Bluetooth Stereo Suggestions/Experience

[Fresco3000]

Hi Guys,

I'm considering adding a bluetooth stereo to my Mk2 GT (1990).

Have heard of drain issues, anyone had success with any particular units?

I'm not bothered too much about the stereo, even tempted to opt for a simple hidden option, or adding functionality to an older unit.

Any tips would be appreciated, know my way around hi-fi but have little experience of in car set ups.

Found this adapter, not sure if it could be converted to fit.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bluetooth-Adap ... rds=vw+amp

[mark1gls]

GTXRA is selling his old Bluetooth car stereo, he might be able to tell you more about it.....

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=21471

[Fresco3000]

Cheers,

I want to either have a plain box with a couple of switches or modify an old stereo that suits the original interior. I have a VW Gamma unit in the shed.

Any info on pitfalls would be appreciated.

[unknownmale]

As long as it's wired correctly you shouldn't have any power drain issues.

Most modern stereos will want a switched live and a permanent live. The switch live (With key on) just tells the stereo to turn on. The permanent live draws a small amount of current (Would take several months to drain a charged battery), this is just to store memory settings.

You could retrofit any stereo system with a bluetooth receiver. A more modern one would be easier simply because of the options in regards to inputs and I/O.

But the simplest solution would be to buy a stereo with bluetooth functionality and install this. You can hide it in the glove box if you don't want it on show. Maybe fill the single din slot with something else like gauges or a cup holder.

[Fresco3000]

Thanks David,

Always liked the idea of adding gauges too. Do the Mk1/2 Golf gauges fit easily into the Mk2 scirocco?

On the stereo, think I'm going to use the old VW Gamma unit and attempt to add bluetooth, fancy the challenge.

May remove ashtray and add gauges above.

[essextom]

Thanks David,

Always liked the idea of adding gauges too. Do the Mk1/2 Golf gauges fit easily into the Mk2 scirocco?

On the stereo, think I'm going to use the old VW Gamma unit and attempt to add bluetooth, fancy the challenge.

May remove ashtray and add gauges above.

I sell some gauge plates/ surrounds that make fitment a bit easier- www.dreadnoughtcustoms.co.uk wiring wise it depends what gauges you fir but all pretty simple.

[Fresco3000]

Cheers Tom,

Nice work, some sleek product on there! I'll def order the surround from you once I get the gauges!

Anyone retrofitted bluetooth into an old stereo?

[essextom]

try this site out they do dab bluetooth retro ish looking radios- https://www.classiccarstereo.co.uk/

[Fresco3000]

Have tried putting the VW Gamma unit in the car (1990 Mk2 GT).

There are two cable blocks and the aerial connector (see pic).

Have connected all of them as they are slotted and idiot proof.

Can't get the unit to switch on, the red light is flashing slowly but no life otherwise.

Does anyone know if I need to add more cables? The blocks connected worked fine with the old unit. There's an additional cable slot on the unit.

IMG_0102.JPG

[the edmundator]

If they're in the right sockets, it's most likely that the permanent and switched live feeds aren't connected properly.

[Fresco3000]

How would I remedy or check that?

Is it normal for one slot to be empty, is that just a newer type of connection?

Appreciate the advice!

[unknownmale]

I'd imagine you don't have a switched live hooked up.

Often there are diagrams under the head unit showing the connectors. Brown one looks to be for the 8 speaker wires. But would be goo to see that block at the bottom and top up close.

Ideally you'd have a multimeter for this, or at least a test light.

[mark1gls]

Most of the time the solid red wire is the switched live (if you wish the radio to come on with the key in the ignition) and the yellow wire is the permanent live feed.
If you can check with a muilti meter to see if you are getting 12v all the time on the yellow wire and 12v on the red wire either with the key in the ignition, position 1, or position 2 (lights on dash).

[chopperoli]

I just use one of these:

Bluetooth Receiver Cassette Adapter
http://amzn.eu/hjFeZum

[p in phcas]

I think I posted a long while back on this subject (a couple of years maybe) what I did. I got an old head unit - just as RDS came in but still had a cassette and inserted a Parrot MKi9200 between the head unit and speakers. It does BT for phone and streaming, USB input and uses the existing speakers for the phone output.

Just to make things complete, the head unit was a Blaupunkt that was compatible with a 10 CD changer I had which got shoved into the glove box.

I have RDS radio, cassette, 10 CD, USB and BT streaming... all good for sounds (no amp though) and good enough for me.