more iPod help, please?

[tosher]

Just bought my new 2007 Mazda3 Sport (Canada). Car is fine, two days in, but audio system is another story.

In short, I purchased the new Mazda iPod adapter ($187 CDN) when I ordered the car, but can't seem to make it work. It didn't come with instructions. When I plugged in the iPod, the Mazda logo appeared on the iPod screen and below that it read: "O.K. to Disconnect". The car audio display said EX 1: 1. But the system only played one song, over-and-over. It won't randomly play multiple songs, as advertised.

So I checked out the Apple website for "ipod adapter". It referred me to this page. http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93879

It turns out that BMW was the first to use the adapter, in 2004. In order for it to work in the BMW, the user had to create playlists specifically titled BMW1, BMW2, etc; that allowed the Mazda adapter software to recognize the iPod and different playlists. I tried making playlists using MAZDA or MZD, but nothing worked.

To make matters worse, the new AUX IN that came with the car doesn't work (the jack is in the container under the arm rest in the 2007 M3 Sport). According to the car manual, I am supposed to press the button on the console that says MEDIA in order to activate the AUX IN. But nothing happens. I suspect, as icspots has noted in previous posts, that the aux is using the same input as the ipod adapter and I will need the switchbox.

Now you might be asking, why don't you ask the dealer for help? Thing is, I did, and although they installed the Mazda-branded ipod adapter (by the way, they ran the wire into the cupholder compartment, not the glove compartment as they were supposed to), they told me they don't have a clue how it's supposed to work, that none of them even own iPods. They told me to call Mazda Canada, which I did. A surly customer service agent said she had never even heard of such a thing called a Mazda iPod adapter, that it's the dealer's poblem and that perhaps I should call Apple. Yes, great customer service.

So if anyone owns a 2007 Mazda with a Mazda iPod adapter and has any advice on how to make the adapter work, I'd greatly appreciate it. Do I have the right to ask my dealer to take the damn thing out if they can't make it work and give me my money back?

Any help would be appreciated.
Frustrated in Toronto, Tosh.

 

[icspots]

Sorry about your predicament right now Tosh. I'll see if I can find any info. on how it's supposed to work, or possibly the directions that your dealer should have given to you. Also you're correct that A) the adapter is supposed to be in the glove compartment per Mazda's install instuctions (esp. since the ipod screen/controls won't work while it's attached), and B) the 3.5mm input in the console was disconnected when they attached the ipod adapter.

Personally I'd be raising hell with the dealer since they didn't give you the instructions. I mean it's not like you should be depending on them to know how to use it because they use it to, but they should be able to look up the instructions in the mazda database too.

For the mean time you could just pull the HU, and plug the 3.5 input back in. Then just buy a 3.5-3.5 cable and at least you'll be able to listen to your music.

 

[icspots]

Here's the instuctions for the adapter. It doesn't have anything regarding how playlists need to be setup or named, but I have a question in about that so hopefully I'll have an answer for you soon.

 

[tosher]

Thanks icspots. I await your info on making the playlists.

A question: in order for me to use the ipod adapter and the the 3.5mm input in the console , does that mean that I need the switch box you've posted about elsewhere (TD13-79-CFZ), or is that for something else? If so, can I assume that part numbers are the same in Canada and the U.S.? Thanks.

 

[icspots]

Thanks icspots. I await your info on making the playlists.

A question: in order for me to use the ipod adapter and the the 3.5mm input in the console , does that mean that I need the switch box you've posted about elsewhere (TD13-79-CFZ), or is that for something else? If so, can I assume that part numbers are the same in Canada and the U.S.? Thanks.

If you want both connected then you will need the switch box. I assume that the part number is the same between the US and Canada, but if not, or your dealer gives you the run around, then just try ordering it from www.onlinemazdaparts.com as I'm pretty sure Jason can ship to Canada.

The switchbox has a port for the 3.5mm input, and a port that will work with the ipod adapter or the phatbox. Presumably it would work with the sirius as well, though that's not been tested yet.

 

[DQuestic]

Would you happen to have Sirius installed also?

 

[tosher]

Would you happen to have Sirius installed also?

No. My confusion is that I thought the ipod adapter was attached to the CD button, not the button next to it that says "MEDIA", where the aux is supposed to be attached. Am I making sense?

 

[DQuestic]

No. My confusion is that I thought the ipod adapter was attached to the CD button, not the button next to it that says "MEDIA", where the aux is supposed to be attached. Am I making sense?

Perfect sense. The reason I asked about Sirius was to make sure I understood everything you have attached to the radio. And the answer is yes, unfortunately, you have to have a switchbox to get both the aux 3.5mm in the center console and the ipod connector to work.

The car is built to use one or the other, not both. It's the same if you get Sirius installed, you lose the functionality of the 3.5mm aux in. The switch box is your only answer. Then you will be able to use a combination of the ipod connector and the 3.5mm aux or sat (if you ever choose to get Sirius), but not all 3.

Without the switch box the Ipod connect takes over the media button (which you stated). It sucks, if only they had put enough connectors in so we could connect everything and be happy. :-\

 

[tosher]

Perfect sense. The reason I asked about Sirius was to make sure I understood everything you have attached to the radio. And the answer is yes, unfortunately, you have to have a switchbox to get both the aux 3.5mm in the center console and the ipod connector to work.

The car is built to use one or the other, not both. It's the same if you get Sirius installed, you lose the functionality of the 3.5mm aux in. The switch box is your only answer. Then you will be able to use a combination of the ipod connector and the 3.5mm aux or sat (if you ever choose to get Sirius), but not all 3.

Without the switch box the Ipod connect takes over the media button (which you stated). It sucks, if only they had put enough connectors in so we could connect everything and be happy. :-\

Thanks for the clarification!

An update: I just visited my dealer and gave him a piece of my mind about putting the iPod dock in my cupholder rather than the glove compartment and for not giving me any instructions on how to use the iPod adapter. The service manager told me that as far as he knew, I am the first person in Toronto to buy this dealer add-on and his service department is learning as they go. He told me he'd sell me the switchbox at his cost and adjust the labour costs for the relocation of the dock.

I'm buying the switch box because I want the option of quickly playing an album without having to negotiate the complicated controls on the wheel or the HU menu buttons. Using the "iPod adapter" is so inelegant and impossibly hard to understand, it's difficult to believe that Apple has any involvement. Neither the names of the songs nor the artists appear on the car's display and navigating the numerical menu takes and engineering degree. It's not "seamless" as Mazda advertizes.

However, the adapter and controls on the wheel do make for safer driving. And if I load my ipod with 6 playlists with 99 songs each, that should get me to NYC or Boston and back with no problem.