AM radio reception '98V70T Topic is solved

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 02 Jun 2003, 14:45

I need some help tracking down a reception and static problem. Reception is much much worse than my wife's 2002 Altima and my kids' 1997 altima. I love driving this car but do like to occasionally listen to a.m. for talk shows but it is painful to listen to.

Ideas for trouble shooting and fixing welcom. I suspect I have two problems - one is antenna coverage and the other is grounding. Just do not know where to start.

TIA
John
Blue '98 V70T 100K miles

Post by **matthew1** » 02 Jun 2003, 15:17

I can't tell from your post if your problem is poor AM (a hallmark of Volvo radios) or if something is broken. Do you get nearby radio stations ok?

I've never been impressed, or even happy, with AM on my 850. Eighty percent of the stations that the Seek button stops at are static. Going under small bridges causes static on otherwise very clear broadcasts.

johnm2418 · Post by **johnm2418** » 03 Jun 2003, 08:34

I was the "guest" prior to my registration. It sounds like we have the same issue. Know any good replacement units that would help this? Would a true standard anntenna in the front improve things?

dpauto.com · Post by **dpauto.com** » 03 Jun 2003, 23:55

One common problem is the mounting nut for the antena mast is often come lose. Grab a size 16 mm wrench and make sure that nut is tight!

Also, I believe you can adjust the reception on the radio itself on the 98 S70...calls the "SRC SETTINGS"

It has been awhile since I last adjusted one of those radios.

Dave

johnm2418 · Post by **johnm2418** » 04 Jun 2003, 11:41

Has anyone added a mast to their auto? Did it help?

I may try to see if I can find the adjustment you described and also go through all the connections to see if any are oxidized and maybe add an antenna booster behind the dash.

I hate to change the clean look by adding a mast antenna.

Thanks for all suggestions.

Post by **matthew1** » 04 Jun 2003, 15:57

70 series don't have a mast? I didn't know that. My 850 does... if you think it's going to improve AM reception you might want to try an improvised, non-permanent mast as a test first. I think the problem is in the radio design because I've heard the AM complaint several times before.

I'd hate to get a new radio to solve this or other radio problems because it creates a thief magnet. The OEM is so boring looking, and double-height, that punks wouldn't be caught dead with it in their Hondas.

I'd like to get a glovebox-mounted MP3 disc changer... now that would rejuvenate my 850's sound.

milaninthesun · Post by **milaninthesun** » 19 Aug 2007, 18:54

Assumming you have an oem volvo radio in the car, it should have worked without problems from the factory. I have ran into the same problem with my 95 850. I am replacing ignition components(ie wires, coil, distributer cap). The wires made a significant difference in the am reception, and the car ran much better. In closing it is just hunting down the components that have aged. Replacing these components can't help but to make the car run better to.

Good luck

Post by **JRL** » 19 Aug 2007, 20:13

matthew1 wrote:70 series don't have a mast? I didn't know that. My 850 does... if you think it's going to improve AM reception you might want to try an improvised, non-permanent mast as a test first.

Of course they do. I owned and sold literally a hundred of these and every one (that had a working antenna) had fine AM reception

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 19 Aug 2007, 20:16

My AM reception in my 850 sedan is amongst the best I've had in any car, much better than the Delco in my Suburban and also much better than the Alpine my son has in his Jeep. I listen to AM a lot and that is why I haven't replaced the OEM radio with an aftermarket CD headunit.

There is an amplifier on the passenger

as400jockey · Post by **as400jockey** » 30 Mar 2012, 13:50

If you have an aftermarket radio, the problem might be due to the voltage being fed to the antenna amp. I found that the stock radio in my 2001 V70 feeds 10 volts to the antenna amp, while any aftermarket radio would feed full battery voltage (13.5 +/-) .

The high voltage causes the antenna amp to turn itself off.

I was able to fix it by splicing in a 10 watt, 50 ohm wirewound resistor from Radio Shack in the "power antenna" lead coming from the aftermarket radio.

DISCLAIMER - this worked for ME, based on some measurements and calculations I did for MY situation. Yours may or may not be the same, so don't take my word for it. If you don't know what I'm talking about here, take your car to a car stereo place and ask them to review this information...