I was wondering how I could add a 3.5mm input jack so I could play my Mp3 player through the system?

TIA,,

 

Depends on how much cash you have to spend, if you want to take the cheap route I'd go to RadioShack or FiveBelow and pick up a cassette to 3.5mm for around 5-10 dollars. If you have some cash to spend and are tech savvy you can get a mp3 head unit for like 30-40 used and install yourself. If you want to keep it stock you can pick up one of these bad boys Volvo 2001-2007 GROM USB Android interface adapter


Hopefully this helps you out, I currently use the tape deck until I fix some other problems with the car. Keep the volume at 60-70% on your phone or iPod and control the rest on your car audio settings for best results.

 

Check out eBay and Crutchfield as well - if your head unit has the option for a CD Changer then the GROM unit plugs right into that. The Cassette option works reasonably well too...

 

I had great luck with something like this. You just put it on cd changer mode plug in your device to play.

http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/151876631204

 

My cd player function is dead on my player so it probably would be a waste, just looked at your link and it would not fit my car.

Thanks

 

On another note does anyone know for sure if the mp3 cassette adapter would work? I know that these do not work in all cars?

I have always used the Phillips brand w/ good luck.

Also I see a mod on a older head unit to install a mp3 input this may also be answer for myself.

Link here:

 

I've used cheap cassette adapters from the dollar store in my 2003 S40 and it sounded great, as good as a CD sounds anyway. Only issue is that the spindles inside spin the entire time and you can hear them sometimes.


Also I have seen OEM radios on eBay that someone has added a 3.5mm jack to right beside the CD slot. So that mod is definitely possible... post back if you try it and it works!

 

I used a Philips in a Miata in the past which was pretty quiet , just ordered one on Ebay $7 (close to the dollar store)

Did you ever have a issue with the cassette popping out because of the auto rewind??

Thanks

 

No issues with that, I've used it for at least an hour straight with no problems.

 

It does not need an active CD player. It fools the radio into thinking there is an active CD changer plugged in and transmits through that mode. The sound is great. As far as concerned if you have any sort of discerning ear you will NOT be happy with the tape player gizmo. I don't care what anyone says that sound sucks.

 

Again. I had great sound out of my cassette adapter in the Miata and if it does not sound that good in the S40 I will just pull the unit and hard wire a AUX in 3.5mm cable. Its just not worth paying $60 or so especially when Volvo made the radio so simple to pull.

Thanks though

 

I hear you! I actually tried to hardware a 3.5mm jack directly onto the main circuit board previously but after about 10 tries I finally admitted defeat. It's been done successfully on the earlier models of Volvo radios but this one is a b*()tch. Maybe the sound quality comes down to the quality of the tape adapter and cleanliness of the tape head...

 

Thanks, once I get it apart I will see what else I could tie into, perhaps wire directly to the back of the tape head ;-)

 

Just a update, the Philips Cassette Adapter arrived yesterday, paid $7 delivered off Ebay. It sounds fantastic hooked up to my Cowon S9 mp3 player. At this point I can see no reason to do anything else. Money well spent ;-)