Armrest USB port providing power but no data transfer/detection

ome91 · 11-28-2020, 10:19 PM

Heyoh, so I've been diagnosing my E90 armrest USB port for a couple of weeks on-and-off now, with no luck! I have the 6FL iPod/USB Audio package, the BMW Professional Radio (non-iDrive).

I should be able to use my iPhone as an iPod and connect it to play music. I have tried a regular USB as well, formatted and everything with only 1 .mp3 file.

I can receive power (checked using a USB tester, and I have 5V power, etc..) on my phone and USB (through a little flashing light) but my radio unit, only shows 'Insert USB', even if something is. plugged in.

What I Have Done For Diagnosis:
• Checked MULF2 Adapter connections in trunk
• ULF-SBX-H Diagram (MULF2 connections)
• The X17183 adapter under the rear A/C vent
• Checked USB power using multimeter
• Checked fuses

Somethings I'm Confused About:
• Another USB Hub in the footwell?
• Should I do a communications test using INPA/ISTA?

Any help would be awesome!

ctuna · 11-29-2020, 04:36 PM

Early version of the idrive had a usb hub .
You could play music from a flash drive but it doesn't interface with
phone for direct playbackI belive.
You had to use a BMW cable which splits the audio through the Aux
and the album and art data through the USB.

https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/u...on-6fl.258477/

USB as a source should show up on your idrive or pro radio.

ome91 · 11-29-2020, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctuna

Early version of the idrive had a usb hub .
You could play music from a flash drive but it doesn't interface with
phone for direct playbackI belive.
You had to use a BMW cable which splits the audio through the Aux
and the album and art data through the USB.

https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/u...on-6fl.258477/

USB as a source should show up on your idrive or pro radio.

Hmm I always thought that the USB Hub was removed from the footwell after LCI and that it was only in iDrive setups, since I have the non-iDrive version, although I could check tomorrow.

My '09 335xi has the 6FL package and I have buddy with an '11 328i who has the same 6FL package as me. I can use the same USB and my phone for direct playback, so I think it's an issue with mine, is there any change that occurred from 2009 to 2011 in terms of the non-iDrive setup?

ctuna · 11-29-2020, 05:48 PM

There is and idrive subforum and if you google bmw idrive there
is some big threads that go through all the different versions.

11-28-2020, 10:19 PM	#1
ome91 Private 27 Rep 70 Posts Drives: '07 E91 328xi Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Somewhere in Toronto iTrader: (0)	Armrest USB port providing power but no data transfer/detection Heyoh, so I've been diagnosing my E90 armrest USB port for a couple of weeks on-and-off now, with no luck! I have the 6FL iPod/USB Audio package, the BMW Professional Radio (non-iDrive). I should be able to use my iPhone as an iPod and connect it to play music. I have tried a regular USB as well, formatted and everything with only 1 .mp3 file. I can receive power (checked using a USB tester, and I have 5V power, etc..) on my phone and USB (through a little flashing light) but my radio unit, only shows 'Insert USB', even if something is. plugged in. What I Have Done For Diagnosis: • Checked MULF2 Adapter connections in trunk • ULF-SBX-H Diagram (MULF2 connections) • The X17183 adapter under the rear A/C vent • Checked USB power using multimeter • Checked fuses Somethings I'm Confused About: • Another USB Hub in the footwell? • Should I do a communications test using INPA/ISTA? Any help would be awesome!
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11-29-2020, 04:36 PM	#2
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,104 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	Early version of the idrive had a usb hub . You could play music from a flash drive but it doesn't interface with phone for direct playbackI belive. You had to use a BMW cable which splits the audio through the Aux and the album and art data through the USB. https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/u...on-6fl.258477/ USB as a source should show up on your idrive or pro radio.
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11-29-2020, 05:48 PM	#4
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,104 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	There is and idrive subforum and if you google bmw idrive there is some big threads that go through all the different versions.
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