ShellyGX

Just got a new to us Red 2004 SC430.

I've read through the SC forum quite a bit looking for methods to get bluetooth integration for music and hands free calling.

I have had a BT45-TOY installed in my 2004 GX470 and it is great.

Reading through the posts it sounds like only 2005-2010 can be upgraded with that.

What is the difference with the 2002-2004 SC 430?

What are my options to add bluetooth to this 2004? Can the BT45-TOY be installed?

Harold57

The radio changed in 2005 and added BT. Some folks have used VAIS to add handsfree, others have replaced their radios and gained BT as part of it.

ShellyGX

From what I gather from searching there is different size connector between the 2002-2004 and 2005 and 2010.

Is this the only issue? Are the wires same color?

If that was the difference I would have no problem splicing (Soldering in) the wires that need to be there for the BT45-TOY. Right now the BT45-TOY is a situation of unplugging the head unit then that to the BT45-TOY then BT45-TOY harness back to the head unit. Some are just pass back through wires so it might not take much to splice it in.

I think there is also a matter of the mute wire not in the right place.

Can someone post pics of the connectors from the headhunts of both right in this thread?

If we can figure it out here I would do a writeup with pics to help the others in my situation with no bluetooth integration.

That BT45-TOY is very nice, plug and play with most cars, easy.

Harold57

I'm not sure myself. I think that Retroplay did a write up on the compatibility between the two radios a while back but I don't remember what he said. I think Shawn wrote about it also. It may be that that bus format is different. As I remember, they are not drop in replaceable and aftermarket items like the BT45-TOY are not compatible over the full SC430 production life, the 2002 - 2004 is different than the 2005 - 2010 radios and it is more than just a wiring difference. But I'm not positive.

VVTiBob

Harold57

I just sent them a message.

ShellyGX

It really would increase the sales for them with these cars aging and a simple bluetooth integration more needed. More places require hands free calling if cell phone used in the car, etc..

Harold57

Unfortunately, the impact of even all of the 2002 - 2004 SC430s buying them would not be much. But we will see. Maybe I should have sweetened the pot by mentioning that a number of SC430 owners would be interested in it.

ShellyGX

If they worked on it, it might just be an adapter cable using their standard unit. I could understand them not wanting to make the effort for the sales.

It would be great if one of their engineers who understands the issue would be willing to post here some comment on how it could be done or why it couldn’t. It might be dreaming to have them detail how to splice it in.

Harold57

The likelihood of my email getting to an engineer is low, but you never know with a small company like that. Hopefully it will at least go to someone that is knowledgeable.

Harold57

Well, here is their reply, unfortunately, they didn't take the answer far enough. I replied with asking them if it would work with a Y cable.

USA SPEC's answer:

• We actually don’t list any SC models as compatible. The reason for that is, the radio’s don’t have any additional ports other than the power & antenna plugs to plug an external device into them..