Hungry CD player not returning discs

belyle · Post by **belyle** » 12 Oct 2011, 14:57

I've had my '96 850 turbo sedan for a couple of weeks now; long enough for me to start finding its "quirks." One of those is that it doesn't like to spit CDs back out. I discovered this yesterday. It had been working fine before my drive home (to my knowledge). I'm afraid this means that the stereo is due for replacement, but I'm posting in hope that there is some fix that I can do to get the head unit to last a bit longer.

It wouldn't be such a big deal, but the antenna is missing (the motor still tries to push it up, but there's nothing to push), so my FM is iffy. And I have no cassettes.

Give it to me straight: am I looking at replacing the head unit soon, or can I fix the hungry CD player?

Post by **fazool** » 12 Oct 2011, 15:38

Those self raising/lowering Volvo antennas are notoriously unreliable. The toothed flex cable inside breaks all the time. Its not a bad job to replace it and not expensive but it wont last. I ended up just replacing them with a fixed antenna on two bricks.

The HU is rather cheap on ebay - like $35 so replacing it would be easy

belyle · Post by **belyle** » 13 Oct 2011, 11:18

Search isn't working right now on the site, so I'm going to be lazy. Do you have a guide for replacing the auto antenna with a fixed one?

I'll search around eBay for another HU. Thanks for the pointer. I may end up just putting a new/modern one in so I can play burned CDs and/or MP3, too.

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 24 Oct 2011, 17:59

Both DIY fixes. The HU would be most easily addressed with a straight up replacement.
OEM Volvo decks can be had on the cheap. Just be sure that the seller includes the code.

Volvo power antennas are no better or worse than most other makes. They ALL break...
It's usually a pretty simple fix. Get a replacement mast and swap it in. Unless the drive
tape is broken off inside the motor case, it's pretty straight forward. Remove the lock
nut at the base of the mast, have someone turn on the radio and remove the mast and
attached drive tape. Hopefully, it's only stripped out teeth on the white, nylon tape.

Note the direction the teeth are facing when you remove the tape, feed the new tape in
and have your helper turn the radio off and feed it as the motor goes into retract mode.
Be sure the mast is aligned, replace the nut ( spin it backwards first - until it clicks -
to avoid cross threading ) and you're done. Lube it periodically and it'll go for years.

Post by **JRL** » 25 Oct 2011, 18:16

NEVER had one fail on me
30 bucks and you should be good for several years

belyle · Post by **belyle** » 26 Oct 2011, 16:21

After looking at some different options, I think I want to replace the head unit. I found one for ~150 that has everything that I want, and includes an install kit (from crutchfield). Is there anything tricky I need to look out for with the speaker impedance, or if I get a wiring harness adapter should I be OK?

I think I'd also prefer to remove the power antenna entirely and replace it with a fixed mast. Anyone have one that they know will fit into the hole properly?

Post by **BEJinFbk** » 26 Oct 2011, 18:12

Crutchfield should be able to hook you up.
Or hit a local stereo shop.