I may be prematurely freaking out here because I do not have the patch cord to go from iPod to aux jack, but...

I just installed the aux port and I don't get AUX on my head unit (H/K) when I hit the mode button: only radio and CD as before.

The aux connector plugs into the back of the radio, right? The instructions showing it going into the "radio harness", the picture makes the harness look as if there is no radio, but the back of my radio looked just like the depicted harness (save for the lack of radio in the pic). The connector went in with a satisfying click.

 

Dunno if this is much help...

http://www.geekshocker.com/Claire/audio/compAux.php

 

I makes me really worry. I think I did everything right, and still no AUX on head unit.

 

I see you have an '06. I suppose there might be a technical issue with your HU. If you have another friend with a MINI, you might wanna test it out on the other MINI. Just to make sure its not your HU.

 

The AUX just plugs into the back of the headunit. I am not sure if AUX shows up if nothing is plugged in though. I will check first thing in the morning.

 

if you heard the click, it should be in and ready to go...like someone else said, try to find a friend with a MINI, plug in your aux to their MINI and see if its your headunit or your aux

 

I think you need to patch in first.
Second try your ipod on bateries only. If you plug in both Aux and Power you will need a ground loop isolator, if you hadnt heard about this before, search on "GLI" tons of post on this.

I did the install a month ago. There wasnt much to it till I decided to hard wire the GLI and stash it behind the panels. And if I remember right I had to be patched into to get the option on the head unit.

Hope this help

 

I had heard about GLI, and I'm planning to get one, but I thought that was for noise reduction -- if I could live with buzzing I would not NEED it.

But I'm glad to hear something needed to be patched. I won't take the thing apart until I get the patch cord and try the iPod on batteries. I just installed the parcel shelf, too, so taking it apart (putting it back together, really) is a pain. Thanks.

 

I only have one MINI friend -- he's 100 miles away. But I don't really want to ask him to take apart his car, although he would do it. He has bluetooth and MINI iPod adapter, so I'd be asking him to UNinstall his stuff so I could install mine.

If I fail to get it to work, I have my 1 year service coming up. I'll have the techs take a look. ka-CHING.

 

You should see an aux mode on the headunit even if no patch cord or iPod is plugged in. Have you tried unplugging and reconnecting at the back of the headunit? By the way, you don't have to get a GLI unless you experience problems. There is a variation in cars, or even in the same car over time that may require you to get one.

 

Yep...Had the Aux connector on my 04 MCS...AUX was an option when cycling thru modes...the HU was replaced by the dealer (burned out LED's under warranty) STILL HAVE THE AUX MODE ON THE HU! No patching was necessary. No cord or connection to the jack was necessary ....it still came up when cycling thru the modes.

 

Yep. Everything goes nice and smooth. Still no AUX in the modes rotation. I even removed the connector clip (the main connector is surrounded by the thing that clicks in -- I removed the clicky part) to get a deeper seat on the conductors. Still nothing.

I got the patch cord and tried that, too. Still nothing.

I wonder if it's a faulty cable or a faulty headunit. If the HU, I bet they blame me for botching the install. But really, it's plug and play -- what can I be doing wrong? The connectors are shaped so they cannot be inserted incorrectly, and everything else plays fine.

My first call will be to Classic MINI in Cleveland from whom I bought the aux connector. Maybe their tech will have some wisdom for me.

Grrr. This will bug me until it's resolved.

 

Classic MINI says he's never heard of a problem with an AUX cable. He advised me to bring it to service and have them check the head unit. I said "won't they blame me for breaking the HU?" He said, "they shouldn't because it's a 'customer installable part'." He also advised me not to mention that it has never worked, just to say "my AUX port is not recognized".

I'm bringing it in Tuesday. I'll let y'all know what happens.

 

I brought the car to service. Turns out that the headunit was bad.

Before MINI of Westchester checked it, they gave me the song and dance "we didn't install it, so it's not covered, blah blah blah." I argued that if either the part or the HU was bad, since the AUX adapter is "user installable" (Classic MINI's words -- they sold me the part), it should be covered. MoW's warrantee boss agreed, and added that if I was the cause of the problem, I'd have to pay. That sounded fair to me, so I told them "check it". The HU failed the diagnostic, so the replaced it for free.

I now have clear iPod sound coming from my AUX port.

 

I actually had this happen to me with my dealer installed AUX after I took delivery. I used the AUX port with my XM MyFi for about a month, then it cut out and never showed back up.

The dealer replaced the head (something about a fault showing up, that's it). All was well until 2 weeks ago. The AUX cut out again, and it now comes and gos as it pleases. Sometimes I get XM, sometimes I don't. The dealer says the radio isn't currently showing any faults, but they suggested I drive it a few more weeks and then bring it back in.

Anyone know why this would keep happening? There really isn't a way for a portable device (like a MyFi) to short out the head via Aux-in, is there? Doesn't make much sense to me...

 

200-OK, if AUX shows up reliably when you have nothing plugged in, but cuts in and out when your XM is connected, it sounds very much like a ground loop problem that can be remedied with a ground loop isolator. Do a forum search on "ground loop isolator" for lots of information.