aktie9 Posted July 14, 2007 Report Share Posted July 14, 2007 Hi there, I have a 1995 850. Up till recently the radio was fine. I think some moisture (read: coffee) must have gotten inside the buttons that you punch the code or station presets into. I cannot for the life of me get it to work. For a couple weeks after said moisture, It only would play one station.. now it's no longer. Anyway.. I am looking to replace it. I would like a plug and play unit if at all possible without breaking the bank. IE: Not looking to buy a GPS model with a liquid crystal display for it. I would purchase a volvo unit from a junked car off ebay or junkyard.. but the people selling them cannot give me the codes.. and thus cannot not prove to me that the radio does indeed function. Call me picky.. but I don't want to pay for trash. Can I say, buy any double din radio to put in there? Do I need any additional wiring.. or cables? For example ebay has one auction id# 110148121942. Or can I buy a newer version of my radio from volvo or other, that has cd, and mp3 capabilities? I would like cd, and mp3 if at all possible. I don't own any tapes anymore.. everything is on mp3.. or cd. if anyone has ideas, links, radios... let me know.. hskoconnor@gmail.com or post here. I will check back. Danke, Heather :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulr Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 Adding a new head unit is not hard. The stock size is 2-din, which is typically for DVD / GPS units, and can be had as cheap as $400. These units are typically harder to install. They generally require cutting away the stock retention system which requires power tools, and makes going back to a stock head unit impossible. A 1-din does not require this. It is not advised to use the 2-din size unless you have the benefits of DVD / navigation. The 2-din unit you found on ebay (pyramid) is a piece of crap. Try to stick to the "big boys" (including: alpine / clarion / pioneer / kenwood - are all good).The easier / more economical option, which is what most people do, is to get a standard "1 din" head unit. I stole this picture from another thread of a typical 1-din install (In a S70, but the opening is the same)All you need to put a 1-din head unit in is a "wiring kit". They're the same from at least 1993 to 1999, perhaps even newer. You can pick them up on Ebay (new) for as little as $8, and some places will include them for free when you purchase a head unit. Once you get this, you match the colored wires up with the wires on the back of the new head unit, crimp or solder (soldering is better) them together (do NOT do twist + tape), and plug the wiring harness + new HU into the stock plugs, and everything will be good to go. The 1-din will slide right in, and typically fit like a glove. Please do not cut the stock wires - a new wiring harness is very cheap, and will save you lots of headache in the short term and in the long run.To fill the other DIN opening you'll also want to purchase a "DIN pocket", but this is simply cosmetic, it isn't necessary for the radio itself to fit. You can also put in things like gauge pods if you want. There's really no need to try to locate a stock head unit - aftermarket ones will sound as good or better, and they tend to have a lot more features (XM / MP3 / IPOD support / etc). A good unit with lots of features from a good manufacturer can probably be had for $200 - an older unit on ebay with good sound quality but less features (no mp3, etc) may be do-able under $100. Hope that helps you out some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aktie9 Posted July 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 Thanks for that description, photo's etc.. I had seen the din pocket that they sell on ebay before.. this is what I had thought i would need to do.. Sounds like it will be easier.. in the long run. Thanks so much, Heather :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulr Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 No problem, Welcome to Volvospeed, an if you have any questions or problems in the future don't hesitate to ask, someone on here will usually be glad to lend a hand. Putting a new HU in these cars is pretty easy, since you don't have to remove any trim or dash pieces to get the stock one out. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilled man Posted July 16, 2007 Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 Nice picture swip http://www.crutchfield.com/S-B6d32poZK69/c...asp?I=003UPK750is where you can get the pocket thing also. I have a Kenwood head that has a USB hookup to it , wich enables you to buy any jump drive and have anywhere from a 1gig storage to a 8 gig wich I have I recommend this headunit to anyone you will never carry a CD with you ever again :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aktie9 Posted July 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted July 16, 2007 Thanks for the welcome. I plan to look around and stick around a while.. I hope to keep this car going for a long long time. I'm not new to the DIY of vehicles.. just new to Volvo's. While I haven driven them before.. this is my first ever owned Volvo. I have heard of the legendary can not kill 850's.. and decided it was high time to get one for myself. I've been a owner of the other Swedish car for as long as I have been driving vehicles. Since one of my cars was a 9000 .. I know fix it and repairing well.. eeegads... that car was a money pit. Still is.. my sister owns and now.. at least it still runs.. glad someone is getting some usage out of it.. Going to look into that kenwood.. sounds like a plan. Thanks again, Heather :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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