S60 Stereo/DVD: (and V70) - Software Driven Electronics - eBay users beware!

[pacman67]

Funny how after 2 attempts and a bit of cash my local independent, despite knowing all the facts couldn't sort it?

[Djbutler]

Originally Posted by RoyMacDonald

Yes, definatly. You can't fit a second hand Volvo radio safely but you can have the ecu programed to accept a none Volvo aftermarket radio. The Volvo radio's are very good though.

No point in designing a security system that can be overidden is there?

Ok, so what happens if you get the head unit removed in the software and then fit a used Volvo unit from another vehicle, surely the ecu is not that smart that it will look when it's been told not to. Also if the dealer "bricks my car he'll be looking at a big bill through the courts as it was not a condition explained or agreed when buying the car and therefore is illegal. I was always told the only thing that's impossible is sh1t from a rocking horse, everything else requires a bit of thought and effort.

[RoyMacDonald]

Originally Posted by Djbutler

Ok, so what happens if you get the head unit removed in the software and then fit a used Volvo unit from another vehicle, surely the ecu is not that smart that it will look when it's been told not to. Also if the dealer "bricks my car he'll be looking at a big bill through the courts as it was not a condition explained or agreed when buying the car and therefore is illegal. I was always told the only thing that's impossible is sh1t from a rocking horse, everything else requires a bit of thought and effort.

I think you can fit a used Volvo radio without a problem if it was decommissioned with Vida before removal from the donor car.

[Djbutler]

Originally Posted by UKTech

Hi again
Thanks for your reply and sorry to the OP for coming in and going partly off subject but, I think the answers to this are of interest to them as well as anyone else.
Nobody so far has named anyone who this has happened to or sent us off to a thread that does, I still can't see how Volvo can render your car useless, either legally or morally or any other thing for that matter. Hopefully someone will come in and give us a definitive answer, until then I think it's a myth.

Regards to all and sorry to go slightly off subject.

UKTech

Surely any agreement Volvo made with the original purchaser of the vehicle can not in law be forced upon the unsuspecting used car buyer who can prove legal possesion of the vehicle and the used radio or whatever part is fitted. To brick his car when connected to Vida can not be legal, also I did not give Volvo my permission to keep any details pertaining to me or the used parts fitted to my vehicle on any database and would be asking for the information if held to be removed before connecting Vida. In short "I don't believe it" in my best Victor Meldrew voice.

[Ebeegeebee]

Hi, new to the forum! Just bought a 1999 S80 2.4, picked it up on Monday...I love it! Had one owner from new, 60,000 miles and full Volvo service history.
It's the basic model with no steering controls, the basic heater controls and a radio cassette.
I've read all the posts here...and I'm confused!!
I want a CD player and was going to get a double din facia adaptor, then have a trip to halfords for a CD player.
Having read the posts on this thread I would much rather have a Volvo CD Player but I don't want to waste money on one if it won't work.
If I disconnect the battery first, would a Volvo one really work?
I like the thought of a posher heater control panel, would that really work on my car?
All advice appreciated, many thanks

[RichieSA77]

Originally Posted by Clan

The exchange ones come blank so they accept the software for your particular car .
Interesting how some radios seem to work properly in a different car , the few i have tried certainly didn't ie , no display and no steering wheel controls .. Beware if you have a software download for any thing else on the car and the volvo computer in sweden finds a module with unrecognised software ie non-matching , the car could loose all the electrics and need an expensive visit to the dealer ... the main volvo computer in sweden knows which serial numbers each module is supposed to have on every single volvo made from 1999 ...

Glad my V70 is a 1998 model then *phew* lol :P

[RichieSA77]

Originally Posted by Ebeegeebee

Hi, new to the forum! Just bought a 1999 S80 2.4, picked it up on Monday...I love it! Had one owner from new, 60,000 miles and full Volvo service history.
It's the basic model with no steering controls, the basic heater controls and a radio cassette.
I've read all the posts here...and I'm confused!!
I want a CD player and was going to get a double din facia adaptor, then have a trip to halfords for a CD player.
Having read the posts on this thread I would much rather have a Volvo CD Player but I don't want to waste money on one if it won't work.
If I disconnect the battery first, would a Volvo one really work?
I like the thought of a posher heater control panel, would that really work on my car?
All advice appreciated, many thanks

Hi there,

I work part time at Halfords (when Im not at Uni!) and yes we have fitted several units to newer S60s etc. Auto leads (have a look at their site via Google) will list all the looms and facia kits for your S80. My colleague Darren fitted an aftermarket double DIN headunit to an S60 and swapped the centre speaker/sat nav screen at the top of the dash for a normal centre speaker etc.

If you need any more in-depth advice please PM me

And enjoy your S80, beautiful cars and that's got a lovely low mileage too.

[trickyhicky270]

Recently bought a 2011 Mark 3 V70 (ex police) with no radio fitted. Radio control panel/climate display were in the car but relocated in a binacle on top of the dash. Got hold of a radio unit from a car of the same age and model from a breaker (hadn't read this thread at the time). Fitted it and it works for 30 seconds then shuts off. Everything works properly while its working, steering wheel controls, display etc all work just shuts down and won't restart until you next restart the car. It isn't throwing up any fault codes now where as it was before as the radio/ICM was missing. The replacement radio came from another police car so pretty sure it would be exact same model. Unit is a Ford one (says FoMoCo on it anyway). Can these be fixed, hacked or reprogrammed? I know someone with the equipment and skills to swap the eprom if required but has anyone successfully done so?

[trickyhicky270]

On a VAG group car there is only one wire that goes from the radio to the can bus, it is the blue one on the ISO connector that in a normal car powers the electrical aerial (caused me untold grief with battery completely discharging over 2 days). Aftermarket radios work ok in them as long as you disconnect this wire. A thought occurred to me last night regarding my "radio from another Volvo" problem, what about just disconnecting the can bus connector? Ok it may lead the main ecu to think there is no radio fitted but will the radio work without it? anyone have a wiring diagram for the radio harness as obviously the Volvo has a non ISO connector. I am willing to give it try if I can find out which wire to disconnect.

[trickyhicky270]

Been quoted £105 by an independant Volvo specialist to upload some software to the radio to (hopefully) make it work properly. He says he has had some success in the past over-writing used electronic items but never done a radio before. I have just found out that by pressing "power" and "enter" together with no key in the ignition the radio comes on a and stays on indefinitely so I am pretty sure the unit itself is ok.When I put the key in or start the engine it still shuts down after 30 seconds though even if you start with the radio off then give it the "2 fingered salute" with the engine running. Can't help thinking there must be a combination of button pushes that will make it stay on with the ignition on though.