I need a compatible (read easy to replace) unit as I now have learned the cd player on mine is fried. CD errors, wont eject etc. Fortunately it was a copy and not an original. Shoulda took the hint when I noticed I had to push it all the way in but I ignored the gut feeling of "Stop - somethings wrong". Not the music buff I used to be so no loss but I sure dont want to start rewiring things. Just a simple radio and cd player. Dont know why I waited this long to try a cd but.... Footnote for us in the older generation it was Jethro Tull/Thick As A Brick. Maybe it was Karma??? Or some other hint....??? Thanx

 

This is probably the biggest draw back about these cars.

The easiest replacement unit would be to get a direct replacement either new or used. These cars do not lend themselves to aftermarket stereo installs. It is not impossible but very challenging. The system is in separate modules, ICM (display and controls for stereo and climate combined), AFM (radio module in trunk), CD player, amplifier in trunk, plus the speakers and maybe a few other parts depending on options. All but the speakers are interconnected through a fiber-optic MOST bus.

If you happen to have the Premium Sound system, some folks have removed the center speaker and installed an aftermarket headunit in its place. Personally I don't think it looks too good. Others have relocated the ICM to the roof console and installed a headunit in its place.

I know you are old-school (I dig Jethro Tull too) but if willing to get away from CD, you could get a Denison Gateway 500 or GROM unit that interfaces with the MOST bus. This will allow you to connect an iPod, iPhone, flash drive, or other analog source. Or you could go the lower fidelity route and get an FM transmitter.

 

Thanx, I dont want to go lo fi but I see no sense in my car having more wattage than my home stereo or last guitar amp. I have seen a usb adapter set up on You Tube(?) I think for an S40. Just looked at volvopartswebstoredotcom. Its a media player. Search for radio fell short. I guess my Marshall amp was an air pressure disbursement system and my Strat was a variable wire modulation device. Who knew??? Not a primo sys AFAIK. Im trying to like the car. I shoulda researched better. Key issues, insurance cost, few if any local parts and the electronics, geez the electronics. I have buttons that say menu, enter, exit. I keep hitting exit but I stay in the car??? So far menu hasn't got me any food. Hard to use the enter button when Im outside the car. My wife continues to drive the 98 Camry. Point A to B and back, AC and heat. I drive the volvo on weekends just to exercise it. Ive come to hate High Tech, I have to fix it as my job.

I work on Japanese equipment, manuals translated to English in Sweden. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, sometimes much gnashing of teeth.....

Thanx again, I got some things to look at. I was guessing things aren't as they were or could be. Lets do a throwback and find an old Pioneer Super Tuner with auto reverse cassette to throw in the glove box along with an "FM booster", fuzzy dice and bongos in the back. I regress, been a long day....

Time to get the turntable out of the closet this weekend. Im going analog

 

Actually there is another nice solution:
http://www.bluepower.se/en/product/a...dunit-arm.html

Possible New Head Unit for P1 Cars - Page 6

I guess you would have to order it from Europe?

 

Thanx for the link. That led to a lot of reading, links, bookmarks, google etc. Also the eternal question of what the heck have I bought??? This question pops up every so often. I'm to old for this, grins. Last radio I did was a cassette player in an 87 nissan stanza. An adapter, some wires maybe solder and black tape........

The grom unit was interesting too. I replace touch screens in my job so if it went bad on the bluepower, or others, what issues would I have??? Im leaning towards a junkyard replacement or take it apart my self. I believe its a mechanical issue so it will be just like my job. I have plans to park it in December anyway so I can attempt a repair then. Its my 3rd vehicle and is a backup for my wifes Camry. I should have tried the player months ago when I bought it. I think its gonna be my new project car. Ive got some ideas now so thats good. Gonna have to save the cash from my upcoming side gigs this winter.

Thanx again