Moved to the MkIII section.

Junk cables sounds likely, USB ports have limited output for charging that isn't adequate for some devices from what I've heard.

 

but 5 "official" junk cables?

 

Well, here's a link to a source that doesn't think those cables are worth the cheap price:http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0LE...y-im-done-buying-cheap-lightning-cables/#!/RK=0/RS=.adnZh91vANSDUbvjUhnPyWJIh0-

 

not sure if you read but I said I used official cables. Ones directly from apple

 

Junk cables or potentially something wrong with the usb port in her car?

One way to find out. I have one of these plugged in to my console power port so I can monitor voltage. I charge my phone with an adapter plugged in to my rear seat power port) It won't tell you current but it will let you know if a power port is dead. The usb port inside the console could be probed with a voltmeter.

 

On android at-least there are apps that will tell you the voltage you are getting from charge. Maybe there is something like that on iOS.

 

Just an FYI if you're using the cars built in USB port on a 12-14 it doesn't really provide enough power to charge a modern smart phone. It barely provides power to keep my phone at the same percentage at idle and it still slowly drains with GPS and BT in use.


The reversible cable is a great idea but having the pins fully exposed probably wasn't the best method of achieving it. I always thought the wire casing of Apple cables felt too soft to protect or hold up to repeated stresses.

 

The build in USB port Works great in my dad's F-150 for my iphone... But I have seen the issue you're talking about happen way too frequently...

 

iphone problems... I'm not too familiar with the interior of the mk III's. Do you need to plug in a charger or just plug the cable straight into the dash?

Anyway from experience i know the apple devices (especially those using lightning cables) are very particular about the power they need to charge properly. I've bought both cheap cables and expensive official ones. They worked great in my truck(dodge) and my dads truck(F-150). HOWEVER, they were very inconsistent in the van I drove for work which was a Chev. I frequently got a message that said something like this accessory may not work with this device. You could try upgrading to a better usb charger for your car or using an inverter(if you dont mind how clunky it is) and then plugging your standard wall charger into that. Worked for me.
Good Luck!

 

It wouldn't surprise me if the Focus USB ports only can supply .5 amps to the phone. That is probably about a quarter of what it wants. I know with the last couple of phones that I've had if I had the screen on, Google Maps and Torque app running at the same time even with my 2.1 amp cigarette USB it would (very) slowly drain the battery. I believe the lightning cables have a chip inside of them (which is why they are so expensive). If that goes bad (possibly from not getting enough power?) all you have is a useless cable that you can tie things up with.

 

It wouldn't surprise me if the Focus USB ports only can supply .5 amps to the phone.

Bingo!

Get yourself a high output car charger. I have this one and it works great, relatively small and supports Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0(If you have a compatible device).

Amazon.com: [Qualcomm Certified] Aukey Quick Charge 2.0 30W 2 Ports USB Car Charger Adapter(AIPower 5V/2.4A+Quick Charge 12V/1.5A 9V/2A 5V/2A; Included an 20AWG 3.3FT Micro USB Cable) - Black: Cell Phones & Accessories

 

My 2014 with a cheap cable charges my iphone 5S just fine. But for some reason my wifes 5c gives us issues, have to wiggle to connector to get it to charge. Try another cable.

 

Not getting enough power would not kill a chip.

Things I can think of:

Wrapping cable is breaking it.
High heat in car causing an issue
Static killing the chip (pins are exposed)
Pin material damaged.
Check the usb port for anything that could damage things being inserted.

 

Cables are cables, as far as there capability. But, some may be made better than others. My suggest, go to monoprice and get yourself one of the lighter plugs that has the 2amp USB port, and use a monoprice cable. Fast charge voila~

 

Pretty sure the usb ports on the car are for hooking up devices and are only 500ma (max usb power without adding supplemental power), so really should be using a power socket adaptor to power the phone anyway.

The only other thing I can think of for why the cake is failing, is leaving it plugged in whilst starting the car and the chip receiving a power spike, but then that would point to a wiring issue with your car.

 

The only other thing I can think of for why the cake is failing, is leaving it plugged in whilst starting the car and the chip receiving a power spike, but then that would point to a wiring issue with your car.

The voltage at the power port can ramp up as high as 15 volts when you first start the car. It then gradually tapers off. I have seen mine drop as low as 12.8 volts as the smart charging system adjusts voltage.

 

He was referring to the power socket ElCouz, not the USB port. The user said they plugged it into the USB socket.

 

Even thought, the usb ports (one available & one hidden) coming from Sync/MFT system board (the one he use to charge his phone) are very well designed (isolated and spike free).

Since those port are standard usb 2.0 ports they give like you said a maximum of 500 mA.

Enough to keep the phone working but slowly charging! []