ipod port problem

[cjh47]

My ipod port on my 06 NB, which is located on the flat panel between the radio and the glove box, has come apart from the dash. When I tried plugging my ipod in there today, it just went into an empty hole. It needs to be reconnected to the dash area back behind it, but how in the world do you get at it? This will probably be a dealer fix, but they are 2 hours away. Has anyone else had this happen to them?

[Steinola]

This doesn't sound like a factory installation in the first place.
For one, NB's do not come from the factory with an "iPod port". That most likely would've been done by the dealer.

And if the dealer used the OEM iPod adapter, that should've been routed so that the iPod dock connector was inside the glovebox... not outside.

In addition, the OEM iPod adapter is simply a cable. To connect your iPod, you're supposed to take the dock connector and manually plug it into your iPod. It sounds like you have some sort of dock that's mounted to your dash so that you can connect the iPod simply by clicking it into the dash somehow?? Which would lead me to believe it's not the OEM iPod adapter.

Thus, I would imagine that it's a custom install (even if it's using the OEM adapter)... so, unfortunately, it probably means you're the only one (or one of very few) that have this setup... and you'd either need to have the dealer fix it, or pull apart the dash to DIY.

[cjh47]

No, I guess I didn't explain it very well. Let me try it again. Instead of the ipod port/hole/whatever you call it, being under the radio, it's between the radio and the glove box. Someone else on here said theirs was in the same place as well. It isn't a dock place, just the hole that you plug the male end into. The other end of the cable goes into the ipod. Then it all plays thru the radio by putting it on AUX. The part in the hole that you plug into has come loose from the dash area on the back side of the dash. It needs to be reconnected but I don't know how to get to it. I hope this helps. I don't know how else to describe it. Thanks

[greasybug]

Same here! I just bought my new baby (un-named) 05/05/2006 and used the Auxiliary audio input TWICE and it's now broken, though not as bad.

It's not a true "Made for iPod" dock connector but a 1/8" (3.5mm) female audio jack that is on the passenger's side directly to the left of the glove box and about as high as a passenger's knee. It's a nifty little idea but I don't know what's wrong.

The first time I used it my audio cable (not included, btw) was very very difficult to get in. I twisted it slightly and everything sounded great. The second time, my mom plugged in the cable it sounded quite tinny and most of the song was missing. I checked the cable and it spun freely in the jack as the audio crackled. I'm worried the next time I plug it in I'll end up in your boat too.

I'm only across town from the dealer I bought it from and once I get the call to pickup my registration "green card" this week I'll have them look at it. I'll let you know what they say/do. Damn this is a bummer!!! And here I am with a cassette adaptor and no deck...

Check 'er out: http://web.mac.com/tcuzela

[cjh47]

Thanks for your reply. I'm sure sorry that you are having the same problem, but I am glad that I'm not the only one. Before mine totally went to the dark beyond in my dash, I also had some static and not good connection problems for 2 or 3 times before it just totally disappeared. Please let me know how it is fixed. Like I said, I'm a good 2 hours from my dealer. I only have a little over 1000 miles on my car, so it's going to be a long time before a first service visit is needed. I wonder if this has happened to anyone with the connection under the radio, or if it's just a problem where ours is?! Keep me posted.

[Steinola]

Ahh... so they finally moved the AUX IN jack from underneath the dash to beside the glove box on 2006's?

Interesting. I did not know that.

If you don't want to take it back to the dealer, you only other options would be:
- take it to a local service shop of audio installer
- pull the dash apart yourself and remount the jack

I have not heard of this happening with the older jacks (under the dash), but brom your description, it sounds like they were counting on the collar on the jack itself to hold it in the dash. To fix it, you'll probably need to use some epoxy, or back the jack up with something (bracket, etc) so that it can't push all the way through.

[jeffinsgf]

Originally Posted by Steinola

Ahh... so they finally moved the AUX IN jack from underneath the dash to beside the glove box on 2006's?

Interesting. I did not know that.

Uh, they didn't on mine. 06 NBC picked up last Tuesday and the port is under the radio/HVAC controls. They did mold in a nifty little tray that keeps your iPod from sliding around.

[greasybug]

I spoke with the dealer today and they claim to have never seen this problem with the jack pushing in. I've scheduled an appointment and will report their "findings" once they're in.

I was disappointed to find the Aux jack by the glove box and not under the radio/air controls like was advertised on VW.com. I assume it is a difference in packages or coupe vs convertible.

[cjh47]

Please let me know how they fix it. Thanks allot.

[newbug]

Originally Posted by greasybug

I was disappointed to find the Aux jack by the glove box and not under the radio/air controls like was advertised on VW.com. I assume it is a difference in packages or coupe vs convertible.

I think so, I have the coupe and the aux jack is by the glove box. No problems with mine so far

[cjh47]

Greasybug, have you been to the dealer with your ipod problem yet? I have an FM transmitter ordered to tide me over until I can get mine fixed. It may be a while before it needs to go in for service. I just have 1100 miles on it. Keep me posted.

[greasybug]

Well, I return from the dealership with no answer, but green slip is in hand (she's mine for real!). I dropped the car off for service and they called asking how to duplicate the problem. I came back and tried to create the crackle but, of course, couldn't. I have a sinking suspicion that something was fixed as they removed my radio and the jack is much more secure with a cable now. I'm glad it is fixed but that does nothing for anyone else (sorry). If they replaced the jack, they should say so and show me the invoice, right? They didn't charge me for the visit but why hide it?

Check out the flexibleDock by TEN Technology at http://www.tentechnology.com/product...exibledock.php. It looks damn good and I just ordered mine, perfect for our (eventually working) Bugs.

I'll "bug" the dealership more in the next week or two and see if I can help figure this out!

[jeffinsgf]

Originally Posted by greasybug

...
Check out the flexibleDock by TEN Technology at http://www.tentechnology.com/product...exibledock.php. It looks damn good and I just ordered mine, perfect for our (eventually working) Bugs. ...

Ahhh, now come on. I searched every site I could find last week looking for a charger/line amp and didn't see this one. Why did you post this the day after my Belkin Auto Kit arrived?

Glad you found it. Looks great. I haven't opened my Belkin yet. Now I have to decide if I'll go through the hassle of returning it, or just stick with it.

[greasybug]

Originally Posted by jeffinsgf

Ahhh, now come on. I searched every site I could find last week looking for a charger/line amp and didn't see this one. Why did you post this the day after my Belkin Auto Kit arrived?

Glad you found it. Looks great. I haven't opened my Belkin yet. Now I have to decide if I'll go through the hassle of returning it, or just stick with it.

I just received the flexibleDock today...I dunno about it. It sounds very good (just a very soft ground loop hum) but it doesn't fit quite right. The cable needs to be at least 8" or maybe even 10" to fit in front of the center dash console. With only 6" the iPod must be pointed sideways in front of the audio jack and right in the way of the passenger's left knee. Or, I can use the outlet by the armrest/cup holders but then I have to run a cable from there to audio jack and my cup holders are blocked. Also, the iPod with Video (60GB) does NOT have a properly fitting shim to install between the iPod and the back rest on the flexibleDock.

How does the Belkin dock work, or have you tried it yet? Everything seems to be pushing me to go back to the dealer and pay nearly $440 for the VW iPod solution (~$160 for the part and ~$280 for install). Anyone install it themselves yet?

Still lovin' the car though! My 2nd fill up yielded 36.9 MPG, ahh, TDI...

[jeffinsgf]

Well, I went ahead and opened the Belkin and set it up. I'm pretty happy with it, overall. It is just about invisible once it is plugged in. The shortest cord I could find to go from it to the aux jack was 12 inches (and it's light grey). I may make up a 6 or 8 inch cord in black with gold fittings. The cable from the Belkin to the iPod is a little longer than it needs to be, but it is kind of nice when you want to change something on the iPod. That is one feature of the "Dock" solutions that I don't like. It might be different on the bigger iPods, but on my Nano, I have to get pretty close to it to see the menu. I can see myself leaning over to see it if it was docked -- not a good idea in traffic. The cable locks into the iPod very securely. Fits as well or better than the factory USB cable.


I have a black Nano and I ordered my Auto Kit directly from Belkin -- which seems to be the only way to get it in black. All my local stores had the kit, but in white only. Other than an unsightly tangle of cable, I am delighted with the whole set up. The amplifier in the Auto Kit doesn't seem to add any distortion at all and I don't have to fiddle with the level on the iPod.

Something about my head unit makes the VW iPod kit unusable. XM maybe? That really doesn't bother me. My wife's Jeep had a remote changer that quit working after a couple years, so we're not very keen to that idea, either. I think the thing I am most excited about is that the single disc player will play CD's of MP3 files. You can get a whole road trip's worth of files on one disc. I may become more enthusiastic about the iPod, but its all new to me now. I bought the iPod because we bought the Beetle.

[cjh47]

Your last sentence sounds just like me. I bought Ruby and she had an aux jack for an ipod, soooooooooooo I figured she needed to have one. It makes perfect sense to me!!??

[nativetx58]

Sounds like me also. But I went on and got the ipod while I am waiting on the beetle to show up. Just can't seem to figure out what cable I will need for the aux jack?

[luvzmybug]

I am so glad to see someone else is having the same problems (well, not really) with the aux jack as me. I have had my NB for 3 months now and mine worked for awhile but now the plug slides in and out way too easily and sound only comes through one speaker unless you jiggle it around, hold it a certain way and stand on your head or something like that. I even tried buying a new plug, more expensive, etc but still not any tighter connection.

My hubbie tells me it should be covered under warranty but we have already had a couple of warranty issues come up and I hate to be a picky person, but I cannot live without being able to listen to my ipod.

AGGGHHH!

Beth

[greasybug]

Originally Posted by luvzmybug

I am so glad to see someone else is having the same problems (well, not really) with the aux jack as me. I have had my NB for 3 months now and mine worked for awhile but now the plug slides in and out way too easily and sound only comes through one speaker unless you jiggle it around, hold it a certain way and stand on your head or something like that. I even tried buying a new plug, more expensive, etc but still not any tighter connection.

My hubbie tells me it should be covered under warranty but we have already had a couple of warranty issues come up and I hate to be a picky person, but I cannot live without being able to listen to my ipod.

AGGGHHH!

Beth

As was said earlier, "Well, I return from the dealership with no answer, but green slip is in hand (she's mine for real!). I dropped the car off for service and they called asking how to duplicate the problem. I came back and tried to create the crackle but, of course, couldn't. I have a sinking suspicion that something was fixed as they removed my radio and the jack is much more secure with a cable now (the buzz/crackle went away, and it sounds good). I'm glad it is fixed but that does nothing for anyone else (sorry). If they replaced the jack, they should say so and show me the invoice, right? They didn't charge me for the visit but why hide it?"

Also noteworthy, I traded in Gabe (my yellow TDI) in favor of a 2006 Salsa Red TDI (creme interior, DSG auto) because the yellow Bug was starting to fail and brake at an alarming rate. I love the car (hell, I have the Bug logo as a tattoo) and won't go into nitty gritty details about the failures. I've heard there is a lemon in every batch and Baron doesn't seem to have any of the previous problems Gabe had.

Even the auxiliary audio port works perfectly! Sorry, I know I'm so much help.

[floppa]

Well I leased my wife a brand new AB convertible buggy.(Great Lease deals BTW right now)

I was all excited (as she was) about the aux jack on the side of the glove box. I set up her IPOD with all her favorite tunes, went outside to do a test run with her so she would know how to use it and still keep her eyes on the road, low and be hold we go to push the 3.5mm jack and it slipped into an empty hole. Needless to say I was bummed out. I wish I new how to get that section of the dash out and I could fix it my self, but I do not want to mess up the lease either, so off to the dealership I go.

Also, great site. Looks like the place to come to get all of your questions answered.