RIP - SC-900 audio head unit - Maybe not....! - UPDATE

[scot850]

I had removed this head unit after it had been running fine in the 'R' last summer so I could test a bunch of other head units I have as well as amplifiers and the cable harness for those.

When I went to remove it I ejected the 3 CD cassette and it failed to eject one of the discs. I cleaned it and today with my audio test rig V 1.0, I removed the top and tried it to see what was going on. It was having an issue loading the lowest CD (#1) into the cassette. Removing the CD unit I from the head unit I could see the carrier slide was tilted to one side. There is a spring that has failed that supports the carrier which effectively makes the unit scrap. This I think was the original issue with this design and why it was replaced with the SC-901.

Point of this is, before I crap this unit does anyone need any parts from it? The front cover is in good shape, the buttons are not gooey and the flap for the 3 CD cassette slider cover is not broken.

If anyone needs anything, I plan to scrap the unit next time I am near and electronic re-cycler.

Neil.

[abscate]

Has yo be repairable? Pictures?

[scot850]

Eh, what? The spring is possibly replaceable but difficult to access. I think there is also an issue with support shaft on that side. Feel like it is broken internally but you can's see due to a rubber boot on it. To disassemble further requires unsoldering parts of the unit to access. When I can get these when they come available at the junkyard for $20 it is not worth the effort.

I'll take some photos and post later.

Neil.

[scot850]

I will post more pictures over the weekend if time allows. As the saying goes, "If it wasn't broken before, it certainly is now!"

I decided to see if I could figure out what was causing the drop on the one side. Well now I know! A 'dumbass' with tools in his hand!

I thought the hinge support on the back of the slider unit was broken, but it turns out I don't think it was or it may have been. I have never seen a support like this. It is like a round topped rubber cone with room for the slider unit pin to fit inside. That rubber cone is full of grease under pressure (how do I know??). Not sure how it works, but I managed to puncture it trying to remove it.

Having looked at the unit further it is a swine to work on unless you know what you are doing. Actually the electronic part is complex but easier to work on then the mechanical stuff. I still can't figure how to disassemble it and still put it back together. WAAAY too much work.
Access to that spring is nearly impossible short of stripping it down to constituent parts. Plus they like to ground all the metal frames by soldering a slide through 'T' pin which gets rotated to 45 degrees and then soldered.

So it is being retired to the electronic recycling bin!

Neil.

[scot850]

Finally had time to add this photo of the weird 'bearing' for the radio CD changer unit:

SC-900 bearing for CD changer

PXL_20230120_001936103.jpg (358.04 KiB) Viewed 486 times

The unit is sealed (or should be) and it has a shaft hole for the CD changer carrier but nothing other than grease internally.

Neil.

[BEJinFbk]

Alpine used those as part of the CD suspension to avoid skips.
There are some a lot like it in their 6 disc changers, too.

[abscate]

Keep an eye out for me in p80,junk yards….next time you are back..

Need one of these for Shagg - arena or beige fine

B pillar top cap, left hand side part number 9418310

[scot850]

Will do. Beige LH. Last ones I saw, someone had removed the belt guides. I think I had new guides before the went NLA but probably gifted them to my buddy or fitted them to his V70 before I sold it.

One P80 went to the crusher this weekend other still there but both have grey interiors.

Neil.

[scot850]

Well it might not be RIP after all. A buddy dropped around today with a box with 3-4 Volvo head units (SC-815/6 single CD units) but there is also a SC-900 unit that he took the cassette unit out but the rest was ok. There was also a multi-CD player as well. So maybe able to resurrect the SC-900 unit between the 2!

The Volvo head unit pile is getting bigger by the minute!

Neil.

[scot850]

Well, after finally clearing all the other audio parts off my workbench and building the test unit and testing everything, it now gave room to look further into this.

Well, the unit my buddy dropped off was already mostly stripped down, just had the front panel to remove and pulled the CD player/changer out. Swapped into my original unit replacing the failed CD unit and connected it up enough to try it.

First, which CODE to use? Original or the donated one? Not sure where the info is stored?? Fortunately had both code numbers and the original to my unit worked, so ID must be stored in front panel.

Swapped in a tape to see if that was still working but nothing. Tape seemed to be working but no sound?!

Oh, well. Worth a try. Then promptly slapped my forehead. Idiot!! SC-900!! Needs and amplifier and cable!!

Unpacked one of each (had just vacuum packed them both yesterday!).

Connected up the amp and Bingo!! Tape unit worked just great!

Now for the main test, 3-CD changer. Put a couple of cheap CD's I used for testing in the CD cassette and it worked! Changed disk and it still worked! I will still have to try the 3rd position to make 100% sure but so far, so good!!

Tomorrow I will re-fit the front panel and the blue covers for the illumination bulbs. Try the 3rd CD position and finally the radio portion.

If you ever want to know why not to smoke, I foolishly decided to clean the donated front panel to use. It has taken about 5 minutes/button and 3 double ended cotton buds with IPA to clean each one!! Yuck!!

I'll update with a picture once completed. Hopefully another one saved!!

Neil.