Help Identifying OEM Radio Cables

[99v70r]

Hello, I am installing an aftermarket head unit in a 1999 V70 R AWD and have found 2 factory connectors that I cannot identify the purpose of. My research so far seems to indicate that the 8 pin connector is for an optional disc changer that would be in the trunk, and the small coax is a second antenna, but I don't know what antenna that would be, and I haven't been able to verify either of these leads.

The 8 pin wire is taped to the main antenna wire and both run in the dash to the driver footwell, where they go into a plastic sheath that sends them to the towards the back of the vehicle (driver side).

The small coax runs in the dash to the passenger footwell, where it goes into a plastic sheath that sends it towards the back of the vehicle (passenger side).

Does anyone know the purpose of these wires?

VIN: YV1LV62D5X2582123

Thank you.

[scot850]

Did you check what it says on the back of the head unit? Some of them say what they are.

I think if memory serves, the multiplug is for the optional multi-CD changer. Typically that goes to behind the LH rear fender. If you open the tailgate and remove the LH floor side panel, it should live under there.

On a wagon, the antenna is built into the rear side window glass. In a wagon it would go to the LH side of the trunk to the telescopic antenna.

Funny, I have just swapped the Volvo radio in my 'R' today and never thought about the 2nd antenna wire and if one is not even required!

Hopefully someone else will chime in!

Neil.

[99v70r]

Did you check what it says on the back of the head unit? Some of them say what they are.

I should have mentioned a previous owner already put in an aftermarket head unit, so unfortunately - no factory unit to reference.

I think if memory serves, the multiplug is for the optional multi-CD changer. Typically that goes to behind the LH rear fender. If you open the tailgate and remove the LH floor side panel, it should live under there.

That's what my research was telling me, but I found no CD changer back there. I'm either looking in the wrong spot (anyone have a photo of the location??), it was removed, or this vehicle was wired for one but didn't come with it?

Oddly, while I was back there, I also didn't find the other end of the cable...

On a wagon, the antenna is built into the rear side window glass. In a wagon it would go to the LH side of the trunk to the telescopic antenna.

I have 3 vertical lines on both rear side window glass. That would make sense, given that the antenna cable I am familiar with went towards the rear of the vehicle on the driver side, and the 2nd, smaller, cable went towards the rear of the vehicle on the passenger side.

[scot850]

The antenna is usually the orange colored lines running around the 2 rear side windows.

I've added a photo of one of the head units that the 'R' would likely have had.

Rear of an SC-900 head unit

SC900 radio pictures 012.JPG (265.85 KiB) Viewed 510 times

Closer picture

SC900 radio pictures 013.JPG (246.12 KiB) Viewed 510 times

You can see the Antennas are labeled 'MAIN' for the larger diameter one, 'SUB' for the smaller one and then the CD for the third.

My 'R' although being fitted with a 3-CD changer head unit, also had a 6 CD-changer in the glove box originally. So maybe the wire is tucked behind the glove box as an alternate spot.

I have also seen the changer fitted under the 2 rear floor center panels. Normally though there was a neat box, that fitted in place of the LH rear side panel and the CD changer sat in there on it's back and it had a lid on it all that sat above the floor level.\

Did your car come with a center dash-top DOLBY speaker. Most 'R's I have seen were fitted with them but for some reason mine does not have one. If they do, they have the Dolby processor behind the center section of the lower dashboard. The cable from that goes to the back of the head unit where it says 'DOLBY' and then a 2nd usually 2 wire cable ran from the green connector up to the speaker in the dash.

Neil.

[99v70r]

You can see the Antennas are labeled 'MAIN' for the larger diameter one, 'SUB' for the smaller one and then the CD for the third.

Thanks this helps immensely! Assuming "SUB" is short for "subwoofer" it would seem it is not an antenna cable, but an RCA cable to a factory subwoofer. If I have one, I haven't found it...

Did your car come with a center dash-top DOLBY speaker. Most 'R's I have seen were fitted with them but for some reason mine does not have one. If they do, they have the Dolby processor behind the center section of the lower dashboard. The cable from that goes to the back of the head unit where it says 'DOLBY' and then a 2nd usually 2 wire cable ran from the green connector up to the speaker in the dash.

Yes it did, and I located and removed the factory Dolby processor already.

[BEJinFbk]

P80 Volvo wagons came with some nice
stereos, especially the ‘98-‘00 R’s, but
these Alpine made units never shipped
with factory subwoofers. Only C70’s.

The factory tuners have Diversity Tuning and
use two amplified antennas in the glass, a main
(standard coax) and a sub ( small coax).

You’ll probably only need the main for your
new deck. Just ignore the mini-coax and the
optional CD changer’s mini-DIN plug.

For an aftermarket install, be sure to connect
the blue or blue/white on the adapter harness
to your new deck to power up the amp for the
antenna.

[99v70r]

The factory tuners have Diversity Tuning and
use two amplified antennas in the glass, a main
(standard coax) and a sub ( small coax).

Aha, so the smaller one is an antenna. The "SUB" label was misleading.

Thank you!

[BEJinFbk]

Main to port, sub to starboard, IIRC.

[abscate]

SUB equipped cars came with Nautilus wheels, obviously.

[BEJinFbk]

SUB equipped cars came with Nautilus wheels, obviously.

What are you doing up?
Isn’t it late back east?