850 cd/radio no backlight

Covert · Oct 13th, 2016, 09:34

hello folks , working though the list of things i need to sort out on the 850 as they are bugging me !

the cd/radio works fine , genuine volvo unit possibley sc815? , but it doesnt light up so you cant see what radio station you are listening to, fine during the daytime but i work silly hours and can be called out at any time so most of my driving is done in the dark.

are they meant to have backlights on them ?

Stumo · Oct 13th, 2016, 09:50

Certainly are meant to be lit, tonight in the dark ,do an add up of any switches, gear stick, ash tray and lighters that aren't lit. Do a quick thread search and you'll find all you need to know about radio lamps, switch lamps and associated.
Always buy more lamps than you think you need, there's always a muck up factor. Make sure the rheostat (dash dimmer switch) is set to brightest also.
Good luck !

Richard_TD · Oct 13th, 2016, 17:55

The bulbs for the buttons are a bayonet type fitting but the one for the LCD display is soldered in. It's simple enough to replace if you don't mind soldering. I'm not sure where you would get one though, I robbed mine from another unit.

Edit- here's a rather long video that goes through the procedure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5ulxK9HtNs and make sure you have the code before you disconnect the power to the radio.

Covert · Oct 13th, 2016, 19:01

Thanks Richard, so i need a working other unit to swap the bulb unit out of , soldering no problem for me, will a normal cassette unit be the same ?
Only other bulbs that dont work are cluster bulbs but I can do them when I replace my odometer gears .......

Richard_TD · Oct 13th, 2016, 19:52

I've used these bulbs http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400109549026 elsewhere in the car but I didn't have them when I was working on the radio so I'm not sure if they would be suitable for that. I'm fairly sure any of the double DIN units of the SC series would be a suitable donor, though I only went down that route because I already had the spare.

Covert · Oct 13th, 2016, 21:37

Could you just pull the chipboard from a known working unit and put it in your own unit?
Save messing about changing the bulb out ?
Thanks for all the help
Mark

Richard_TD · Oct 14th, 2016, 06:52

It was a while ago but as I recall the buttons and display are all on one PCB, which means you could only use one from the same model- and then you might as well just use the whole stereo.

Even on the same model there are two completely different sets of internals. Some have the display and buttons PCB attached to the faceplate while others have it attached to the main unit.

IIRC there's always a screw you forget to take out when trying to remove the faceplate but other than that it's easy enough to strip the unit down and have a look.

Covert · Oct 22nd, 2016, 14:19

On another note will a Hu-605 unit slot in to where the sc-805 was as these seem cheaper ?

Oct 13th, 2016, 09:34	#1
Covert Member Last Online: Jul 11th, 2019 12:20 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Northampton	850 cd/radio no backlight hello folks , working though the list of things i need to sort out on the 850 as they are bugging me ! the cd/radio works fine , genuine volvo unit possibley sc815? , but it doesnt light up so you cant see what radio station you are listening to, fine during the daytime but i work silly hours and can be called out at any time so most of my driving is done in the dark. are they meant to have backlights on them ?

Oct 13th, 2016, 09:50	#2
Stumo Member Last Online: Dec 30th, 2023 01:00 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Christchurch/ New Zealand	Certainly are meant to be lit, tonight in the dark ,do an add up of any switches, gear stick, ash tray and lighters that aren't lit. Do a quick thread search and you'll find all you need to know about radio lamps, switch lamps and associated. Always buy more lamps than you think you need, there's always a muck up factor. Make sure the rheostat (dash dimmer switch) is set to brightest also. Good luck ! __________________ S70 '98 Auto Factory Fitted CNG Bi-Fuel 2.4 10v '”It’s a what??”

Oct 13th, 2016, 17:55	#3
Richard_TD Master Member Last Online: Mar 13th, 2020 17:15 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fife	The bulbs for the buttons are a bayonet type fitting but the one for the LCD display is soldered in. It's simple enough to replace if you don't mind soldering. I'm not sure where you would get one though, I robbed mine from another unit. Edit- here's a rather long video that goes through the procedure https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5ulxK9HtNs and make sure you have the code before you disconnect the power to the radio. __________________ 1996 Volvo 855 2.5 20V GLT Last edited by Richard_TD; Oct 13th, 2016 at 17:58.

Oct 13th, 2016, 19:52	#5
Richard_TD Master Member Last Online: Mar 13th, 2020 17:15 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fife	I've used these bulbs http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/400109549026 elsewhere in the car but I didn't have them when I was working on the radio so I'm not sure if they would be suitable for that. I'm fairly sure any of the double DIN units of the SC series would be a suitable donor, though I only went down that route because I already had the spare. __________________ 1996 Volvo 855 2.5 20V GLT

Oct 13th, 2016, 21:37	#6
Covert Member Last Online: Jul 11th, 2019 12:20 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Northampton	Could you just pull the chipboard from a known working unit and put it in your own unit? Save messing about changing the bulb out ? Thanks for all the help Mark __________________ 1997 volvo 850 estate, 2.5 10v 204k stage 0

Oct 13th, 2016, 19:01	#4
Covert Member Last Online: Jul 11th, 2019 12:20 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Northampton	Thanks Richard, so i need a working other unit to swap the bulb unit out of , soldering no problem for me, will a normal cassette unit be the same ? Only other bulbs that dont work are cluster bulbs but I can do them when I replace my odometer gears .......

Oct 14th, 2016, 06:52	#7
Richard_TD Master Member Last Online: Mar 13th, 2020 17:15 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Fife	It was a while ago but as I recall the buttons and display are all on one PCB, which means you could only use one from the same model- and then you might as well just use the whole stereo. Even on the same model there are two completely different sets of internals. Some have the display and buttons PCB attached to the faceplate while others have it attached to the main unit. IIRC there's always a screw you forget to take out when trying to remove the faceplate but other than that it's easy enough to strip the unit down and have a look. __________________ 1996 Volvo 855 2.5 20V GLT

Oct 22nd, 2016, 14:19	#8
Covert Member Last Online: Jul 11th, 2019 12:20 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Northampton	On another note will a Hu-605 unit slot in to where the sc-805 was as these seem cheaper ? __________________ 1997 volvo 850 estate, 2.5 10v 204k stage 0

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