Add an Ipod Input to tape player of SC-815/816

[b2fkb0]

Well, sorry it took me a year to get back with this, but I hope it helps! Just did a black faced sc-816 for the 855r for my daughter as her Christmas present, here's what I did;

Start with an sc-816 (this is a black faced unit out of a 940)

Remove both sidebar mechanisms, they have 3 screws (note that you'll have a bunch of these to remove and they are all identical)

Next take these off on both sides

Pull the volume knob off. (see first pic) Then gently pry up on the top and side holding tabs, do one side at a time

Gently tug the face ribbon cable loose and viola it's off!

How's a great time to change out the bulbs, there are 5 of them. I couldn't get at my Volvo dealer but found identical units at the Honda dealer! Here's the p/n

The bulbs need the blue covers which can be pinched off and reused on a clear bulb

Now remove the top cover and expose the cd drive, remove the 4 screws that hold this, the front 2 are hard to see

Gently lift the cd drive out and tug the ribbon cable out of it from the bottom, these are friction fit (take care not to bend the ribbon cable or pull loose the lower connection)

Now the cassette deck is exposed, remove the crossbar brace, then the 4 screws that hold the cassette deck

Once removed (pull the ribbon cable on this one too) the green circuit board on the top right side toward the front has two solder pins, Rch and Lch, these are where you solder the two leads from the iPod cable,


Carefully cut off the female end of the iPod cord and cut length wise to expose the wires. (Note it is easiest to run the ipod wire into the existing hole located on the lower back of the rights side panel. Then fish the cut end through and pull almost all wire through the hole, and THEN solder to the cassette deck. Pull the slack back out when you replace the cassette deck)

They are very fine so we found it easiest to burn their insulation off with a lighter once they are exposed.

Flux and clean each wire end to prepare for attaching to the circuit board. We used an electric solder gun.

I REMOVED TWO PHOTOS, DIRECTLY ABOVE THIS EDIT, FROM THE ORIGINAL CONTENT OF THIS TUTORIAL DUE TO INACCURACIES. THIS LINK WILL WARP YOU TO PAGE 3 OF THIS THREAD, AND TO A CORRECT PHOTO AND DESCRIPTION OF THE SOLDER LOCATIONS. -- Matt

Reverse the order and put the radio back together. Handle the components carefully during reinstallation. Install the radio and fish the iPod cord first through the passenger side console.

Insert a cassette stripped of all it's tape. The deck usually rejects the tape so push back in and hit the cassette button to reverse the tape. The tape will stay in the deck and you can plug in your iPod or other mp3 device.

Set the iPod at 3/4 volume and it will play nice digital sound through your system! Enjoy!

[cn90]

Haha,

I have been wondering about this Aux Input DIY.
Thanks for sharing.
Now the real challenge is how to wire the rectangular connector (the usual Ipod, iTouch, iPhone connectors) to the Volvo radio.

PS: The alternative is an aftermarket unit such as Blaupunkt ($90) with Aux Input.

[cn90]

For those who want to save some money, the Honda bulb is fine but there is a better alternative.

If you own a few cars at home, then chances are your cars use CNW1-23 to illuminate the dash, radio etc.

Just order a whole bunch, I usually order about 20 of these bulbs to save freight cost:
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/JKL ... D1qXEQY8mC

[jblackburn]

Pinned in the repair database. Thank you!

[David in NC]

Great write-up with great pictures. I would like to add an AUX input but am leery of tearing into my recently acquired SC-901.
I've been wondering about splicing an iPod lead into the audio wires in the CD changer cable. I've searched and found this done with commercial devices, but not without. Can it been done?

[anjill182]

Read this http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/topic/49 ... vo-sc-hus/
I used some stock cables from a junkyard instead of making new.

[BEJinFbk]

Great write-up with great pictures. I would like to add an AUX input but am leery of tearing into my recently acquired SC-901.
I've been wondering about splicing an iPod lead into the audio wires in the CD changer cable. I've searched and found this done with commercial devices, but not without. Can it been done?

In a word, No. One way or another, the HU needs the digital trigger for changer input.
That write up link requires a Volvo changer and IMHO is a pretty long trip to the well.
FWIW, I'd just cut my losses and buy the adapter. That makes it Pretty much Plug n Play.

[David in NC]

I have an external CD changer in my car and am adding an SC-901 head unit with an amp out of an 850.

If I leave the changer operational and splice a switched iPod connection into the audio leads from the changer, would both devices be playable? Isn't that what was done here? Thanks.

[BEJinFbk]

If you have a Volvo Changer that already works with the 901, sure.