I have a 2000 S70 and have broken several of my ipod adapters (tape would eject, sound quality was bad, FM stations would interfere etc.). It is time to upgrade!

Question: will I need an aftermarket amp or cabling or special hook-ups to make this thing work?

Im looking to install an aftermarket head unit and potential models include (cables not included):

First Choice Ipod ready (Alpine CDE-9883 50x4) $204.00: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....3&type=product

Second choice: Ipod ready (Alpine CDE-9881 45x4) $167.00: http://www.bestbuy.com/olspage.jsp?i...9&type=product

Third Choice: Kenwood Non-ipod ready but aux input (50x4) $100.00: http://www.bestbuy.com/olspage.jsp?i...7&type=product

Aside from needing the ipod cable for the Alpine model ( http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HVXD3S?...ag=yahoo-ce-20 ), will I need an aftermarket amp or cabling or special hook-ups to make this thing work? I read in another thread that the premium volvo sound systems came with an amp.

Additionally, should I preform the install (I'm tech savvy) or have an auto sound place do the work?


I would appreciate any and all suggestions regarding this project.

 

Um, why haven't you purchased a Ipod Adapter like I have? I use a BlitzSafe Ipod Adapter. Works very well, very easy to install and the sound quality is great.

http://enfigcarstereo.com/shopsite_s...tml/index.html

Direct Link
http://enfigcarstereo.com/shopsite_s...MLINK1_V1.html

http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=791

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*And here is another type that uses RCA style connectors.
http://www.discountcarstereo.com/detail.aspx?ID=665

I recommend the top two I liked you to first. Both are under the Direct Link.

If your stock headunti has a CD Changer input on the back and your radio starts with SC then your good to go.

 

Wow, great help.

I went ahead and picked up the BlitzSafe MLINK adapter for my volvo from engifcarstereo. Not only did they have the best price but the telephone customer service was excellent.

Looking forward to trying out this unit and if everything works as advertised I will be picking up a second unit.

Thanks S70Driver, great suggestion!

 

No problem. It took me awhile to get an Ipod and then I fitled with the idea of using it in my car instead of CD's and I am glad I bought the Ipod adapter. Great price, Easy install and great sound. I also found out about this kit on another Volvo forum and used their writeup to install it. I don't have the link anymore, sorry. But it is very easy to install.

1. Remove your headunit. BE SURE and I mean BE SURE to have your RADIO CODE. If you don't have it go to your local Volvo dealership and or call them and get it from them.

2. Remove all the cords going into the back of the headunit and the harnesses.

3. Plug the BlitzSafe Ipod adapter into your CD Changer port on the back of the headunit.

4. Tap into the 12V line on the wiring harness very easy to do.

5. Run the Ipod connector side anywhere you want it to go within reason of course.

*I ran mine behind the Headunit down under the ashtray. I had to file a little plastic notch for the cord to fit into nicely, but very easy to do.

6. Hook everything back up and reinstall the headunit. Enter your code, hook your Ipod up and listen to your music.

 

what color is the power wire for my head unit? 2000 S70 with SC-8** series head unit

i tried looking for an orange/white striped but that apparently was for an older model. any suggestions?

 

I do believe it is green. Possibly with some colored stripe on it. Not sure though.

 

In the s70 with 816 head unit its green/brown stripe. There are two green/brown combinations and I tap'd into the bottom one (#4) because I'm pretty sure the #12 is accessory power (which causes the ipod to reset every 10seconds according to other volvo forums). Here is the diagram of the wiring (color codes are not correct) http://au.geocities.com/ozbrick850/R...onnectors.html <-- Check #4 and #12, replace the color combos with Green/Brown stripe and your good to go.

are $1.99 at radio shack, http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2104093

and fortunately they don't require any cutting to install. The volvo owners that I spoke with suggest heat wrapping or electric tape around the outside of the tie-in's to insure they don't work themselves open after many months/years of use. Alternatively you can try out those cone looking electrical taps ( as seen here: http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=family ). They are also 1.99

I drilled a small opening into my coin tray underneath the hazard light/cigarettes tray and after pulling the aforementioned parts was able to drop the cabling down and pull it back up.

Relatively simple installation once I located all the parts and correct wirings.

 

Thanks for posting the info above. I was able to use your information and links to successfully integrate NEO Car Audio's ProLink V2 for Volvo SC head units, allowing a direct charge and play connection between my 60gb iPod Video and the SC-816 radio in my S70. Related info also found at http://www.volvo-forums.com/index.ph...7&#entry104547.

The NEO adapter is basically the same as the Blitzsafe. The only trouble I had was with the different thicknesses of the wires. The $2.19 10pk of wire taps from Radio Shack were easy to use and supposedly work for 14-18 gauge wires, and they connected fine to the 14 gauge volvo wiring, but I found that they didn't make a good connection with the Neo Adapter's 18 gauge wires. I had to strip those wires, then double & twist the exposed wire, then insert it into the wire tap clamp. Then everything worked.

Neo yellow wire connected to 12v constant wire in radio harness (#4A GN-BN Green with Brown srtipe) and Neo red wire connected to 12v switched wire in radio harness (#13A Y-VO Yellow with Violet stripe). Previous poster referred to #4 as "lower," but #4 is on top row.

I cross-posted this same reply in the above-linked thread at volvo-forums.com with my attached cheat sheet built from above comments and the other forum's thread for the next guy/gal. Good luck, and thanks again to those who posted previously. Without your help I would have had to pay an installer to do this for me.