Add Bluetooth To Your Old Car Stereo For $25!

Want to add Bluetooth audio streaming to your old car's head unit without having to replace it with an aftermarket unit? Let me show you how! This job does involve a little bit of troubleshooting and a steady hand, but if done correctly you'll be able to stream music from your phone to your car and still retain the period-correct look of the factory stereo system!

🧰 *Parts Used*
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Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
2:11 - Overview of how the mod works
3:03 - The Bluetooth module
4:07 - Before we begin and tools you'll need
4:41 - Removing the tape drive
5:00 - Examine tape drive and identify circuits
6:00 - Disclaimer
6:57 - Deciding where to splice in your audio signal
7:44 - Choosing where to situate Bluetooth module
8:22 - Soldering your wires onto the tape drive
9:31 - Decommissioning the tape drive
10:28 - Refitting the tape drive
10:44 - Mounting the Bluetooth module and power
11:41 - Modification summary and final steps
12:23 - In-car testing
14:23 - Conclusion

👕 *Merchandise and Early Access*

🚘 *About MotoringBox*
MotoringBox is an Australian based YouTube channel run independently by Sean McKellar since 2019. It focuses on quality content about Australian car culture and some of the incredibly unique vehicles we manufactured here. I work a day job and publish videos in my spare time, so thank you for your patience and I hope you enjoy my videos.

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MotoringBox
PO Box 121
Goodna QLD 4300

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Please note: I enjoy working on cars but I can't promise that what I do will work for your particular car, or that you won't harm yourself, someone else, your car, or your warranty doing it. Please be safe, be responsible and if you're not sure what you're doing, get a qualified mechanic to help you out.

[MotoringBoxTV]

Thanks for watching! Like, comment or sub to support the channel.

[mcdazz]

"...like a tapeworm out of a dogs arse".

Classic.

[MotoringBoxTV]

If you're about to comment something like "Just buy a new bluetooth headunit for $10 from X" you're missing the point. This video is for those who want to retain their factory headunit so their dash looks stock standard, but are interested in enabling bluetooth audio streaming without using FM transmitters or bluetooth/wired tape adaptors. FM transmitters or bluetooth tape adaptors "do the job" and if you're happy using those, that's awesome. But they're passing your audio through the FM band or through the head of the tape drive, and the sound quality may be affected.

Also, as stated I am not an expert when it comes to electrical work, but the mod outlined in the video has worked brilliantly for a number of years. Thanks for watching.

[adamstokes]

Mate, the quality of your work (videography, editing, comentating and content) is expceptional. I have no doubt you will soon be Australia's leading car reviewer. Keep going! And remember the little people when you get there :-)

[ronalddumpster]

i think your going to void your warranty doing that.

[EuroNiceguy]

Nice work. I run a car audio company in Sydney, and i do agree with the new head units not looking right in older vehicle dashboards. Maintaining the original equipment amplifier and subwoofer - like your work...

[jamesfrench]

A female friend of my dad got him to replace the original head unit as it was faulty. A feeling of relief washed over me when I saw that it was an Alpine branded one.
Personally, I like it and the funky red and white lighting it gives off at night and it doesn't clash too badly with the rest of the dash lighting. I love it's auxiliary jack.

[mac]

Next you will have to fix that steering wheel thats on the wrong side...lol

[abicelis]

Nice tutorial for reviving an old stereo. I'd suggest to solder your new wires directly into the board instead of soldering wires with each other mid-air. Soldering into the board makes for stronger/better connections, less prone to disconnecting by having to move the wires while installing the unit into the car and such. I'd unsolder the original audio wires (instead of cutting them) and as with the power 12v and Ground coming in from the car, I'd trace those wires to the board and solder the bluetooth unit's power wires there. If you're not planning on using the tape player part of the stereo, maybe put the bluetooth adapter thing inside?

[zxb]

The beginnings of a fantastic channel here. I love bangernomics and cheap effective mods like this. Subbed.

[rods]

Thats a great head unit Dolby b and C . Back in the 80's I had to crawl over broken glass to get a car deck with head unit Dolby B and C and metal and chrome tape detection.

[miketeeveedub]

Good on you for keeping the factory look without having to give up modern technology. I agree that most modern aftermarket radio are far too gimmicky and difficult to use. I have one in my mk1 VW and it does not fit the look of the dash at all (although it sounds great). It looks like a damn Disco at night and is distracting.

However, I did something similar with what you did with my daily-driver 14 year old Ford. I installed a 3.5mm stereo Aux module that fed into the unused DVD port on my factory head unit. I then bought a wired bluetooth audio media adapter that plugs into the cigarette lighter for power, and connects to the new Aux port. This way I have a direct audio connection, so no wireless interference, and it has a remote attachment so I can control the function of the cell phone (volume, next\replay tracks, pause, and phone pickup) without directly using the cellphone. This way I avoid a ticket for using a cellphone while driving, which is illegal where I'm from (Canada). It sounds great and I can still using the original controls on the steering wheel to control the head unit for volume, mute, and aux selection.

I look forward to seeing more of your content - cheers!

[LSnium]

1:40 “Like a tapeworm hanging out of a dogs ass”

[PaulMaysHymns]

Yeah, I love this. I have a 96 roadmaster wagon with a similar function. But your install is cheaper, cleaner, and cooler. I used an inline FM modulator and Bluetooth adapter. I’m looking at modding my 94 F150 for similar function. I’m going with your method. It’s slick. Another benefit of this setup vs an aftermarket Bluetooth head unit is that the stock stereo is a true theft deterrent. Nobody will break into a car to get a factory 90’s radio. Well done.

[larryruben]

Now I have that darn image of a "tape worm coming out of a dogs arse" in my mind, thanks ....😂🤣😎😁

[jackdundon]

Very important: IF SOLDIERING DIRRETLY ON A BOARD, use wet tissue paper around the solder area, it will keep the electronics from overheating.

[stuffnva]

Why cut the ribbon cable? Simply connect to the solder points on the tape drive and have the use of both.

[Hamzaal]

Honestly why in God's name do all the new headunits have stupid lights on them.

[FreerunMediaService]

I noticed that the unit had a microphone so i would do a little more work and make a switch so you still can switch back to the tape and bring out the microphone in the bluetooth unit so you can use the call option as well.

[declan]

You're a saviour. My crappy adapter broke, and I was dreading getting a modern head unit for my 89 volvo. This is exactly the sort of thing I was looking for