Subwoofer

Stevieb · Post by **Stevieb** » 05 Apr 2008, 17:16

I just installed my amp and subwoofer, but I cannot connect the power cable to the battery and through the engine, into the body, because I cannot see any means to get through the heat shield. Thoughts? 1994 Volvo 850 Turbo Sedan.

bnzlva · Post by **bnzlva** » 05 Apr 2008, 18:50

You don't have to take my advice, but I ran mine under the driver's side door trim and through an opening at the door hinge. This puts it just inside the front fender. I then passed it through the driver's side hood hinge and laid it in a groove in the fender. It was actually rather easy. The hardest part was getting it from the door hinge through to the hood hinge. Just be careful that there wire isn't being smashed or cut anywhere. I will try to post pics tomorrow.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 06 Apr 2008, 08:13

There is a pass through with wires running through a conduit already, just above the brake pedal. Take a look. It's a rubber piece that has a couple of "nipples" on it. Pinch an unused nipple off and you'll be able to use the hole created to get to the other side. On the other side, the exit is near the master brake cylinder. I'll try to post pictures if you're confused or can't find what I'm talking about. On the engine side, I believe there's a "cap" and not a nipple.

Stevieb · Post by **Stevieb** » 06 Apr 2008, 11:11

Thanks for both replies. MadeInJapan, I checked out the area you suggested and I'm not quite sure of where it is located. If you could post some pictures up I'd appreciate it, I'm sure it would clear it up. Thanks for help.

Stevieb · Post by **Stevieb** » 06 Apr 2008, 11:28

I saw the wires above the brake pedal and a bit to the left, and I saw three small cylinder shaped ribber pieces, however if those are the passes you were referring to I'm not sure the cable will fit, its a 4 gauge cable. Unless that entire rubber fixture can come out, but even then I'm not sure how much clearance there is.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 06 Apr 2008, 16:48

The little nipples can be enlarged or the cap for all the nipples can come off, they all connect to one larger conduit. Here is a picture in the engine bay side. Same funky rubber contraption (what I'm calling the nipples in the location described in the previous post...above and to the left of the brake pedal):

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 06 Apr 2008, 17:44

bnzlva wrote:You don't have to take my advice, but I ran mine under the driver's side door trim and through an opening at the door hinge. This puts it just inside the front fender. I then passed it through the driver's side hood hinge and laid it in a groove in the fender. It was actually rather easy. The hardest part was getting it from the door hinge through to the hood hinge. Just be careful that there wire isn't being smashed or cut anywhere. I will try to post pics tomorrow.

For the first time DIYer's out there:

Please don't take this the wrong way, but that is not an advisable method.
There are a bunch of reasons you've never seen the factory do it.

There is ALWAYS a spot in the firewall. The B+ lead really should stay inside the car.
Just about every car I have ever seen has an unused firewall grommet somewhere.
And if there isn't one, you can always make a hole. And please don't forget the grommet!
Most automatics have a good passthrough spot where the clutch would have been.
I've punched countless holes in that location on numerous vehicles.

And just a friendlly reminder: Always fuse the main lead right at the battery.
Smoking, burned hulks of formerly nice Volvos are just depressing...

Stevieb · Post by **Stevieb** » 07 Apr 2008, 14:11

MadeInJapan, I found (Thanks to photo confirmation) the conduit and was able to remove the rubber end on both the interior and engine bay sides and successfully fed the cable through and into my trunk. Thanks a lot for the help, couldn't have done it otherwise. I appreciate everyones input.

-Steve

Post by **VCA** » 07 Apr 2008, 15:30

I have a related question, if opposite: any idea where I can find a rubber plug to plug a firewall hole placed there by a previous owner's subwoofer power cable?

I restored my S70 to factory radio (and later the SC-901 with upgraded Dynaudios) and have no use for the hole...I left a length of cable through it right now to keep the water out, but it annoys the spit out of me whenever I think about it.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 07 Apr 2008, 16:40

Just go to a chemical supply place that sells test tubes, etc. and buy an appropriate size rubber plug and stop her up. Home brew supply places also sell these in a variety of sizes.