Under seat USB port.

[Ben750]

I've got a pre-fl Cupra and the usb socket under the drivers seat has stopped working. The head unit "sees" the drive because it lets me switch to it, then tries to play it, but after a while it stops trying. It'll allow me to switch to it maybe twice more and does the same, then it acts like it isn't there anymore. I've tried a few USB drives and all do the same.

I've tried spraying contact cleaner on it but that's not helped.

Next thing is to check connections. I'm guessing there is a plug under the drivers seat for it? Does anyone know how hard it is to get to? Do I have to remove the seat or can I just remove the cupboard out without?

Any help much appreciated, it's doing my head in! (And I'm sick of burning new CD's when I want new music in the car!)

 

[Ben750]

 

[cupra_ahhh]

Hi mate, although i have a fl Cupra, I've never known a car to have USB port or anything that may be frequently used, underneath a seat.

 

[DaveysFR]

As far as I can remember from the sales brochure I read a few years ago, its only for iPods mate

It was an option from factory and is listed as 'iPod Dock'

 

[Ben750]

There's a small cupboard on the front of the seat, it's in there. It's a crap position, really difficult to find the socket while sat in the seat. I'm assuming it's stopped working due to the seat being moved about.

 

[Ben750]

As far as I can remember from the sales brochure I read a few years ago, its only for iPods mate

It was an option from factory and is listed as 'iPod Dock'

It could be specced as a USB port instead for flash drives. It worked OK most of the time when I bought the car.

 

[Nath.]

It's not a true USB port, it's an ipod dock. Someone must have removed the ipod connector.

 

[Ben750]

According to the manual, the ipod dock and usb port are different. They have separate pages in the manual and the connection is in a different place, still under the seat but in a different orientation. You can have either a aux in, an ipod dock or a usb connection. I'll scan the pages from the manual and take a photo of the port if you want.

Thanks for the responses.

So has anyone removed the ipod dock? I can't imagine it being much different to the USB.

 

[eltawater]

Hello,
Just to confirm that you're not going mad, it's definitely a USB port as this was a separate option from the ipod dock. I've been very happily plugging in USB flash drives into mine for the past five years.

Can't help on the dismantling side sadly, but I expect that the cupboard itself is just a very simple housing for the end of the USB socket. Your issue may have to be traced all the way back to the head unit for fault finding, but I suspect that there may be damage on the socket.

The position of the socket within the underseat housing (floating in mid air) lends itself to stress on the USB connections as you constantly unplug and reinsert devices into it. Being utterly paranoid about this, I've used a very short USB extension cable pretty much from day 1. It may not hurt for you to try one of those as well just to avoid damaging the socket any further.

 

[Ben750]

You've pretty much covered my thoughts! I think it's probably the socket itself that's faulty, would like to check the connections first though as that'd be a cheaper fix. I'm with you, the "floating in mid air" is fine for a static PC but for a car that goes over bumps is far from ideal and bound to cause damage, as is plugging it in blind. Will look into getting a cable if I ever get it working again. Thanks.

I have had a quick look at taking the cupboard out but it's not obvious how it comes out, I've a feeling it will require the seat out.

 

[PalmerTDI]

Is the usb socket a standard fixture or is it a factory extra for certain headunits ??

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

[Ben750]

It's not down to the head unit, mine is the basic one. You had the option of an aux socket, an ipod dock or a USB socket on the pre facelift. Not sure how it works with FL cars.

 

[PalmerTDI]

Im gonna sound like a right noob now and ask what year the FL is. Mines a 55 mk2 is that classed as a FL ??

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

[jc_boc]

I had that same port under my seat and it was rather temperamental. I used to stick a USB stick in there with music on and for the most part is was fine but if I tried changing usb sticks it would act up and not read it.

 

[unsheenashashin]

Im gonna sound like a right noob now and ask what year the FL is. Mines a 55 mk2 is that classed as a FL ??

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

Yours would be pre facelift mate, think the facelift was applied from 09 onwards.

 

[PalmerTDI]

Ah ok cheers m8 so does that mean there should be 1 of the options under the seat somewhere ?? Ive had a quick glance but I dont know where im looking.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

[Ben750]

On the Cupra there's either the USB or ipod dock under the drivers seat in a small cupboard or an aux port by the handbrake. Dunno on other models.

 

[Ben750]

Quick update, I've managed to sort it. Had to buy a new unit. £300+ from Seat but found a new old stock one on ebay from a Golf for £40. Happy days.

 

[ashw831]

Quick update, I've managed to sort it. Had to buy a new unit. £300+ from Seat but found a new old stock one on ebay from a Golf for £40. Happy days.

Did you just get one of these for it mate?
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/271359121027?nav=SEARCH&sbk=1
If so I was thinking the same..

 

[Ben750]

It's similar. I got this one.