Hi,

I want to install an FM modulator in my 2005 Volvo S40. I'm pretty handy, but know very little about cars. How can splice into the electrical power of the car so I can hook up the modulator to the car's power source? Can I splice into the radio wires? Thanks.

 

Instead of splicing try a piggyback fuse holder. It is fast and temporary plus provides a fuse for whatever you are powering. No permanent wire damage.

Google piggyback fuse holder. You can find them at any auto parts store.

 

I have another question. Where would I plug in the fuse? The FM Modulator will be connected to the radio.

 

Into the fuse panel. Find a fuse that works with ignition like the radio fuse. Just pull the fuse and replace it with the piggyback fuse holder. Now plug your original radio fuse into the first slot of the piggyback fuse holder to protect the radio. The 2nd fuse slot is for the new FM Modulator circuit. You will have 2 fuses stacked side by side.

The fuse panel is locate under the glove box behind the fuzzy kick panel.

 

I took apart the dashboard where the waterfall control board is and took out and disconnected the tuner/cd player. I didn't see anything that looked like an antenna connection. Where can I find that so I can plug in the FM Modulator?

 

Does your 2005 have the fiber optic MOST network like my 2006? If so, the amp is in the left rear fender (!!!) and is fed by an antenna amp in the left "C" pillar area pulling signal off the rear window. There's a PDF file floating around by Gregg Rocheford named English_install_ver_6_5.pdf that covers the entire process.

The amp is wierd, powered by 12V in the antenna line itself.

You can get 12V power from the "cigarette lighter" socket in the trunk. If it isn't installed, the wires will still be led and hot. Unlike the actual 12V sockets forward, it is unswitched and always on, so you may want to connect it to the switched lighter socket circuit.

You can also add a Bluetooth dongle to the Modulator input and save one more connection to your device, provided it does Bluetooth.