iPod for my new S40 T5

Strummerville · Post by **Strummerville** » 10 Jul 2005, 20:25

Greetings. This may have been covered but cannot find it. I have a new S40 (great!) but I want to hardwire my iPod in to the HiFi. Is this possible???? I know Volvo are releasing adaptors for the S60 etc later this year but only transmitters for the S40. I have a Belkin FM Transmitter now but it is a real pain and the qulality is poor. HELP!!! Thanks

yeagermeister · Post by **yeagermeister** » 10 Jul 2005, 20:51

here are options for the 850, not sure if any of it crosses over:

link

Strummerville · Post by **Strummerville** » 10 Jul 2005, 21:01

Thanks. I did read through this thread .... but nothing for the new S40/V50. I have also trawled the Internet and found some cool iPod interfaces but .... yup, you guessed it .... nothing for the new S40!!! Even Volvo 05/06 solution seems to be a dash mounted FM Transmitter !!! (and probably 5 x the price!!)

. What sort of backward thinking is that?! Would really appreciate anyone's help .... Volvo NZ don't want to help me. Grrr ... I knew I should have bought a BMW (just joking!)

yeagermeister · Post by **yeagermeister** » 10 Jul 2005, 21:10

i'm really surprised there's no audio input for the stock radio.

Midphase · Post by **Midphase** » 03 Aug 2005, 22:48

Actually I'm starting to feel like I should have bough a different car as well. The FM iPod option for the S40 is simply unacceptable unless it was some sort of digital bluetooth type of thing. There's gotta be a way to hook up outboard gear to the stereo....what about XM? Is that not allowed either?

I was under the impression that the S40 was marketed to the younger 20-something crowd, isn't that the crowd who also uses iPods the most?

So the S60 which is geared towards an older crowd gets the iPod hardwire, but the S40 doesn't?

This makes simply no sense, I really hope Volvo does something before I decide to trade my car in for something else.

letty1678 · Post by **letty1678** » 05 Aug 2005, 21:15

I feel ur fustration! I have a new s40 can't get the FM modulator in... the car sucks... radio freezes, get key errors...have taken it in the did a bunch of updates and NOTHING!. I should have gotten a BMW too...lol if i figure it out ill be sure to let everyone know

shauntos · Post by **shauntos** » 17 Sep 2005, 23:05

As the new owner of a v50, let me tell ya how pissed I am with this whole no ipog integration in the new s40/v50 thing. I have a 6 disc changer in the dash so I have no idea how to hook it up, plus volvo's crafty design of the length of the cd player face is aprrox. an inch shorter than all aftermarket stereos. But the car itself is sweet.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 22 Sep 2005, 12:07

will be coming out for the S40/V50 next month.

Take that as you will, as sales folks at dealerships are not neessarily the most reliable source of information.

Sarahbau · Post by **Sarahbau** » 05 Oct 2005, 16:41

That information is incorrect. What is coming out is the FM Transmitter. I have actually wired my iPod into my S40's stereo. It wasn't easy to figure out what I needed to do it, but the install itself was pretty easy once I had the parts.

The Volvo AFM (AM/FM Module) is located behind the back seat. In order to access it, fold the rear seat down. This gives you access to remove the rear cover.

With that removed, you can see the AFM. There is a cable coming out of the right side, closest to the rear of the car. This has two MCX style connectors that connect to the antenna.

What I did, was buy two adapters. Circuit City sells them as something like "VW/BMW/European Car Antenna Adapter." You need two different cables - one male motorola to female MCX, and one female motorola to male MCX. You will also need an FM Modulator.

Those two cables come with plastic snap on housings that don't fit with the AFM. You will have to cut those housings off, being careful not to damage the cable or connector.

After getting the antenna wired in, I ran power from the center console to the back, to power the modulator. I also ran the audio cable up to the front, where the iPod sits. The wiring goes under the back seat, and under the floor mat, so it's not visible.

While this method isn't as good as an actual input like the S60 and other cars use, it's much better than an FM transmitter. I can't control the iPod with the steering wheel, unfortunately, but I've been thinking of building an iPod remote into the steering wheel, where the standard stereo controls are.

Strummerville · Post by **Strummerville** » 06 Oct 2005, 16:20

Wow! That's great that you have managed to do it. It sounds far too complicated for me!!! (I'm a kind of "there's the socket, plug it in" guy)