Connext bluetooth issue

[Pullen724]

My Connext just started acting up recently. When I select bluetooth, it goes to the bluetooth screen for 1 second then returns to the media screen before I can select a paired bluetooth device.

Anyone else experience this? Essentially, I cant get the bluetooth option to work anymore.

2016 242 Limited S

 

[swatski]

My Connext just started acting up recently. When I select bluetooth, it goes to the bluetooth screen for 1 second then returns to the media screen before I can select a paired bluetooth device.

Anyone else experience this? Essentially, I cant get the bluetooth option to work anymore.

2016 242 Limited S

Posts like that make me nervous, Yamaha support of Connext issues has been, say, soft.
I have not had that particular issue, but I do have issues with Connext BT when turning the lights on. Most OEM lights are LEDs, except for the bow nav, and maybe those do not play nice with the BT? Usually resolve-able by rebooting everything, but it can be super annoying.

The good news is, there are much better BT options available at totally bargain prices, and splicing them into the system is generally pretty easy.

--

 

[Mainah]

Step 1: Forget/delete the PA4A bluetooth pair on the host device (phone, tablet, etc).

Step 2: Delete all paired devices on Connext then power cycle Connext (turn off keys then back on.

Step 3: Repair host device to Connext.

I have found this needed a couple of times in 2 years not only with Connext but also my plantronics bluetooth office headset. The culprit is likely bluetooth chipset memory corruption in certain bluetooth chipsets.

Note that in this case that Connext does not have bluetooth but is rather the display for the Polk head unit that does have bluetooth. If the above steps don’t work another culprit could be low battery voltage causing the hardwired canbus communication between Connext and the Polk head unit to fail. The bluetooth in the polk head unit is poor so I use the usb connection on the dash with my phone in a holder. Charges phone and delivers more bandwidth to the head unit which gives overall better sound quality and gain.

Perhaps this should be added to the FAQ.

 

[Hector]

I had the issue. I found a used stereo head on eBay which fixed my issue.

 

[virtualg]

My Connext just started acting up recently. When I select bluetooth, it goes to the bluetooth screen for 1 second then returns to the media screen before I can select a paired bluetooth device.

Anyone else experience this? Essentially, I cant get the bluetooth option to work anymore.

2016 242 Limited S

Hi,

Reviving this old thread.

I just started having this same exact issue you described.

Did you get it resolved? If so, how?

I have a 2015 Limited with the Polk System.

Thanks

 

[Pullen724]

@virtualg My issue was resolved by turning bluetooth “on” via the “remote” head on the swim platform. Somehow it got turned to off. Another member sent me the manual and it was described in the manual how to access that particular option.

 

[Pullen724]

@virtualg In the menu, once you turn the knob to show “Bluetooth”, you need to push the knob in to select it to turn on. Again this is done from the stern control, not via the connext display.

 

[virtualg]

Thanks for the quick reply, and for the tip.

It's weird that it worked fine for 3 years, and just did it the first time this weekend.

Thanks again!

 

[Pullen724]

Mine was the same way.... worked fine then all of a sudden quit but since changing the settings back to ON, havent had a problem since.

 

[Cambo]

That rear remote / controller maybe ok for some light water splashing but not getting pounded by waves especially salt water. The knob was completely frozen and I was having issues clearing out The Bluetooth saved devices from the previous owner. Maybe the Bluetooth receiver is in that remote, mine has been replaced under warranty and relocated into the port cabin. The MARC200 was installed on the swim deck higher up on the next tier with a table mount sealed and backed with plywood and silicone to cover the old hole.

 

[Matt Phillips]

I've had a similar issue the past two weekends on the boat. Can listen via bluetooth but not through the USB connection, and sometimes the head unit can't find a device over bluetooth at all. Since this happened over two weekends, and my boat has been in the lake with the batteries on since mid-tune, I did a complete system restart - turn the key off, turn off batteries, wait 3-4 minutes, then reverse the process.

That seemed to correct the issue and after that it worked normally.

Give it a try...it only takes about 5 minutes to force it to restart the system.

 

[Kane]

I’m also having an issue with my 16 242X connecting to Bluetooth. ISB connection works fine. This started last year and I would reset the main power and that would work but now nothing seems to work. As mentioned from @Mainah I deleted the Bluetooth on on my phone but how do I delete the stored Bluetooth devices? Also, my boat’s water temp is 108*...water is warm this year but that’s about 30* off!!
Thanks!

 

[Mainah]

I think pressing and holding deletes bluetooth devices. I also recommend disconnecting the swim deck remote as a first step in trouble shooting on models with the PA4A.

The temp reading comes from the airmar transducer assembly. It could be that the unit is dirty between it and the the through hull sleeve. It can be removed (Don’t do this on the water as removing creates a giant hole on the bottom of the hull). The components inside the assembly may have also gone bad such as the thermistor. Yamaha charges a mint for the transducer and it is only made in this flavor for Yamaha.

 

[Kane]

I think pressing and holding deletes bluetooth devices. I also recommend disconnecting the swim deck remote as a first step in trouble shooting on models with the PA4A.

The temp reading comes from the airmar transducer assembly. It could be that the unit is dirty between it and the the through hull sleeve. It can be removed (Don’t do this on the water as removing creates a giant hole on the bottom of the hull). The components inside the assembly may have also gone bad such as the thermistor. Yamaha charges a mint for the transducer and it is only made in this flavor for Yamaha.

I did try holding it down to no avail. I did notice the “Pair” button stay as pair. Should be DCN normally. It’s almost like it’s stuck in pair mode?
Good info on the transducer. I’ll check into it this fall.

 

[Mainah]

You can download the Polk PA4A manual online. It has instructions on how to delete Bluetooth devices using the remote. I still recommend trying to disconnect the remote by carefully removing the trim ring, pulling out the remote, and unplugging the wire. I had two of those remotes fail and cause issues. They don’t seem to like surfing.

 

[Kane]

You can download the Polk PA4A manual online. It has instructions on how to delete Bluetooth devices using the remote. I still recommend trying to disconnect the remote by carefully removing the trim ring, pulling out the remote, and unplugging the wire. I had two of those remotes fail and cause issues. They don’t seem to like surfing.

Ok I’ll remove that next. Thanks man!

 

[Cleveland Steamer]

I see that this is an old discussion but it struck me today while out on the water. I’ve had the boat for 5 years now and this was the first time I’ve ever experienced this.

The fix was listed across several different posts so I’ll summarize:

Go to the stereo controller at the rear of the boat and hold the “Menu” button and turn the volume knob until the Bluetooth option appears. Toggle the BT to “On”

I found the instructions here (page 22)

Bluetooth Operation - Polk Audio PA4A Installation And Operation Manual [Page 24]

Polk Audio PA4A Manual Online: Bluetooth Operation. The PA4A includes built-in Bluetooth technology that allows you to wirelessly connect Bluetooth devices to this head unit for streaming audio playback. About Bluetooth Technology Bluetooth is a short-range wireless radio protocol.

www.manualslib.com