I just bought a 2009 XC90 about 3 weeks ago and the radio died the other day. There is no sound at all from any source other than the bluetooth phone. The screen lights up to a solid green and I can see all the menu items if I push the menu button. When I turn it off and back on I get the Premium Sound splash screen and then it goes solid green after a few seconds. I took it to a dealer who ran diagnostics and they say it is the amplifier. I have seen a few posts about the ICM dying around the web but never an amp. I thought that the amp just amplifies what the OCM produces. I have a feeling that I will take it to the dealer and get the amp replaced when it arrives only to have to wait another week while the order an ICM.

Any thoughts or experience on this? Any one ever seen an amp go bad after only 60K?

thanks in advance

 

Unfortunately, I don’t have any experience with faulty amps. Try looking for a used amp…try Volvo & Saab Auto Dismantlers - New and used car parts and see if they have a salvage car where the amp wasn’t destroyed.


I’m not surprised you did not get a reply on this issue. In all of the Volvo forums, and even in the local VCOA chapter, I’ve tried to start discussions on Volvo audio, but Volvo enthusiasts seem not to be audiophiles. In one post I called my XC90 audio a “radio” as a generic term and got a very arrogant reply. What I learned is that Volvo audio systems are very proprietary…if an aftermarket head unit and speakers are not listed in Crutchfield, you know you’re pretty much stuck with the factory radio. What bothers me is that I have a really nice car, but the factory radio is inferior and it’s hard to replace or even upgrade with a better OEM radio.
I have an ’04 C70, got lucky and found a place that replaced the factory radio with a very nice Pioneer head unit and Pioneer amp…set me back $900. I wish I could do the same on my XC90.