I have a manual VRS with Columbas arriving soon and want to retro fit OEM bluetooth using the car systems module and loom.

Can anyone that has done this explain the microphone wiring ?

Specifically:

• Does the mic go to the Bluetooth unit and then to the head unit ?
  
• If it already has voice control for the Columbas can that mic be used for both and plugged into the car systems loom saving the hassle of routing the wires up the A pillar ?
  
• What are the two 2-pin white connectors hanging near the big square multiplug ?
  
• Do I need to join them or is that where the exisitng mic goes in ?
  

Confused :think:

Hi mate

Its pretty easy, the carsystems loom should come pre-wired correctly already, but in my case the microphone plug needed to be swapped to the other available small white connector. Just make sure it goes into the large connector that leads to the columbus unit rather than the part that leads to bluetooth module and and connect the remaining two connectors to give the full functionality.

It is the mic that provides the voice functionality, but if you already have functionality you may not need the mic, if so it already goes into the columbus. It does needs to go up the a pillar to the interior light through the headlining. But that isn't hard once you remove the a pillar trim which comes off easily, just be careful with the airbag if there is one there and route it behind it, cable tying it to the existing wiring.

• Does the mic go to the Bluetooth unit and then to the head unit ? See above
  
• If it already has voice control for the Columbas can that mic be used for both and plugged into the car systems loomsaving the hassle of routing the wires up the A pillar ? No the mic gives the voice control
  
• What are the two 2-pin white connectors hanging near the big square multiplug ? Connect them provided the mic is already going to the columbus, otherwise swap them around and connect them
  
• Do I need to join them or is that where the exisitng mic goes in ? See above
  

The job is relatively easy. I ran the mic down from the interior light unit (where there is a proper space for it) to the a pillar using a rod and after taking off the trim down the other wires. I removed the glovebox columbus and top box (there are instructions for each in other posts, just do a search) and it was easy to run the other wires. The big plugs are the biggest problem - mine are connected above the columbus in the space under the top box.

The bt unit can either be velcroed behind the climate unit or in my case I put it under the drivers seat and ran the bluetooth connector wire down from behind the glovebox by the door and under the door trim pillar.

One piece of advice, please don;t do what I did and screw the interior light back in through the mic cable - I had a few problems then of course ha ha, although it was repairable.

Good luck

Adam

If you already have voice control then the microphone will be wired to the head unit already.

Take a look in the 'My GTI' website as the info regarding the differences between thus and wiring it to the Bluetooth module are discussed.

I'll post a link later as I'm on my phone.

Thanks for the My GTI tip.

There were some good pin out diagrams on there.

The loom out of the box from Car Systems has the mic itself in a plastic bag not connected.

There is only one connector this can go into - on the end of a long length of co-ax cable (intended to go via A pillar and headlining).

This co-ax cable has a 2 pin white plug as it joins the main loom. Out of the box it is connected here and goes straight to the multi-plug that goes into the bluetooth unit.

My guess is that this would work with the phone ok but wouldn't give voice control.

The pin out on the My GTI page shows the "mic in" for Columbus is pins 1 & 7

It also shows the "mic out" for Columbus is pins 4 & 9

This corresponds to the Car Systems loom that has the two short leads coming from the head unit multi-plug.

The GreyBlack / PurpleBlack is the mic in, the BlueWhite / White is the mic out.

So I'm thinking:

1. Disconnect the 2 pin white plug on the Car Systems loom that connects the co-ax mic lead back into the main loom (don't want it to go to the BT unit)
   
2. Connect the end of the co-ax to the GreyBlack / PurpleBlack leads going into the Columbus (mic now connected to head unit)
   
3. Connect the co-ax lead that goes back to the bluetooth multi-plug to the BlueWhite / White leads coming out of the Columbus (BT unit now get voice for phone calls)
   

Sounds more complicated than it is but as long as the existing voice control mic has the same plugs on it then it should save all the wiring up the A pillar and across the roof.

If the existing mic doesn't have the same plugs then probably simpler to cut / solder near the head unit to add a suitable plug rather than swap the mic and run in a duplicate co-ax.

Paul

Sounds like you now know what you are doing.

Keep us posted as to how you get on.

Sounds like you now know what you are doing.

It's easy to get the wrong impression on the internet

Still need to order the VCDS. Fitting and coding likely to be next weekend but will let you know how it goes.

Paul

You could always contact a local Briskodian who has VCDS already: look for a sticky thread in the VCDS section.

Paul

I can't remember the colours sorry but it sounds like you have it correct from memory and there's defo no need to do any additional wiring. As you say, you need the mic to go into the columbus to get the voice control. When i bought the same loom as you it was advertised as properly wired but I had to swap the connections as you describe.

Incidentally, my mic was loose too, but as i say the long wire that leads to it was connected directly to the bt unit not the columbus so i had to swap the connectors around. But it all worked fine once connected up apart from my **** up in reattaching the light!

Good luck but it sounds like you don't need it.

Adam

This is the link I was thinking of if it helps anyone:

http://www.my-gti.com/1234/volkswagen-rns-510-microphone-connection-for-voice-control

The Plug and Play looms from car systems is designed to allow voice control with the Columbus by using the mic in and out options. Or to bypass when using a different radio