My stereo works but it does'nt ....

[Guest]

So like the title says my stock stereo in my 97 850 wagon does'nt work, either that or I can't figure out how to turn it on(just baught the car today). The screen on the head unit is on but all it says when I press power is " -OFF" . Is there some kind of code needed to get it working?

On a side note, I'm a new member hear and I'm happy to be a first time volvo owner

[kelvin6]

Well, i'll assume that the this radio is the original one that was purchased w/ the car when first sold. Then all you need is to give a call to a dealership and provide them with your Volvo's VIN and they should be able to provide you with the four digit code (and be sure to write it down). Occassionally you might find a little white card (credit card sized), which says Volvo Sound Systems, in the car manual (assuming the previous owner provided it).

Whatever you do, DO NOT pay for the radio code if your dealership charges (thats what we call a stealership...). Most dealerships will do this free (you may have to bring the car in, just to make sure you didn't steal the radio or something.

If the code doesn't work, then the radio might have been swapped out sometime in the car's life. Then you will need to provide the dealership with the serial number on the top of the radio (removal is easy... search on the fourm for it).

Once you have the code, place the key in the iginition in the ACC or I position and leave it there for two hours (yes 2 hours), make sure the radio is not turned off (leave in the on position), please make sure you don't have other stuff running (so the battery doesn't run down) and don't lock yourself out of the car . DO NOT REMOVE THE KEY OR TURN OFF THE RADIO during this period. Once the two hours has elapsed, the radio is ready to accept the code (CODE will be displayed), then enter the code via the number presets (the numbers will correspond to the code numbers)correctly (if you fail three times, you must repeat the process again).

[Jot]

If you are driving that time is part of the two hours needed for "code" to appear. It bothers me that the radio is "OFF" it may mean the prevous owner is "hiding" a problem with a "check engine" light which we be cleared because the battery was disconnected. Do you have a "lemon law" in your state? You may be needed for a serious problem .

[CeeJay0585]

I'm not too sure if there is a "lemon law" here, I'm in Canada. Thanks for worrying me! heh, I hope there is no problems with the car, it has 140,000 kms and when I drove it, it was fine. I know there is somewhere I can look up the info so I might as well look into it. I only left a deposit and I pay the rest tomorrow when I pick it up so i better get crackin!

BTW thanks for the help Kelvin!