240 General: Can I change the head unit on my 244?

[Steve and his 244]

Hi all, can I easily change the radio head unit in Thor for a more modern one with a CD player - i'm not trying to 'do up' the car like the boy racers! I just like to listen to my CD's when working on the car and when I start driving it will probably want to listen to CD's aswell?

The reason i'm asking is because i'm not sure about changing the head unit - mine is situated behind the gear lever (old style dash) and there doesn't look to be much room to get the radio out of its slot if you get what I mean??!!! Is this right?

Also, is the wiring the same to plug the head unit straight in or do I need an adaptor of some sort?

also, is the physical size of the face of the radio the same (i.e. I wont have a gap around the sides of the new radio)

Heres a pic of my radio cassette as it is at the mo':

[kev240]

Looks like you already have an adaptor plate round the stereo that is in your car at the moment, so there should be no problem with the size for a 'CD' head unit.
It is not an original Volvo head unit fitted in your car, so there may be adaptor leads fitted already, or someone may have made their own connections, you will need to take out the stereo to check this. Adapter leads can be found on e-bay or at Halfords.
Good Luck,
Kevin.

[Andrew (UK)]

The radio will come out easily from there, especially if you select fourth gear. That is already an aftermarket radio. If you are lucky whoever fitted that radio used an adapter and if you are very luck then it will work with whatever you buy. However it is possible that they simply cut the old plug off the wiring and soldered in the present radio. You won't know until you investigate. The hole in the mounting plate should be a standard size and the new head unit should fit. There will even be enough room to get CDs in and out of the radio when in any gear (but only just in 3rd).
If you need to buy an adapter, Halfords can get them in for you. OR else just ask a car-audio place for a PC2-20-4, or buy online eg http://www.lowcostcaraudio.co.uk/sho...urerZZpageJJ14

HTH,
Andrew

[Steve and his 244]

Hi, I knew that wasnt the original radio, but can only assume that the Volvo didnt come with one when new. (as most people know my Grandad was the only previous owner) I cant find an original volvo radio in the garage and know for a fact that my Grandad would not have thrown it away or sold it!

Thanks for the help, I will take the present radio out and investigate whet type of plug it has on the back.

Steve

P.S: Kev240 - I see you have stolen my avatar!!! lol

[kev240]

Sorry Steve, have had that avatar for a while, just never got round to loading it up, will look for something else and change it.
Kevin

[Steve and his 244]

No no no I didn't mean it like that! It was just a joke!

Sorry about that! Steve

[guy240glt]

Thought you might be interested in these pictures! And only hope they don't put you off the whole project. I have to add that I have fited a few radios in my time but have never worked on a car with such easy and good access to the harness.
I too have a 240 with the central radio fitted and had a quick look under the dash only last night to see how I might swop the head unit. (I fancy the Sony xPlod with the iPod glove box connection, have fitted one into the family car and am v. impresed. Mighty good value too. <www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-sony-cdx-gt410u_p-22003.htm>).
I had a nasty surprise when I discovered that the din cable and the power leads from the unit appeared to disapear into the immobiliser/alarm unit. Decided that cutting any of these would probably render the car useless until a professional car electrician tut tutted over it and charged me £££s! Later investigation with a can of cold lager in one hand (just realised you're under age - drinking is niether big nor clever but does somehow appear to be a useful tool in all DIY projects) and a torch in the other showed that the leads actually ran into an amp onto which the alarm box had been double sided taped! Big sigh of relief and cause to open a second can of lager. There are various links on the forum (search for '240 radio') about fitting these radios, mine though untouched since new, still didn't exactly match any of the suggested colour codes for the wiring or the Haynes so I am going to have to work my way through the various leads to discover exactly which one does what.
If anyone has any suggestions before I attempt this feat with only a blunt pair of pliers and a can of now warm beer they would be most welcome!
I plan fit some 6x9's into the back doors as I reckon the 240's a big car and needs some big speakers to match. Should keep the kids quiet anyways!

[guy240glt]

I'll try again with the pictures!
The pictures show the view after the glove box is removed.
The two connectors that link the radio to the harness.
The back of the radio.
The wires seemingly plugged into the alarm/immobiliser and
what appear to be the wires within the harness that run the unit.

[Steve and his 244]

Hi, thanks for that! Next time i'm at my Nan's I will pull the radio out of it's hole and investigate what connector it is, then I will have a look at a radio at a motor discount shop near me and get some advice on whether it's already got the needed connector. If so, I will probably be asking for a radio for my xmas box! lol

I have just received some original volvo speakers in the post from Simon Ward this morning as the current ones are not original.

I might, when I get a new radio, get some better speakers (although the same physical size) and put them behind the volvo speaker grilles.

Thanks again everyone for the help!

Steve

[john h]

If bigger speakers are fitted, mounting into the rear shelf would be better. Leaves the door panels untouched and the boot acts as a good speaker chamber.

John