Dad Fix My Speakers! Radio Problem '93 850

cudatime71 · Post by **cudatime71** » 31 May 2010, 08:57

Hello All-
I purchased my daughter a '93 850 last August (our first Volvo). Since then, she's been very frustrated with her 'speakers' stating that they work sometimes and stop working after awhile. What I've found so far, is that the antenna is going up just fine. The speakers start out fine, after several minutes the front speakers cut out and the back remain; after several more minutes, there is a static/contact/interference sound and then the back slowly fade out. In checking out the wiring, I'm all the more impressed at how well these cars are built. Everything is pretty much protected as far as the wiring and insulation protecting them from fray/interference. I'm wondering, has anyone else had this problem? Could this be a power source/fuse problem. The radio itself? Any suggestions/direction is greatly appreciated.
Take care,
Jon-

Post by **jblackburn** » 31 May 2010, 09:18

My first guess would be the radio.

I would pull it out and try to clean up the contacts on the volume knob and fader switch.

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... f=1&t=5541

cudatime71 · Post by **cudatime71** » 31 May 2010, 09:24

Thanks jablackburn! I'm on it! I'll let you know how it goes.

cudatime71 · Post by **cudatime71** » 31 May 2010, 10:00

How would I get to the fader switch? So far, nothing else has solved my problem. Should I take the front face plate off? Anyone else have any luck getting a used radio off Ebay?

Post by **jblackburn** » 31 May 2010, 11:54

It looks to me like the side plate unscrews, and you may be able to reach it from there. If not, the faceplate might be a good bet. I have a different unit in my car, so I can't tell you how yours comes apart

I've got an early 80's home stereo (the best kind!) where the potentiometers do the same thing, so that's why I suggested trying to clean the contacts, but in my case (and possibly in yours) I just need to find new pots for it, which has proven pretty difficult so far. If this doesn't work for you, you can probably find a new headunit for very cheap rather than trying to repair that one. You can even drop in one of the SC-816's with a CD player, or the R versions with a 3-cd changer, if you can find one. Or go aftermarket!

FCPEURO · Post by **FCPEURO** » 31 May 2010, 12:35

Quick question? Is it possible that the amp is going out? It maybe overheating and shutting down.

cudatime71 · Post by **cudatime71** » 31 May 2010, 13:35

All great tips! Since there are no dumb questions, here I go: Where's the amp and how do I check it?
Thanks to you both!

fraigan · Post by **fraigan** » 31 May 2010, 13:46

FCPGroton wrote:Quick question? Is it possible that the amp is going out? It maybe overheating and shutting down.

indeed.

cudatime71 - what you're describing are all symptoms of the amp being shot. i had a similar problem (similar, because it was in one of my saabs) and i spent hours completely dissecting the unit only to discover the problem was the amp. the amp in my unit was surface-mounted and absolutely inaccessible for repairs.

perhaps, dad, your daughter may be in for an upgrade.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 31 May 2010, 19:58

If you have an amp it is located directly behind and below the radio mounted on the center hump for the exhaust to snake through. I had a problem with my only car that has an after market amp where the cooling fins on the amp itself chaffed the wiring harness. They are razor sharp.

The other suggestions are quite valid but my guess is that you have an SC-810 (notorious for the crackling volume control and faders). You can pick up a SC-813 on eBay for around $30.00, pop it in and problem solved.

...Lee

cudatime71 · Post by **cudatime71** » 19 Jun 2010, 11:32

Thanks to all who contributed. One more quick question, if I purchase a used system on Ebay, will it come w/the code? How does that work?

Jon-