Volvo S60 2006 - FM Radio Doesn't Work At All

cartero333 · Post by **cartero333** » 23 Jan 2025, 10:02

Hello fellow S60 owners,

I’m experiencing a strange issue with my FM radio, which I use for both music and Bluetooth. About five months ago, while listening to FM, the sound completely cut out—no static, no noise, nothing from any station. Interestingly, AM radio works perfectly, so I know it’s not an issue with my speakers. However, the FM function has gone entirely silent.

I’ve tried tuning into different stations, switching between FM1-3, and even cleaning around my car, but I’m at a loss. From what I understand, the radio antenna is embedded in the rear window. Could that be the problem?

Has anyone else experienced this or have any idea what I should check? I’m unsure which connections might be at fault or where I should look for a potential fix. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Post by **matthew1** » 23 Jan 2025, 10:20

Welcome to MVS, cartero. Something in the back of my memory banks is lighting up for FM dies/AM unaffected for this era of some radios. Did you try searching?

Post by **br0dy519** » 23 Jan 2025, 10:21

I Think this is a common problem for the HU-*** units. I've had very erratic behaviour on my radio but never a complete FM failure but I do recall reading about it on posts on this site.

dikidera · Post by **dikidera** » 25 Jan 2025, 11:41

Yes you guys read it from my posts

cartero333 · Post by **cartero333** » 27 Jan 2025, 11:23

matthew1 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2025, 10:20 Welcome to MVS, cartero. Something in the back of my memory banks is lighting up for FM dies/AM unaffected for this era of some radios. Did you try searching?

I have looked at the other person who responded on this form but I didn't really find an answer. People in the previous post were just saying it was the "unit". To quote what they said in the previous thread,

"The one thing I don't understand is why it doesn't make any sort of feedback noise. If the antennas were working, it would be making some sort of noise, unless the connection to the antenna was lost somewhere along the way. If there are two antennas, I can't imagine that both break at the same time. From what you're saying, it sounds like one of the antennas feeds the other one for power? Has anyone had any luck swapping the two antennas, or are they not identical?"

- There wasn't really much of a solution other than to replace this entire "unit" which I don't really understand. Should I buy an entire new radio to try and get FM back? I am a little confused still after reading previous post.

Post by **matthew1** » 27 Jan 2025, 11:38

How many AM stations do you get on it? 850 KOA should come in very strong, day or night.

dikidera · Post by **dikidera** » 28 Jan 2025, 05:44

cartero333 wrote: ↑27 Jan 2025, 11:23
matthew1 wrote: ↑23 Jan 2025, 10:20 Welcome to MVS, cartero. Something in the back of my memory banks is lighting up for FM dies/AM unaffected for this era of some radios. Did you try searching?
I have looked at the other person who responded on this form but I didn't really find an answer. People in the previous post were just saying it was the "unit". To quote what they said in the previous thread,

"The one thing I don't understand is why it doesn't make any sort of feedback noise. If the antennas were working, it would be making some sort of noise, unless the connection to the antenna was lost somewhere along the way. If there are two antennas, I can't imagine that both break at the same time. From what you're saying, it sounds like one of the antennas feeds the other one for power? Has anyone had any luck swapping the two antennas, or are they not identical?"

- There wasn't really much of a solution other than to replace this entire "unit" which I don't really understand. Should I buy an entire new radio to try and get FM back? I am a little confused still after reading previous post.

Knock yourself out

viewtopic.php?t=102851

I personally replaced the unit. See, if you open up the unit now you will see many places where the solder has cracked and many places where the PCB looks burnt. It's not an antenna issue 99% of the time. What you will find is that the power to the antenna is less than 12v, which is a unit issue.

Here is a recent post for HU-850 https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=344203

As for why it doesn't have feedback noise? Because the circuitry isn't feeding a signal to the FM processor chip! Or if it is, the internals of the chip get damaged, then there is circuitry that AMPLIFIES the signal from the FM chip to drive the speakers. If there is no signal, no power to these transistors, how could there be feedback noise?.

cartero333 · Post by **cartero333** » 04 Feb 2025, 13:25

Is this the best option? Should I just try and order a whole new radio essentially? I am not a car guy and not really familiar with most of the terms you are saying, so I don't know if I should try and take it in somewhere or try and remove and replace the radio entirely.

dikidera · Post by **dikidera** » 04 Feb 2025, 13:43

Your call basically. Do what you feel is best. But my advice, dont try to repair it, 50/50 it will be fixed. You can buy a used HU radio, but you never know when the exact same issue will occur(it's common). This doesn't mean you shouldn't, but just food for thought.

Your second solution is an aftermarket unit. I personally like the original aesthetics with the HU unit.

cartero333 · Post by **cartero333** » 13 Feb 2025, 13:42

So with an aftermarket unit, am I guaranteed that I wont face any of those problems? I don't mind about the look, but if you're saying I can just plug in an apple carplay to my FM transmitter slot, then I would definitely just do that. I am a little money tight, so I will probably need to do the installing myself. Do you know if its easier or harder with an aftermarket?