Hardwire Your iPod to Your Volvo

Aside from listening to the sound of your Volvo engine, equally as appealing is the sound of your preferred music. We all enjoy music while we drive and being able to access albums and playlists from an iPod takes the experience to the next level. This post holds a discussion on the act of how to hardwire your iPod to your Volvo.

Over the years, we’ve seen more than a few posts asking and telling how to hardwire your iPod to your Volvo radio. Here are the biggest, best, cheapest and quickest ways to do it.

Another Free iPod setup
Control your iPod with the radio and steering wheel controls
USA Spec XM Adapter
Replacing the standard audio unit with an in dash touch screen
Add an iPod input to many Volvo radios for $0
Create an mp3 input for SC-816

MVS Forums member burchs1 shared:

Some reasonable options for hooking your ipod into your 850: (Cost is between ($100-$140):
If you still have your factory radio and it has a CD din connector on the back or you have the din connection inside your trunk then you can use a Blitzsafe adapter to create a direct AUX input. (Blitzsafe adapter costs about $100). I highly recommend you use the Monster Low Profile charger that has a true line out on the dock connecter to charge and hook the ipod to the AUX input (RCA connectors). (Monster adapater can be found at CompUSA for $40). You will also need a mini to RCA cable to hook to the input (try Radio Shack, etc.). (Beware of the Belkin and In Case ipod chargers…they don’t have true line outs, and the audio connection is near the cigarette lighter connectore (creates interference). Other options for true line out (use your dock…or use the Sendstation tunedock line out with a charger such as the Griffin or Sik imp line out, which includes line out and charger).
I have a 1995 854T which I had already replaced the head unit years ago with a much nicer Clarion unit, unfortunately there are no AUX input options for my setup unless I attach a CD changer currently. My solution was to use a hard wired FM Modulator (Audiovox FM Modulator (FMM100A)) ($50, can be found at Circuit City,etc.). Hard wired modulators work very well (there is no comparison with wireless transmitters, most of which are terrible). Installing the modulator is simple and doesn’t require any sodering or cable cutting..you can tap the 12v lead and ground wires from the radio using Tap-In Squeeze Connectors from Radio Shack (part no. 64-3053).
So, if you don’t care about controlling your ipod from your head unit then these are great options. If you want to control your ipod from your head unit then you are looking at spending in the neighborhood of $300-$400+ if you need to replace your head unit.

Hardwire Your iPod to Your Volvo

Last Updated on March 13, 2022