I found this FM transmitter with Bluetooth in my local thrift store for $7.99. This model got quite good reviews and after testing it for a few days, I decided it to install permanently in my D2. Reception via FM is great, although the band here is totally crowded. The JW FM transmitter even blows out interfering signals from other stations.




I hooked the power up to the factory stereo, since I wanted to get it turned on/off when I turn on/off the stereo (otherwise it has limitations, pls see my other post below).

On my android phone the music starts streaming via Bluetooth as soon as the stereo is turned on and it can take phone calls too (can be disabled in the phone). When the stereo is turned off, the phone stops streaming automatically, so I can just leave the phone in my pocket when entering and leaving the car. I guess, this is pretty much standard in modern cars, but of course, the D2 lacks such a feature.

You need some additional circuitry, since the "system enable" output of the factory stereo can drive a few milliamps only, but I had the parts laying around, soldered and installed everything in an afternoon.



The electronic components except the resistors were stripped from junked electronics, the connectors are from my local hardware store (but I had them laying around anyway), the fuse is from my spare fuse box.


The few components were just soldered directly and the whole thing was wrapped into a piece of heat shrink tubing. The wires on both sides need to be about 12 inches long.

In order to solder wires in place of the cigarette socket contacts, I opened the FM transmitter, which saved me the socket and makes the connection more reliable. For installation I had to pull the stereo and the climate control panel. With the tap splice connectors you can easily hook up to the factory wiring without disconnecting or cutting anything.









Completed project.

 

Bravo!

So the additional circuitry just boosts the input signal then?

 

It boosts the 12V supply voltage for the FM transmitter, since the factory Land Rover stereo "system enable" output can deliver only a few milliamps. This thing draws way more, you can't power it directly from that output.

 

Couldn't you just grab 12v from someplace else though

Hmmm.. I still really dig this mod!

 

Yes, you can, but there are limitations: If you hook it up to the battery, it will drain it. If you hook it up to the 12V ignition, you always have to turn on the ignition, if you want to listen to music or receive phone calls. If ignition is on or it is hooked to the battery but you have the stereo off, your phone keeps streaming and you miss phone calls.

In order to avoid these limitations, I made it go on and off with the stereo simultaneously.

 

Should be able to have the "system enable" trigger a relay, supplying 12V, or not?

 

 

The "system enable" cannot drive a relay, since it is a high impedance output. I tried that first, but then the output voltage of "system enable" was only 0.5V. You need the MOSFET transistor, now the load is around 100kOhm (a relay has a typical resistance of a few hundred Ohms only).