There's a problem with the stock Volvo radio/cassette player in my 1998 S70: one of the # buttons needed to input the code doesn't work. When I first bought the car (used, from a private seller) the seller brought the car to a car stereo shop, where a technician pulled the unit out of the dashboard and did *something* to the back of it (with a screwdriver-looking tool, as I recall) to input the code. After that the stereo/cassette worked great ... until I had a new battery installed in the car.

Now I'm back to square one, knowing what the code is but not being able to input it due to the one dead # button. (I can't return to the shop that did the first fix, either.)

My first question: does it sound like the broken button issue can be fixed? I hate the idea (and especially the cost) of having to discard and replace the stock Volvo stereo system when it would work great except for this one issue.

Secondly: if I did decide to replace the entire stereo, what would be some other stock Volvo stereos that would be perfect matches for the "hole" left in my dashboard where the original stereo was? I see a number of Volvo radios being offered on eBay, for example, but want to make sure that the one I buy fits perfectly and that there are no other compatibility problems with my S70.

One final thing (I promise!): the car already has a CD changer in the trunk (which, when the stereo was working, I rarely used because unless I was driving on perfectly smooth pavement any little bump in the road would cause the audio to skip). Would it be possible to install a Volvo stereo that accepts a CD in the unit itself (unlike the stock unit in the car right now) or should I stick with one (like the broken stock one that's in the car) that only plays CD's that are contained in the external CD changer in the truck?

Thanks much for any help with this!

 

Look and see what model your stereo is, for example 816. Then, find one on ebay or remove the stereo and fix it. If it's just the button needed to input the code, keep in mind that everytime your battery goes dead, you will have this problem. If you remove the stereo, you may be able to remove the face plate and key in your code that way. Many after market stereo will fit in just fine, whether if it's a single or dual din.

 

Any of the 8 series radios (SC 811, 815, 816) will work. The 811 had the hookup for the multi CD changer but did not have the CD in the unit itself. The 815 had the single CD and could be hooked up to the CD changer and had a black face (to match the 850 series). The 816 is the same as the 815 but in a gray face for the S70's etc. NOTE: There are some 816's that have the black face but most are gray. All you will need is the code for the new unit.

 

actually there is an inexpensive device using a 9 volt battery that one can plug into the cigar lighter that will keep the code in the radio when the 12 volt battery is changed out. Saves inputting the code again. Check NAPA.

r.