If this issue is really driving you crazy, you might want to splurge and buy an aftermarket head unit for your car. Static During Bluetooth Calls in Car Only My phone (HTC One M8) has static during Bluetooth phone calls, but not when streaming media (eg YouTube and Pandora) when connected to my car ('15 Forester.)

If any portion of the amp is in contact with bare metal, you will need to relocate it or mount it on a non-conductive spacer made of wood or rubber. You will want to remove the head unit at this point if you haven’t done so yet, and carefully rearrange all of the wires so that they aren’t anywhere near other wires or devices that could introduce any interference. If you still hear the noise with the head unit removed from the dash, and moving it around doesn’t change the noise at all, then there’s a good chance that the head unit itself is faulty in some way.

If it only shows up in some places, or it’s worse in some places than others, then the source of the problem is external, and there probably isn’t much you can do about it. Typically, you plug one end into your car’s cigarette lighter—or “12V accessory socket,” or whatever you want to call it—and you tune it to a specific FM frequency that isn’t already being used by a local radio station.

He has geeked out writing for The New York Times, Wirecutter, PC Magazine, Reviewed, Computer Shopper, and PCWorld. If the connection is still unable to made after entering this password, read the manual that came with your device to find the correct password and enter it. You’re one cheap cable away from plugging in your smartphone (or your smartphone’s ugly dongle) and getting all of your music and podcasts over your car’s speakers.

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To determine if the noise is coming from the amp, you will want to disconnect the patch cables from the amp’s input. Many states are beginning to mandate hands free operation of your cell phone.

David Murphy is Lifehacker's Senior Technology Editor. If you only hear the static when listening to the radio, and not when listening to CDs or any auxiliary audio sources, then the problem is either with the antenna, the tuner, or some external source of interference.

If the ground is good or fixing it doesn’t get rid of your static, then you will want to unplug the antenna from the back of your head unit, turn the head unit on, and listen for static.

This type of car speaker whine can usually be fixed by installing some kind of noise filter. They might tell you that they have to install software updates themselves, even if you can do it yourself for free. Placement—Bluetooth devices are only able to work over a short distance. All information is provided "AS IS." You probably won’t be able to tune into a radio station, unless you live close to a powerful signal, but you will still want to listen for the same old static or noise that you heard before. The issue is that anything that generates any kind of an electrical field can introduce unwanted noise into your audio system, and there are a lot of different things in your car that generate electrical fields. If you determine that static occurs when you plug in an auxiliary audio source, like your iPod or a satellite radio tuner, and it doesn’t occur when listening to the radio or CD player, then you’re dealing with a ground loop.

I've positioned my phone on the air vents and even used a CD tray phone holder.

There are a number of reasons that your Bluetooth enabled device is unable to connect to your Bluetooth car speaker system.

If you’re confused, because car manufacturers don’t often make this process clear, you could always give your local dealer a call. You might even be able to bring your car in and have them check to see if there are any updates themselves—they might have to perform the update anyway, so it doesn’t hurt. If the connection is loose, corroded, or rusted, then you will want to tighten, clean, or relocate it as needed. However, once I am on a call, (1) I have to turn the volume all the way up on both the phone and the car audio and (2) more importantly , there is so much STATIC, I cannot hear the other voice clearly. Website operating

If you did, and your smartphone no longer connects, I don’t think that adding an adapter is the right route.

Very easy to install.”. To stream music thru your car your options are limited to either a brand new head unit or a Bluetooth FM Transmitter. I have a receiver that I have a few outdoor speakers I would like to connec... Im trying to hook up two speakers to a car radio that has output for 4 spea... Hey guys!

Driving Safety - Does Bluetooth Really H... Driving Safety - Does Bluetooth Really Help.

What a lovely day!”, son of a motherless goat (PSA: wash your hooves). home improvement and repair website. At that point, you might want to unplug your device and switch to its speakerphone: it’s safer, more legal, and a lot easier to deal with.

Interference from other devices—If you’re using Bluetooth enabled media player or similar device, make sure your cell phone’s Bluetooth system is powered off.

Either way, the result is the same: you can’t connect it via Bluetooth to your older car anymore, which means you’ve lost the ability to rock out, enrich yourself with podcasts, or make hands-free calls.

You can probably get away with installing a new dashboard head unit yourself—especially after some helpful YouTube instruction, even if it’s for a completely different head unit for the exact make and model of your vehicle. If it doesn’t, then a ground loop isolator may do the trick.

If removing the antenna doesn’t get rid of the static, then the offending noise is being introduced somewhere else.

You might be able to get some functionality out of your smartphone even if you can’t go the full Android Auto or Apple CarPlay route. First, make sure the device you’re using is running the latest version of its operating system (your smartphone, likely). Everything from your alternator, to your windshield wiper motor, to the actual components in your sound system, can generate different levels and types of noise and static.

Change the batteries in either your Bluetooth enabled device or the Bluetooth car speaker system.