iPhone 3GS-Ipod not being recognized by car's USB port connection

[Orion7486]

Hi all,

I have an iPod that works with my car's speakers via USB port.  However, when I connect my new iPhone 3GS to the port, the car doesn't recognize the iPhone's iPod.  This is whether I have the iPod app open when I connect or not.

My radio system cycles through radio, cdplayer, auxilary, and usb(if the ipod is connected).

When I do connect the iPhone to the port, it does charge it.  The battery icon changes to the charging icon.

Any help is appreciated.

[sandblaster]

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Orion7486 wrote:

Hi all,

I have an iPod that works with my car's speakers via USB port.  However, when I connect my new iPhone 3GS to the port, the car doesn't recognize the iPhone's iPod.  This is whether I have the iPod app open when I connect or not.

My radio system cycles through radio, cdplayer, auxilary, and usb(if the ipod is connected).

When I do connect the iPhone to the port, it does charge it.  The battery icon changes to the charging icon.

Any help is appreciated.

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That most likely means your car USB port does not support the iphone. There may be some sort of software/firmware update avaiable for your car that will add iphone support to that USB port. Check whatever documentation you have for the USB port to see if software updates are available.

[josephz2va]

There have been many complaints in regards to certain generations of vehicles not recognizing the iPhone after a certain period. The iPhone 3GS and i4 models have received complaints that the vehicles no longer recognized the connectivity, but may or may not provide recharging.

You can do one of two things:

• On your search engine, type the year and model of your vehicle with "Stereo Bluetooth Firmware Update" maybe without the quotes and see if there is a patch available to burn onto DVD-R or CD-R. Then while following the directions, you can update the firmware to the latest. They will generally send you to the original manufacturer that designed your stereo to fit in the car. Such as JBL.
• Purchase an iPhone FM transmitter that uses your charger and transmits via FM Radio or purchase an Aux In Jack if your car supports that.

Scosche does have an adapter that supports recharging via USB but it doesn't support audio connectivity.

[Orion7486]

Thanks for the replies guys.  I'll be checking with my car dealer next.

[Neihn]

What josephz2va said is correct. I have a 2011 car that supports all ipods and iphones (up to 3GS) with a catch which is also the reason the iPhone 4 is not supported..The catch is the devices can not be on iOS4.0 or later. Something changed in iOS4 that made many makes and models of cars USB ports no longer compatible with the iPhones and iPod Touches.