Adding bluetooth to my SC-815 stereo?

wrybread · Post by **wrybread** » 04 Feb 2021, 11:21

I'm in the honeymoon phase with my new-to-me 1998 S70 GLT, and looking to add bluetooth. The previous owner installed all new speakers, and the thing sounds surprisingly good, much better than my old 2000 S70 SE with its partially blown paper cone speakers. Who'd a thunk.

In my previous car I did the line-in mod, which worked ok, but I could never get it to sound nearly as good as playing a CD on the same stereo. I'm thinking about getting something like the BlitzSafe (https://www.blitzsafe.com/catalog/volvo ... d_241.html) for line in, which would allow me to use the "changer" button on the head unit to select my phone, and preserves the option of playing thriftshop CDs and tapes. But it sure would be nice if it supported a bluetooth connection. Does anyone know if such a thing exists?

Otherwise I could get a separate bluetooth receiver of course, but would rather get a single unit.

And let me know if anyone has a line-in adaptor they'd like to sell. Or has found a stereo that they're particularly happy with in their Volvo.

Post by **ZionXIX** » 04 Feb 2021, 12:41

https://www.ipdusa.com/products/11254/1 ... -vol94u3bt

This literally plugs into the cd changer port behind the radio abd has a blue tooth option. Im currently waiting on mine to arrive.

wrybread · Post by **wrybread** » 04 Feb 2021, 12:52

That's very interesting. Any idea how it might differ from the Grom BT3 that I'm seeing around? (Which sometimes has the model # BT3-VOL01 or VOL01B3). That's around $140, which is getting into the zone. I'd spend $200 if needed though.

Post by **kallekula** » 04 Feb 2021, 13:09

If bluetooth is what you want why dont you buy a new aftermarket HU? Blutooth, hands free calling etc. Sounds like a no-brainer to me.

Post by **ZionXIX** » 04 Feb 2021, 14:10

Some of us prefer the oem look. I have yet to find an aftermarket head unit that looks as good as the factory unit. If someone could find a way to hack those, that would be great.

wrybread · Post by **wrybread** » 04 Feb 2021, 17:18

I'm heavily considering the mitsubishi apple / android play hu. It's $300, so $200 is most of the way there. Hmm.

I also like the radio receiver sensitivity of the stock unit.

Cookeh · Post by **Cookeh** » 04 Feb 2021, 18:01

The location within the console doesn't exactly lend itself to aftermarket units in my opinion. Awful place to be trying to look at to change source/song/etc on a touchscreen whilst driving.

I would be (or rather am) leaning towards the CD changer plug-in options. I've had similar in a few cars now and they've been simply excellent.

wrybread · Post by **wrybread** » 04 Feb 2021, 19:00

The location within the console doesn't exactly lend itself to aftermarket units in my opinion. Awful place to be trying to look at to change source/song/etc on a touchscreen whilst driving.

It's a good point, but the gadget addict in me is dying to try Android Auto.

Does anyone know if Torque Pro or any of the ODB2 apps will run in Android Auto? If I can display info from my bluetooth ODB2 sender fullscreen on the head unit, that would be pretty slick. I don't know enough about Android Auto to know whether that means the head unit pairs to the ODB2 sender, or if my phone does and the HU simply displays it. I suppose the latter?

I would be (or rather am) leaning towards the CD changer plug-in options. I've had similar in a few cars now and they've been simply excellent.

Me too. I just bought this Blitzsafe adaptor since it was only $20 shipped:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/BLITZSAFE-COMP ... 3359816852

It's not quite ideal, it's the VOL/ALP rather than the VOL/AUX DMX V.1:

https://www.blitzsafe.com/catalog/volvo ... d_241.html

I gather the VOL/ALP is meant for connecting to a Alpine CD changer, but I'm hoping I can use the pinout to rig up a regular line in. Or maybe I'm doomed, but at least it's only $20 of doom.

If that works I'll use my ol reliable Bluetooth receiver, this guy works super well, re-pairs with my phone quickly etc:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016NUTG5K/

Post by **kallekula** » 04 Feb 2021, 19:01

ZionXIX wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 14:10 Some of us prefer the oem look. I have yet to find an aftermarket head unit that looks as good as the factory unit. If someone could find a way to hack those, that would be great.

Take a photo of the volvo unit and use as bg image of your new badass 7" touchscreen then

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 04 Feb 2021, 20:42

FWIW-

The Volvo SC series of HU’s was
manufactured for Volvo by Alpine.
The Volvo OEM 6 disc changer is
identical to the Alpine of that era.

The only difference is a few twiddled
bits in the control protocol to keep the
lawyers and marketing folks happy.