Add an iPod input to many Volvo radios for $0
This topic is in the MVS Volvo Repair Database »
Hardwire Your iPod to Your Volvo
-
tjts1
- Posts: 673
- Joined: 13 November 2007
- Year and Model: 96 855 NA 5 speed
- Location:
- Been thanked: 4 times
UPDATE:
I give up. Yes this modification works with the SC710 but the sound quality sucks. Instead I installed the old MP3 adapter from my old 960.
Its an FM adapter that plugs directly into the back of the head unit at the antenna. When switched on it disconnects the antenna and feeds directly into the stereo. It has none of the draw backs associated with traditional FM adapters that plug into the cigarette lighter.
I give up. Yes this modification works with the SC710 but the sound quality sucks. Instead I installed the old MP3 adapter from my old 960.
Its an FM adapter that plugs directly into the back of the head unit at the antenna. When switched on it disconnects the antenna and feeds directly into the stereo. It has none of the draw backs associated with traditional FM adapters that plug into the cigarette lighter.
Tried this out and it works perfectly. Toughest part was the soldering, as the pins were tiny and very close together. The other tricky part was figuring out which wire was which from the headphone cord, did that with an old battery tester i found in storage and a AA i had lying around.
If someone bugs me enough, I might even take it all apart again and get some good images to show where that card and the three little pins are, maybe with some tips for the tricky parts.
If someone bugs me enough, I might even take it all apart again and get some good images to show where that card and the three little pins are, maybe with some tips for the tricky parts.
'93 850 GLT 5-Speed Sedan non-turbo
All stock, except for iPod input mod (Thanks Richard W!!) and pioneer speakers
All stock, except for iPod input mod (Thanks Richard W!!) and pioneer speakers
I have soldered the wires from a head phone extension jack to the circuit board inside the radio. The sound comes through correctly L/R when my iPod is hooked up, but the quality is quite bad.
The volume is a little low, but is pretty close to the regular volume for cds/radio with the iPod at medium volume. I cannot tell if the signal is too strong or too weak, and whether I would need to add transistors/resistors to get rid of the distortion.
The one difficulty I had with soldering was that the 3 headphone wires each consisted of many small copper wires. I twisted them together and soldered them the best I could. Perhaps the connections are bad? Would using a small intermediate piece of copper wire between the board and the headphone wires make the connection more solid?
Also, my circuit board was not labeled underneath the white connector clip. I just followed the directions and soldered the wires to pins 3-5.
Thanks to everyone who has posted to this board! This is really cool!
The volume is a little low, but is pretty close to the regular volume for cds/radio with the iPod at medium volume. I cannot tell if the signal is too strong or too weak, and whether I would need to add transistors/resistors to get rid of the distortion.
The one difficulty I had with soldering was that the 3 headphone wires each consisted of many small copper wires. I twisted them together and soldered them the best I could. Perhaps the connections are bad? Would using a small intermediate piece of copper wire between the board and the headphone wires make the connection more solid?
Also, my circuit board was not labeled underneath the white connector clip. I just followed the directions and soldered the wires to pins 3-5.
Thanks to everyone who has posted to this board! This is really cool!
[quote="mja850"]I have soldered the wires from a head phone extension jack to the circuit board inside the radio. The sound comes through correctly L/R when my iPod is hooked up, but the quality is quite bad.
I just did this also but am happy to say that it worked really well for me. You might take it back apart and make sure that your wires aren't touching somewhere. My first try I had no power to the tape player and found that I had soldered 2 pins together. Fixed that and it's fine. I also used headphone wires and I know what you mean. I used the big copper wires for the ground and the colored wires for the positive. I soldered the grounds together, then to the board.
I just did this also but am happy to say that it worked really well for me. You might take it back apart and make sure that your wires aren't touching somewhere. My first try I had no power to the tape player and found that I had soldered 2 pins together. Fixed that and it's fine. I also used headphone wires and I know what you mean. I used the big copper wires for the ground and the colored wires for the positive. I soldered the grounds together, then to the board.
[quote="matthew1"]iPod Input for Your Volvo Radio
Adding iPod connection to Radio SC-813 (Picture 10):
First things first, thanks for getting me on the right track Richard W.!
I was disappointed to find that my radio did not seem to have that card you can pull out. Now I wonder, after figuring out how to make the connections to the SC-813, is the SC-813 maybe easier to work with than the other one!
Good luck with this project. The final result is well worth your trouble! It sounds great, no real big issues to overcome, just fiddling.
The connections on the circuit board are made to the right and left channel adjustable potentio meters, you can't see them in the pictures.
The dummy cassette does not work since it is kicked out by the cassette player after a few moments. Solution proved to be to use the (Philips) Cassette Adapter I used before to play my iPod through my cassette player with very mediocre sound quality. Did not waste anything anyway! I cut off the wires so you only have the cassette that goes into the player to trick it in being on, to allow for playing your iPod through it. I noticed no static/noise from cassette when there is no music playing and therefore did not take out the head of the cassette.
I felt that you should still be able to remove the radio and therefore added a Phone Jack to the radio in which you plug in an audio cable. This audio cable is used to run it to the location where you want to connect the iPod. I choose it to be next to the emergency brake which allows you to put the iPod in the ashtray area or on the passenger
Adding iPod connection to Radio SC-813 (Picture 10):
First things first, thanks for getting me on the right track Richard W.!
I was disappointed to find that my radio did not seem to have that card you can pull out. Now I wonder, after figuring out how to make the connections to the SC-813, is the SC-813 maybe easier to work with than the other one!
Good luck with this project. The final result is well worth your trouble! It sounds great, no real big issues to overcome, just fiddling.
The connections on the circuit board are made to the right and left channel adjustable potentio meters, you can't see them in the pictures.
The dummy cassette does not work since it is kicked out by the cassette player after a few moments. Solution proved to be to use the (Philips) Cassette Adapter I used before to play my iPod through my cassette player with very mediocre sound quality. Did not waste anything anyway! I cut off the wires so you only have the cassette that goes into the player to trick it in being on, to allow for playing your iPod through it. I noticed no static/noise from cassette when there is no music playing and therefore did not take out the head of the cassette.
I felt that you should still be able to remove the radio and therefore added a Phone Jack to the radio in which you plug in an audio cable. This audio cable is used to run it to the location where you want to connect the iPod. I choose it to be next to the emergency brake which allows you to put the iPod in the ashtray area or on the passenger
[quote="98v70GLT"][quote="matthew1"]iPod Input for Your Volvo Radio
Adding iPod connection to Radio SC-813 (Picture 10):
First things first, thanks for getting me on the right track Richard W.!
I was disappointed to find that my radio did not seem to have that card you can pull out. Now I wonder, after figuring out how to make the connections to the SC-813, is the SC-813 maybe easier to work with than the other one!
Man, that's a nice write up! Nice work! I really like the phone jack idea and location. It's nice to see someone adding their own twist to an already great idea! I have yet to install my radio in the car, I may just do this instead of the hardwire through the glovebox. I gotta say that you were lucky with your card. The 810 has tiny little solder points. It's hard not to bridge them!
Adding iPod connection to Radio SC-813 (Picture 10):
First things first, thanks for getting me on the right track Richard W.!
I was disappointed to find that my radio did not seem to have that card you can pull out. Now I wonder, after figuring out how to make the connections to the SC-813, is the SC-813 maybe easier to work with than the other one!
Man, that's a nice write up! Nice work! I really like the phone jack idea and location. It's nice to see someone adding their own twist to an already great idea! I have yet to install my radio in the car, I may just do this instead of the hardwire through the glovebox. I gotta say that you were lucky with your card. The 810 has tiny little solder points. It's hard not to bridge them!
[quote="98v70GLT"][quote="matthew1"]iPod Input for Your Volvo Radio
Adding iPod connection to Radio SC-813 (Picture 10):
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... 8383#58383
Above the links to the original post from Richard W. and my own write up for the 813 radio.
The following is my write up for adding an auxiliary input to any radio with cassette player.
Adding an auxiliary input to your radio for your iPod or MP3 player.
How?
In short:
1. Determine the location of the tape players head connections to solder your Audio Cable onto. The Audio Cable will be used to hookup your auxiliary source.
2. Add a 1 K. Ohm resistor to each channel of the Audio Cable and solder these to the head unit leads.
3. Connect your iPod/MP3 player.
4. Insert Adaptor Cassette or dummy cassette.
5. Adjust the volume.
6. ENJOY!!
After adding an input to my wife
Adding iPod connection to Radio SC-813 (Picture 10):
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/chat/p ... 8383#58383
Above the links to the original post from Richard W. and my own write up for the 813 radio.
The following is my write up for adding an auxiliary input to any radio with cassette player.
Adding an auxiliary input to your radio for your iPod or MP3 player.
How?
In short:
1. Determine the location of the tape players head connections to solder your Audio Cable onto. The Audio Cable will be used to hookup your auxiliary source.
2. Add a 1 K. Ohm resistor to each channel of the Audio Cable and solder these to the head unit leads.
3. Connect your iPod/MP3 player.
4. Insert Adaptor Cassette or dummy cassette.
5. Adjust the volume.
6. ENJOY!!
After adding an input to my wife
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- 0 Replies
- 566 Views
-
Last post by lingon300k
-
- 4 Replies
- 1494 Views
-
Last post by precopster