Very good tip. I don't see much people using this kind of FM transmitter in older cars. I've used one in my MK1 since I bought the car 3 years ago. I have a Xiaomi one that doesn't have any buttons or screens, it's tiny and looks like a regular 12V socket USB charger. It has 2 USB ports and one LED. Blends perfectly and you don't even notice it much of the time.
You have a multiple way to add bluetooth to the factory radio. Even moding in inside, or if the radio is CD-changer compatible, then you can buy an aftermaket BT module for it.. Both way can make be "unchanged" in looks.
This is a extremely cheap and convenient way of adding Bluetooth rather than paying for a radio upgrade service which will be way more expensive. These are all great suggestions, it's just for £6 and no tampering or disassembly/soldering of the radio internally you get the same result. However this solution may not work for those who use their cars more and want something more "build-in".
I added an aux socket to my 6000 cd player, just plug the phone or iPod into that, also I disabled the security panel as the connections were crap and used you cut out when you pressed a button
I got a Baseus transmitter that looks quite nice, no lights and all that, just a nice silver, quite small as well. Looks more fitting. Also my radio has the problem where the security panel doesn't quite make a good connection and it goes on and off, I have kind of bodged it and it works now mostly. Is there a proper way to fix it or will I have to stick with the bodge?
Have you come across the Bluetooth module that plugs into the CD changer connector? There’s a guy on RUclips and on a forum I saw saying he’s made one but I didn’t dig into the details.
I’ve had better sound plugging my phone cord into the music usb. I was getting a lot of high frequency hissing without that connection. I can probably find a better frequency as well. Doing the aux mod as mentioned above may need to happen. Also running the BT unit in the rear 12v with the cord running forward to the phone, it keeps the distractions and clutter away while I operate my high versatility, performance handling classic car.🤣
This was just a test demonstration, it wasn't a great channel and this FM transmitter depends on two things to produce good sound quality: 1) The headunit itself - generally the older the unit the worse the interferences 2) The station - Again some freuencies are better than others it's a case of trial and error If this is done I can categorically say it's better than plugging into the sound USB or 3.5mm Aux Mod, which is another option but not the best in my opinion.
I’m going to retune and find that swee spot then. Have a fix list on the car and music isn’t high priority. It’s pretty cool playing phone ipod music/podcasts over the radio.
A JVC doesn't look in-keeping as functional as it is, the idea is to keep it looking original and get more function from an existing radio for those who are fussy about originality. There are many options like the JVC if your not fussed about the original radios :)
Very good tip. I don't see much people using this kind of FM transmitter in older cars. I've used one in my MK1 since I bought the car 3 years ago. I have a Xiaomi one that doesn't have any buttons or screens, it's tiny and looks like a regular 12V socket USB charger. It has 2 USB ports and one LED. Blends perfectly and you don't even notice it much of the time.
That's exactly the one I like to use. Small and blends Into the background :)
You have a multiple way to add bluetooth to the factory radio. Even moding in inside, or if the radio is CD-changer compatible, then you can buy an aftermaket BT module for it.. Both way can make be "unchanged" in looks.
This is a extremely cheap and convenient way of adding Bluetooth rather than paying for a radio upgrade service which will be way more expensive. These are all great suggestions, it's just for £6 and no tampering or disassembly/soldering of the radio internally you get the same result. However this solution may not work for those who use their cars more and want something more "build-in".
I added an aux socket to my 6000 cd player, just plug the phone or iPod into that, also I disabled the security panel as the connections were crap and used you cut out when you pressed a button
It's been done a few times good radio mod. That panel can do that if the copper tag connections are bent it's a pain.
I got a Baseus transmitter that looks quite nice, no lights and all that, just a nice silver, quite small as well. Looks more fitting. Also my radio has the problem where the security panel doesn't quite make a good connection and it goes on and off, I have kind of bodged it and it works now mostly. Is there a proper way to fix it or will I have to stick with the bodge?
The security panel is a common fault, bend the copper legs at the back of it and then put it on and see if that makes a better connection!
According to my Mondeo MK2 brochure, the radio got that weird size so that it wouldn't fit in other cars and therefore not be as desirable to steal.
That makes a lot of sense actually!
Have you come across the Bluetooth module that plugs into the CD changer connector? There’s a guy on RUclips and on a forum I saw saying he’s made one but I didn’t dig into the details.
That's a new one! I'd like to know more sounds interesting!
I’ve had better sound plugging my phone cord into the music usb.
I was getting a lot of high frequency hissing without that connection. I can probably find a better frequency as well.
Doing the aux mod as mentioned above may need to happen.
Also running the BT unit in the rear 12v with the cord running forward to the phone, it keeps the distractions and clutter away while I operate my high versatility, performance handling classic car.🤣
This was just a test demonstration, it wasn't a great channel and this FM transmitter depends on two things to produce good sound quality:
1) The headunit itself - generally the older the unit the worse the interferences
2) The station - Again some freuencies are better than others it's a case of trial and error
If this is done I can categorically say it's better than plugging into the sound USB or 3.5mm Aux Mod, which is another option but not the best in my opinion.
I’m going to retune and find that swee spot then. Have a fix list on the car and music isn’t high priority. It’s pretty cool playing phone ipod music/podcasts over the radio.
I’ve still got one in my TDCI sport 3 door imperial blue
keep it in 100%
Sony Apple Carplay works a treat on a daily
Another good suggestion
Why not buy a aux kit for this radio? It use the cd-changer function. And u get perfect sound.
this doesn't use a CD changer!
@usuallyfixingtinkering I know. I'm asking why not use that instead? You get much better sound.
@@SumUnicus I'm dubious over that, they have the same quality of sound as a Head unit is concerned.
Need code please
you can get the serial number on the back of the radio and type it into plenty of code reader websites for free
How to actually make it more useful is change it for a JVC
A JVC doesn't look in-keeping as functional as it is, the idea is to keep it looking original and get more function from an existing radio for those who are fussy about originality. There are many options like the JVC if your not fussed about the original radios :)