for the USB slot. That should rule out the seat, the cigarette socket isn't linked to the radio in any meaningful way. You've proved the lead and more importantly the USB stick with MP3's doesn't register as plugged in at the radio so it being an Apple thing is a red herring too. If the USB stick isn't getting power but the radio is that suggests the problem is in the socket, or the circuitry to the socket.

If you're comfortable taking the radio apart then go for it, if it's a pay someone job then another radio would probably be cheaper and a different power solution cheaper still (although you'll lose all the functionality at th radio.

Have you searched the model for known faults on the interweb?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

If you're comfortable taking the radio apart then go for it, if it's a pay someone job then another radio would probably be cheaper and a different power solution cheaper still (although you'll lose all the functionality at th radio.

Yes I am, so that's not an issue... thank you

Have you searched the model for known faults on the interweb?

actually this is rather embarrassing. I haven't! Will do so..... goes off hanging head in shame.

 

[Saluki]

We got so peeved off with an after market radio that was in a car we bought, we sold it for £20 on gumtree and put the money towards another radio that worked right away, USB do dahs and everything. Saved so much bad language and miffedness.

 

[cisamcgu]

Stick a voltmeter in the USB and see if there is any power maybe ?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

@w00hoo_kent no known faults of this kind are showing up

Stick a voltmeter in the USB and see if there is any power maybe ?

don't have one of those any more either.

I'll have to put this on hold, a family 'situation' has arisen

 

[Dan B]

don't have one of those any more either.

You can often pick them up in maplin for a fiver or so, and it'll come in handy for finding out where the fault is if/when you do decide to take the unit apart