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For All Those Who Use Their iPhone In The Car! Help!

C

crazyitalian198

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 19, 2006
180
9
Hey there. I have an iPhone 3g that I want to dock in my car so that I can..

1.) Output Audio Through the Dock Connector To My Stereo
2.) Charge My iPhone
3.) Mount It For When Turn By Turn GPS Arrives

I can do all three steps, but I keep getting the GSM buzz when I use Edge. This happened with my old iPhone as well, but I could move it away from the stereo and only hear it every so often.

I bought the cheapest stereo with an AUX about two years ago that has worked great....except this issue is annoying as hell.

Ive used Ferrite Beads on the Stereo's input and output to very little avail.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO USE THEIR IPHONE IN THE CAR, WHAT STEREO DO YOU USE...(Assuming its not the stock)....

I'm going to try a new stereo and install a ground loop to hopefully stop the sound. While on 3G everything is fine; however, I only have EDGE at my University. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks guys!
 
I use the stock radio with an iTrip Auto. I would just suggest not using data when in the car (as it is illegal in most jurisdictions).

TEG
 
It's not just data though. Voice is plagued by the same problem. I believe that it must be my cheap stereo combined with amplification/interference from charging the iPhone as well. While there are a decent number of articles on the web about this issue, there are two few for it to be a major issue with every stereo. I just don't want to buy the stereo and have the same problem!
 
Make sure all your cables are properly shielded. I doubt a GLI will be able to do anything against the GSM radio buzzing...
 
Yeah, I don't think GLI will do much either. I should mention that the phone doesn't need to be plugged in to create the interference. It has to do with the way GSM connects to the towers. I've heard that better car stereos block this interference. Do you guys use the stock stereos in your cars or have you installed something else. I have tried on a Lexus with the stock stereo and there is no problem. I could turn on airplane mode, but I need to have phone access!
 
crazyitalian198 said:
I've heard that better car stereos block this interference. Do you guys use the stock stereos in your cars or have you installed something else.
Click to expand...

Works fine on my Mazda 6 with the stock radio and OEM iPod interface module, no interference at all. Of course it won't charge my 3G because they took out firewire charging support, but there's enough threads about that already ;)
 
TEG said:
I use the stock radio with an iTrip Auto. I would just suggest not using data when in the car (as it is illegal in most jurisdictions).

TEG
Click to expand...

What is illegal about having data turned on in the car?
 
TheSpaz said:
What is illegal about having data turned on in the car?
Click to expand...

not sure what the exact law is, but it is illegal. this is why all navis in cars disable a lot features while in motion. lexus won't let you reprogram your route while driving. other aftermarket products have accelerometers to limit certain functions. i guess it all plays into the whole handsfree deal while driving.
 
I bought the cheapest stereo
Click to expand...

There you go. Cheap stereo and cheap wire and cheap speakers will give you cheap performance. The stock equipment should be shielded properly as will higher quality aftermarket. You could ask some install shops about it, no doubt they have had experience.
 
It's got nothing to do with the stereo being cheap or the inputs/outputs being ferrite beaded (though that can/will help, if you're picking up noise there too).

If you want your SPEAKERS to stop buzzing, you need to put ferrite beads on your speaker leads...preferably as close to the speaker as possible (a few inches down the line won't hurt).

This is because the wires leading to your speakers act as an antenna picking up "noise" or interference from the cell phone. Block the interference just before the speaker and your buzz will be gone. Worked fine on my factory system, but it was a bit of a pain in the neck to pull the door panels off to put beads on the front door speakers.
 
SHIFTLife said:
It's got nothing to do with the stereo being cheap or the inputs/outputs being ferrite beaded (though that can/will help, if you're picking up noise there too).

If you want your SPEAKERS to stop buzzing, you need to put ferrite beads on your speaker leads...preferably as close to the speaker as possible (a few inches down the line won't hurt).

This is because the wires leading to your speakers act as an antenna picking up "noise" or interference from the cell phone. Block the interference just before the speaker and your buzz will be gone. Worked fine on my factory system, but it was a bit of a pain in the neck to pull the door panels off to put beads on the front door speakers.
Click to expand...

I'm not having any interference with the speakers themselves. I've seen speakers interfere with GSM phone before. I remember this happening many years ago with my PC speakers. However, these speakers are no affected at all when I put the phone near them. The interference gets worse when I put the phone close to the receiver, not when I put the phone next to the speakers. I believe having ferrite beads near the speaker wouldn't hurt, but it is obvious that there is something going on with the stereo itself. I think I'll go to Best Buy and put my phone next to the floor models (they usually have them connected to some sort of speaker system).
 
crazyitalian198 said:
Hey there. I have an iPhone 3g that I want to dock in my car so that I can..

1.) Output Audio Through the Dock Connector To My Stereo
2.) Charge My iPhone
3.) Mount It For When Turn By Turn GPS Arrives

I can do all three steps, but I keep getting the GSM buzz when I use Edge. This happened with my old iPhone as well, but I could move it away from the stereo and only hear it every so often.

I bought the cheapest stereo with an AUX about two years ago that has worked great....except this issue is annoying as hell.

Ive used Ferrite Beads on the Stereo's input and output to very little avail.

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO USE THEIR IPHONE IN THE CAR, WHAT STEREO DO YOU USE...(Assuming its not the stock)....

I'm going to try a new stereo and install a ground loop to hopefully stop the sound. While on 3G everything is fine; however, I only have EDGE at my University. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks guys!
Click to expand...


I think you not fully understand what a ground loop is. according to wikipedia:
In an electrical system, ground loop refers to a current, generally unwanted, in a conductor connecting two points that are supposed to be at the same potential, often ground, but are actually at different potentials. Ground loops can be detrimental to the intended operation of the electrical system.
Click to expand...

What you want to do is add extra grounding straps or an isolator.
 
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