Bluetooth car stereo - bargain?!

gazbert_2

Nick_UK wrote:

I bought one of these stereos from ALDI today. I installed it fine and I've got to say it works perfectly. Sound quality is about what I'd expect for 80 quid, but the bluetooth handsfree was excellent. One major problem though - I can't lock my car. When I open the door, I'm greeted with the same beep you get when you've left you're lights on. This also prevents me locking the doors using my remote. The car (51 reg Vectra) obviously thinks something is drawing power from the battery. I've prised the stereo back out of the dash and as soon as I disconnect the wiring from the back of the stereo, the beeping stops. Has anyone else had a similar problem or know a possible solution to this? It's probably something very simple, but I'd rather sort it myself than pay a car audio shop to do it for me.

I suspect it's a side effect of this old chestnut.

Why does my aftermarket stereo not hold the memory settings ?

On the Vauxhall wiring loom in the car the ignition live and the permanent live are the opposite way around, on most aftermarket stereo's on the ISO loom, you can usually unplug the red and yellow wires and switch them around, if not you would need to cut and swap the wires around. The other option is to buy a Vauxhall ISO adaptor from Halfords or other ICE dealers and plug these straight inbetween the cars loom and the stereo loom, if its the vauxhall adaptor that has been bought the wires are already turned around so it should just work.

gazbert_2

Incidentally, I bought one of these today and the sound quality is great, FM reception spot on, and bluetooth is top. Sound quality may not be up there with the top names, but from my little Saxo speakers I doubt I'd notice a difference. Radio, CD, MP3's and phone calls all come through clearly.

All that for £80? That's a proper bargain. Sure the unit looks a little cheap, but for me that's a bonus. Who's gonna smash your windscreen for a cheap looking stereo? Function over form has always been my ethos. It does exactly what it says on the tin and it does it well. Top marks to Aldi for this one.

gazbert_2

mug51 wrote:

what do you need the bluetooth for?

i was like wicked ill be able to play music from my mp3 player , but then i was like 'hang on, my mp3 player doesnt have bluetooth'

Has anyone pointed out that this has an audio input jack on the face panel?

MORPH3US

Does it have a removable face for when you leave the car?

The gf had a £40 stereo from argos with a flip down front but not removable. Some toe rags broke in and nicked a £40 stereo causing £400 damage!?!?!

M

Youngen_2

Yep it has removable face plate:D

Nick_UK_2

Thanks for the help Gazbert. I swapped red and yellow wires and it works perfectly.

stunno

Well, I took the plunge! and it seems very good indeed so far, BT works very well. But what a fart about to get it working! Bloody Fiat!

Wrong aerial connector (£3.99 in Halfords)
Then it wouldn't power up, although the red light was flashing.
Back to Halfords who told me that I don't need a ISO adaptor (which tuned out to be nearly right).
Home and research on tinternet, and on comparing the bits and pieces I found that my car's connector does not have a switched 12v in the audio wiring harness!
Took it to another car bits place who also told me that I don't need an adapter, but he did plug it into their hifi display and it worked fine. So we joined the red and yellow wires together and bob's your aunty

I just need to remember to turn it off every time I get out of the car

BTW They have a few left at the Hartlepool store.

The_Negotiator

What Fiat Stunno? Most Fiats just need to switch the 12 v+ constant and ignition switched That will cause most problems for people.

caverncity

was umming and arring on buying one as recently purchased a panasonic mp3 car radio but after having a browse in my local cash convertors I came across a brand new (still sealed) one for £49 (obviously some ones tea leafed it from aldi and sold it to CC)
Went in pretty easily and bluetooth was a doddle to set up and what a superb sounding stereo, much better than the panny and the bluetooth is very clear.
Made up i bought it now, well worth £79.99, even better at £49.

stunno

The_Negotiator wrote:

What Fiat Stunno? Most Fiats just need to switch the 12 v+ constant and ignition switched That will cause most problems for people.

Its a 2004 Punto Active sport 8v which was originally fitted with a Fiat branded Blaupunkt cd player. There isnt a switched 12v wire, I put my multimeter on it and all of the wires gave the same readings whether the ignition was on or off.

Funnily enough there was a +5v wire to pin 1, which seems to not normally have a function.