I have just recently purchased a 1998 Volvo S70, and I know these cars are supposed to have great sound systems as I've heard them before. But when I play music from my CD to AUX adapter, the left side of the car's speakers don't sound well. I've tried pulling out the volume button slightly to adjust the audio balance, but it doesn't help. Only when the **** is turned to the right completely, the speakers sound good but, I would like to hear out of the left speakers too. Has anyone experienced this before, if you have or know how to fix this please let me know. Thanks

 

If you are getting only getting good sound out of the right side, and not the left, I would say that either your front and rear left side speakers are shot (possible) or your head unit is going bad (most likely). Just my 2 cents.

 

there's different components within the stereo system - the source (ie CD, FM radio, CD changer/Aux, Cassette), the preamp which has the volume/fader etc and then the power amp. If any of the inputs sounds good left/right, front rear, you know your amp stage and speakers are good. If all sound bad, then you can rule out the source systems and focus on the preamp, power amp stages and perhaps wiring to the speakers. Speakers are pretty easy to sort out. If you have another source like a boombox radio, you can use that to check speakers. You can also visually check speakers. If they sound muffled/scratchy regardless of the volume, its likely they have a torn cone surround ($10 kit to repair - I've done this even on my high end home stereo speakers). If a pair fail (ie left vs right) then its likely an amp/preamp issue.

I'd tend to agree with Psaboic - the likely issue is in the head unit where the fader or balance switches may be a bit crustly and are not making good connections. Not sure if they are exposed to allow some electronics cleaner but its easy enough to remove the head unit (those two vertical bars on the edges allow the unit to slide out. Just make sure you have your security code before disconnecting. With that said, its pretty easy to find replacement head units on eBay. Again if you buy one online, just make sure you a) get the security code or donor car VIN as part of the deal and b) get the right color (some head units are black, some are gray). A used unit probably goes for $75 to 100 these days.

 

Does this happen when just the radio or a cd is played?
Not in the Volvo but I’ve had this issue with other auxiliary audio adapters.