new battery, dead radio buttons

lovelyleslie1981 · Post by **lovelyleslie1981** » 26 Mar 2007, 06:16

I have a '97 850. I just had to replace the battery and forgot about the fact that I was going to have to punch my code into my radio which means having to use two buttons that no longer work. Yes I own the car. I'm a little Georgia Peach. I don't go around stealing radios. How can I get the code in without the buttons? Is there a way to fix the buttons? Is there something I can pop out of the radio so I don't need the code? Help!!!

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 26 Mar 2007, 17:40

Welcome to the forum. I'm not sure if you're going to be able to get the code in if the buttons don't function. Look up in the repair database for the radio bulb replacement fix...it will show you how to take the radio out and apart. By chance you might figure out why the buttons aren't working. If this doesn't work, then I suggest you buy another Volvo radio...sometimes they are cheap on eBay, or get an after market radio, like many others here have done.

Post by **srnkanator** » 26 Mar 2007, 17:44

I have a Volvo radio in mint condition from my 95 850 I will never use again. I'll give it to you for free if you pay for shipping. PM me if you would like it.

larryh · Post by **larryh** » 26 Mar 2007, 18:15

Yes I own the car. I'm a little Georgia Peach.

sheesh, i'm going to start calling myself something cute like that if it means you guys will give me free stuff!

Post by **srnkanator** » 26 Mar 2007, 18:24

Just trying to keep my good Karma on the Vovlo front . . .besides everyone knows the peaches in Georgia may be sweet, but the Texas peaches will always be bigger

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 26 Mar 2007, 18:34

The only other thing I can figure is to identify the solder joints that correspond with the dead switches and use a jumper wire to short them out. What radio number is it and what buttons don't work? I have an old SC-810 on my desk and I can likely pull it apart and identify the solder joints that will jumper around the buttons.

...Lee

Post by **JRL** » 26 Mar 2007, 18:37

I have a perfect (with codes) AM/AM/CASSETTE radio, you can have it for 30 bucks plus shipping

lovelyleslie1981 · Post by **lovelyleslie1981** » 26 Mar 2007, 21:22

Thanks a ton. I'll get back to you. As of right now, I think my car needs an exorcism. Battery won't hold a charge. When I try to jump it, the horn blows until we take the cables off and the battery drains back down. Oh, and the emergency flashers go on but I never pushed the button. I think this POS is better off at the bottom of the Oconee River. If I can manage to exorcise the demon I will be sure to get in touch.

Post by **srnkanator** » 27 Mar 2007, 10:56

Have you checked your fuses?

zenmervolt · Post by **zenmervolt** » 27 Mar 2007, 11:22

lovelyleslie1981 wrote:Thanks a ton. I'll get back to you. As of right now, I think my car needs an exorcism. Battery won't hold a charge. When I try to jump it, the horn blows until we take the cables off and the battery drains back down. Oh, and the emergency flashers go on but I never pushed the button. I think this POS is better off at the bottom of the Oconee River. If I can manage to exorcise the demon I will be sure to get in touch.

That would be the alarm going off. When the battery is dead, the alarm can't dis-arm when you un-lock the car. So as soon as you connect jumper cables, the alarm system "wakes up", realises that the hood is open, and activates (typically blowing the horn and turning on the flashers). Perfectly normal result when jumping a modern car with a flat battery and certainly not indicative that the car is a "POS". Just hit the "unlock" button on the remote keypad and the alarm will turn off. (Naturally, you have to hit the un-lock button when the jumper cables are connected so that there's power to the alarm control unit.)

With a new battery, have someone check the current draw when the car is off. You probably just have a short circuit somewhere that's drawing continuous power. Has any part of the car's electrical system been modified in any way (aftermarket CD changer, aftermarket alarm, etc)? That would be the most likely culpret.