SC-710 no cassette audio & 'EEEE' from CD changer

morgant · Post by **morgant** » 23 Mar 2012, 05:36

Just bought a '97 850 a couple weeks ago and the radio & cassette in the factory SC-710 stereo worked fine, but I had not tested the CD changer. I filled the CD changer magazine and inserted it and pressing the 'CD' button gives 'EEEE'. The CD changer is definitely getting power as it can eject and the stereo has the correct code (I had to jump the car & re-enter it at one point) so what troubleshooting steps should I take?

Also, the cassette player worked fine for the first half of week one (I was using it with a cassette adapter for my iPod), but then one evening it started to sound like it was fast forwarding or eating tape or something and then eventually went quiet. Now it doesn't play any sound (real cassettes or the cassette adapter).

The radio still works, so I'm not going totally nuts on my 2hrs of commuting to/from work each day, but I'd like to have some options back. Or is this stereo likely on its way out? If so, I guess I'll be living with just radio unless someone has another SC-710 in good working order that they'd like to part with for next to nothing.

Post by **JRL** » 23 Mar 2012, 05:42

Old and broke(n)!

Post by **fazool** » 23 Mar 2012, 06:05

Don't fret (too much) those radios are rather cheap on eBay and, frankly, CD changers are kind of obsolete with the advent of iPod/mp3 adaptors.

Post by **rspi** » 23 Mar 2012, 07:47

Yea, get yourself a Premium Sound System from a 960 or newer 850 that has a CD/Cassette in it. You can get them for $50 or less.

You can also get a newer system.

morgant · Post by **morgant** » 23 Mar 2012, 16:17

Thanks all, figured it wasn't worth it, but I've got plenty else to do on this car so not looking to put much money--if any--into the stereo. Since I have an iPod, I certainly wasn't looking to use the CD changer unless I couldn't take the radio anymore (I won't drive with headphones/earbuds).

I'll look around on ebay for the other factory options (I know a few are listed in my manual) and see what the pricing is, but must admit that one of the two SC-710s I found also needs the cassette deck repaired... so, yeah.

One thought, I know there are some AUX-to-headphone jack adapters out there for the Volvo stereos, is there any likelihood that the 'EEEE' code is a result of the CD changer and that one would work with my iPod or would the 'EEEE' error code probably mean there's an issue internal to the stereo and so the adapter wouldn't work?

Thanks again!

Post by **JRL** » 23 Mar 2012, 17:15

I have an SC816 out of a 2000 XC that's PERFECT
You can have it for $50

Post by **Wagonizer** » 23 Mar 2012, 20:34

Here's a great mod for plugging the ipod directly into a volvo stereo- it works perfectly:

www.matthewsvolvosite.com/free-ipod-input-for-your-volvo-radio.html

morgant · Post by **morgant** » 24 Mar 2012, 06:17

@Wagonizer I had seen that, but wasn't sure if I wanted to try disassembly, but having read through the comments again and considering this radio might as well be replaced, it can't do too much harm.

@JRL Offer much appreciated and price is fair, although more than I can afford at the moment. I'll probably try the free (or as cheap as possible) hack of my existing stereo one of these weekends, but if I screw it up or it doesn't work for some reason, I'll DM you about your SC-816. I'm assuming you have the code, correct?

Post by **rspi** » 24 Mar 2012, 07:07

If you need a code for a Volvo radio you can call the local dealer, give them the sn off the top of the radio and they will get a code for you.

If the radio is reading EEEE you should be able to insert a tape and have it play a tape or tape adapter and keep using the thing. You can also press a FM2 button or something to hear the radio. If none of those options work you will need to replace the thing.

I have a SC-715 that you can have. I think one of the radio features do not work but I'm pretty sure the tape deck does. Pay $10 for shipping and it's yours. Then save a few bucks to get the one that JRL has so you can have some good sound.