new volvo owner, who cannot make sense of any audio topics..

njsg · Post by **njsg** » 22 Dec 2011, 20:55

Hello all,

I just purchased a 1999 v70, and I have many questions about it- which belong in other areas, so get ready to see my user name pop up all over the place. But, I have been trying to dissect the issues with the stock stereo in my car, because I would really like to replace it for a double din radio, OR run an auxiliary line from it to connect with my iPod. Today, I spent 4 hours in Best Buy having a thing installed, only to have it uninstalled, because it was an FM transmitter for the iPod, which I do not want (and I CLEARLY stated that to the salesman, yet he managed to sell me one that said nothing about it on the box, and was 150 dollars.... I felt very tricked, because the image on the box is of an installed aux line in the dash.. tsk tsk Best Buy), the reception is horrible, and needless to say, I am a 25 year old mother of 3, and the car and my iPod are really the only escape I have to myself, so I want to get it right!

I do not have a lot of money, so I would like to be able to do this myself, or at least have my boyfriend do it, and I am also not very electronically inclined, so laymen's terms and simple steps are greatly appreciated. So far, I really like the double din stereos, as the single din are very small, and I feel like the pocket they create underneath the radio is not attractive to the eyes, and makes the car look silly. I like the Eclipse model CD1200G, which is available on eBay and includes a car specific wiring harness.

Will I be able to simply install this machine, or is it going to be a disaster? Would it be easier for me to try and run an aux cable? Or is that just as much a disaster. Best Buy told me that installation in a Volvo is over 200 dollars, plus an additional 50 or more for the new wires. Other mobile audio places also quoted me the same. Thats absolutely ridiculous!

Help?

Post by **precopster** » 23 Dec 2011, 05:06

I used a aftermarket harness adaptor from eBay seller liquid_ice a couple of years ago who has now disappeared for my '95 850 to adapt to a single din aftermarket stereo. It had the twin ISO on the other end but now all I could find were adapters which end in bare wire like this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VOLVO-WIRE-H ... 5d2b17efba

It was far easier to install a single din as I knew it would just slide in and with the vacant space I added a small compartment draw (also from eBay) for about $15

When you try and use a double din you will need to cut out the plastic divider in the console for the security slot in the factory radio. Perhaps these double din units have the same slot; if so you'll be OK but you'll still need a way to secure it from theft. This is where you may have to remove the whole console and secure the radio with supplied brackets. If your car is garaged it won't be a problem; it may jiggle around a bit and be squeaky.

Also the '99V70 radio has two antenna sockets. Don't know why it has two but you can plug one of them into the aftermarket unit; the other one is a smaller diameter and will be unused.

Post by **JRL** » 23 Dec 2011, 05:47

As was said, to install any DD head unit, you (or someone) needs to cut/file down the raised slots on either side of the opening.
It's been done hundreds of times, no big deal, but it's not an hour job.
If you want an ipod converter which uses the 6 CD changer pin (and has good sound) you can go with a
USA SPEC PA HON 11
Crutchfield sells these, make sure they send the extra cable for the Volvo HU that does not come with the kit

njsg · Post by **njsg** » 23 Dec 2011, 16:16

thank you! You mentioned the 6 cd changer, which my stereo has a button for "chgnr", but when i press it all I see are "EEEE" and thats it. I do not know if I have the changer, and if so, where it would be located. I looked in the trunk, and I did not see it.

Post by **fazool** » 23 Dec 2011, 17:10

I have a 1995 850, a 2001 S60 and a 2007 S60 so I don't have the exact model stereo you have but some of the concepts will be similar. Volvo has some peculiar-isms with their audio systems.

The head unit usually has an HU-xxx model number on it. Volvo offers different levels of audio systems. Most commonly (and it depends on the car and year) they offer a basic system, a intermediate system and a high end system. The medium one usually adds a small external amp and a sub woofer (depending on the car model). The high end system adds a bigger amp and a center channel speaker in the dash.

The back of the head units usually have connectors for external CD changers, satellite radio, and pre amp outputs to the optional amps. This depends on the year of course, the older ones don't support satellite radio.

The stock wiring in the car will route wires from the staero area to the speaker locations. If you put your own head unit in, you can usually get a double DIN adaptor for your model car. You have to get a custom adaptor or it wont match your dash nicely. You don't HAVE to use the wiring adaptors. If you do its plug and play. If you dont use them, you have to cut the connector off the speaker wiring and connect it all one wire at a time.

The newer volvos (Im not sure which year) added a canBUS networking system and it runs speed adjusted volume control and steerring wheel controls for your radio.

If you are handy, this is definitely a job you can do yourself. Basically, on a budget, what I would do is this:

Check eBay for the Din faceplate and adaptor ($30)
Get the wiring color codes and pinouts etc and cut the end off the connector for splicing new stereo into

I'm a big fan of the Sony xPlod or Pioneer series as budget components. The stock speakers are very marginal and being 12 years old the speakers get tired out.

I would get a Sony Stereo $125 on line

I would get two sets of Sony speakers from Walmart online $125

I would get a cheap 4-channel amp (Kenwood or Sony) for $125

So, you will keep all the speaker wiring in the car. You can keep the Volvo speakers. Be aware when changing those that they run channels in parallel so be aware of what speakers are wired where when you replace them.

If you really just want to replace the head unit, get a double DIN, get a Scosche brand faceplate and install it yourself.

Post by **JRL** » 24 Dec 2011, 11:53

To the OP, the changer pin in the back is where you plug in a converter unit such as the one I posted.
That gives it the capability for either an Ipod or (not both at the same time) a satellite radio which runs off the CD output with GOOD sound
If you're seeing EEEE that means you have no changer, and yes you would clearly see it in the truck (or some people mount it in the glovebox).
You have the easist radio to install one of these. Radio pops out in 10 seconds and that USA spec which is small mounts behind it.
You can get away with not removing the center console if you don't mind the Ipod cable running out the side of the center console, it can be fished through one of the gaps in the joint where the side of the console ends and meets the portion that goes up to the dash

drkaeppel · Post by **drkaeppel** » 10 Mar 2012, 19:11

Thought I would also chime in on this. I'm not a big DIYer either, but I was able to install a new headunit with few problems. Went to Car Toys to get a wiring harness, so there was no need to snip any wires at all. It plugged right into the factory radio harness.

For the IPod connector, I drilled a hole in the back of the glove box and routed the USB cable though there. My headunit has IPod/USB controls, so it's great having the option to conceal and lock my IPod in the glove box.