2003 V70 I said "Turn the radio DOWN please!"

Post by **chrism** » 09 Oct 2014, 09:33

We've been having an issue for some time now with the volume control on the wife's 2005 S80, and I'm starting to experience the same thing on my 2003 V70. Sometimes when you turn the volume knob CCW (down), the volume actually increases. The S80 has gotten worse to the point that sometimes you have to turn, turn, turn a few times to get the volume to change at all. Is this something that can be remedied by spraying some electronic cleaner into the volume control or is the whole radio toast? I haven't taken it apart yet but was wondering if there's a cure before I waste the time tearing into it.

Post by **chrism** » 12 Oct 2014, 08:30

A little additional info....

When the radio volume control knob is acting up, the steering wheel control buttons still work properly. Hopefully this helps to isolate the problem.

Post by **oragex** » 12 Oct 2014, 20:13

Someone could confirm, but I believe it's the potentiometer fixed on the volume knob. If that's indeed the issue, perhaps try looking for a used radio over Ebay, and don't forget to disconnect the battery during the replacement repair, or it will throw an SRS message.

Post by **jimmy57** » 12 Oct 2014, 20:35

Pots for volume control are no longer used. They were replaced in the 90's on most Volvo head units.
There are touchless Hall sensor like devices that sense the knob motion CW or CCW in increments. That is why the radio tune and volume knobs can be moved round and round with HU off and then when it is powered on again the station and volume is not affected. This system also lends itself to remotes and to steering wheel controls.
These can be sensitive to dust and dirt. Canned air for keyboard and electronics cleaning can be effective and is a cheap effort.

I have had unwanted station changing issue on my V70 and I ran the knob round and round while blowing at base of knob with canned air. I haven't had any more ghost station changes in months. I initially suspected the buttons on wheel or me accidentally striking them but that wasn't the case (I still do inadvertently tune radio when turning into sparking spaces).

Post by **chrism** » 13 Oct 2014, 11:44

"...These can be sensitive to dust and dirt. Canned air for keyboard and electronics cleaning can be effective and is a cheap effort..."

So it sounds like it CAN be cleaned. That's good news.

"... I ran the knob round and round while blowing at base of knob with canned air..."

Better yet, it sounds as though I might not have to pull the radio out!

BTW, we have the "jumping station" issue with the S80. I've always blamed it on poor antenna performance, but maybe not.......??

Thanks for the info.