11 replies to this topic

[850_GLT_owner]

So I am trying to switch out my aftermarket kenwood stereo from my 93 850 to my 97 850r. I plugged it into my 850R and no sound. Stereo turns on, antenna functions, no sound whatsoever. After doing some searches, i found that there is(perhaps was) an amp that came with the 97, seeming to be the only difference between the 93 and 97R. The stock radio produces sound, the kenwood does not, but seems to function properly(scans/seeks correct stations, volume up works fine etc) There is a chance that the amp was removed from the car(if anyone has a picture of it installed, that would help alot in locating it). I did the heater core job a few weeks ago and there was a bracket attached to the core housing unit that seemed out of place, like it was there to get in the way of my heater core install.

The harness is wired up properly(at least for the 93) and the stock HU works without the amp plugged in. Am i missing something? Do i need to disconnect the battery to reset something?



tl;dr Aftermarket stereo worked in earlier 850, doesn't in 97R..powers on no sound. No amp connector found, problem?

[rmorse]

No picture, but the amp is located right in front of the heater core. If you remove the panels for the heater core, you will see it. If you see the heater core shroud and don't see the amp, you don't have an amp.

[BEJinFBK]

Check BOTH power leads from the car - Constant and switched.
This sounds a lot like the constant lead has no power.
Kinda weird if the stock deck works, though...
STILL - check power.

If you still have a fail with the KW, get a pair of speakers
and a 12 volt power source and bench test that sucker.

As for the amp question. If you plug a round, 6 pin DIN
connector into the stock radio hole marked "AMP" and
you get sound, and the sound goes away when you
unplug it? You have one.

[850_GLT_owner]

BEJinFBK, on 16 March 2011 - 04:48 AM, said:

As for the amp question. If you plug a round, 6 pin DIN
connector into the stock radio hole marked "AMP" and
you get sound, and the sound goes away when you
unplug it? You have one.

I don't think I have an amp at all. I was reaching inside the hole left by the radio and found nothing. There is a CD changer wire though(no cd changer). I reinstalled the stock HU yesterday and it worked, sound and all.

I SHOULD get sound from the stereo without an amp though right? Is it an unnecessary component? I Don't have to disconnect the battery or anything when installing it right? There is no anti-theft feature that would prevent it from working, The code for the stock HU is tied to the unit itself right..not the ECU or anything?

Seems like it should just plug in and play.

[Black Betty]

Your 850R should have an amp that powers the speakers you'll have to adapt the 6 pin connector to 4 RCA outputs for your new stereo. I made my own in my 850R. You could also get a small amp to run your speakers too.

[Tyler T5R]

Or you can bypass the factory amp wiring and use the kenwood to power the speakers. Easier than it sounds and it might sound better (does for me). There is an extra harness that goes to the factory amp. Take that out and plug the kenwood wiring harness (wired to correct wiring harness, a la Crutchfield etc) into the cars connectors. Contact me if you need help. Don't want to type more on iPhone now.

[850_GLT_owner]

Tyler T5R, on 17 March 2011 - 12:44 PM, said:

Or you can bypass the factory amp wiring and use the kenwood to power the speakers. Easier than it sounds and it might sound better (does for me). There is an extra harness that goes to the factory amp. Take that out and plug the kenwood wiring harness (wired to correct wiring harness, a la Crutchfield etc) into the cars connectors. Contact me if you need help. Don't want to type more on iPhone now.

Ok first a correction. I used to have a kenwood, but this thread is actually about an alpine.I have an 850 GLT where my stereo(s) previously worked. The kenwood was stolen out of my GLT and with it some harnesses and wires. I had to go to a junkyard and reach deep inside another volvo to get the wide black harness, and then attached the aftermarket wiring harness to the replacement alpine and everything worked perfectly. So now i'm trying to put the alpine in the 97 850R that definitely HAD a stock amp, but is not there anymore(checked when replacing my heater core).

I took some pictures the wiring that is currently in my 850R. http://imgur.com/a/CK9G4. It plugs into the wiring harness that from the 93 850 where it used to work, powers up, antenna functions, but there is no sound. Now that i have pictures, does anyone have any idea of whats wrong?

[chevyb]

what i did with mine...the factory plugs that go into stock radio follow those in farther they plug into another set (mine was wrapped in foam)unplug that and then plug your new harness into there this bypassed factory amp and everything works in mine

[850_GLT_owner]

Not sure why my pictures didn't show up

This is the plug that I think your talking about, what i'd be plugging directly into. Something is missing I just can't tell what. http://imgur.com/UorUd

A closer look at the wires http://imgur.com/scpLj

[chevyb]

850_GLT_owner, on 26 June 2011 - 01:46 AM, said:

Not sure why my pictures didn't show up

This is the plug that I think your talking about, what i'd be plugging directly into. Something is missing I just can't tell what. http://imgur.com/UorUd

A closer look at the wires http://imgur.com/scpLj

here is what come out of stock radio



here is what you want...plugs from radio plug into these

[850_GLT_owner]

chevyb, on 26 June 2011 - 02:18 AM, said:

here is what come out of stock radio



here is what you want...plugs from radio plug into these

Well, problem solved, and it seems as if it was a unique problem. At some point, someone must have reinstalled the rear drivers side speaker incorrectly. The two wires on the speaker had crossed, got completely squished down, and was right up against the stud that holds the speaker in place. So in other words, the stereo was installed correctly but the alpine deck had some sort of protection where it wouldn't pump out sound to any speaker.

[chevyb]

850_GLT_owner, on 15 July 2011 - 03:38 PM, said:

Well, problem solved, and it seems as if it was a unique problem. At some point, someone must have reinstalled the rear drivers side speaker incorrectly. The two wires on the speaker had crossed, got completely squished down, and was right up against the stud that holds the speaker in place. So in other words, the stereo was installed correctly but the alpine deck had some sort of protection where it wouldn't pump out sound to any speaker.

glad to hear you have it all worked out now