Audio/Electronics Stereo System Installation Info, Amplifiers, Subwoofers, Radar Detectors, Police Scanners, and CB Radios for the Corvette

Adding bluetooth to factory C5 Bose radio for less than $50 quick how to

Old 06-13-2013, 09:03 PM
  #1  
rielcrazy
Advanced
Thread Starter
 
rielcrazy's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2013
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Adding bluetooth to factory C5 Bose radio for less than $50 quick how to

had a couple people ask me how I did this so I made a thread...

First - please excuse the picture quality - i used my phone and sent them in the lowest resolution to my e-mail and they look kinda terrible -

So I started out wanting to add an AUX to my factory bose headunit. I followed one of the many threads and opened up the radio but had no success. Neither the 1-3 nor the 4-5 wires worked for me (see this link)

I decided that because I had the factory 12 disk changer and never used it that it would be cool to be able to push the "AUX" button the dash and have it actually use an AUX port. So I set out cutting the blue 4 wire connector under the pass footwell (this pic borrowed from corvette forums )

[IMG][/IMG]

(incidentally the bottom/blue side of that connector goes to the radio counter to what you would think).

and using the 1/8 aux audio adapter in the first link from radio shack I added an Aux port.

Then I got to thinking. What if I could add a bluetooth system that used the Aux port as an in to the radio. I found the Kinivo BTC450 and the Belkin Air cast. The Kinivo had better reviews and for 45 bucks on Amazon free shipping I figured I'd give it a shot and wow does it work great. I can stream audio from my phone or take a call over the speakerphone. The button has track forward and back buttons as well as a "pause" button and little pinhole built in microphone for the phone calls.

I decided I wanted a permanent clean install in the Vette so I decided to install everything under where my Ash tray goes. I can't speak for the Belkin product but the Kinivo DC adapter was short enough to allow the cig door to close and it has a USB port on the back if you want to charge your phone. I hooked my Aux into one of the side supports inside the cig door also (see pics below). I then realized that because of the constant hot status of the cig lighter plug my bluetooth would stay connected in the garage and I couldn't use my phone. So I wired up a relay to the Cig adapter using the pass footwell "AUX" power wires that go no where - orange yellow and black (the yellow is Acc on only). I capped the orange and used the black and Yellow to power my Relay which I routed the Cig lighter hot wire through - boom I got acc power at the cig lighter and consequently my Bluetooth comes on with my car and all I have to do is hit the button on the Center console once to connect when I start up the car.
[IMG][/IMG]

Couple issues i've noticed are that if your listening to the radio your phone and radio don't know your bluetooth isn't playing through the speakers and you'll have to remember to go back to AUX to take a call. I'm thinking about trying to figure out which wire is the signal wire for the CD Changer and using that as my relay to run the cig power plug (that way your bluetooth cuts off when you switch to radio and back on when you hit the "AUX".

Anyway just thought a few people would enjoy that! Everything together took about 2 hours and was pretty simple. heres some pics.

[IMG][/IMG]

(that's my AUX port on the right side of the ashtray area - I wanted it moutned so I could hook in an aux cord at some point if I wanted to )

[IMG][/IMG]

I set my button right in the middle, I'ts perfect for highway crusin' quick track forward-back- or pause on the phone. It just has an adhesive pad to stick on.

[IMG][/IMG]

All in all I think it blends very well.

- Relay I used - 3.50 at advance auto parts with coupon code.

[IMG][/IMG]

Last edited by rielcrazy; 06-13-2013 at 09:37 PM.
Old 06-20-2013, 08:37 PM
  #2  
2000BSME
Le Mans Master
 
2000BSME's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2005
Posts: 9,996
Received 17 Likes on 14 Posts

Default

saw wheat.
Old 11-04-2014, 06:59 PM
  #3  
bassfisher
Pro
 
bassfisher's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 1999
Location: Lone Oak Texas
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I am surprised this didn't get more responses. Looks like a very nice solution and something I want to do too.

Is it still working well for you? Anyone else try it? Any more tips?
Old 11-13-2014, 04:01 PM
  #4  
fmvette9
Instructor
 
fmvette9's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 203
Received 30 Likes on 22 Posts

Default

I also added bluetooth capability a year ago and am very happy with it.
Its less than $100.

I started with an iSimple Aux Input unit (I do not have the CD remote, and did not want to dig into the radio head unit) to add stereo input capability to the Bose headunit. It comes with a wire harness which simply plugs into the back of the radio and provides a small box with a stereo input cable. You can plug the cable directly into your phone to see how you like Pandora played through the Bose system.

I liked it...so I added bluetooth capability.

I decided to use bluetooth only for music. I ordered a HomeSpot NFC-Enabled Bluetooth Audio Receiver and a very small ( one x 1/2 inch) potted 12 V to 5V converter from the auction site (under $8 direct from China). It had 12 V wires on one side and a six inch USB female connector pigtail on the other end. I wired the 12V side to the accessory power connector. The USB 5V side powers the Homespot.
The ISimple box, 5V converter, and Homespot were all placed under the radio compartment and are not visible. The Homespot automatically connects to the phone when I use the phone bluetooth setting.

I liked it so much I hooked another Homespot to my home stereo system.

To hold my cellphone, I use a Satechi Universal Smartphone CD Slot Mount for 3.5" - 5.5" Smartphones. It mounts into the CD slot (do not use CDs anymore now that I have Pandora). It places the cellphone in an optimum position and is very sturdy. It is really nice when using Pandora or GPS / Waze on the phone.

I now have the two features of importance to me in my C5: Bluetooth Pandora and GPS / Waze.

One last item is that I replaced the smaller speakers in the doors.
Old 03-25-2016, 12:41 AM
  #5  
AZhitman
Racer
 
AZhitman's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2010
Location: Surprise AZ
Posts: 274
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by fmvette9
I also added bluetooth capability a year ago and am very happy with it.
Its less than $100.

I started with an iSimple Aux Input unit (I do not have the CD remote, and did not want to dig into the radio head unit) to add stereo input capability to the Bose headunit. It comes with a wire harness which simply plugs into the back of the radio and provides a small box with a stereo input cable. You can plug the cable directly into your phone to see how you like Pandora played through the Bose system.

I liked it...so I added bluetooth capability.

I decided to use bluetooth only for music. I ordered a HomeSpot NFC-Enabled Bluetooth Audio Receiver and a very small ( one x 1/2 inch) potted 12 V to 5V converter from the auction site (under $8 direct from China). It had 12 V wires on one side and a six inch USB female connector pigtail on the other end. I wired the 12V side to the accessory power connector. The USB 5V side powers the Homespot.
The ISimple box, 5V converter, and Homespot were all placed under the radio compartment and are not visible. The Homespot automatically connects to the phone when I use the phone bluetooth setting.

I liked it so much I hooked another Homespot to my home stereo system.

To hold my cellphone, I use a Satechi Universal Smartphone CD Slot Mount for 3.5" - 5.5" Smartphones. It mounts into the CD slot (do not use CDs anymore now that I have Pandora). It places the cellphone in an optimum position and is very sturdy. It is really nice when using Pandora or GPS / Waze on the phone.

I now have the two features of importance to me in my C5: Bluetooth Pandora and GPS / Waze.

One last item is that I replaced the smaller speakers in the doors.
FM, any chance you have some additional info, maybe some pics, of your install?

I was planning to do the aux mod, but would like to have BT as well!
Old 08-03-2016, 11:08 AM
  #6  
aphaynes
Intermediate
 
aphaynes's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2016
Location: Athens AL
Posts: 28
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by fmvette9
I also added bluetooth capability a year ago and am very happy with it.
Its less than $100.

I started with an iSimple Aux Input unit (I do not have the CD remote, and did not want to dig into the radio head unit) to add stereo input capability to the Bose headunit. It comes with a wire harness which simply plugs into the back of the radio and provides a small box with a stereo input cable. You can plug the cable directly into your phone to see how you like Pandora played through the Bose system.

I liked it...so I added bluetooth capability.

I decided to use bluetooth only for music. I ordered a HomeSpot NFC-Enabled Bluetooth Audio Receiver and a very small ( one x 1/2 inch) potted 12 V to 5V converter from the auction site (under $8 direct from China). It had 12 V wires on one side and a six inch USB female connector pigtail on the other end. I wired the 12V side to the accessory power connector. The USB 5V side powers the Homespot.
The ISimple box, 5V converter, and Homespot were all placed under the radio compartment and are not visible. The Homespot automatically connects to the phone when I use the phone bluetooth setting.

I liked it so much I hooked another Homespot to my home stereo system.

To hold my cellphone, I use a Satechi Universal Smartphone CD Slot Mount for 3.5" - 5.5" Smartphones. It mounts into the CD slot (do not use CDs anymore now that I have Pandora). It places the cellphone in an optimum position and is very sturdy. It is really nice when using Pandora or GPS / Waze on the phone.

I now have the two features of importance to me in my C5: Bluetooth Pandora and GPS / Waze.

One last item is that I replaced the smaller speakers in the doors.
I would also like to see some install pics of this setup.
Old 04-30-2018, 11:44 AM
  #7  
Sportysturgeon
Cruising
 
Sportysturgeon's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2014
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default corvette audio

LOVED your post from a few years back, anychance you could resend the pics, it says account needs updating for third party viewing (me) thanks!!
Lorna



QUOTE=rielcrazy;1584151073]had a couple people ask me how I did this so I made a thread...

First - please excuse the picture quality - i used my phone and sent them in the lowest resolution to my e-mail and they look kinda terrible -

So I started out wanting to add an AUX to my factory bose headunit. I followed one of the many threads and opened up the radio but had no success. Neither the 1-3 nor the 4-5 wires worked for me (see this link)

I decided that because I had the factory 12 disk changer and never used it that it would be cool to be able to push the "AUX" button the dash and have it actually use an AUX port. So I set out cutting the blue 4 wire connector under the pass footwell (this pic borrowed from corvette forums )

[IMG][/IMG]

(incidentally the bottom/blue side of that connector goes to the radio counter to what you would think).

and using the 1/8 aux audio adapter in the first link from radio shack I added an Aux port.

Then I got to thinking. What if I could add a bluetooth system that used the Aux port as an in to the radio. I found the Kinivo BTC450 and the Belkin Air cast. The Kinivo had better reviews and for 45 bucks on Amazon free shipping I figured I'd give it a shot and wow does it work great. I can stream audio from my phone or take a call over the speakerphone. The button has track forward and back buttons as well as a "pause" button and little pinhole built in microphone for the phone calls.

I decided I wanted a permanent clean install in the Vette so I decided to install everything under where my Ash tray goes. I can't speak for the Belkin product but the Kinivo DC adapter was short enough to allow the cig door to close and it has a USB port on the back if you want to charge your phone. I hooked my Aux into one of the side supports inside the cig door also (see pics below). I then realized that because of the constant hot status of the cig lighter plug my bluetooth would stay connected in the garage and I couldn't use my phone. So I wired up a relay to the Cig adapter using the pass footwell "AUX" power wires that go no where - orange yellow and black (the yellow is Acc on only). I capped the orange and used the black and Yellow to power my Relay which I routed the Cig lighter hot wire through - boom I got acc power at the cig lighter and consequently my Bluetooth comes on with my car and all I have to do is hit the button on the Center console once to connect when I start up the car.
[IMG][/IMG]

Couple issues i've noticed are that if your listening to the radio your phone and radio don't know your bluetooth isn't playing through the speakers and you'll have to remember to go back to AUX to take a call. I'm thinking about trying to figure out which wire is the signal wire for the CD Changer and using that as my relay to run the cig power plug (that way your bluetooth cuts off when you switch to radio and back on when you hit the "AUX".

Anyway just thought a few people would enjoy that! Everything together took about 2 hours and was pretty simple. heres some pics.

[IMG][/IMG]

(that's my AUX port on the right side of the ashtray area - I wanted it moutned so I could hook in an aux cord at some point if I wanted to )

[IMG][/IMG]

I set my button right in the middle, I'ts perfect for highway crusin' quick track forward-back- or pause on the phone. It just has an adhesive pad to stick on.

[IMG][/IMG]

All in all I think it blends very well.

- Relay I used - 3.50 at advance auto parts with coupon code.

[IMG][/IMG][/QUOTE]
Old 05-03-2018, 11:21 AM
  #8  
joseb552
Intermediate
 
joseb552's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2017
Location: Crystal Lake IL
Posts: 47
Received 7 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

If you use Chrome, you can get an extension called "Photobucket Hotlink Fix" that will display the pictures in threads like this. I've had it for a couple of days and it's been awesome for older threads.

Originally Posted by Sportysturgeon
LOVED your post from a few years back, anychance you could resend the pics, it says account needs updating for third party viewing (me) thanks!!
Lorna



QUOTE=rielcrazy;1584151073]had a couple people ask me how I did this so I made a thread...

First - please excuse the picture quality - i used my phone and sent them in the lowest resolution to my e-mail and they look kinda terrible -

So I started out wanting to add an AUX to my factory bose headunit. I followed one of the many threads and opened up the radio but had no success. Neither the 1-3 nor the 4-5 wires worked for me (see this link)

I decided that because I had the factory 12 disk changer and never used it that it would be cool to be able to push the "AUX" button the dash and have it actually use an AUX port. So I set out cutting the blue 4 wire connector under the pass footwell (this pic borrowed from corvette forums )

[IMG][/IMG]

(incidentally the bottom/blue side of that connector goes to the radio counter to what you would think).

and using the 1/8 aux audio adapter in the first link from radio shack I added an Aux port.

Then I got to thinking. What if I could add a bluetooth system that used the Aux port as an in to the radio. I found the Kinivo BTC450 and the Belkin Air cast. The Kinivo had better reviews and for 45 bucks on Amazon free shipping I figured I'd give it a shot and wow does it work great. I can stream audio from my phone or take a call over the speakerphone. The button has track forward and back buttons as well as a "pause" button and little pinhole built in microphone for the phone calls.

I decided I wanted a permanent clean install in the Vette so I decided to install everything under where my Ash tray goes. I can't speak for the Belkin product but the Kinivo DC adapter was short enough to allow the cig door to close and it has a USB port on the back if you want to charge your phone. I hooked my Aux into one of the side supports inside the cig door also (see pics below). I then realized that because of the constant hot status of the cig lighter plug my bluetooth would stay connected in the garage and I couldn't use my phone. So I wired up a relay to the Cig adapter using the pass footwell "AUX" power wires that go no where - orange yellow and black (the yellow is Acc on only). I capped the orange and used the black and Yellow to power my Relay which I routed the Cig lighter hot wire through - boom I got acc power at the cig lighter and consequently my Bluetooth comes on with my car and all I have to do is hit the button on the Center console once to connect when I start up the car.
[IMG][/IMG]

Couple issues i've noticed are that if your listening to the radio your phone and radio don't know your bluetooth isn't playing through the speakers and you'll have to remember to go back to AUX to take a call. I'm thinking about trying to figure out which wire is the signal wire for the CD Changer and using that as my relay to run the cig power plug (that way your bluetooth cuts off when you switch to radio and back on when you hit the "AUX".

Anyway just thought a few people would enjoy that! Everything together took about 2 hours and was pretty simple. heres some pics.

[IMG][/IMG]

(that's my AUX port on the right side of the ashtray area - I wanted it moutned so I could hook in an aux cord at some point if I wanted to )

[IMG][/IMG]

I set my button right in the middle, I'ts perfect for highway crusin' quick track forward-back- or pause on the phone. It just has an adhesive pad to stick on.

[IMG][/IMG]

All in all I think it blends very well.

- Relay I used - 3.50 at advance auto parts with coupon code.

[IMG][/IMG]
[/QUOTE]

Get notified of new replies

To Adding bluetooth to factory C5 Bose radio for less than $50 quick how to



Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Adding bluetooth to factory C5 Bose radio for less than $50 quick how to



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:07 PM.