crackling radio volume switch

danw · Post by **danw** » 02 Nov 2005, 03:02

I have just bought an 850 t5 wagon. The radio on/off volume switch seems to be dirty (internally) I think, causing the right hand speakers to intermittently crackle and die. I am wondering how to remove the system so as to clean the switch or is there an easier way? any help would be much appreciated..

sibir · Post by **sibir** » 03 Nov 2005, 13:33

I had the same problem: Changing the volume created a nasty crackling sound and even drop outs in the right channel. So I pulled out the radio (push in the 2 vertical "bars" on the lower left and right of the faceplate, handles will pop out, then just pull) and removed the top cover (couple of screws).

Look inside and you see the potentiometer.

It has little openings through which you can see the slider move when you turn the knob. The crackle is caused by dirt under the slider. That's where you should try to clean.

I successfully used tweezers with a little piece of strong paper soaked with IPA (alcohol). (Just squirting IPA in there and moving the slider did not do much.)

I slid in the paper under the slider and was able to remove some dirt. I repeated this until the paper looked clean. But be carefull not to damage the slider. If it breaks you need a new potentiometer at which point you might look for a replacemnet radio as well.

Good luck!

danw · Post by **danw** » 04 Nov 2005, 03:41

thanks for that legendary effort, but I have had it fixed by a car audio firm who stated it was a mix of dirt in the pot and some dry solder that was loose, fixed it for 40 AUD. Couldn't ask for a more detailed explanation though, most appreciated..

sibir · Post by **sibir** » 04 Nov 2005, 08:57

not bad, that is like $30 US. I would not know anybody around here who would bother to even look at it for that money.

cocka · Post by **cocka** » 06 Feb 2006, 02:31

I did the strip of paper thing by saturating the control with alcohol and inserting the strips in each slot and rotating the control, as it got dirty I just tore the end off and kept doing it until the paper was clean, I then gave it another good spray with the alcohol again and then gave it a really good going over with compressed air, good result.

sibir · Post by **sibir** » 14 Mar 2007, 15:17

The pot is from ALPS Japan and has 20KBX2 written on it. But I cannot find a replacement. Any suggestions?

CarVolvo · Post by **CarVolvo** » 14 Mar 2007, 17:03

or you can just pick up a used one for 20 to 40 dollars US .. or just get an aftermarket and a dash kit for 20 bucks.

Post by **powaqa** » 30 Aug 2009, 08:39

This procedure worked like a charm on my 850's radio. I used CRC QD Electronic Cleaner spritzed on the paper ends. Thanks for the post!

jakeizchillin · Post by **jakeizchillin** » 31 Aug 2009, 13:42

Excellent write up! I have this exact same problem. You may have saved me some money since I was looking in to a new head unit.

Post by **t5rrr** » 06 Dec 2009, 18:39

Did this fix today, sprayed contact cleaner in the sliders and a sliver of paper and rotated full range about 10 times, no more crackling!

Thanks for the tip!