I've fixed my Bluetooth connection issue!
 

From the day I got my car I had Bluetooth connection issues. It would drop sometimes, but my main issue is that it wouldn't always auto-connect. Sometimes it would connect right away, sometimes it wouldn't connect at all, sometimes it would wait until I was 15 minutes into my trip.

Needless to say this was frustrating. During this time I had an iPhone 3, an iPhone 4, and a Galaxy S3, all had the same issue.

I think I fixed it! I recently started digging around in the less than obvious menu of the OEM head unit. I eventually drilled down into an option which asked "Connection Method?" and gave me two options: 'From Headunit' or 'From Device'. 'From Headunit' was selected by default (as I had never been in this menu before) so I figured that choosing 'From Device' couldn't hurt anything. Since making that change my Galaxy S3 now connects every single time almost as soon as I get in the car. It's awesome...and by awesome I mean it now meets my expectations. /sigh

Below is a visual walk through of how to get to that menu/option.

Side Note from Shaisters: After clicking on Bluetooth you have to click on Registered Devices to get to the next screen, not Detailed Bluetooth Settings

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Gx8Br3jTX...211_125608.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--RFadMQFzf...211_125614.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-toojiKmhL7...211_125621.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--hcbA2mUV3...211_125629.jpg

Great find! I had issues with my VZW Galaxy Nexus but since I got my Moto X it's been fine. Maybe the headunit has polling issues with it's BT radio?

I wonder how this changes the protocol for the connection?

I have to say that I love you. I've never had any issues with my iPhone, but the S3 never wanted to stay connected. Works like a goddamn charm now.

Side Note: After clicking on Bluetooth you have to click on Registered Devices to get to the next screen, not Detailed Bluetooth Settings

Need to try this out later. Thanks

Dude, this worked perfectly. Wonderful find.

EDIT: This trick works great for connection, but I think I still have to fiddle with it to keep it from disconnecting/reconnecting all the time.

Still didn't help my Atrix HD. Every time I start the car, the phone still asks me if I want to pair it, even though it's already saved as a "pair". Oh well, thanks for posting this, it was worth a shot.

you didnt fix it, you just adjusted the settings correctly for your phone..

Thanks for contributing Mike.

I'll take another pic tomorrow and change the description! Thanks!

holy crap need to try this! My galaxy S4 only connects correctly if I turn on bluetooth on the device after turning on the car. Otherwise, it just drops and reconnects continuously until I either power cycle the headunit or the phone.

Sweet, will try this with my GS3 today!

OP, for your next discovery, can you work on the Pioneer Avic unit that came in MY'13 Canadian BRZ?

/notsrs

Update: FAIL. Same results. Phone continually drops and reconnects as always. Nice try OP! Glad some folks are helped by this method!