Unlocking the radio in the Hoe
 

The battery has been disconnected a few times whilst I was sorting out the Hoe prior to its MOT. The radiio looks to be an original Volvo cassette radio, and it displays "CODE" when I turn it on. The local Volvo dealership was very helpful, and gave me the code for the original radio. I've tried typing this in, and I get firm clicks every time I enter a number, but it doesn't work. I understand that if I type in an incorrect number three times, then the radio displays "OFF", and can't be used for 2 hours. This doesn't happen.

Am I doing something wrong, or is the radio faulty?

It sounds like the buttons aren't doing what they're meant to, try spraying some contact cleaner around them and press them a few times.

I can't remember the exact process for typing the code in as I only had to do it once before swapping in a more modern stereo.

I haven't managed to dig out the switch cleaner yet, but I did play around with the buttons, and I got some odd results. The radio model is VC802 btw. Obviously the on/off switch works, and this is combined with the volume control. I pressed and pressed and held all of the buttons in sight, and none had any effect except for one. Thuis was the "1" button, and that displayed the digit "0" every time I pressed it. "0" is not a valid digit in the security code sequence. Also I tried the trick of holding dowb the "6" button whilst turning on the radio. This gave me a blank screen until I released it, and then it displayed "CODE".

I think the next stage is to remove the radio using the bent coat hanger trick, and check and clean all the connections.

I'd be grateful for any comments on this problem, and my proposed solution.

I think these Philips radios were only fitted to the 400 Series and may not be original to Hoe.

This link might be helpful: https://www.dndservices.co.uk/Volvo-VC-802-code.html

Bob :)

Thanks Bob, that was really useful, and explains all. I thought that you use the preset buttons to enter the code, but it loks as if you use the tuning up button with preset "1" to get things going. I'm now desperate to see if it works, but I'm on my favourite table in the Sainsbury cafe, so I need to be patient.

Just as an aid memoire, here is the entry sequence -

I've just got back from Sainsbury's as well! Unfortunately after COVID they closed down their excellent cafe/restaurant at out Mega store.

I hope that the code you got works. At least from your second post the sequence looks hopeful but I have a feeling that the VC802 isn't the original radio. Hopefully I am wrong.

Best of luck.

Bob :)

Thanks - I'm in the Waterlooville Sainsbury, and that always seems to be fairly busy. Bit of a nuisance really, as I often have to wait to get onto the central table with with 13amp and USB sockets.

Asda has been giving away free porridge and coffee in the mornings. I understand that Quaker has been paying for this. Unfortunately the offer ends tomorrow, so I did the Euro Lottery to see if I could fund my coffee habit. :)

Well thanks to Bob, I seem to have made some slight progress. The tap and shift dance seemed to have some effect, but instead of releasing an abundant world of music, it just said "WAIT". This seems to be the mantra of all modern appliances, payment systems and service staff. After waiting for about a minute, it reverted to stating "CODE". Now I have assumed that the Hoe has turned woke, and wants me to enter her pronouns. Am I still allowed to refer to her as "HER"? It is also getting annoying to enter the codes, as the screen backlight isn't working. I think I'm going to confiscate Cinder's radio, as she has a better taste in music, and the radio has a CD player in it. I don't have any tapes that are suitable for the current radio in the Hoe. As soon as Cinders has got her new clothes, and has been decorated with a shiny new MOT, I'll buy her on of those fancy, double sized bluetooth radios. Are they still called radios?

This leaves me with what I believe to be the original radio in the Hoe. It has the eye saving display feature, which I don't feel inclined to fix, and the release code for its shackles. I think this is probably the correct code. So what to do with it? Does anyone want to give it the kiss of life, or is it destined for the scrap pile?

Sorry to see the code didn't work.

I knew I had it somewhere .... after a rummage I have found in my old files a copy of the Service Manual for the manufacturer's (Philips) version of the VC 802, the 22DC711/77.

So far as it went your unit worked!! If you look at p4 you will see that WAIT followed after a time interval by CODE indicates the wrong code has been entered.

As said I didn't think a VC 802 was original to Hoe. In 1989/90 Volvo were fitting the SR-701 or CR-702's to the 700 Series plus the underdash amplifier.

I am wondering if you have pulled the unit .... if not and you do so you might be lucky and see someone has written the correct code on it somewhere.

Unfortunately my PDF of the manual is too large for the Forum systems!! If you DM/PM me here on the Forum with your email address I will send you a copy if you want one.

Bob :)

My technological ability shows no bounds!!

Hopefully here's p4 of the service manual!! If you want the whole 25 pages let me know with your email address.

Bob :)