I have a 2004 XC90 with the 6 CD changer and have wanted to do something about the stereo for a while. I finally got around to asking a car stereo shop about my options for installing some sort of AUX input to plug my iPod/phone into. I hardly ever use my iPod so there is no real need for full iPod connectivity.

The guy i talked to proclaimed himself as the "US Volvo stereo guru" and said it would be no problem, but it would be expensive. He said the total price for parts and installation would be around $800. (i am assuming he is talking about the denison gateway part?). I do not need a fully integrated system, nor to i have that kind of money to throw into this car for a simple auxiliary input.

A buddy of mine worked in the car stereo dept of circuit city and said instead that i should get an FM modulator. I like this idea a lot more but i have a few questions. I talked to a guy at BestBuy and he said they can do it but they don't stock the parts so it looks like i'm on my own.

1) First, will this actually work? I'd like to know if anyone has attempted this with an '04 XC90 and succeeded. (ive been searching and cant find anything on an '04 model.)
2) Are there different types of FM modulators for different radios? Will any FM modulator work with the Volvo stereo system?
3) Are any particular brands better to look for? Should i stay away from any particular brands?
4) I know this particular system has components all over the car. Is there any documentation where the antenna plugs into the system or will I have to go digging?
5) Lastly, is there any documentation as to how I should go about disassembling the dash/console?

Any help/advice/resources is greatly appreciated. I am sick of burning CD after CD for this stupid stereo.

 

Hi mattXdessi,

I'm having exactly the same issue - 2004 XC90 - looking for low cost way to add aux input for iPod. If you end up getting an answer that is not posted here, I'd appreciate it if you could put it up here as well.

Thanks!

 

Most FM Modulators just plug into the cig lighter for power and into the ipod. The signal is sent to the radio wireless through a FM station not used in your area. (you are now your own FM radio station).

It works OK...not great. On trips you have to keep searching for clear stations. I've used a Griffin RoadTrip before...OK, not great. Check the reviews on Amazon. The issue with the XC90 is that the antenna is in the rear (the under the black plastic on the rear roof panel), so it is far from the FM modulator unit ans signal strength is low.

I have no idea if it will work, but Parrot Bluetooth units had the ability to connect an ipod. It might not work with the premium stereo option.

2005 XC90 T6 103000 miles (new transmission @ 99,000)

 

furyguy

Thanks for the response. I too have had horrible luck with FM transmitters.

I think what mXd and I are looking for is some kind of in-line RF modulator setup through the antenna system. I had an Accord in the 90s that hooked up a CD changer that way. You have a dedicated signal coming in over the antenna line that overpowers everything else (my primitive understanding) rather than having a weak transmitter that competes with every other FM signal out there.

 

Solution for very cheap aux-in in Volvo XC90 comes from Poland.


http://www.volvo-forums.com/index.ph...pic=1497&st=40

Polish version
http://volvoforum.pl/topics43/mp3-w-...90-vt20921.htm

For 3$ you can have audio quality not comparable with any FM-transmitter

Best Regards

 

I have installed fm mods on my 2003 Volvo C70, Porsche Boxster, GMC and 2 motorcycles and 1 boat. $20.00 antenna plug and play from Wal Mart with no problems.
I play my Ipod and XM radio.

Cb

 

@bobofruit - Thanks for the help, but the link (http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=73754) in that thread you posted no longer works. I believe it's a link to directions on how to tap directly into the amp. Do you happen to have the information provided?

@cb1313 - If you are talking about a standard fm modulator, i believe that this problem is unique because the 2004 XC90 (along with many others) radio doesnt use a traditional antenna. From what I understand the whole system is separated around the car and each component talks to one another through a fiber optic connection. Because of this, a regular fm modulator doesnt work for the xc90.

 

per OP "this post is worthless"

*delete*

 

@gshadow325

cool story, thanks for sharing. still doesnt help anyone. the thread is not entitled "how did you install a denison gateway and spend $500" so your instructions are worthless.

 

Try the site autotoys.com My 2008 Chevy has the same thing , I will get out to the shop some time today to look at what was installed.

cb

 

ok, i know how to do that too. since this thread is 4 months old i guess you had it done already i my post will be worthless.

cool..i deleted my above post where i did put the instructions on how to do.

/worthless thread

 

Threads like this make me laugh. Come here asking for help whining about this and that. Solutions are posted and you insult instead of just saying thanks, even though that works I'm looking for something more economical. Either hardwire the fm mod directly to the antenna or do the same inside the factory amplifier direct in.

 

@mattXdezzi - Thanks for clarifying this - makes sense of why it's such a challenge on this particular vehicle.

 

My 2005 XC90 I recently bought has a cable in the console box that plugs into an IPOD, still trying to find out how its selected on the stereo, the car was also setup for an aftermarket Sat-FM input with a bracket on the dash and the sat antenna. Theres a small switch on the steering column, just above the key switch, that I cant find in the owners manual. Im wondering if this switch is tied to the sat-fm or the IPOD cable. Still trying to figure it out. The switch looks factory but like I said I dont see it mentioned in the manual. Whoever installed it did a nice job, just wish I could figure out how to make it work!