2007 S60 Very Goofy Radio Issue

vtdog · Post by **vtdog** » 23 Mar 2015, 10:56

I have an '07 S60 sedan with the HU 850 radio. The radio randomly changes modes-will flip from FM1 to cd, or FM2/3/AM etc. The change happens at random times and does not seem related to bumps or driving as it will happen when car is stopped as well. A few times, but not always, the jump occured when I pulled the lever to use the window squirter.
I know that intermitterment electric gremlins are very difficult to trace and am hoping there is someone here with and idea. I did a topic search and could not find anything.

Thanks

Post by **JRL** » 23 Mar 2015, 16:29

Your radio is going bad.
I cannot tell you how many HU 850s I've burned through and every problem is different.

vtdog · Post by **vtdog** » 25 Mar 2015, 21:43

Not good to hear. If it does crap out I won't spend $ to get OEM. Is there an aftermarket radio that will work?

Post by **jimmy57** » 25 Mar 2015, 22:12

Try something cheap and easy: get one of those canned air cans for keyboard cleaning. Remove knobs and blow into the opening to clear any lint. I have had good success for erratic self selection of stations, volume level, and source (am-fm-cd) that cleaning has remedied for months or years.
If it doesn't work you are out $5.

Post by **chrism** » 26 Mar 2015, 08:04

Jimmy,
Same scenario here. Are you saying to pull the radio out and and blow air into the selectors from the back side, or simply remove the knobs and try to blow air in around the shafts from the front side? (That's what it sounds like.) I pulled a knob off and didn't really see any "opening" through which to blow air.

Post by **JDS60R** » 26 Mar 2015, 09:41

Spraying potentiometer cleaner wrecked mine but air might just help (Good call Jimmy). These are rotary encoders. They are made by alps . The design is one they make only for the radio manufacturer. They are 11 series alps encoders. I am experimenting with which ones work and fit best. If you are going to install a replacement alps encoder please not that the ones in the hu-850 are backwards. They are A follows B while the replacements are the standard B follow A type.

The heavy duty one are being shipped to me now so no test info on them . I am considering the heavy duty ones as the life is suggest a t a min of 100,000 cycles while the original is only 15K.

Just remember to swap the two outer wires on the non switch side and a 11mm 5v encoder will be fine.

I thought they were potentiometers as well and the cleaner destroyed mine. (switch worked but volume was gone. The wandering mode comes from the right hand encoder which has less detents and signals each one. The volume is a 30 detent with 15 pulses. I'll try to post the part number later. I'm buying them from mouser.

Post by **JDS60R** » 26 Mar 2015, 09:46

here you go ( remember I don't know if heavy duty fits yet - these are for volume knob only- mode knob is also 11 series but i think 18 detent 18ppr)

Heavy duty volume -outer posts reversed (edit - did not fit in stock shaft opening)
EC11K1524402
5 Volts Through Hole
ALPS Encoders
http://www.mouser.com/search/ProductDet ... 11K1524402

normal with outer posts reversed
688-EC11E15244B2
EC11E15244B2
11mm 15 RES 30 DTEN
http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/ALP ... 6ihw%3d%3d

Post by **JDS60R** » 26 Mar 2015, 09:49

I need a stock of HU -850's to continue to experiment with. If anyone else has one please let me know.
I've been paying $10 plus shipping as that is what non working ones sell for on ebay.

Post by **JRL** » 26 Mar 2015, 13:38

I just sold my last junker a couple of weeks ago
Problem was different, the radio worked fine, no lights at all and there is no easy way to change them

Post by **JDS60R** » 26 Mar 2015, 20:04

HD units arrived today . I will try to fit them this weekend or next week.