I have a 2004 s60 with horrible am reception. I've heard of a brass strip fix kit is anyone familier with this fix and just where is the antenna located?
thx need help
am antenna brass strip fix kit
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fazool
- Posts: 746
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- Year and Model: S60, 2007
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Hmmm....that's strange. There is only one antenna outside the radio. It's my understanding that antenna is dedicated to FM reception only and that the AM antenna is actually internal to the radio itself.
Well, that's a common way that radios are set up. Some share an antenna (like a boom box radio, etc).
But I think the important point is this: if you have good FM reception, then the antenna is probably not the culprit. Either its not used for your AM signal or its a shared antenna but its intact and working well (for FM, anyway).
I have two S60's. The AM reception on them is, frankly, pretty poor. I only have a couple presets even programmed because that's all I can tune in.
I think the AM "antenna" is internal to these radios and just really weak.
If you are really intent on AM stations, I might suggest getting an aftermarket head unit, but you would sacrifice your steering wheel controls - as there is no current solution to that issue available.
Well, that's a common way that radios are set up. Some share an antenna (like a boom box radio, etc).
But I think the important point is this: if you have good FM reception, then the antenna is probably not the culprit. Either its not used for your AM signal or its a shared antenna but its intact and working well (for FM, anyway).
I have two S60's. The AM reception on them is, frankly, pretty poor. I only have a couple presets even programmed because that's all I can tune in.
I think the AM "antenna" is internal to these radios and just really weak.
If you are really intent on AM stations, I might suggest getting an aftermarket head unit, but you would sacrifice your steering wheel controls - as there is no current solution to that issue available.
2007 S60 2.5T AWD (Daily Driver)
2001 S60 2.4T (Daughter's Car)
2003 S80 2.9 (Son's Car)
1995 850 2.4 (Daughter's Car - sold off)
2005 S40 2.4i (Bought new - since sold)
1986 740GLE 2.3(First Volvo - sold off)
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BEJinFbk
- Posts: 4067
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Never heard of a Brass Strip fix...But keep searching and asking.
Most Volvo premium radios have 2 antennas and for FM and use a switching method
called diversity tuning to select the best of the 2 antenna signals at any given time.
AM propagates differently and only uses the main antenna with no diversity.
On your S60, the Main antenna is the rear window defroster grid and the Sub is in the rear bumper.
There are also two magic boxes between the HU and the antennas that amplify the signals.
The one for the Main (16/16) is also the adapter that couples the radio into the defroster grid.
The Sub antenna (16/68) and it's amp (16/67) are here:
There may be some funky connections with the rear window amp/coupler.
Hard to say from here. This Brass Strip thing may be worth a better look,
but I'd be more interested in finding out what changed since it was new.
Where you are in relation to the AM transmitters may be also be a factor.
Most Volvo premium radios have 2 antennas and for FM and use a switching method
called diversity tuning to select the best of the 2 antenna signals at any given time.
AM propagates differently and only uses the main antenna with no diversity.
On your S60, the Main antenna is the rear window defroster grid and the Sub is in the rear bumper.
There are also two magic boxes between the HU and the antennas that amplify the signals.
The one for the Main (16/16) is also the adapter that couples the radio into the defroster grid.
- 2004 S60 main antenna amp 16-16 location.jpg (33.3 KiB) Viewed 13909 times
- 2004 S60 sub antenna 16-68 location.jpg (26.25 KiB) Viewed 13909 times
- 2004 S60 sub antenna amp 16-67 location.jpg (26.56 KiB) Viewed 13909 times
Hard to say from here. This Brass Strip thing may be worth a better look,
but I'd be more interested in finding out what changed since it was new.
Where you are in relation to the AM transmitters may be also be a factor.
'98 V70 R - Well Equipped for Life Up North... 
found the info on the brass strip kit here:http://www.volvo-forums.com/t15342-s60- ... eption.htm
Audio System - Poor AM Reception
NO: 39-35
DATE: 04/03/2003
MODEL/YEAR:
S80 MY 99 ->, S60 MY 01 ->
SUBJECT:
Poor AM Reception
CHASSIS:
REFERENCE:
Service Bulletin 39-0018 and 39-0025
looks like the kit is available for less than 10 bucks, my big question is how to get that rear trim panel off, its marked with the srs air-bags for the back seat/curtain and don't want to take a chance on blowing that.
anyone have advice on how to get the panel off to install the kit?
Audio System - Poor AM Reception
NO: 39-35
DATE: 04/03/2003
MODEL/YEAR:
S80 MY 99 ->, S60 MY 01 ->
SUBJECT:
Poor AM Reception
CHASSIS:
REFERENCE:
Service Bulletin 39-0018 and 39-0025
looks like the kit is available for less than 10 bucks, my big question is how to get that rear trim panel off, its marked with the srs air-bags for the back seat/curtain and don't want to take a chance on blowing that.
anyone have advice on how to get the panel off to install the kit?
I tried this brass strip fix on my 2000 S80 T6 that was giving me nothing but static on AM. FM was fine.
First attempt was just to unplug and re-plugin the AM antenna on the large control unit behind the trunk fascia behind the left rear wheel. That seemed to help but then bumps would still significantly change the amount static. So I bought the brass strip from the local Volvo dealer parts for about $5. I recommend using this strip because it is the right width, thickness, and length for the small (less than RCA connector size) on the amplifier module it's intended for. Yes, I did try this fix as implied by recommending the Volvo supplied brass strip and it totally cleaned up the AM on my stock Volvo radio. I also loosened and retightened the amplifier mounting bolt.
How to get to the amplifier on a 2000 S80:
First, there is the air curtain assembly just above the amplifier. Per other's suggestions on the web, I disconnected the battery for 30 min before attempting to remove the rear seat left side bolster cushion and the C-pillar interior trim.
Second, the bolster cushion has two plastic clips that retain it in position, one near the top, the other near the bottom. The bottom clip is accessed by feel from the seat side of the bolster. Push a detent on the clip to release it. Sorry no photo but you should be able to 'tell' by feel what part will move when pressed firmly. The top clip also has a release tab in the lower center. Once the bottom clip is released, then release the top clip and slide the bolster/cushion up to remove.
Third, the C-pillar trim covers both the aircushion mechanism on my S80 and the amplifier. There were two metal clips about 0.5x0.5x0.25 in under the door weather seal that held the front upper part of the trim. Then I recall two pop-in panel connectors, one near the lower front of the trim and one about lower midway back and a plastic guide that fits into a slot in a chassis piece near the back window. I found pictures of a 1999 S80 AM brass strip fix that are helpful at http://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-s80- ... ion-44601/
Fourth, follow the instructions for bending the brass strip so the end that is inserted into the connector to improve the ground is precisely 8 mm in length bent a total of ~ 135 deg back towards the other end of the strip(making the short end longer than 8 mm apparently degrades the fix). This allows the brass strip to be inserted into the connector on the amplifier and then the longer end 'conformed' to the side and top of the amplifier - the longer end then taped to the top of the amplifier. And make sure the snaps on the coax cable connecter are not blocked by the longer brass strip piece so they firmly hold the cable's coax connector on.
Finally, the SRS plastic cover near the top of the trim piece took a little experimenting to get it back in position when replacing the trim.
So far, the AM seems to work fine - after a week of driving.
First attempt was just to unplug and re-plugin the AM antenna on the large control unit behind the trunk fascia behind the left rear wheel. That seemed to help but then bumps would still significantly change the amount static. So I bought the brass strip from the local Volvo dealer parts for about $5. I recommend using this strip because it is the right width, thickness, and length for the small (less than RCA connector size) on the amplifier module it's intended for. Yes, I did try this fix as implied by recommending the Volvo supplied brass strip and it totally cleaned up the AM on my stock Volvo radio. I also loosened and retightened the amplifier mounting bolt.
How to get to the amplifier on a 2000 S80:
First, there is the air curtain assembly just above the amplifier. Per other's suggestions on the web, I disconnected the battery for 30 min before attempting to remove the rear seat left side bolster cushion and the C-pillar interior trim.
Second, the bolster cushion has two plastic clips that retain it in position, one near the top, the other near the bottom. The bottom clip is accessed by feel from the seat side of the bolster. Push a detent on the clip to release it. Sorry no photo but you should be able to 'tell' by feel what part will move when pressed firmly. The top clip also has a release tab in the lower center. Once the bottom clip is released, then release the top clip and slide the bolster/cushion up to remove.
Third, the C-pillar trim covers both the aircushion mechanism on my S80 and the amplifier. There were two metal clips about 0.5x0.5x0.25 in under the door weather seal that held the front upper part of the trim. Then I recall two pop-in panel connectors, one near the lower front of the trim and one about lower midway back and a plastic guide that fits into a slot in a chassis piece near the back window. I found pictures of a 1999 S80 AM brass strip fix that are helpful at http://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-s80- ... ion-44601/
Fourth, follow the instructions for bending the brass strip so the end that is inserted into the connector to improve the ground is precisely 8 mm in length bent a total of ~ 135 deg back towards the other end of the strip(making the short end longer than 8 mm apparently degrades the fix). This allows the brass strip to be inserted into the connector on the amplifier and then the longer end 'conformed' to the side and top of the amplifier - the longer end then taped to the top of the amplifier. And make sure the snaps on the coax cable connecter are not blocked by the longer brass strip piece so they firmly hold the cable's coax connector on.
Finally, the SRS plastic cover near the top of the trim piece took a little experimenting to get it back in position when replacing the trim.
So far, the AM seems to work fine - after a week of driving.
Fixed my 99 volvo s80 t6 today and I did NOT need a brass strip fix kit.
simply unplugging and replugging in the antenna connector fixed this issue for me, I'm assuming that the antenna connection may have had some kind of oxidation buildup. The hardest part of this repair was trying to remove the side seat back cushion.
simply unplugging and replugging in the antenna connector fixed this issue for me, I'm assuming that the antenna connection may have had some kind of oxidation buildup. The hardest part of this repair was trying to remove the side seat back cushion.
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