2001 BMW 330i Cassette Player

So I have a 2001 330i. My audio had has the cassette player. It plays ok with regular cassettes but gives me a tape error every time I try using a cassette adapter to hook up an ipod. Any idea of what might be wrong?

Did you try inserting the adapter in both the "A Side" and "B Side" orientations ?

Yeah I tried both sides A & B

Originally Posted by jshah404

So I have a 2001 330i. My audio had has the cassette player. It plays ok with regular cassettes but gives me a tape error every time I try using a cassette adapter to hook up an ipod. Any idea of what might be wrong?

It actually says "tape error" on the display? heh, neat.

Did this adapter ever work or is it a new/replacement one?

I am guessing that the tape player detects that one "tape reel" is missing because it's not turning. One reel would get turned by the player; the other should "turn" too, if it were a real cassette, and the player can detect that as part of its auto-stop and auto-reverse function.

Could be the little belt inside the adapter broke, if there ever was one. Or you might need a better adapter, that has a belt inside.

I'm just theorizing... you can tell if there's a belt inside the adapter when you turn one reel with your finger and the other one turns at the same time.

You are better off changing the stereo, make sure you put one in that has the hook up for the steering controls, too.

There are aftermarket alternatives to wire in an iPod adapter. DICE is one and if you search on that + alternatives you'll find some others.

Go to best buy if they have one around where you from. All over California