Issues with iPod interface and iPod Classic

[jwesterveld]

Hello all...

I have a 2010 Corolla S with the dealer installed iPod interface kit. It generally works well, but I'm running into problems using it with my 80 Gb iPod Classic. When I stop for a short time, (say to go into a store), I'll just turn the ignition off. (I don't turn off the radio or disconnect the iPod). When I return a few minutes later, and start the car, I can't get the iPod to start playing again. To get it to work, I need to disconnect the iPod and plug it back in again. I've tried this with my son's 120 Gb iPod classic and have had the same problem. Interestingly, I can't recreate the problem on an old 1st Gen iPod nano.

Is anyone else using the dealer installed iPod interface kit with the iPod classic? Any problems? I'm bringing the car back to the dealer next week and I'm going to ask them to replace the interface unit. But I'm not sure if that will fix the problem. If others are having this issue, it may just be an incompatibility between the iPod classic and the iPod interface...might be an excuse to upgrade to an iPod touch

Thanks in advance.

[digitalangel]

I actually have the exact same problem, my classic is picky if I turn off the car and turn it back on, sometimes I can tap the radio on and off a few times and it comes back, other times I have to do what you do and disconnect/reconnect it. I do not have any of these problems with the ipod photo. I think it's simply a compatibility issue because when I look at the screen of the classic when it's acting up, it shows it as not being plugged into anything.. although I had a stretch of about a week when it worked perfectly

[jwesterveld]

Thanks digitalangel...I took my car back to the dealer and they replaced the interface unit. They also removed the "Y-connector" which is needed if you also have satellite radio (I don't). It worked the one and only time I left the iPod connected while I ran into the store today, but as you point out it's an intermittent problem so one time doesn't mean it's fixed. I'll let you know how it works out.

[rolla-XRS]

Interesting...so you don't need the y-splitter cable unless you're using sat radio? That little tip just saved me $20!

[Dionysis]

Just picked up my 2010 XRS a few weeks ago and like you two, I also have noticed some issues with the OEM iPod interface. When I hooked up my 2nd gen iTouch the first time, it worked perfectly. The dealer suggested I purchase a $25 adapter from Apple that would allow the iTouch to charge (apparently, only the older iPods could interface and charge at the same time).

Last week I connected the iTouch to this adapter and it worked fine (not sure if it charged as I did not take a long enough drive) but after turning off the engine and restarting it about half an hour later, I too had problems getting the iTouch to work.

What really gets me is that my dealer is phoning me back asking how the iPod adapter is working - I have to buy it and let them know if it works? Shouldn't they already know this? I test software for a living and now I have to beta test stuff for car companies! Sheesh!

Anyway, I am so far not terribly impressed with this OEM iPod interface from Toyota.

[jwesterveld]

Quick update... I've been to the dealer and have had my iPod interface unit replaced. I thought the new iPod interface did the trick because it seemed to be working well for a few days, but unfortunately, the problem is back...

My dealer is having difficulties getting support from the manufacturer of the interface unit so I'm not sure if I'll get satisfaction any time soon. I was hoping to use this as an excuse to buy the iPod touch but it looks like there may be a problem with it as well.

Who knew this would be so tough????

[jwesterveld]

I just wanted to let the group know that I've found a work-around to my iPod Classic issue. (See original Post)

I've discovered (by accident mainly) that if I restart the car in the following sequence, my iPod plays every time.

1. Turn the key to the On / Run position (Don't crank!)
2. Wait for the text showing the song / podcast to appear on the radio display
3. Crank the engine and start the car

In a few seconds the iPod will start playing as it's supposed to. This has worked every time I've tried it for the past week. If I forget and don't pause before starting the iPod won't play.

I still think that there is a problem, but I'm much happier now that I have a work-around.

Let me know if this works for you.

[Dionysis]

Thanks for the work around jwesterveld, it works for my 2010 XRS and 2nd gen. iTouch.
Pain in the butt being forced to do this - does Toyota even test their OEM equipment before it goes out?
Anyway, back to cruisin' with my music!
Thanks again!

[rolla-XRS]

Yup - thanks for the work-around. A major PITA though since waiting for songs to play can be 5-10 sec. I got places to be!

I recently purchased and installed this item since it was on sale (actually very easy thanks to the radio install tipsheet I found on TN). Now I know why it was so cheap. Clearly a system incompatibility with Corolla radios since everyone in Canada wit this iPod connector is experiencing this problem. It's also very quirky when you use the steering-wheel controls to fast-forward/reverse songs. Sometimes there's a half-second of radio volume boost.

While it works, it's made me pretty much decide to dump the whole audio system sooner rather than later.

[hmcrm]

Hey guys, I'm new to the forum, and looking at getting this interface kit for my 2010 Corolla S when it comes in from order.

After reading through this thread and looking at the work around I may have a reason as to this issue and why it happens.

In my Honda Accord, and both my parents' 2007 Toyota SUVs (Rav4 Sport V6 & 4Runner SR5 V6), the radio/12v outlets are only on when the ignition is in the run or accessory positions. The radios/12v outlets also cut out when you crank over the engine, and turn back on once you release the key. Is the Corolla not the same way?

I would think the reason this happens is because when you turn the key on, before going all the way to start, the radio does power on and would start attempting to connect to the iPod. However, when you finish turning the key to start, that connection is interrupted as the radio is temporarily shut off. I am thinking that it is because this simulates a connect/disconnect/connect to the ipod, all within say a few seconds, the radio or ipod gets confused and stops trying to connect. That is why when you disconnect and reconnect the cable, it works again, as it is like a reset of sorts.

Again, this is just a theory that I had on this, but it seems like a fairly reasonable explanation to me. I would agree that this is a dumb problem to have, as you would hope that the designers would've found a way around something like this (say a few second wait period when the radio goes on before attempting to connect to the ipod??), but if that is infact the issue, I would feel better about at least knowing WHY it is happening.

Let me know what you guys think. Also, can anyone give me some feedback as to how well this interface kit works (aside from this issue...)? I am curious as to how easy/hard it is to controll the ipod through the radio, what the sound quality is, etc. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!!

HMCRM

[rolla-XRS]

Just FYI - the iPod interface kit for Canada is differnet than that for the USA. Silly really - but it is.

[jwesterveld]

Welcome to the forum HMCRM...I just joined a few months ago and it seems like there is a good group of people here. I think you'll enjoy it.

Your explanation of the iPod problem is better than I've heard from Toyota. It certainly seems plausible to me. I agree that it's dissapointing that the designers of the system didn't think of it!

The installation is quite neat. They install the iPod adapter in the upper glove box, so it's safe from prying eyes and won't go flying in an accident. The only minor complaint is that you need to reach over with both hands to plug in the cord. Not a huge deal, but if you were small or had a bad back it could be a problem.

In terms of how it works, it's really a bit of a kludge. It fools the stereo into thinking the iPod is a 6 disk CD changer. It equates each playlist to a CD. Given it's designed for a 6 CD changer, I'm pretty sure you can only see the first 6 playlists on your iPod.

To control your iPod, you can press disk up and disk down to switch playlists, scan-up and scan-down to switch between songs on a playlist, and fast forward / rewind to speed through songs or back up within a song.

The Text button allows you to see more of the song title (still not enough), the playlist name, and time information.

Random works as you would expect and so does repeat.

Sound quality is fine. It's a direct connection into your stereo so it's probably as good as you're going to get with a Toyota radio and an iPod. I'm no audiophile, but I suspect that the Corolla sound system isn't top of the line. And you're playing compressed audio so those with golden ears (which I don't have) might notice a difference between the iPod and a commercial CD. I used an iPod FM transmitter in my last car. This is MUCH better than that.

As an update to my first post, I purchased an iPod touch this week and the problem of it not playing on when I re-start the car seems to be a problem with the iPod touch as well.

[hmcrm]

@rolla-XRS: I kind of suspected that they might be different. Everything I have found online so far has something about part number PT545-00082, and it sells for between $200 and $300 USD. When I asked the dealership I'm getting the car from, they quoted me $246.something + install fee. Still debating if I want to spend the money for it, or just use the built in aux port and give up controlling the iPod through the factory radio.

@jwesterveld: Thanks for the welcome! I myself am coming from using an FM transmitter in my 2005 Honda Accord. Of course, in that case, they came out with an iPod kit for the 2006 and up, but nothing for the 2005...figures. I'm just liking the fact that I don't have to worry about changing the radio station when going long distances.

I don't really have those golden ears for audio either, so I'm not worried about quality of the cable vs a CD, but I was curious if it was at least clear. Like I said in my original post, I have the car on order, so I do not really know what the stereo is like in it yet. I test drove a base model with the 5-speed (I'm told the engine/tranny is the same on the base as the S) to see what it would drive like, but never turned on the radio in it, as I believe it is different between the base model and the S. If I remember correct, the only difference I could see is that the radio in the S has 6 speakers instead of 4.

I have a 1st gen iPod Touch 32GB myself, so if I do go with the cable I will post an update if I have any issues with it. Again, still not sure if I want to spend $300-$350ish by the time it is installed, or at least not right away.

If you guys had to do it over again, would you still get the interface kit??

[jwesterveld]

Yeah...I probably would, HMCRM. I swore if I got a new car I'd never use an FM transmitter again. The Aux Jack is a possibility, but it doesn't charge the iPod and the few times I drove a car with the Aux jack, I was always playing with volume levels between the Aux Jack in the car and when I wore headphones...just about blew my ears out a few times.

I considered an aftermarket stereo with iPod interface, but I just don't like the look of an aftermarket install. One of these days, if I find a good installer I might go that route but not in the short term.

Enjoy your new Corolla!

[OkSlim]

Does someone have a link to this kit?

I just use the aux input via a 5 dollar cable and hold my ipod.

Thanks