There's a ghost in my Z (at least it seems there is)
 

I don't really believe in ghosts, but last night something inexplicable occurred. My wife and I were driving home from dining out (and we were both cold sober). Neither of us had our hands anywhere near the console or dash. My hands were at 10 and 2 on the wheel, and hers were on her iPhone.

Suddenly, we heard a low "beep" and the audio came on playing my iPod which is connected to the USB port. I am driving a 2010 touring with sport and nav packages. I have a NavTool backup camera controller installed. It just interrupts the video feed to the nav, has no control over any other activity.

Earlier in the evening I was listening to FM radio, so if the audio just came on by itself, it would be playing FM. But in this case it switched to AUX and resumed play on the iPod.

I wonder if anyone else has had this experience. I am a software engineer / architect. So I have some idea how stuff works. The beep suggested to me that some signal told the audio system to go on and play AUX. I could make this happen the usual way with audio off, by pressing the AUX button on the radio. But no one pushed that button.

All I can think of is that there is some kind of noise in the CAN or Navi/audio that fooled the computer into thinking the AUX button was pressed. I really can't go to the dealer with this, since he will insist on seeing the problem reproduced. My only hope is to see if others have also experienced this.

No this is not a joke for Halloween. It's for real and potentially a safety hazard. If the CAN was responsible, it means there is some kind of noise in the CAN and next time the problem could be unintended acceleration or some engine malfunction.

Any serious thoughts?

GM isn't the only one who has electrical problems apparently.

No, I don't belive in the supernatural.

The only people that don't believe in ghosts have never had an encounter with one. I have.

However in your case, it's more likely something electrical going haywire.

My understanding is the system will turn on if the iPod is connected - is it possible your iPod slid around and bumped the cable connection? I bought one of those sticky pads to put under my iPod so it won't slide around when driving.

The supernatural and I leave each other alone. I don't belive in ghosts, and they don't belive in me. :tiphat:

Was your iPod plugged in at the time? I'd venture that perhaps the connection was briefly lost, and then regained. I've had that happen to me a couple of times.

I leave the iPod on and plugged into the USB port. Perhaps this is the answer. I keep the iPod in the center console.

Great suggestion. Thanks. +1 rep

I've never encountered one but I believe in it

how did you encounter one?

Nissan gets enough heat. Blame it on Apple this time.

Don't think so....

Could it be the steering wheel controls?

This used to always happen with my G35 with nav.

Which Ipod do you have in your car? I had a 4gen Ipod. What happens is that sometimes the battery in the ipod drains completely. SO when you turn on your car your ipod starts charging. When it gets enough battery it turns on (the apple logo screen) then once it boots the car thinks that you just plugged the ipod in so it goes and switches to the aux option for you.

I have the iPod touch (the older one). Your explanation makes sense. I hate to have to dig into the console and plug in the USB when I want to listen, or turn the iPod on and off. I guarantee I will forget to turn it off.

Mine occasionally disconnects and reconnects itself. It's just a glitch.

I have the older iPod touch as well.