$10 Bluetooth Stereo Hack

Here's how to tap into your car's radio and install a Bluetooth - auxiliary audio connection for less than $10 in materials!
This project involves opening up the radio, investigating the circuitry and dialing in on an analog input signal that can be overridden with an auxiliary signal. In this video, the standard CD-AM/FM stereo from a 2004 Toyota Camry is disassembled, and the central chip that controls the audio signals, a TA2123AF micro controller is tapped into on the CD-input lines.
In order to trick the radio into reading from the CD input, a CD-ROM with a silent track is inserted into the radio. Thus the Bluetooth-auxiliary audio signal overrides the silent signal, resulting in CD-quality sound.
The main components for this project are:
- 3.5mm stereo aux wire
- Bluetooth 3.5mm adapter
- 12V power inverter
These components can be had for less than $10 depending on which parts are chose, from Amazon or eBay online.
Optionally, a 3.5mm inline ground loop isolator can be used on vehicles that experience noise through the speakers.
Wiring the Bluetooth module outside of the stereo will result with less of a chance of interrupting power distribution and audio quality of the signal, though for a cleaner look, it can be packaged all into one. A 12V external power source, the cigarette lighter, is tapped into to power the power inverter, which in turn, powers the Bluetooth module, and that sends the audio signal through the 3.5mm cable to the radio's micro-controller chip.
This hack should be applicable to most Toyota and Lexus stereos, as well as other radios built by Fujitsu.
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[@angelny716]

when the toothbrush is the main character......

[@speedkar99]

Yep. A vital part of this installation

[@SimStar7714]

Seriously, again with your brothers toothbrush. XD You made my day..again!

[@brysonjamir872]

you prolly dont give a shit but does someone know a tool to log back into an Instagram account? I was stupid forgot my password. I love any tricks you can offer me.

[@aydinowen8290]

@Bryson Jamir instablaster ;)

[@brysonjamir872]

@Aydin Owen thanks for your reply. I found the site on google and I'm waiting for the hacking stuff now. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@NORIaquaCh]

I absolutely love how versitile brothers toothbrush is.

[@topgrain]

haha when it showed up in silhouette like a professor using it on a projector screen, I started laughing.

[@physiquefreaks8819]

When he showed the toothbrush i tought he is just going to put some blue colouring on his tooth and call it a day

[@speedkar99]

Wrong video for that. Haha

[@nylnyl.]

Haha

[@davidcross701]

I think this is the best, TO THE POINT, installation hack!

[@speedkar99]

Thanks, that's my style. No waste time

[@Slow-wipe]

shows chip print out, still uses toothbrush as pointer. XD

[@speedkar99]

Of course...use what I have

[@RobSummers993]

Lol thought that was hilarious 😄

[@manoman0]

The sign of an expert!

[@UkraineJames2000]

Pretty based tbh

[@jimitaco1303]

Hello, I'm new to your channel. Nice video. I was fully expecting you to remove the screws with the toothbrush.

[@speedkar99]

Hahaha toothbrush screws....what next? Bushings?

[@TenSyc]

Kudos for the knowledge and ingenuity you display here. You lost me at the circuit layout though. This isnt so much a hack as a stereo rebuild. Definitely amazing result though

[@speedkar99]

Thanks very much. It took a bit of research but I finally got it.

[@divineoracle4809]

You've got quite the brain, I would have NEVER THOUGHT about this. My fear is losing the tiny screws, I get so nervous haha. Thank you so much for the video!

[@speedkar99]

That's why I did it on a spare radio I didn't care to loose screws

[@chemicalspore]

How about I just send you my stereo and a check and have it wired for me and send it back

[@lowridingtrucks88]

😂 Same here

[@LoboAzul7475]

Hahahahahahaaha

[@vkirisome4701]

Chemical Spore I was thinking the same😂😂😂

[@manoman0]

Love your comment!

[@williamcounty5858]

For an extra 10 dollars you can bypass all that BS and get a BT fm transmitter at Walmart that works just as well not to mention a soldering iron and wire is gonna run you at least 30 bucks and if you solder the wrong connection you're looking at a whole new head unit. Hopefully someone reads this before they get 9 minutes into this video.

[@glasser2819]

great information, as usual deep down to the real details with excellence. 👍

[@hadipakravan1088]

You do hard work with ease 👏🏻

[@sherifnabil50]

Youre a savant. Extremely gifted in various disciplines and you learn quickly.

[@whoawhoapop1984]

I wish I had your patience.very cool video!

[@speedkar99]

Thanks. This took a long time to figure out...so you don't have to!

[@muslimtommyshelby2624]

Damm I need me 1 of those toothbrushes!!!!

[@calistawithay106]

the REAL savage me too 😂😂

[@Bularistan4o]

Did the same but on brand new radios (one with CD and one without) that had 3.5mm jacks. Using the same, at least in form, receiver but did not use any connectors or 12 to 5V converters. Soldered the left and right channels from the radio PCB to the bluetooth PCB and did the same for the power. Most if not all radios will have an internal 5V rail for their electronics to work. This also eliminates a potential ground isolation problem that you mentioned. Finally, I drilled a small hole into the PCB of the receiver and screwed it to the side of the radio. This did not affect the range, it works up 6-7ft/3-4m from the car (while opening/closing my garage door).

[@dc5723]

Thank you for another great video!

[@speedkar99]

Your welcome

[@princequestly2218]

This is brilliant great hack. Nice work figuring it out.

[@Enigmaafk]

Keep up the good work very informative.

[@speedkar99]

Thanks very much

[@miltonhernandez5893]

Amazing another all done video one of the best automotive channels

[@speedkar99]

Thank you

[@SomeOne-mx2ro]

Sharpened brothers toothbrush is a special tool

[@naqvi1978]

Excellent video 👍

[@Vanguardkl]

I just got a less than 10usd Bluetooth to aux and fitted it in 2 seconds. But you sir, are a genius anyway.

[@speedkar99]

That works but isn't as coear as wiring it directly

[@preetrocks1]

@@speedkar99 will the soldered aux cable work if i plug it directly into my phone, i don't want bluetooth.

[@PianoByKarenMichelle]

“I’m just gonna use my brother’s toothbrush here..” lol

[@speedkar99]

Hehe

[@radj4719]

Great video and excellent knowledge , my factory radio spits out blank or copied cds it only plays original ones any solution thanks

[@gregrat6192]

You can see this 😂 guy knows what he's talking about and what his doing .I need this to done to my Nissan GTR 35. But I have all the confidence to mess it all up with out trying to hard . This guy is a gold 😂 find. Good luck to him and all the best.

[@ibbi.O]

Love your work

[@speedkar99]

Thank you !

[@ziyad.h26]

Great vid man👌

[@ThaPepperPlug]

His brother later that night made his toothbrush into a shank 😈

[@speedkar99]

Lol See last week's video

[@sanb3586]

Toothbrush guy is back in my recommendation 😁

[@speedkar99]

Awesome!

[@LalwaBhaiTuning]

Just did this today, thank you

[@speedkar99]

How did it turn out? What car?

[@hasanksa362]

The legend

[@mopardude707]

How's the sound quality do you hear any static sounds or buzzing. This is cool really awesome work. Definitely will try. Alot cheaper doing this than buying a factory radio head unit with added bt that can cost up to 300 to 400.

[@xeroinfinity]

they do sell BT modules that would fit inside the radio without all those wires and connections. but this was cheap and works which is a plus.

[@daijoubu4529]

The metal shell of the radio will greatly impact BT reception however.

[@xeroinfinity]

@@daijoubu4529 , I was thinking it might interfere putting the BT module inside the radio. But you could always put it on top or the back of the radio. Im getting ready to add one to a older GM factory stereo, so i might experiment to see what kind of signal loss i get between a couple locations. finding a good location to connect to inside the radio is going to be the trick for me. lol

[@speedkar99]

Yes the location is also critical. I located outside because the wires I tried tapping for power didn't allow the radio to turn on for some Reason.

[@ConanCrypto]

Hi, Amazing video. Maybe someone can help me out. I don´t find any pinout diagram for my Chip, and there is nowhere on the motherboard written (L/R channel) - also not close to the CD plug. Do you have a good source to look for pinout plans? I appreciate your help & time :)

[@BAZOOOOOKA1]

Great video. Can you please post a video on how to remove the o2 sensor error (P0420 Code: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold) I have been suffering with it for too long. Would really appreciate your help.

[@speedkar99]

I already have a video for that

[@F.Krueger-cs4vk]

Really good demonstration/explanation video thankyou. Easier for me to install radio/CD player with blue tooth from ebay for less than a hundred bucks. I'm not a technical person. Cheers.

[@speedkar99]

True but then you don't get that OEM look

[@F.Krueger-cs4vk]

@@speedkar99 i know, but if i tried, I'd probably end up casing an electrical fire.

[@russellbertolino3014]

@@speedkar99 you are obviously quite adept at working on electonics,but there is available fm bluetooth adaptors that plug into the cigarette lighter and play through the radio for around 15 dollars.

[@danielhodges8869]

Do you have any suggestions for how to find a repair diagram/chip diagram for the Fujitsu Ten 86120-aa040 from a 2002 Camry?

[@RK-pi1kr]

Could you please create a video on climate control AC. How it works and what's inside same . Thank you :-)

[@speedkar99]

I already have a video on HVAC system

[@syedfaz26]

Instead of regular bluetooth receiver used in this video which is music only, will the aux pin work with mpow bluetooth receiver which is for both music and phone call? I have 02 camry LE with stock cd & cassette 86120-AA040

[@speedkar99]

This works for phone calls and music....it's basically like a Bluetooth speaker

[@RotoRCol]

just curious how did you find the diagram for the chip where the cd lines are solder? and also where did you learn about head units circuits? thanks

[@348loadedlever3]

What a helpful video, on my way to get my brothers toothbrush, I’m getting Bluetooth

[@speedkar99]

Bluetoothbrush

[@theundaunted5481]

He has to have a smile like 70's version of Robert Redford.

[@davinp]

AN old Toyota Camry 2005-2006 model. The 2002-2004 model had a cassette player as well. I didn't know it had a computer board inside

[@speedkar99]

Yes they all have a board

[@moNYTx]

Lol your brother's toothbrush has been so helpful.

[@speedkar99]

It's quite the universal tool

[@runescaper1333]

Does the Bluetooth input has a lower volume compared when you play a cd?

[@LilRobby88]

This man is a genius

[@floyoo5972]

can i do the same thing with my AM Input cause nobody need this frequenzy anymore

[@wenliu99]

One possible improvement on the hack is to power the Bluetooth module using the 5 volt supply from the radio, just need to locate it.

[@speedkar99]

Good tip. Tried the 12V supply to my inverter and my radio didn't turn on...

[@the1reef.243]

So would you still be able to put a charger in the cigarette lighter or would that strain it instead?

[@KookiDowg]

Thank you for this but instead of tapping into the cigarette lighter, could I just use a fuse holder in one of my fuses that turns on by the ignition for my 12v source?

[@speedkar99]

Yes Make sure you use a ground loop isolator

[@KookiDowg]

@@speedkar99 Thanks dude!

[@jasonkroeger8559]

Hi nice install, I’ve been thinking about doing this to my car also. I have a question, can you control the music (select the next track) with the car stereo? If not how could I connect it so that it could control it?

[@speedkar99]

No, you'd need to read over the vehicles bus for that...at that point might as well buy the adapter

[@jasonkroeger8559]

@@speedkar99 What adapter?

[@oby-1607]

You should sell your brother's toothbrush on Amazon. Most useful tool ever.

[@angelhurtado4870]

Isn't cd sound quality when the music on the phone is compressed

[@rustembek6820]

Awesome! Do you have any idea how to connect AUX cable to Toyota Avalon 2007 radio? Could you please advise how to hack it?

[@speedkar99]

Same method

[@ismaelcoello7040]

To test if the modification worked, does the stereo have to be fully reassembled, or is there a way to test without having to assemble and risk having to take it apart again?

[@speedkar99]

Yes you can power it on the bench if you know the pinout at the back of the radio.

[@edwinlopez-kj8cq]

Good job well done.

[@speedkar99]

Thanks

[@eknighteknight159]

Good video, to simplify: just connect power/usb pieces to the power input 12volts of the radio unit This way you don’t have to remove the center console

[@speedkar99]

I tried that and almost fried the radio, it didn't want to turn on . A ground loop isolator helps too

[@itsjohnthomas]

The toothbrush had nothing to do with this video 😂 Overall thanks for the hack!

[@speedkar99]

Bluetoothbrush

[@MrBlue2589]

great video

[@speedkar99]

Thanks

[@lajnajsboi6954]

is this worth doing to my v70n? like how easy is it to fry the board?

[@nico.m8346]

Brillant! What brand is that toothbrush?

[@speedkar99]

Colgate

[@kernal74]

You sir are a genius! How do you know so much!!??

[@speedkar99]

Just learn by tearing things apart and seeing for myself how it works. Don't be scared

[@arifhyder5390]

This guy gets so much done while brushing his teeth 🪥

[@speedkar99]

Haha

[@superatrain]

What brand toothbrush do you recommend for trim removal?

[@speedkar99]

Colgate seems to hold up well

[@jdub9664]

That toothbrush went thru some serious teeth!😂

[@speedkar99]

It sure has gone through alot and lived a tough life

[@neonstudio4565]

i WANT TO ASK i purchased a OBD2 scanner and it shows fuel flow rate in app... I was wondering how does it calculate that ...

[@speedkar99]

Based on fuel trims

[@Adamant9]

The toothbrush though 😂😂😂

[@speedkar99]

😶

[@anime14mayo]

Will this work for the Toyota camry 2003

[@ajantoniohernandez6251]

Hi, i have F1SF-19B132-BA CASSETTE from DOLBY in my 1992 ford ranger. I need help, already buy the 12v bluetooth trying to install but don't work make ugly noises!!

[@ZoomZoom81]

One question if someone can answer... If I was to do this without the Bluetooth addition... Just for the Aux Input... Do I need to have the "blank" CD? I should be able to just select the CD source and play thru the aux cable couldn't I?

[@speedkar99]

You still need it to trick the player to read from CD

[@resheeraj9181]

You're a genius bro

[@speedkar99]

Sure...

[@resheeraj9181]

@@speedkar99 no seriously. I'm not being a dick. I was amazed..

[@AmongUs-mb4qx]

Reshee Raj thanks!

[@adanali7658]

Hi has anyone got a link to that Bluetooth adapter, I am struggling to find it

[@adisonwirth1059]

Do you have a link to this specific bluetooth adapter? Everyone that I find has a battery and a power switch, making it difficult to hide it behind the dash. Thanks!

[@speedkar99]

I'll find the link and post it soon. Search up USB Bluetooth adapter and use it with the inverter

[@kevinjfeeney77]

Tunai's Firefly is a good option. I have not experienced any clipping or other interference with it. Been using for 2 years. I have not had any success with those under $5 modules like the one in the video.

[@pakosilva373]

Bluetooth hack with a tooth brush !!this is the best!!

[@speedkar99]

Bluetoothbrush hack 😉

[@thomaswild9044]

I could never find the proper soldering points on the circuit board

[@drdax]

How did you find the diagram for your chip? I would love to do this for my subaru impreza but I'm not finding anything online

[@speedkar99]

Google the chip name and get the datasheet from the manufacturer

[@luchvk]

To add to speedkar99's answer, you may need to disassemble the stereo to find the chip name unless it's posted online somewhere. You'd possibly be disassembling it anyway. So you can look at it as practice. Be sure to stay organized too so that you don't end up with any extra parts. Also, to me it seems that a lot of chips, even small ones, have their name on their casing; even if it's faint and hard to see.

[@werquantum]

Got it.

[@edsmith4821]

No disrespect but you have more skill and time than the average person and if I did what u have shown I would probably wreck my radio . Why not buy a FM transmitter and plug it into the cigarette lighter or 12v adapter and save yourself all that hassle.

[@speedkar99]

For lazy people yes the 12V adapter is the way to go. If you want better sound quality you'll need to solder the lines direct.

[@edsmith4821]

@@speedkar99 100,000 lazy FM transmitter owners oh well !

[@josetsegaye6180]

It's really great hack but , I've question:- 1. why Bluetooth connected before the key is not on and Even the radio was off how audio signal goes to speaker? 2. Any hack let the radio by hack work without Playing blank CD. Thanks

[@speedkar99]

Not sure if there's another way to trick the radio into taking a signal from an external source without an interface bus

[@depdark1]

Can you link the items. I cant seem to find them in amazing . Great video btw !!

[@speedkar99]

Okay

[@depdark1]

@@speedkar99 thank you

[@markmcgill3780]

I wanna try this on my 05 Camry. But what type of wire did you use for the power connection?

[@speedkar99]

I just used a regular stranded awg14-16 gauge wire (cut from another car's wiring harness)

[@markmcgill3780]

Ok thanks now I gotta work up the nerve to try it. Thanks for the video

[@Mixwell1983]

Pretty cool but they literally sell FM bluetooth transmitters that you basically put your stereo and 12v transmitter on the same channel, connect to the transmitter on your via BT and thats it. They cost about $10-12.. I put one in my gfs 2004 nissan altima.

[@speedkar99]

The sound quality of those can't Match a direct connection

[@topgrain]

On this hack, is the CD player constantly spinning the blank disc?

[@speedkar99]

Yes

[@cdbennett2332]

How did you get audio when the bluetooth paired without the radio on?

[@speedkar99]

It has to be powered on, either through the radios power supply or the cigarette lighter

[@berrafishman268]

Would this work using the cassette input or to much interference?

[@speedkar99]

It can work but you have to trick the cassette mechanism

[@GegoCsU]

I might have 1 concern: the power source is probably "always on", so the Bluetooth module will always drain power? It would be better to connect it to a source that only powers the module when the keys are turned. Otherwise a very nice hack!

[@speedkar99]

The cigarette lighter is powered on with ignition on my car

[@kevinjfeeney77]

@@speedkar99 not all cars are like that. My 01 oddyssey's front power outlet is always hot but the one in the cargo area is hot with key in ACC.... I have a power splitter with a button...the plug stays in the power outlet and I use its onboard switch to turn it on/off.

[@cdbennett2332]

Sorry dude I dont believe that your lighter is turned on with the key, it paired with the key off.

[@nareshnundlall1557]

@@cdbennett2332 radio was on - key was on - all toyota radios of this era and later will only come on when key is turned to ACC

[@garysnyder5608]

Sounds simple!!!

[@lunatic3783]

Bluetooth FM Transmitter from Amazon $13.99 a lot easier and faster-plug into cigarette lighter and wa la you're done excellent sound.

[@speedkar99]

The sound quality of transmitters cannot compare!

[@jbell0124]

Tried this but if cd player laser head is busted, it will not work 😢

[@ozarad6263]

This guy is so cool

[@harras1246]

3:12 there is an auxinput also

[@speedkar99]

There's missing components when you trace the dedicated aux circuit.

[@Spintechfilms]

My skill level makes me want to stick to my Bluetooth speaker and Bluetooth headphones

[@mandeepsaini5795]

That extra screw always screws as😆

[@speedkar99]

Yep always Missing

[@zbow1974]

great hack but for us non tech savvy people we can buy a 5 dollar bluetooth cigarette lighter adapter for 5 dollars on amazon, plug it in tune in radio and sync

[@speedkar99]

That works. But the sound quality isn't the best

[@zbow1974]

@@speedkar99 agreed but me with a soldering iron is like giving dommer a knife and bbq sauce, its a disaster

[@ibmtpx24]

Isn't the Bluetooth module going to deplete the battery with that always on cig lighter power source?

[@SerenoOunce]

He had the radio apart already, should have just tapped into a 5V rail on the mainboard. Or even with a simple LM7805 LDO voltage regulator off the 12V ACC wire would have been sufficient. Those BT modules use negligible current so wouldn't even need a heatsink for the IC. Of course, use a fuse either way. And unless you can cram the module in the front faceplate it would have to be mounted externally. The metal shell of the radio would block or at least greatly diminish the signal otherwise.

[@loweongliew9457]

Same as 2001 year toyota Tacoma factory radio?

[@speedkar99]

As long as you have a CD player

[@gideongouvs5559]

Instead of taking 4--6 hours of buggering around like this just buy a BLUE TOOTH MODULATOR and plug it into the LIGHTER SOCKET and run the stereo on AUTO SEARCH and within a minute you are connected on BLUE TOOTH --- the modulator costs around 10 dollars (80 rand in South Africa)

[@speedkar99]

Yeah and the audio quality will be if FM radio

[@stephylee7967]

I have tried but I don't know where to solid to left or right or ground? Can you please help

[@speedkar99]

Yes

[@stephylee7967]

@@speedkar99 how? I have a picture of it.

[@qhayze]

The toothbrush is back!

[@speedkar99]

Haha agreed, my brother is still missing his toothbrush

[@speedkar99]

I put it to good use as a panel popper

[@OldBenOne]

speedkar99 I thought you let him use it between projects.

[@pobs1983]

This time to clean the bluetooth :P Ok, I will show myself out

[@pakdongguk3874]

I need your help, speedkar99! I'm trying to install an AUX input and a bluetooth module in my car audio system. (Lexus ES330, Pioneer) I succeeded connecting AUX cable by connecting the cable into 3 pins which seemed like designated for additional input source. It was easier than I expected it to be because when I select Tape In, it played the cassette tape, and automatically changed source when I put the cable into my iPhone. (it made successive bursting sounds when connected and not playing music with iPhone though) The bluetooth receiver has its own input and output pins. When bluetooth is not connected, input cable signal bypasses through the module. When bluetooth is connected, it mutes the input cable signal and plays the bluetooth signal. Here's the problem I got: I wired the bluetooth module between iPhone cable and the audio system. When bluetooth is not connected, source from iPhone cable is played as expected. However, when I connect bluetooth, the audio system change the source to cassette tape. I have no idea why this happens. The 3 pins in the audio system only recognize iPhone signal, but not the signal from the bluetooth module. Is there a difference between those 2 signals? Maybe voltage difference? I really need your help here. Here's the link for the circuit board for the reference: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AzDHEvqm-9IvzxZCqSPYTnMzOLY8zbM-?usp=sharing Thank you in advance!

[@speedkar99]

It's either jack detection on your iPhone, or the impedence on the Bluetooth module isn't enough to overcome the cassette signal. Since the ES330 has a CD changer, I'd recommend tapping into that, the audio will be even clearer.

[@donggukpak]

@@speedkar99 Thank you for the reply! I connected the signal to two tiny potentiometers on the cassette circuit board and it works. I could simply mute the cassette signal by turning the knob of the potentiometers, and connect the module with those. Do you have any idea to make the module to overcome the cassette signal of the 3 pins? Maybe there's a device that augments the impedance of the bluetooth module? Thank you once again!