Hello, I have a Ford Fiesta Mk7 (2009) and currently it only supports bluetooth for phone calls, not for any media output.

After reading up online I have learned it is possible to upgrade the firmware to allow media output as well, but this requires inserting a usb stick into the car.

I do not have USB in the car, but my module does have another port with nothing plugged in - I was wondering if it would be possible to update the firmware through this port instead of taking it to a dealer.

Thanks.

6 hours ago, Jabbers said:

Hello, I have a Ford Fiesta Mk7 (2009) and currently it only supports bluetooth for phone calls, not for any media output.

After reading up online I have learned it is possible to upgrade the firmware to allow media output as well, but this requires inserting a usb stick into the car.

I do not have USB in the car, but my module does have another port with nothing plugged in - I was wondering if it would be possible to update the firmware through this port instead of taking it to a dealer.

Thanks.

Yes, especially as that's what the dealer would do

8 hours ago, Neb_engineer said:

Yes, especially as that's what the dealer would do

Is there a specific adapter I need? And I just plug the usb stick into the module?

I have also seen a lot of people say that this version of the bluetooth module does not support audio streaming at all and you need to update to one with USB. Is this the case?

58 minutes ago, Jabbers said:

this version of the bluetooth module does not support audio streaming

As far as I know the 2009 Bluetooth hardware in your Fiesta does not support streaming and it is not possible to update it. The closest that the car came to supporting music streaming was to plug a 'State of the art' recently released iPod in to the Aux socket. You have to remember you are dealing with technology over 13 years old.

4 hours ago, unofix said:

As far as I know the 2009 Bluetooth hardware in your Fiesta does not support streaming and it is not possible to update it. The closest that the car came to supporting music streaming was to plug a 'State of the art' recently released iPod in to the Aux socket. You have to remember you are dealing with technology over 13 years old.

Okay thanks, that helps clear it up a bit, so should I replace the module with one that supports USB?

32 minutes ago, Jabbers said:

Okay thanks, that helps clear it up a bit, so should I replace the module with one that supports USB?

If so, do the following parts (plus someone with IDS to activate the USB module) look okay?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255474843734?epid=1409809116&hash=item3b7b7cc056:g:a9UAAOSw6YxiTbTJ

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/275141240676

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393396291306

 

Thanks in advance.

Just how compatible a newer bluetooth module will be with an older head unit is a bit of a guess.

You can download FORScan (It's free) to turn on USB function if it is available on your model. Perhaps before buying the hardware check your car first with FORScan.

Download FORScan: https://forscan.org/download.html

ELM327 connection lead: https://tunnelrat-electronics.fwscart.com/USB_Modified_with_switch_ELM327/p4541936_17045457.aspx

13 hours ago, unofix said:

Just how compatible a newer bluetooth module will be with an older head unit is a bit of a guess.

You can download FORScan (It's free) to turn on USB function if it is available on your model. Perhaps before buying the hardware check your car first with FORScan.

Download FORScan: https://forscan.org/download.html

ELM327 connection lead: https://tunnelrat-electronics.fwscart.com/USB_Modified_with_switch_ELM327/p4541936_17045457.aspx

Ok thanks, that helps a lot, I thought a trip to a garage with IDS was necessary to activate it, did not realise it was possible with FORScan alone.

Do you know the specific setting that needs to be activated?
Thanks

Sorry I don't know. You can use the search in FORScan to look for the word USB, or Radio or Bluetooth and see what setting it brings up. You will probably be able to see which one or ones need changed.

50 minutes ago, unofix said:

Sorry I don't know. You can use the search in FORScan to look for the word USB, or Radio or Bluetooth and see what setting it brings up. You will probably be able to see which one or ones need changed.

Thanks for this, I will order that cable now and have a look for the setting when it arrives.

But you're sure IDS is not needed? Because older threads on this topic specifically talk about finding someone with IDS.

42 minutes ago, Jabbers said:

But you're sure IDS is not needed? Because older threads on this topic specifically talk about finding someone with IDS.

I have no reason to think that FORScan will not be able to do it (provided the option is available on your model).

On 6/7/2022 at 10:18 AM, unofix said:

I have no reason to think that FORScan will not be able to do it (provided the option is available on your model).

Okay so, I have checked on FORScan, and the options displayed in this post are available for me to change.

I went ahead and bought all the parts, but it seems the USB cable I bought doesn't fit into the trim piece, I think I need a metal adapter like this.

The part number is 1497339, do you know if the USB female end will just plug in to the back of that? Or do I need a different cable entirely.

Thanks.

 

What you have in the top photo is the face plate only, you are missing the parts which fit in the back. See this on eBay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304292577580?epid=1909836797&hash=item46d940412c:g:2YUAAOSwKdRh2AnW

OR

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394087484399?epid=17008874688&hash=item5bc171cbef:g:KhEAAOSwzmJijH56

 

9 hours ago, unofix said:

What you have in the top photo is the face plate only, you are missing the parts which fit in the back. See this on eBay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304292577580?epid=1909836797&hash=item46d940412c:g:2YUAAOSwKdRh2AnW

OR

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394087484399?epid=17008874688&hash=item5bc171cbef:g:KhEAAOSwzmJijH56

 

Ahh, that's embarrassing, thank you.
Would this also work, as it is a lot cheaper and the USB slot looks a lot smaller: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/294834855391?hash=item44a586dddf:g:mM0AAOSw7qxhM2pT
 

I don't expect it would fit your car as it is for a 2013 MK7. 5

6 hours ago, unofix said:

I don't expect it would fit your car as it is for a 2013 MK7. 5

Yeah thanks, I'll buy the other one.

I connected everything, and when my phone is plugged in directly, my phone receives power, but it says "unsupported USB device" when connected. It won't stream audio even after updating the firmware, but the car detects the USB stick. (Bluetooth won't stream audio either, just phone calls, but on my phone it outputs the audio but the car doesn't receive it)

I'm wondering if a trip to someone with IDS is necessary to activate the head unit at this point, because I have seen lots of threads where people have been successful with this upgrade.

Don't really know where to go from here

This thread supports my theory that IDS is needed: (look at most recent post)