So I have been having issues with my iPhone connecting to my 2017 RR via USB Cable, it NEVER connects if the car has been sat overnight and then will randomly connect and work when it feels like it throughout the day (this is for using Apple Car Play).

After trying different cables, checking software etc etc I decided to get my local dealer to replace the whole USB/ Sim module in the centre console to see if that will sort the issue.

They did this for me on Friday and also updated the software for the module (which is different to the headhunt software). They thought they had fixed the issue as they tried 5 different iPhones and all worked and CarPlay kicked in as it should.

Great, so I Thought. Got it home and it was all working. Tried the following morning though and the usual fault happened where the car just doesn't recognise my iPhone is connected to the car (via cable NOT Bluetooth). SO I am now at a loss - it would seem that this is just how the janky ICE is in the 2017 Range Rover, pretty poor for what would have been a £100k+ car when new.

It seems the 2017 fell in between the newer, better headhunts in the 2018 (and onwards) cars and the older (but replaceable headhunts).

Any 2017 owners found their iPhone cable connection to be really inconsistent - especially after the car has sat for a few hours?

Hi Damian, I think I’ve tried to help you with this before.
I also have MY2017 which connects fine every time, but is picky about WHEN you connect the phone:
You have to start the car and wait a while, until the infotainment system is fully booted up, (it’s not exactly fast to boot up, is it?)
If you plug in the phone first, then start the car, sometimes it behaves as if there is no phone attached to USB. I may have mentioned before that the Infotainment/Nav system is not tolerant of a weak main battery causing comms issues, so check your battery SOH, perhaps you already did so?

Best of luck in finding the cause, or a solution. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

Hi - thanks for the reply.

I will try connecting after it's all booted up (although I am pretty sure that I tried that before) - the battery is a new one on me. Could that cause these issues?

I had a lot of weird issues wth my car when it arrived March 2022, then I got one of these:

Click image to enlarge

Thanks for this.

I have just been out and having a fiddle about - it's so odd - so with my iPhone (11 Pro Max) the car just would not see it, tried my wife's iPhone (13) - also did not work. Switched car off for a few mins the tried my wife's phone again and BINGO worked flawlessly and then so did my phone too!

I just cannot understand it - why sometimes it jay refuses to see the phones and then again sometimes it does - and when it does its great.

I cannot think what else to try having updated software and replaced the hardware!

I will look at battery but not sure why that would make it work sometimes and then not others - although it NEVER works when the car has sat overnight - never.

Hi Damian, it’s defo worth checking out the battery, because it’s an easy (if not cheap) DIY fix.
If your battery IS on its way out, now is the best time to renew it anyway, before Winter sets in.
Just look at my 15-month old battery!

Click image to enlarge

Have you checked that the phones are compatible with the car? It could be that they are just too new, I know you said the interface software was updated but this won't automatically mean later phones will always work seamlessly.

Hi - that did cross my mind but actually when it works it works without issue, to me it feels like the car misses some sort of handshake maybe with the phone but then I am not sure why it works sometimes and not others (but always doesn't when the car has sat overnight).

Its just very odd - probably has something to do with the older tech in the car and its start up seq.

DamianK wrote:

Thanks for this.

I have just been out and having a fiddle about - it's so odd - so with my iPhone (11 Pro Max) the car just would not see it, tried my wife's iPhone (13) - also did not work. Switched car off for a few mins the tried my wife's phone again and BINGO worked flawlessly and then so did my phone too!

I just cannot understand it - why sometimes it jay refuses to see the phones and then again sometimes it does - and when it does its great.

I cannot think what else to try having updated software and replaced the hardware!

I will look at battery but not sure why that would make it work sometimes and then not others - although it NEVER works when the car has sat overnight - never.

Do you need to replace both batteries or just the one under the spare wheel? I'm seeing weird issues on my 2017 car with original batteries 2017 Range Rover Vogue V6 Diesel
2006 Range Rover Vogue V8 Diesel - gone

I am having the starter battery (one under spare wheel) replaced on Friday so will let you know if that helps - the other battery I think is just for the start/ stop BUT could be wrong.

What issues are you having?

Both:

Best to test.
Then spend your money only if necessary.
If both batteries are original 2017, then they are likely well down on SOH.

The tester above will tell you in a few minutes, and it’s so cheap to buy now, mine cost £27 a year ago, now its 1/3 the price.

Of course, the cause may still possibly lie elsewhere, but if your battery is weak, better to find out now, rather than the hard way on a dark rainy night miles from home. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” -where’s the fun in that?

I am going to replace it whatever as it is the original 2017 battery so might as well.

I have no idea if it will sort my USB connection issue and frankly this is my last stop on this journey as I cannot see what else it could be (the dealer will have another look next week too).

I may just have to deal with the fact that Apple Car Play is just not going to work consistently. But the fact it NEVER sees the phone after the car has sat for a night makes me think that you were onto something with the battery.

Out of interest - do you have the InControl app on your phone to access the vehicle remotely - and if so, does it lose connection to that overnight as well as your CarPlay woes? Or does it still work? FFRR SDV8 Autobiography

I do have the app yes.

I don't think it loses connection overnight, well, not that I have noticed anyway.

Why, what are you thinking?