This weekend, to enliven the boring errand-running I had to do in our 2008 Ford Focus, I hooked up my iPod to find the perfect soundtrack to picking up moving boxes five miles away. (Hmm, maybe '80s New Wave? Duran Duran's "Hungry Like the Wolf"?) Since my iPod basically lives in my purse and its "Hold" button doesn't work, I knew it would be dead by the time I pulled it out. And sure enough it was but I figured hooking it up to the Sync system would recharge the battery.
Even the Sync Web site's FAQ section notes that, with most music players, the battery will start charging up anytime it's connected to the system's USB port while the car is running. However, when I hooked up my iPod...nothing. I pressed buttons on my Preciousss and its screen remained blank. I fidgeted with the wires, making sure they were plugged in and still got no response. I have used Sync with my iPod before but since it's been awhile, I don't recall if it charged my player when I used it. So either this doesn't work for iPods or it's not working in general. Later when I got home, I plugged my iPod to a charger and it worked just fine, so at least that means my iPod isn't broken.
Caroline Pardilla, Deputy Managing Editor @ 12,066 miles
phybenz says:
01:01 PM, 09/ 8/08
I'm sure it will charge a Zune... Oh wait, all of maybe 10 people own a Zune...
altimadude00 says:
01:15 PM, 09/ 8/08
You can use one of those 12V ports to charge your iPod. Oh wait, I forgot...it would be too messy with all those cords. Silly me.
waevox says:
01:34 PM, 09/ 8/08
I have found that if my iPod has run completely out of juice, sometimes it needs to be plugged in for 5 or 10 minutes before it responds.
allenychung says:
02:10 PM, 09/ 8/08
Same thing happens with my iPod, it needs a few minutes to resuscitate itself.
dragonflight says:
03:11 PM, 09/ 8/08
@ altimadude00
That would require a special adapter as opposed to the simple USB cable that comes free with the iPod. Yes you can find the adapter online for a fair price, but why would you bother if you already have a USB port in your car?
stovt001 says:
03:39 PM, 09/ 8/08
If I leave my ipod alone for a few hours without it playing or being plugged in it will freeze up and take a long time to start up again even if it is plugged in. I took it in to get fixed (within the original warranty period) and the Apple guy said that is how they all work, unless I wanted to buy an extended warranty of course. Needless to say I'll never buy one of their products again.
altimadude00 says:
07:53 PM, 09/ 8/08
dragonflight
Well, if a charged iPod is a gotta-have-it commuter device, a back-up plan would be nice to have rather than going home in silent mode.
Spending $13.99 at Walmart for a power point adapter might or might not be a smart investment rather than taking it to the dealer for a few days to have it fixed/replaced (albeit free under warranty).
I only suggest it because not all cars have a USB plug in them. It's a shock, I know. It's so...20 minutes ago.
ekimfeenux says:
08:29 PM, 09/ 8/08
@phybenz
"I'm sure it will charge a Zune... Oh wait, all of maybe 10 people own a Zune..."
Have you ever used a Zune? I've owned one since they first came out and I have never had anything go wrong with it. Not to be one of those hardcore MS people because I'm not(currently running a new iMac) but please do not disrespect an amazing piece of technology.
Back to the post thought. Not being able to charge with Sync may not be it's fault. It could be like what dragonflight pointed out and it could be the cable's fault as I have had issues with certain usb cables only providing the data link.
ekimfeenux says:
08:30 PM, 09/ 8/08
I really hate having no edit feature...
But if it is as you say only 10 people have a Zune then they are all in my photography class with me...
cx7lover says:
12:06 AM, 09/ 9/08
The Zune vs the iPod makes it seem like 10 people have a Zune(also has nothing to do with the various windows problems), it wasn't meant to be taken literally.
ken428 says:
08:29 AM, 09/ 9/08
It does charge the ipod with the orginal cable that comes with your ipod. Also you do not need to plug in both the aux cable and USB for your music to play. You only need to plug in the USB cable.
tjbeck says:
07:16 AM, 09/10/08
Zune = Edsel