Bluetooth in an LS400

[rich1068]

Has anyone used Dension or Grom or whatever to get BT audio and calls in their pre-97 LS400? I've used Grom for the BT3 and Aux adapter in my IS and GS but they're both later cars and the Grom website doesn't list the LS400. I do have a spare harness I could try but I don't want to go to the bother of removing the head unit if it's a non-starter.

Alternatively Dension do list the LS400 but the head units seem a bit off. Sorry for the poor quality but mine is this one. Any idea what sort it is?

Any thoughts?

[ajchetcuti]

I've looked into them before with Dension and have used one in a BMW which worked well, tempted to try one for the LS as it looks like a really neat solution! Price isn't bad either is it?

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

[rich1068]

I keep looking at the Dension and there seems to be some confusion regarding harnesses and whether they work or not. Though fitting behind the autochanger does look a little more simple than removing the head unit. I'd hoped for a GROM solution because they just worked on the GS and IS.

Any other input?

[MotorDevil]

Did you manage to get any further on this Richard?

Looking to add Bluetooth to the LS and the Denison seems like a good option. Was also thinking of the Parrot kits but that doesn’t seem possible (or at least straight forward!)

[rich1068]

Hi John.

I'd hoped for the GROM solution but got a no from them when I got in touch. I did wonder if it was just they didn't want to commit so went to check the harness myself but actually there's a really good How to... here by @Howplum that shows the harness in detail so I was able to save myself the hassle and compare with the GROM harness I already have. Unfortunately it's not a match.

So more investigation into Dension required I think. But tbh I've been rather enjoying the cassette and CD players and just ignoring phone calls  I've also rediscovered the retro delights of burning CDs.

[rich1068]

Dension kit has arrived today and I intend to fit it over the weekend. The supplier isn't 100% sure the harness will work but he's said I can return it if not.

I'll keep you posted.

[rich1068]

Disappointed to say the harness didn't fit. No Bluetooth for Richard  If you're as disappointed as I am then have a read of this to distract you.

[BigBoomer]

Have you tried one of the cigarette lighter Bluetooth to FM units?
The sound quality isn't as good as direct Bluetooth but the convenience is all there.
Mine cost me £15 and lives in the glovebox cigarette lighter socket on my LS430.
Works well 99.9% of the time but the sound quality is not as crisp as a CD.

[rich1068]

Unfortunately they're what I'm trying to upgrade from. As you say, sound quality isn't great but I also don't like the look of it sticking out of the ashtray all the time. No hidden socket on the 400.

[MotorDevil]

Thats a pity it didnt work. Any idea what the harness you received is for? Is it just that its for another Lexus model or a different generation of the LS ? 

[rich1068]

14 hours ago, MotorDevil said:

Thats a pity it didnt work. Any idea what the harness you received is for? Is it just that its for another Lexus model or a different generation of the LS ? 

I've a feeling it's for the slightly later LS ie 97-00 Or possibly 00- LS/GS/IS It will no doubt fit Toyota/Lexus (like the GROM harness) but I think our MK3s are just too early.

[jonthetourist]

On 11/23/2020 at 9:54 AM, BigBoomer said:

Have you tried one of the cigarette lighter Bluetooth to FM units?
The sound quality isn't as good as direct Bluetooth but the convenience is all there.
Mine cost me £15 and lives in the glovebox cigarette lighter socket on my LS430.
Works well 99.9% of the time but the sound quality is not as crisp as a CD.

Are you using this one? I thought it was a major step up in quality from units I had tried before.

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07MV6Q32P/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=AKD5GY2EH01EV&psc=1

[BigBoomer]

16 hours ago, jonthetourist said:

Are you using this one? I thought it was a major step up in quality from units I had tried before.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07MV6Q32P/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=AKD5GY2EH01EV&psc=1

I'm not, but I will order one as it's more compact than mine.
Mine is BlueTooth 4.0 and nearly 3 years old now (bought in Feb 2018).
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01K4SUASY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It makes the passengers jump when the HiFi suddenly says "Paired" out of nowhere. <LOL>