How to troubleshoot radio not working in XC90

[2003XC90]

We have a 2003 with the "upgraded" factory radio which includes the Bose speakers and the 6-disk CD changer.
The radio stopped working and the factory GPS, which is activated from the steering wheel, will not come on either.
Does anyone know how to troubleshoot the radio?
We checked ALL of the fuses and none were blown.
FYI, according to Crutchfield and some other audio shops, there is no aftermarket replacement radio for this vehicle.
We're trying to avoid another $1,000 trip to the dealer...

Thanks!

[simon templar]

Stupic question.. did you check the fuse ..?

[jimmy57]

Have you checked for loose fiber optic lead pairs not being plugged in at every module like was suggested on that other site?

IF all is plugged in then the next step is to do a Ring Break test using VIDA.

In lieu of Ring Break test the fiber optic leads can be jumpered using a fiber optic jumper connector you can buy at a Volvo dealer. When the non-functioning module is jumpered the system will come back up but the function whichever module is bypassed will be off and you may not have sound, only the display will work.

[mbreed]

A failed XC90 head unit is not at all uncommon

[FREEBUSINESSES]

I have 05 XC90 and having searched high and low I have yet had an answer to AM/FM radio cutting out, and finally cut out permanently. My question is simple, obviously it has power, as the digital screen will light up for a couple seconds, and then blank out. The CD works fine, so would this not eliminate amplifier issues? I know there are three fuses for radio and CD, and of course, they are all good. I changed the radio from one vehicle to another like model and year from salvage yard, first one would not light screen at all, no CD, so I assume it was not the proper SN match which some talk about given two different manufacturers, one made in China and one from Ireland. Makes sense you have to use the same unit of same manufacturer.
I hate to use common sense on Volvo's for nothing makes common sense.

OK, here is my question, I pulled out amplifier, thankfully, no water, dry with no signs of any leaks as I did modification on sun roof drain tubes years ago thanks to forums like this. I have fiber optic light to radio, CD, and Amplifier. So I can only assume these units are working, so a question, I pulled fuse for amplifier, and CD still played fine, so is amplifier for radio only, or is it something that was included in optional 6 disc CD option, didn't make common sense to work without fuse.

OK, I bought another radio head, this one was same manufacturer, and it replicated original problem, screen would come on and go off in a couple seconds, no AM/FM but CD worked, so I assume it is not this radio head as an issue, again, using common sense. Both were manufactured in Ireland which I assume is the easier way to define which will work in which whereby some were calling dealer to use SN compatibility to see which will work with which. So save the hassle and look for the manufacturer which defines which will work with what you have.

OK, last step, I pulled out radio antenna module in rear overhead panel of roof. What a hassle, so some have said this can cause reception issues, but my question is can this prevent radio head from selecting radio and shut down? No one seems to follow up on these issues and post what they found to be wrong. Simple question, has anyone had my same issues of radio not working and it being this antenna module. It is harder to find and costly to replace, hate to waste even more money, but replacing the radio head did nothing. With so few on forums posting on this issue, perhaps as old as threads are which have no answer, someone would be kind enough to provide more input and answers.

Thanks

[FREEBUSINESSES]

Ah, this problem happened with me also but there are some suggestions that can b found on google which helped me a lot.

Thanks, I have googled everything, and now answer, just the same symptoms, so what fixed yours if you remember. Too many people don't follow up with solutions is what I have found in most forums.

[RosserV70]

I have the same problem. It started when my battery was low and the car couldn’t start. I also checked the fuses and no success. I am wondering if the back of the radio has a fuse as I have seen with other models. Anyone solve this issue or seen this problem?

[dikidera]

Well my hu650 fm radio cuts out when cold and works when hot until I use the AC. Today I suckered punched it several times and it magically started working. It stopped working again after 15 minutes whereby I punched it hard again. It started working again.

Sometimes the old give it a smack method works wonders.

What this means for the HU650 and HU850, is that not always is the DSP chip responsible for the problems of the unit. I started suspecting the volume knob panel for some of the causes, especially since slapping it/punching it makes it work.