Does anyone knowwhere the analog input is on the new xc90. I put XM into my new Volvo and had to settle for a transmitter to fm instead of a direct connection. Volvo has been no help and I was curious if anyone knew where I could get drawingsof the radio system. The dealer says that there is no input for analog anywhere in the system. It seems to me there has to be an analog input for the antenna which is where I need to install the XM modulator. Anyway this has been a major source of frustration. I hope someone can help.<IMG src=smileys/smiley11.gif border="0"> <edited><editID>broach</editID><editDate>38106.5743518519</editDate></edited>

 

I'd like to install XM in my 05' vx90. Can you post pics of your installation?
Thanks-Rob

 

Believe it or not, the antenna port is also fiber optic. Weird, huh?

S.

 

Better late than never for a response, but there really is no aux input in the Volvo audio system. It's all fiber optics and the antenna does not have a standard ISO plug. Your only option is a wireless FM modulator, and there are some pretty good ones out there that will do a good job.

I got the dealer-installed DVD system (ceiling mount) in my 2006 XC90. It's a Delphi namebrand and uses a wireless FM modulator that works well and sounds great. The only wires coming out of it are power and ground. It has an aux-in for video and audio on it that I was considering using for the Delphi Roady2 XM receiver I installed, but I discoverd that the FM modulator that's built-in to the Roady2 performs great. I have a 2005 Toyota Sienna that has a similar/same diversity antenna system, and the Roady2's built-in FM modulator does not work well with it at all. If the FM modulator reception doesn't work well when my wife is driving the XC90 around in larger cities, I plan on buying a higher end wireless FM modulator and installing in the back near the antennas, and I suspect it will do fine.

Here's two pics of my install:


Sorry -- the flash bleached out this photo quite a bit. I believe this install would cover the buttons for the seat heaters, but we didn't get that option (Florida).


I install the antenna just in front of the non-metalic part of the roof near the back.

Basically, I installed the XM antenna on the roof, ran the wire tightly through the rain channels, behind the tailight assembly, behind the weather stripping at about the height of the tailgate, and then tucked it between seams all the way back up the front center console. For power I used a fuze tap (it changes one fuse spot into two without any wire splicing), grounded it to a big bolt in the fuse box area, and then ran the power connection over to the center console, again hiding the wire between seams. The woodgrain cover of the gearshift area pops off with ease (lift up with your fingers at cupholder side), and then you just unclip the center part of the gearshift cover so that you can completely remove the outer ring. This takes the penholder with it, too, and allows you to run the wires nicely to that area. The pen holder is soft rubber so it won't crimp/pinch the wires when you reinstall the gearshift area cover.

This was a fairly easy install compared to other audio/video installs I've done in the Toyota Sienna, a Mazda MPV (DVD system install), and a Toyota 4Runner (which originally had the XM Roady2 receiver). Volvo's panels, dash, etc., is relatively easy to take apart, even though the materials seem to be of better quality than most other cars I've worked on. The only issue I encountered was finding a fuse that didn't supply power with the engine off and the key out. I never did find one, so my wife has to turn off the XM Roady2 every time she gets out of the car. I found that a bit strange, but I tried every fuse that wasn't risky (audio, alarm, telephone, sunroof, door panel, etc.), and even though some of the things on these fuses don't work without the engine on, the XM Roady2 still stays on! It was very weird to me, and I'm confused as to why Volvos are wired this way. I probably should've just tapped into the DC plug right there on the dash, but I wanted to avoid wire splicing.

I hope this helps someone else. I'll be happy to answer any questions if I can.

 

Just installed a Roady2 in my '05 XC 90. I used a hard wire car adapter from Myradiostore.com. I used the supplied wire taps and tied into the wires leading to the 12v supply outlet (cigarette lighter). The antenna and power leads run behind the dash to the Roady, which is mounted on the dash to the right of the steering wheel just below the instrument panel ledge. This works off the key and will shut the Roady2 off when the key is turned off just like the car radio. My antenna mount was done similarly to Internet Pilot's. The FM modulator in the Roady works great and sound is better than I expected. Hope at least one of these pictures shows ok.

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