Here is the video I made describing my problem:

Any ideas? I'm baffled. This problem started happening WHILE the adapter was in the player, not because I ejected it, FYI.

 

I'm with you. Get rid of that thing and get a Premium head unit from another '90's Volvo that has a CD/Cassette. It will sound 10 times better and only cost about $25 - $50.

 

Any ideas on how I can fix my current one?

Either that or just refer me to a cheap "premium" radio that you recommend.

Thanks!

 

That sounds like the reaction I got when the belt broke.
It's either a belt or a replacement from the salvage yard (local or on-line).
Get the security code and/or the VIN from the donor.
Ed

 

How does one change a belt, and how difficult is it?

Also, where can one buy this belt?

Thanks again!

 

It isnt worth the effort to fix it, look on ebay for a volvo 850 cd player

 

I think I have one let me check and get back with you later today.

 

As it turns out, the belt is fine, but one of the drive gears is completely broken. I'm almost certain that I will now need to get a new radio, but if you guys can figure out a way to get my cassette player to still work with my adapter without the spindles turning, I'd appreciate it!

Now, my question is, what exactly is so much better about the "Premium" radio, outside of the fact it has a CD slot?

 

There is a way to wire the plug in directly to the deck head. Then you can put any tape in there and it will give you better sound to the cord. Not 100% sure that will work with yours since you are having issues with it but several people have done it just to buypass the sound quality of the cassette. They say it's better sound. I looked for the link but could not find it. If you google "Volvo Tape Deck Mod" you may find the link.

As for the Premium Sound System, it just sounds 5 times better. Mainly because of the power it pushes. The sound is cleaner, deeper, and higher. Maybe it's the amp, not sure but my dauhter was sick of her radio and I found a Premium system out of a S90 and installed it in her S70. She felt like it was her birthday. Everyone I have gotten one for loves them unless they had the Volvo amp installed already.

I do have a Premium system. It's been sitting up about 6 months so if you want it let me know, PM me. I will hook it up, make sure everything works including the lights then ship it to you. It came out of a '96 850 R wagon.

 

Oh, I just remembered. I have a deck like yours that you can have if you pay shipping. It has sat in my storage cabinet in my office for about 2 years now. The tape deck in it works. When I puchased a S90 with it in there I immediately took it out and installed a nicer unit.

The best way to describe the difference is this... Would you rather play our music through your phone speakers or through head phone?

 

I'll try the mod! Thanks!

 

Well, I did the mod, and it works excellently! Thanks!

 

Sweet, where is that link so I can do mine.

 

I used a collection of links plus my limited knowledge to figure it out but here you go:
http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/fre...lvo-radio.html
RWD - Poor Man's Volvo Stereo "Aux in' mod.
RWD - Tape Deck/Radio Shutoff switch and Aux-in Mod

I found this one to be most useful since I have the sc-710. I found one of the posts on page 3 to be very helpful:
http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/for...hp?f=1&t=11147

Enjoy!

 

Here is my end result. A clean sounding, hardwired stereo aux input for any of my devices. All I have to do is plug in the ipod, turn down the volume on the ipod so that it is one click above silent (otherwise it sounds really bad and will possibly damage the tape input amp), push in a blank tape to stop the radio and start the aux input, and there you go!

It does help to adjust both the equalizer on the ipod and the stereo the first time you use this setup because it can be a bit sensitive at times if you have either equalizer out of adjustment, but that part was fairly quick and easy and only had to be done only once.

Sorry for the crappy picture, but you guys get the idea!

 

Cool. Most people run the wire behind the stereo, under the center console, and exit it out the hand brake slot. As long as you're happy with it, go for it.

I pulled out the spare AM/FM/Cassette/CD Premium sound system that I have. I'm going to wire in a plug and see how I like it.

Thanks again for the links.

 

Yeah, no problem!

I like my cord where it is. I secured it so that it has a restraint, and it is organized so that it is not intruding.

Thanks!

 

Man, after reading some of those links and all the confusion, I think I'll stick to my cassette adapter.

 

Haha!

It wasn't really that hard! If you have the SC-710, just disassemble it like I described in the video. Then, once it's apart, you will see two connectors with like 6 pins each (Going from memory but that number isn't crucial or even necessary to know) on either side of the tape deck. One is on the left and only consists of a brown wire and then some grey wires. Don't mess with these, for that is unnecessary. With the wires on the right, disconnect and strip the last 3 (red, black and white). Black is ground. Solder the corresponding left, right, and ground wires from an old headphone cord on to their radio counterparts, reconnect the connector with the grey wires on the left side of the deck, reassemble the thing and there you go.

Sorry for the crappy description. Maybe I should just make a proper write up one of these days...