Ipod Integration 2014 touring and GTinteresting observation!

[Monozub]

For everyone with 2014 CX-5 Touring and GT. We all know that IPOD will not resume at where it was when the ignition turned on. Also some reported that IPOD was not recognized after switching to AM/FM and back to IPOD. I had very interesting observation today. In my case initially IPOD takes a long time (1-2min) to load. When it loads it's start to play with the same song every time the IPOD starts. Also I noticed that if I'm listening to IPOD and switching to the radio (AM/FM) and then back to IPOD, it never loads again until the IPOD unplugged from USB port. There is a way to make stereo recognize the IPOD after switching from radio. What you have to do is, after listening radio, briefly switch to Bluetooth and then switch to IPOD, then the system will recognize IPOD. For some reason when you switch from radio to IPOD, if you look at the IPOD screen, up in the right hand corner it shows the either, play sign(when IPOD plays) or pose sign(if you switch to AM/FM). If you switch from IPOD to Bluetooth, IPOD disconnects from the system completely (you have back IPOD normal menu). So what I think is going on, when switching to Bluetooth is the same as you would unplug the IPOD from USB port. This is not the solution but at least help. Mazda needs to review this interface and come up with solution. I suppose to take my CX-5 to the dealer for repair next week, they do not know why IPOD is not recognized when switched from AM/FM, and would like to keep the vehicle all day maybe two. I know that they will not com up with the solution because I think this is software issue. I will explain everything to them because I do not want them to take my CX-5 apart. With this going on we need to find really responsible rep at Mazda Customer Care, make sure that this person will deliver everything to Mazda, when many people complain, things being done. So, everybody with the same problems please register you complain with Mazda Customer Care, and if someone knows some responsible reps, please let me know. We all got new vehicles and I think this is ridiculous that every other manufacturer(VW, Honda, BMW, Audi, Subaru......and list goes on) got it right. LET'S MAKE IT WORK. Sorry for long post.....

 

[Sysiler]

I was interested to read your post as I have been experiencing the same issue. I thought at first that it was the Ipod and tried 3 different ones with the same result. I contacted my dealership and they tried to get it working without success. They are going to follow up , but I also contacted Customer Service and complained.
Hope they do something soon.

 

[jb's2014CX5]

My Ipod was acting this same way, now it doesn't work at all. It is recognized by the system then just shows downloading and thats it.

 

[Tucson21]

I have the same issue. It will show "Reading iPod" for an extensive period of time (upwards of 5-10 minutes), then always plays the songs in alphabetical order. However, it doesn't show all the songs the Ipod either (in some cases, it will show just the first 5 or 6 of a particular CD). I'm using an 160 gig Ipod classic with about 100 gigs of music on it. Is there some kind of limit on the USB ports?

Luckily, AUX still works like a champ, but it's disappointing I can't use that function on a brand-new car.

 

[loximoto]

It seems the problem could be the iPod Classic. My 30 Giga Classic isn't recognized at all, while my Nano works properly (no waiting times - maybe 10 seconds? - songs correctly resuming).

 

[robertmazda]

"For everyone with 2014 CX-5 Touring and GT. We all know that IPOD will not resume at where it was when the ignition turned on."

I have a 2013 Touring with an iPod Touch always connected to the USB port in the center console. It does indeed resume from where it left off when I turn off the car and then turn it on again. I wonder if what you're experiencing has to do with how your playlist is setup, or playing from a playlist vs something else? Or maybe this depends on the type of iPod? I also have no issues with the iPod being recognized when I switch to FM or Bluetooth and then back to the iPod.

 

[TreyP]

The 2013 models do not have the issue. It is something they changed for the 2014 model that messed up the iPod interface. It is not the model of iPod, nor playlists causing the issue as I have tested those theories already.

 

[jb's2014CX5]

My ipod hasn't worked in a few weeks, today I tried what Monozup said about hitting bluetooth first then go to IPOD. The Ipod then started working again but I then lost the voice control system and had to repair my phone but now everything is working again.

 

[TreyP]

I'm determined to figure this out if Mazda doesn't figure it out first. Here's what I've observed and tried so far:

The issue seems to exist only on 2014 models, not 2013 models.

Note: I was curious, so I tested when exactly the USB port was receiving power. I found out that it has power when USB is selected (obviously), it also has power when other modes are selected, and it has power when the stereo is off. It does NOT have power when the car is turned off.

Symptoms

iPod, including models Mini, Nano, Touch
Does not resume playback:
- after the stereo is shut off
- after the car is shut off
- after switching to another mode such as FM (Note: switching to Pandora before going back to iPod will allow playback to resume on my car and several others as mentioned here, but this does not apply to playback after the car or stereo is powered off)

USB Stick
Resumes playback perfectly:
- after the stereo is shut off
- after switching to another mode

Does NOT resume playback:
- after the car is shut off (This made sense to me, because the USB port is not powered when the car is shut off and the USB stick has no internal power of its own)


Using the above testing as a basis, I came to the following conclusions:
- The issue is related to the iPod/CX-5 interface. In other words, they are not playing nice with each other.
- If the USB stick had its own power source, this would be the perfect workaround until Mazda/Apple work the issues out

Based on that, I thought, what if I try an iPod alternative that is more basic than the iPod and yet has its own power supply to keep track of playback when the car is shut off. So I did a little research and found that the Sansa Clip+ was the preferred mp3 player of Apple haters everywhere. I ordered one and tested it out last night. Unfortunately, all I could get out of the CX-5 head unit was "USB Error". This was somewhat expected, since the owners manual does state the various iPod models as the only compatible player. I'm still skeptical about that though, because a USB stick is not an iPod, and it works.

The other thought I've had is that I could run a low powered constant power source to the USB port so that the USB stick will (hopefully) resume playback after the car is shut off. The only sticking point is that the USB port is only 5 V, and the other logical places to tap off of (cigarette lighters) are 12 V.

So, no joy yet, but as I said, I'm not giving up on this until an answer is found. I just wanted to share in case anyone else was thinking of trying the Sansa Clip+. I'm also thinking that the more heads we get thinking about this, the sooner someone will have a brainstorm that will benefit us all.

 

[TreyP]

I emailed Mazda about this and got the stock reply. It is a feature!! (rolleyes)

Thank you for contacting Mazda.

We appreciate you being a part of the Mazda family. We are aware that the USB functionality does revert to first song on the iPod when the vehicle is shut off. We can advise you that the system is functioning as designed. Please rest assure that we have documented your suggestion to change this feature and will forward it to our product development team.

 

[rcs914]

The other thought I've had is that I could run a low powered constant power source to the USB port so that the USB stick will (hopefully) resume playback after the car is shut off. The only sticking point is that the USB port is only 5 V, and the other logical places to tap off of (cigarette lighters) are 12 V.

As an FYI I had a thought about this a while back, and figured that maybe the 2013 models had constant power to the USB and this was the trick. It doesn't seem to be the case though - rather they just broke the USB /IPOD interface in the 2014. It is NOT "working as designed" - this is complete BS on Mazda's part.

 

[TreyP]

^^ I agree. They know it is not a function that anyone would want. I also mentioned how it will not resume after switching to another mode, but they chose to ignore that part of my complaint.

Here is my reply back to them:

While I appreciate the reply, I do not believe that Mazda intended the iPod to start at song #1 every time the car is started. You also did not address the fact that the iPod function ceases to work at all after the stereo is switched to another mode such as FM. These units are faulty and should be either replaced or repaired under warranty.

 

[ashoemaker]

I agree. They know it is not a function that anyone would want. I also mentioned how it will not resume after switching to another mode, but they chose to ignore that part of my complaint.

Let them know they're losing customers over this. I was set on getting a 2014 CX-5 and looked forward to one for months through the fall and winter. However, these iPod problems caused me to hold off on my plans to see what was going to be done about them. I eventually started looking at other vehicles and ended up getting a 2013 VW GTI instead this past weekend. It's a bit less practical than a CX-5, but it's got plenty of "zoom zoom" of it's own ... and it comes with a solid media player.

 

[TreyP]

Here is their latest reply to me:

Thank you again for contacting Mazda.

As stated previously the normal functionality for your vehicle when using the USB port is that the iPod will revert to the first song each time the vehicle is shut off and turned back on. In relation to your second question I can advise you that while playing music through the USB cable and turning the power off or switching from the iPod to FM, AM, Sirius, or CD the device will lose it's connection and not play music until you unplug and plug the cable back into the device. We certainly don't suggest doing this while driving for safety reasons. I have been informed a update for your vehicle will be available soon. We don't currently have a time frame for this update. We would advise you to utilize the 3.5mm AUX jack or Bluetooth as an alternative until the update is available.

 

[TreyP]

Let them know they're losing customers over this. I was set on getting a 2014 CX-5 and looked forward to one for months through the fall and winter. However, these iPod problems caused me to hold off on my plans to see what was going to be done about them. I eventually started looking at other vehicles and ended up getting a 2013 VW GTI instead this past weekend. It's a bit less practical than a CX-5, but it's got plenty of "zoom zoom" of it's own ... and it comes with a solid media player.

I did tell them this today. Thanks for posting this.

 

[bullwinkle]

I have the same issue. It will show "Reading iPod" for an extensive period of time (upwards of 5-10 minutes), then always plays the songs in alphabetical order. However, it doesn't show all the songs the Ipod either (in some cases, it will show just the first 5 or 6 of a particular CD). I'm using an 160 gig Ipod classic with about 100 gigs of music on it. Is there some kind of limit on the USB ports?

Luckily, AUX still works like a champ, but it's disappointing I can't use that function on a brand-new car.

How's the sound from your Ipod when just using the using the aux cable? I also have the 160gb classic with about 10000 songs. I currently drive a 2005 MPV and am looking at getting the 2014 CX-5 GS. I have been using an FM transmitter in the MPV which is ok but not perfect. I really want to be able to plug my ipod directly into the stereo for better audio and have been disappointed by the comments I've been reading about poor ipod integration using the USB connection.

 

[TruPower]

I have also noticed that when you turn off the volume. Ipod will not reload, you will need to unplug and plug back in order to have the ipod recognized again. What I did is simple, I throw my ipod away! I'm using now my cellphone samsung note 2 with 32gb cards. Sync with bluetooth and play the music I like. Phones is always fully charged. I wonder if I can use a USB key to load song and play via USB. I will have to check the possibility on that feature.

 

[Fleeecy]

I have also noticed that when you turn off the volume. Ipod will not reload, you will need to unplug and plug back in order to have the ipod recognized again. What I did is simple, I throw my ipod away! I'm using now my cellphone samsung note 2 with 32gb cards. Sync with bluetooth and play the music I like. Phones is always fully charged. I wonder if I can use a USB key to load song and play via USB. I will have to check the possibility on that feature.

Thing is, sound quality is different when playing from BT instead of the USB interface. It's just not as good, more compressed I guess since it has to be processed more.

 

[jimihat]

As a matter of interest, is this problem only with iPods or are iPhones also experiencing the issue?

 

[galef]

did some one found a solution to this problem?, i have the same problem on my Mazda 6 2014 (I Grand Touring), my IPod doesnt resume and it last 2 minutes to start playing the first song every time i start the car.