SC 816 Headunit

waynej · Post by **waynej** » 27 May 2009, 09:14

Just finished connecting an Ipod cable to tapedeck PCB, it sounds great for 2 seconds and then the fake tape pops out and I get radio sound. This unit has manual buttons for tape, CD and tuner, but some automatic function takes over.

What can I do to keep Ipod sound? If it means making the tapedeck un-useable, thats OK, don't really need tapes anymore.

meteg · Post by **meteg** » 27 May 2009, 09:20

hello,

there was a thread in the forum about making a dummy cassette for keeping the tape functional and to avoid switching it to radio.. I guess this was it...

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... sc&start=0

waynej · Post by **waynej** » 27 May 2009, 09:56

Thanks meteg, I read that thread and the other 5 in the repair database. Lots of talk about commercial adapters but not enough on DIY fixes. I have an SC 810 and an SC 816, both have clearly labeled connections and it was easy to solder even for an amateur. The only trouble is how to keep the music on!

meteg · Post by **meteg** » 27 May 2009, 10:43

I told you this in the first message, you will have to put in a blank cassette tape, so the music will not be interrupted.

waynej · Post by **waynej** » 28 May 2009, 13:13

With a blank cassette I get the tape hiss along with the Ipod sound. Does anyone know how to keep the Ipod sound on without the tape actually turning.

meteg · Post by **meteg** » 28 May 2009, 13:42

hello again,

it looks like there is another thing causing this problem.in Europe there is a system called "TA" which means traffic announcement.. I dont know if you have it in U.S but if you do this function might be active and the result is interruption of the tape..

Post by **matthew1** » 28 May 2009, 13:47

My $.02 is that something is wrong with your tape player. Obviously it should not eject/pop out the tape, modification or no modification. Was it like this before your head unit surgery?

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 28 May 2009, 14:34

matthew1 wrote:My $.02 is that something is wrong with your tape player. Obviously it should not eject/pop out the tape, modification or no modification. Was it like this before your head unit surgery?

That's absolutely normal and a feature of any modern(?) cassette deck.
If there's no tape, the deck sees no tape movement and either flips to
the other side or kicks out the "defective" tape.

Sounds like the OP has that in hand. But, apparently, he only
piggybacked the head connections. Go back in and disconnect
the leads from the tape head to the PCB.

Or better yet, just blow for an adapter and put it all back to stock!
Just my 2 cents...I'm big on keeping it clean for the next guy.

waynej · Post by **waynej** » 28 May 2009, 15:16

If there is a way to input the Ipod audio without piggybacking on the tape deck, please tell us.The main board gets some kind of a signal from the deck to use the deck audio, otherwise it will revert to FM or CD(whichever was used last).The SC 816 has no aux input that I can find. The cassette and FM adapters give poor sound and the wired adapters are a little spendy and I plan on trading the 850 for a S70 in a few months and it would take a different adapter.

I did not make any changes to the deck other than to solder in 3 wires. Has anyone tried this with an SC 816? I tapped in just before the audio left the deck for the main board, that avoids the Dolby processing pre-amp etc. Also it was easy at that point because the connections were labeled and resistors were not necessary.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 28 May 2009, 15:55

A changer adapter really the cleanest way to deal with this issue.
If your S70 is going to be a '98-'00, the adapter will still work.
( All of the SC series decks are Alpines for Volvo ).