Connecting iPOD to Saab 9 3 aux input

[Tuffy]

My Saab 9 3 has an aux input to the stereo system designed to hook up ipods and other mp3 players. Unfortunately, I cannot find any specs on this input. Does anyone know the cable I need to connect an iPod to this input jack?

[stickuto]

Hey and welcome to the forum.

You need a RCA cable, it has a connection at one end, which goes into the iPod, and at the other it splits into two, where there is a red and white connector.

This is the sort of cable you want. http://www.ipodlounge.com/index.php/...able-for-ipod/

[Tuffy]

Thanks for the quick response. Unfortunately, the RCA cable is definitely not the right cable. The input jack looks like the same jack as a computer audio input jack or a mini-headset jack. There is a visual of the input connector at elkparts.co.uk. Search for "aux_in". No specs beyond the picture though...

[03PlatinumGray]

What you need is a male - male connector. You can get one from Radio Shack. The same size connect that plugs into your earbuds port will go into the 9-3 Aux Connector. It's the same way on VW Beetles.

[Tuffy]

This is exactly what I needed. Just picked one up at RadioShack and the system works well! Thanks for the help!

[luvmysaab]

I don't recommend any other cable for this application except the Monster ICable. The sound is amazing. I use Manster cables for all my sound systems and have never been let down. The cable is 3 ft long, double helix, noise cancellation, etc., etc. You can purchase one off www.apple.com or www.amazon.com. Good luck, you will not be disappointed.

[bobb-mini]

Originally Posted by luvmysaab

Manster cables

____Suckers!

[morgan888]

you can check out this one..

http://www.inspiretech.com/p-16-ipod...aux-cable.aspx

[cgbridges]

I have a Belkin connector that is made for iPhones (says so on the box, Apple sells it in their store, etc), yet I cannot get it to work with my 9-3. It's a male-male cable that runs fronm the headphone jack to the AUX line. I have gotten two other iPhones to work; I got Apple to replace my iPhone, neither of them have worked. Both did, however, work in the store when connected to a regular set of speakers.

When I plug the cable into the phone, the ipod speakers switch off; the phone knows the cable is there. Then, I plug it into the car -- nothing. If I unplug from the car, the phone pauses... if I replug and press play, the sound comes out of the phone speakers. No re-ordering of what is plugged where / when buttons are pushed has made a difference.

Anybody seen this problem? Fixed it? Would the inspire connector (headphone jack to main Iphone connector (the big one on the bottom)) work? I had assumed it would need just the aux input and the other jack would mess with things...

Any help or thoughts would be appreciated. Saab won't help because they can get their iPhone to work in my car. Apple won't help because they can get my iPhone to work on their speakers in the store, and won't come out to my car.

[ryanjm27]

I have the same issue connecting an iPhone (original, not 3G) to my 07 9-3. I've tried everything, even bought a cable with 3.5 headphone on one end and dock connector on the other. No go, so dont waste your $$$ on one of those. However, my phone works fine in my sister's Saturn Aura and in my mother's Saturn Vue. So it's the Saab's issue, not the iPhones.

This issue is fairly well known with the Saab. Head over to saabcentral.com and search the 9-3 forums for more info.

I had hoped the newest firmware would fix it because there are reports of some iPhones working prior to the last update.

The only solution that I have found to get it working is to use the iphone dock that was included with the phone. The back of the dock has an input that bypasses the headphone port and it works flawlessly that way. However, I have yet to find a way to mount the dock in my Saab, so I haven't been using it. Maybe you're more creative and can find a good mounting solution. Let me know if you have any ideas! Good luck.

[ryanjm27]

Just thought I'd update my last comment with an even more interesting twist. My sister just got a new iPhone 3G. Low and behold, it works beautifully in my 9-3. So this problem seems to be isolated to the original iPhone only.

I can't explain it, just thought I'd share it.

--Ryan

[dinneenp]

I think the issue is to do with fibre optics on the Saabs...

[cgbridges]

Ryan -- is yours a 8gb or 16? I have gotten two friends' iPhones to work in my car, but both are 8gb while mine is a 16. I was debating if something minor had gotten messed in that upgrade...

[ryanjm27]

yes, mine is a 16GB. So that adds another interesting complexity. I just wish it would work!

[cgbridges]

What about the 3G you tried? I looked at the saab forums; doesn't seem like it's been discussed.

I tried the docking station this morning ... sounded awesome. Too bad I have to take my case off to use it; that'll get annoying. And I agree that there's no good spot to put it. I can't remember -- have you tried a cable with a iPhone proprietary or whatever plug on one end, aux on the other?