How to update an old radio by adding modern Bluetooth to it

Car radios in cars manufactured more than 10 years ago are not equipped with a Bluetooth system. A simple modification of such sound-reproducing devices will allow you to listen to music tracks broadcast from a smartphone. One condition is that the radio must have a built-in AUX function.

AUX is a linear audio input. Those. A connector that allows you to connect a wired audio source to the radio. It is to this input that the additional Bluetooth module, which can be purchased at any Online store, selling radio electronics.

Do-it-yourself car radio modernization

Most often, the AUX connector of car radios is located on the front panel in the form of a standard 3.5 mm jack socket. Connecting an additional device to an external socket is neither convenient nor aesthetically pleasing. Installable Bluetooth card will be located inside the radio, so you need to find the connection points on the board: plus and minus power, left and right channel of the incoming signal.

Using a tester and a disassembled audio plug, the location of the input signal contacts on the main board of the radio is called up. In addition, the power connection points for the additional board are determined. Preferably Bluetooth module power it in such a way that it turns off simultaneously with the radio turning off. This point is easiest to find at the connection point of the electrolytic capacitor of the smoothing filter or the power stabilizer of the main radio.

From the board Bluetooth module unnecessary connectors and switches that will not be used are removed. The module is carefully soldered with wires to the required points on the main board of the radio and secured inside the device using hot-melt adhesive. You can start checking.

The radio turns on in AUX mode. You need to connect it with your smartphone. To do this, in the Bluetooth mode settings of your smartphone, you need to find a new device - an installed Bluetooth module. Perform pairing – allow data reception and transmission. Next, by launching a music file on your smartphone, you check its playback in the car radio speakers. Everything is working. From your phone you can not only switch tracks, but also adjust the playback volume.