Adding Bluetooth to Vintage Factory OEM Honda Stereo

Cassette Adapter: amzn.to/34nkFcp
Bluetooth Module: amzn.to/4b8X6Sn
If you'd like to get some merch and support the builds you see on the channel, check out my store at: www.etsy.com/shop/CRXseth
Instagram: @crxseth / crxseth
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[@workethicrecords5901]

This is real cool. EE guy here. If you wanted to keep the tape deck functional, you could have installed this through a small multiplexer chip, or switch chip. You could hook one of the select lines to memory button 6, or another infrequently used frontpannel button, and use that to switch between the two sources. There's a lot of room availible in the CRX radio housing, you should have enough room.

[@angrycreeper100]

Could have just had the bluetooth audio lines go into the same holes but not disconnect the casette lines. If he wanted to listen to casette then just put in a real casette and if bluetooth then put in that aux casette

[@BlackheathTownhouse]

If you look at the Bluetooth board he used, that already has all the circuitry to switch over inputs automatically - he just didn't connect it.

[@Krimsonrain]

I'm trying to learn a little more about this. My tape deck is an 03 so it's a little more complex. It has four audio channels, right and left for front and rear. Currently I soldered one 3 pin connector to the front channels and ground, and the other 3 pin to rear channels and ground. I'm pulling power and ground for the chip from the main stereo 12v accessory source. How would I implement a multiplexer for this configuration? I'm using the same Bluetooth chip as this video. Thanks!

[@angrycreeper100]

@@Krimsonrain you wont need a multiplexer, you can run the bluetooth module at the same time

[@Krimsonrain]

@@angrycreeper100 I'm not going to run one, but I was curious to see how it would work hypothetically.

[@YoungStatic]

SICKEST MOD IVE EVER SEEN! I wonder if this works with my jdm beagle wagon cassette player.

[@crxseth]

Each stereo will be different. Most likely there is a way to do it.

[@YoungStatic]

@@crxseth sounds like im taking apart my stereo soon haha!

[@MissChristineC1990]

@@YoungStatic same!!

[@lh1879]

I’ll be playing with my OEM 99-00 SI CD Stereo for the blue tooth DIY. Be going into my EG Hatch 🔥

[@Steven-qm2nh]

@@lh1879 needs to have a cassette player.

[@civilrant4889]

you've done plenty of cool shit before. but this one was next level. Bravo! Love the OEM+ vibe of your channel.

[@crxseth]

Thanks! I might try to do this to my S2000 stereo, too.

[@MikeLaRock88]

I like that you still need to insert the cassette to play music. Cool to have modern technology in a retro way

[@keken_25_pr48]

Just the way he wanted to keep it OEM as possible on the interior its so cool to watch. im one of those who try to stay OEM but it's hard sometimes lol

[@stephenodom717]

This has to be the coolest OEM mod ever. I will most definitely watch this over and do this to my crx as well. Thank you for the step by step breakdown.

[@hank_green]

Hats 🎩 off to you. That is slick. Tape to make it play 👍🏽 probably the best solution to maintain the factory radio 👏🏽 Knocked it out the park!!!

[@crxseth]

Thanks!

[@Stayjiggingkai]

Or a Bluetooth transmitter

[@STEPHASAURUSREKD]

Thank you so much for this clip! I've been wanting to do something like this for my older cars but everyone seems to default to an aftermarket system. Will definitely be using your video as inspiration for when I do my units! Also thank you so much for attaching the BT module link too! We don't deserve you! 🙌

[@CursezZz]

I did something very similar in my 91 PP1 Beat, bought a Honda radio harness and wired in a similar bluetooth adapter and it works flawlessly!

[@justinmurphy2227]

As a fellow car audio enthusiast, I have to say DANG! Simple and straight to the point but you tackle something that could very easily be a SCARY task for 90% of the world out there. You literally took something a lot would be embarrassed to ask about (why? stoopid world!) and made into a very short user friendly DIY vid! The audio and JDM world are blessed to have ya my friend!

[@RTAE86]

Great mod. Keeps the stock look of the interior while also not being stuck only to FM radio or cassette. I wanted to do something similar on my '89 BMW and my '90 Renault but both have period correct stereos that came from factory with AUX (or CD-IN as they labeled it back then). But my '87 AE86 does not have that so I will defenetely to this mod. Thanks for the great video, you just gained another subscriber :)

[@jstarmedia4397]

Love your videos man. What about a full walk around of the crx explaining everything it has done like this radio/Bluetooth mod man? It is the cleanest one in all of youtube! Thank you for all your hard work!

[@crxseth]

My friend @iamcraiggentry was going to do a feature video on this car, but with winter, it might be a while.

[@rodolfolostaunau3081]

This is a DOPE mod!! I wish I saw this earlier. I have my first gen CRV stock radio, and purchased an Anker Bluetooth cigarette adapter to the car radio. It all looks oem but love how yours blends well

[@drewscruis]

I did it a bit differently with the factory delco unit in my 86 monte ss. I put the bluetooth module between the tuner and preamp input to the amplifier section of the head unit. Then i added an audio relay and an external switch to switch between tuner and bluetooth.

[@andrewjohnson442]

I have an 84 s10 with a factory Delco I want to do the same thing could you help me possibly

[@MaqsVids]

This was dope! After I first watched this, a friend (out of the blue) gave me an OEM 95 Civic radio. You have given me some ideas.

[@1BadRAMLimited]

Next level stuff man love the innovation part of this channel

[@frostbite1991]

I love this mod. Works on ANY radio with cassette, since cassette is all analog. I did this exact mod in my 03 Silverado. Factory radio with bluetooth built in is the coolest thing you can do to an older rig.

[@ramonbs6075]

Do this work with CD Player instead of cassette?

[@frostbite1991]

@@ramonbs6075 cd is digital, not analog. On some radios, you can hijack the CD input of the audio chip and just throw in a cd with a blank 48 minute song on repeat so the radio will stay on that input. It's a bit archaic though. This was another method for GM radios that didn't have cassette that I was researching. There was a pinout for that specific chip, you'd need to find one for yours.

[@atah275]

I agree. This is a really sick mod. To keep it looking OEM while enjoying your tunes via BT.

[@alfredocontreras2575]

Love the ingenuity!!! Some gold ole mods/builds.

[@KookiDowg]

I did this a year back to my Prelude which still works flawlessly. But i got my power from the fuse box and now I want to redo mine for a cleaner approach after seeing you tapping into the ACC from the radio itself!

[@KookiDowg]

UPDATE (For anyone that cares lol) I ended up doing this method into my CRV's oem radio that works flawlessly. Although on my two project cars, I went with a cleaner route on covering the radio din area and installing a 4-way channel Bluetooth amplifier board on my Prelude and a 2-way channel Bluetooth amplifier board on my Miata since they only have two speakers. They all work good!

[@terribleart6269]

Beautifully done! Cheers!

[@NYjetlife]

Excellent work man. This is getting done on my GSR

[@owenbradburyaranda194]

So stoked you made a video about this!!!!

[@brianclabaugh5537]

Dope write up! This is legit AF! Thanks for sharing, about to do this myself as well!

[@davidwiley652]

I ordered the module, got Sunday installed it Monday in my GM factory Delco radio. I believe I lost the cassette function but, I DO NOT CARE. I love the Bluetooth function. Thanks dude.

[@crxseth]

Glad it’s working for you!

[@lowblazin1]

At first i thought it was a lame idea but near the end i was hooked. Keeping that original look is pretty dope.

[@josiespectator]

So glad you popped back in my feed. I already loved the crx video but this is awesome and I definitely subscribed after this authentic video.

[@AWD_T]

That is freaking genius!! Good job!!

[@cruz_control3925]

Very ingenious mod. I have a couple OEM radio headunits laying around, so I might just have to do this little project sometime.. 👍

[@lance16O1]

Did this over the weekend to my 99 Ford truck! Thanks for the info.

[@princenp21]

This is the easiest mod ever in old car cassette stereo, i almost plan to buy new car stereo for my 1998 mitsubishi van. With this i was able to play bluetooth on vintage stereo, thanks

[@jim8171]

Seeing a tape deck that clean is heaps nostalgia, thanks fella

[@rogerserafin]

Too clean Seth. You the CRX MAN of KZbin !

[@danielcastrejon1741]

CLEAN!! AMAZING WORK!

[@harrykong]

Wow when I thought I’ve seen it all. I absolutely love this and will be my next mod. Thank you ❤

[@rodrigoivan8809]

Excelent work, all original classic Honda

[@mcef9117]

Now I have a reason to put that radio back in my car! Thanks!

[@gregjavi5934]

I did this on a 2003 Volvo s60, but instead of a Bluetooth device I added an auxiliary jack. It sounded great, but you definitely need a ground loop isolator so you don't get the engine noise while charging. Cool video tho and Very clean installation.

[@sammcgill5234]

Excellent video, I wish there was a tutorial like this when I did the same mod to my AW11's tape deck. I would highly recommend to anyone doing this mod to power the Bluetooth module with 12V that is only live when a tape is inserted. I pinched the supply for the tape drive motor, which solves two problems; 1. Don't hear the noisy motor whirring away anymore 2. You won't miss any phone calls when you're listening to the radio while driving. If you're like me and always forget to turn Bluetooth off on your phone...

[@crxseth]

Good idea.

[@098cpt]

really cool trick, did the same on a old 1980's boombox, but tape input were not identified, I had to trace down the main chip i/o. But at the end it works. Since the boombox tape is activated with a play button, I was able to use the BT and Tape input in parallel and add a switch to stop the little motor to turn. So I can use either the original tape or BT

[@diversedad7954]

I love when you play your own videos on these car stereo videos lol. Cool mod!

[@rustyhauler6477]

Excellent! Now on to my 86 Reliant

[@lilc413]

This is super dope! Very ingenious!

[@camerongrady580]

Love it. Great work man.

[@GODSGUNSGLORY]

This is so cool. Thanks for the video👍

[@JaviVibes]

Good stuff like always!!!

[@drugraham1]

So awesome man. Well done

[@bgee461]

Thanks for sharing this 🙌

[@emanuelreid-oxley6628]

Congratulations very nice work 👍🏾

[@ramonbriones4487]

Nice man, very elaborate! I just got a $6 transmitter on ebay and it's been working for like 6 years now :)

[@ejjuan3008]

That's sick i never new about that dope

[@chugger9636]

Dude that's slick man can't wait to do it on mine.

[@jonchiappone4938]

This is the kinda stuff that I love! Keep up the good work....subscribed!

[@LandoRalliArt]

Excellent i like that bring olds to new

[@KyushaStyleTuning]

Very cool. I managed to get an adaptor wire for the cd multi changer input on my nissan head unit. But I think this is defintly the way forward. Much cleaner. 😎👍🔰

[@glenng2655]

Genius! You always have great ideas

[@ivanszky]

nice work!

[@sunnysuravarapu]

crazy brilliant 🔥

[@Captain4Lug]

Woooow.. fire!! ima install my oem radio again

[@IainB]

This is really awesome.

[@JohnnieIsBored]

Best mod I've seen so far!!

[@ryanlippy3745]

Another quality video! 👍🏼

[@SchanRak]

Man that is awesome!

[@ACGarage614]

Great video man. Keep it up with these slick ideas

[@crxseth]

Thanks. 🙏🏻

[@bigbadspikey]

That's some cool mod you made. Sick car too.

[@zh9119]

Sorry, you answered my question super fast and I forgot to comment. Awesome video, I'll see if I can do it to my Ford radio. Thanks a lot for your help!

[@JUANP973]

Hey, that is very cool, it came out super clean🙏👍

[@paradisegarageinc]

Broooo!! O.O!! Loved it! Thanks!

[@quikcrxpr]

Very nice! I miss my CRX.

[@BlackzGhost]

Nice work man 👌🏼

[@flying_black_bird4758]

Its working perfect

[@CurtisCrafts]

I tried this about a year ago and my 91 radio just had this obnoxious hissing I couldn't clean out of the audio even with replacing most of the components. I eventually ran power to the radio and hid a modern radio underneath it where the cubby would be and ran the speakers to that. Definitely not as clean an approach as this module. Top notch.

[@crxseth]

I got lucky and haven’t had to deal with noise. But I haven’t started the engine yet so I’m going to cross my fingers.

[@1stGenCRXs]

Well done, have the original radio in my 1985 CRX and was thinking of ways to add Bluetooth.

[@jemzelp]

Wow, you've a steady hand ✋ sir, fantastic hack boss, and I've always and will have the upmost love for aCRX. blessings brother 🙏 nice vid

[@DawiFTW]

Nice mod bro!! Awesome

[@djguest]

I did the same with a factory CD player but not nearly as clean as yours! Mad props! After market units just doesn’t look right.

[@crxseth]

👌🏻

[@ramonbs6075]

How did you do it?

[@friendlyjunco6836]

Dude that's awesome

[@DinasGarage]

That is cool, I always change out the factory Radios and I have about 6 Honda radios somewhere in the garage. I like sound systems in cars so the factory radios don’t offer anything for that. Plus I can have CarPlay on my aftermarket radios which make it easier for todays phones and what not. Not a bad idea but when i worked for Honda I saw too many factory radios fail.

[@crxseth]

Yeah, it's not top tier solution, but for $30, it beats listening to my phone speakers. Haha. And I like the period correct appearance of the factory stereo.

[@BENJI_BUILT]

Totally trying this in my truck. 😁

[@murderdoggg]

If you have an old bluetooth speaker laying around. You can do this too. Great video.

[@TheDarknessConsumesMe666]

Simplistic and impossible to notice I like it

[@_Keir]

Impressive. I'm going to do this!

[@VicVoss]

Been wanting to do something like this for my Evo. This didn't look too bad at all. Hoping the Mitsubishi head unit has their inputs labelled like yours did

[@Dillon1791]

So many people overlook Hondas factory radios. The older ones (like before 2001-ish) sounded pretty decent and had decent equalization. They just need more power and better speakers, which you can easily do with a 4 or 5 (4+sub) channel amp. I love this mod, only downside being the noisy tape deck mechanism. If you we could trick it to read the audio input without the motors running. For my Honda radios I have been using the external CD changer modulator/ aux adapters as an auxiliary input which a JL Audio MBT-RX Bluetooth receiver is connected to via RCAs to receive the signal. Clear, loud sound, automatically connects and the tape deck is silent. The down side to my mod is all of the modules and wiring needs to be hidden under the dash and console. USA Spec DF-HON and Blitzsafe HON / AUX V.1 are what I use and both are awesome but they are discontinued and getting hard to find used or new old stock. To top it off I replace my radios back lighting with LEDs to match whatever interior color lighting theme I have in my car, usually sticking with factory options like amber, red or green, with some cheap Amazon automotive T3 neo wedge 12v dimmable LEDs. Couldn't ask for a nicer set up.

[@aw614]

I'm guessing some of the late 80s/early 90s cars probably didn't get the separate connector like the later model cars had. I'm also using the Blitzsafe Hon/Aux v1 on my Integra and like you mention I have to hid it in the back and make sure it stays secure. On my setup, I was able to keep the original integra CD player from the main headunit, but I also have the lower DIN OEM Acura Cassette deck connected, and the same Cassette deck has the same connector available, probably for a trunk mounted cd changer, but in my case, my Blitzsafe is connected to the cassette instead. It just looks cleaner with the cassette deck and not a storage pocket lol I did buy a knockoff blitzsafe to test for a friend to use on his 7th gen civic and encountered weird issues that my Integra didn't have with static, wish I was able to fix that...

[@jsae260]

Bro I this is the most cleanist dream crx ive seen brother I love it.

[@stevesimpson5994]

Nice. OEM headunits are much less busy than standard aftermarket units.

[@gelverlerma2451]

I agree with Dana! Definitely gonna do this to my two 1G crx's

[@crxseth]

Good luck!

[@713Ace529]

Cool Hidden upgrade. 👍

[@TheCoolVic]

Most valuable video I have been looking for lately. Sub.

[@wayne_smallville83]

Nice vlog dude preety awesome 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 the bluetooth circuit is designed directly in pnp can be used on a car tape deck can also be used on a vintage sony home theater the important thing is that you understand the current source circuit on a pcb board and know how to solder it ... I've tried it and managed to connect

[@chrisj.1608]

that's impressive way to keep factory OEM stereo's modern

[@ioni220]

Nice video. I did this on my hyundai radio , but more complicated , like no need for a cassette inside (to much mechanical noise) , the bluetooth only has power if I select Tape so the phone is not connected when I listen to CDs or the radio or when i turn of the unit , and some hacking on some buttons for next/prev track and play / pause in bluetooth mode . Because it is also a cassette sensing and auto reverse deck , it whas a super pain to do this , and the unit did not die after many trial and errors :)) . And just like you , all this work just for the love of that OEM look . :)

[@crxseth]

I’ve work! I didn’t want to dedicate that much time to trying to figure out how to do it without a tape, but I’m sure it would be much better your way.

[@markinhosmrk]

I think the cassette detection should be some sort of switch and the signal must be together with the same flat cable you cut. You might be able to use a switch on that pin, so you could use Bluetooth without inserting a tape. And with some extra work, even retain the tape functionality if you manage to disconnect/reconnect the signal pins together with that switch.

[@crxseth]

I think there is a way, but I didn’t dig in deep enough to be able to figure it out. I took the easy way out!

[@GameCrazedNERDS]

hook both up, use relay to switch grounds. whichever ground is connecting that circuit will be the running one.

[@roxburndi]

@@GameCrazedNERDS This is exactly what I was thinking. The act of inserting a tape completes a ground circuit. Your idea of adding a relay eliminates the motor spinning while using Bluetooth. Perfect.

[@sw6188]

Correct. You can add a switch which will trick the microprocessor into thinking the tape has been inserted and it will switch the lines over to take audio from the cassette mechanism. That way you don't need to put a cassette in, or have the motor running creating annoying noise. Using a small relay you can arrange it so the tape functionality remains intact.

[@MREK9ERS]

Pretty Sick!

[@uncle_iroh4839]

This was cool

[@frostyworks8810]

Wish I could do this to my Del Sol, too bad the previous owner took out the old head unit. Love the videos, keep them coming!

[@crxseth]

I had to buy this one for the car. It also had an aftermarket stereo.

[@toddp5122]

I should have a couple in my shop I could sell

[@grattidude]

This is so cool

[@RazvyCen]

This is real cool .

[@MrRojas-nc7lt]

Cool mod!!

[@kriptaknight8162]

Hell yeah that’s dope