Help Please! 2006 s60 radio HU-650

[Iroll1996]

My radio has never worked correctly. I’ve owned 3 volvos and the radios and speakers have always been great. This radio cuts in and out with audio on radio stations , and CDs do the same. Nothing is loose , I have check fuses. I just figured I’d replace the radio but I’m not sure If I can just plug a radio same model number and it will work or if I will need to go to a dealership for software download. If so am I better off with an aftermarket ? What are my options, I would love to hear those powerful speakers play like they should.

[cn90]

Same issue for my 2006 S60 with HU-650...

- No sound. Once in a while, if I start the car, then insert the CD, the music is played for 4-5 sec, then cut out.
- So the speakers are good when the radio works for 4-5 sec.
- I can change AM/FM channels but no sound.

- Looks like bad "Volume chip" on the circuit board from my research.

Question:

- Has anyone here successfully bought the "Volume chip" and solder it in?

- Ppl keep saying it has to be the same year if I buy a used HU-650?
Is this true? If so, then from looking at a used HU-650, how do I know which yr it came from?

[cn90]

Update,

Bought a used HU-650 (donor vehicle = 2005 S60) from local junk yard for $30.
It works perfect.

So the culprit was the radio.
I don't think my car has an amplifier bc the "new" radio solved the problem of "no sound".

I hate to throw away an otherwise good radio.
Still looking for a fix, if I can find what is resposible for producing sound in the circuit board,
so I can keep as spare...

PS: This could be as simple as resoldering the joints at the IC chip.

[SOURDOUGHJIM]

I have an HU-613 in my V70. Volume control on the radio is inop. But I can control it just fine from the steering wheel buttons. I just figured it's an old car quirk.

[Blacklab467]

I just changed my HU 613 for a volume knob issue that SourdoughJim describes. I then disected the old radio, there is some corrosion on the circuit board at the volume knob area, don't know if there's volume chip but it certainly appears there is a circuit board problem that can perhaps be remedied by resoldering so 'll keep it as a spare. Seems to be a very common problem with these radios.

[cn90]

The volume button issue: it is all digital now (no longer analog as back in the old days).

Virtually all radios, stereos at home etc have the thing
called "Volume digital encoder". When you turn the
volume up and down, digital signal is sent to the circuit
board. This allows volume control by a remote (home
stereos etc) or steering wheel control buttons in the car.

The failure could be at the encoder itself or the solder joints.

[dikidera]

Mine definitely isn't related to the volume knob, I haven't had the time to dump the unit out of the car. And it's a PITA as I have to have the battery disconnected or I will have an SRS light.

[cn90]

Re no sound from radio...

- Has anyone here figured it out:

1. Volume sound chip itself vs

2. Soldering joints going dry?

[dikidera]

Not yet. It is difficult to replicate the Hu650 + antennas + speakers on the bench.

We cannot be certain it's always the DSP processor SAA7709 unless we can verify that it outputs no signal whatsoever.

I have two symptoms. Sometimes the unit cannot find a FM station, but mostly it does find the station, but no sound. Heating the unit causes it to work. Sometimes slapping it very hard also makes it work. I am still leaning to the volume control board being *part* of the problem in some instances.

[dikidera]

Here is a very recent video of a german user fixing his symptoms on a Hu-650



He says the problem was a few bad caps.