Is upgrading RD43 to RD45 feasible?

[patriotbarrow]

Hello all,

I have recently become the very happy owner of a 2009 Citroen C3 Picasso which comes with what research suggests is the RD43 head unit ( has USB/AUX; I haven't yet removed the unit to confirm). However, I would really like to have bluetooth functionality for handsfree calling and I know the RD45 is capable of such witchcraft.

I have considered going for an aftermarket piggyback system from Parrot or Bury but without a Connects2 adapter I would lose audio feedback from the parking sensors. That adapter is presently very hard to find or unreasonably expensive (50 quid-ish). Add to that the cost of the bluetooth unit..

So; RD43 to RD45. Has anybody tried it? Besides acquiring and installing a microphone, what else should I be on the lookout for? Some aliexpress listings have mentioned to incompatibilities between the display unit and the RD45. Could this be an issue as well?

Thank you all in advance.

Attached is a picture of the car. She's a beauty and I'm glad I went for it over German/American rivals.

[GiveMeABreak]

Post up your VIN so I can see exactly what kit you have.

[patriotbarrow]

Howdy!

VIN: VF7**************[VIN obfuscated, can be read by forum staff]

Thank you!

[GiveMeABreak]

Hi, so you have a C3 PICASSO FAMILY SALOON 1.6 HDi 110 particle emission filter (DV6TED4) Manual gearbox 5. This vehicle was factory fitted with the RD45 MP3 system and is also fitted with a jack socket and USB connector. Although this is referred to as the RD45, there does seem to be an RD43 sub-variation for the C3 Picasso, dependent on Country (so you were quite correct there - apologies). So oddly, MP3 but no Bluetooth is one of the 3 flavours this unit comes in.

From what I've checked, you already have the microphone, but would still need to have the RD45 unit that supports bluetooth AND you will need the correct telephone interface unit. Your unit is the 6574 KS (WITHOUT HANDS-FREE TELEPHONE KIT AND 1 JACK SOCKET + USB AND PART TO BE CONFIGURED) and you would need the 6574 TS part which is described as (WITH HANDS-FREE TELEPHONE KIT AND 1 JACK SOCKET + USB AND PART TO BE CONFIGURED).

You don't have the independent telematic unit (part 21), backup battery (part 22) or the mounting support (part 20), so shouldn't have the Citroen button or SOS logos on the dash.

In this diagram you should have parts 50 - Tel Interface Unit Support, 30 - Telephone interface unit, 40 - USB Port, 41 - USB Socket Harness and Part 60 - the Microphone.

[patriotbarrow]

This is mind-blowingly thorough information! WOW!

So in depth, that I am confused as to what exactly I need. I need the RD45 head unit and 6574 TS telephone interface unit. Correct? If that's the case, I know where I can source an RD45 from. The telephone control unit, however, I am stumped. Maybe look for them in scrapped cars?

Anyway, thank you so very much for the information provided! There's a lot for me to work with now.

[GiveMeABreak]

If you hang on, I’ll need to get you the revised part number in a tick (when I get to my PC), as it seems they were changed. You will also need to get access to a Lexia or know a local garage with one. This is the PSA group’s bespoke diagnostic tool with Diagbox software in order to code the new RD45 unit to your vehicle (coding it to your VIN) and then configure the correct options in the RD45 ECU and the BSI ( the car’s main computer controller) for it to be recognised and to work.

[GiveMeABreak]

Ok, so the revised part number for 6574 TS is 1607242180. Be aware that it costs over £271 inc. VAT new in the UK. I've seen them on the bay of evil new from about £200 and second hand from about £60 ish. The issue is ensuring you get the right part from a scrap yard as you'll no doubt have to dismantle the unit to see the part number. If you have the original 6574 TS, that should be fine or the newer part number - either should do.

[patriotbarrow]

I guess I'll have my work cut out for me, trying to find those part numbers. Oy.. Now I don't even know which option implies the least amount of hassle.. going for OEM parts or aftermarket.

[GiveMeABreak]

This particular model is a bit tricky, as there are quite a few variations of the RD45 unit as I mentioned. Some are for or without the independent telematic unit (the separate built in system for emergency services). It might be worth a chat to your local dealer to check that the display screen is also compatible - as I cannot tell from the documents - according to this I can't see another display apart from the large colour screen - so I'm assuming that the RD45 display for the stations and time etc are displayed on the instrument panel or other display.

[EDC5]

I replaced my RD4 with a RD45 that I bought on ebay, the handsfree is entirely handled by the RD45 unit (over bluetooth) and no external devices are required.

I also had to replace the multifunction screen too as mine was too old to show the USB and Bluetooth menus however with your radio being the RD43 it may already have the newer screen in which case you will only need the new headunit.

[GiveMeABreak]

There's only the optional large Dev screen Elis on the C3 Picasso - and the OP doesn't have this one. That's why I was mentioning about the display likely being integrated into the other C3 Picasso instrument display. So no small screen like you have in the X7 if you know what I mean.

[EDC5]

So no small screen like you have in the X7 if you know what I mean.

Haha... Size isn't everything Marc... or so I'm told

I understand, I'm not sure how the communication between the stereo and the screen work, I'm not sure if the radio can detect the screen over the CAN then send the appropriate commands for said display since some head units can use both the EMF-a and EMF-c screen.

[GiveMeABreak]

Haha... Size isn't everything Marc... or so I'm told

Speak for yourself Elis

The screens have separate processors built in - the quantity and function depending on the telematic and car options installed. Some models have again several variations of large and small display screens, but on some models the data output from the head units are displayed on the other integrated car displays.

It would be sooo much simpler if they had a common approach - but that would be too easy for PSA!

[EDC5]

Haha... Size isn't everything Marc... or so I'm told

Speak for yourself Elis

The screens have separate processors built in - the quantity and function depending on the telematic and car options installed. Some models have again several variations of large and small display screens, but on some models the data output from the head units are displayed on the other integrated car displays.

It would be sooo much simpler if they had a common approach - but that would be too easy for PSA!

Exactly, I'm so confused by how the car's various screens communicate. In the X7 the colour screen in the instrument cluster seems to take on a lot of the roles of the MFC as fitted to other Citroens (as judged from the Diagbox options for the screen). It would be nice to have a bigger screen in the middle or at least a colour one (like the Peugeot 607 )as it makes the interior look a bit dated tbh.

I'm assuming all ECU's are able to send data to the screens so the screen's processor decodes data from the BSI, ECU (for fuel consumption) or Headunit and displays it in a different menu?

[GiveMeABreak]

Yep, even the small screen in the centre of the instrument panel (between the speedo and RPM dials) has 2 variations - a full colour one and a slightly naffer one for lesser models. So for example, with my navigation system, I can have the next turn coming up or the exits at a roundabout more clearly displayed on this screen too, as well as the main colour screen.