Radio and parking sensors issues

[AMac11]

Hi guys after some help!

I’ve brought a Volvo v70 p3, 2.4 auto diesel 08 plate. Everything’s great apart from the radio not working (it turns on, on the second press of the button shows up higher performance screen then does nothing else, the screen shows all the climate control stuff though) the parking sensors when on the diagnostic machine say not detected, but will show the parking assist unit moving to active when the car is out into reverse. Is this a linked or separate issue?

I’ve done a lot reading and searching for the issue online and know about the MOST loop system to a degree. Im kind of not to happy with the fact I got quoted £162 to take it to Volvo just to put it on a there diagnostic tool and to have a look for the issue for 1 hour all in!

My question is, is there a way to basically replace the audio system within the car? I’ve seen fibre optic loops which could miss out a section say for example the radio and the amp so I could replace these with a modern unit wire in and still keep the climate controls and so on?

Or can I fix this issue and just add some way off attaching my phone for a hand free and music playing option?

Hope someone can help me on here!

[Oak]

Very few options I'm afraid.

It is worth disconnecting the battery for a period. It has been known for the head unit to become confused and a battery reset has resolved the issue.

It may be worth considering buying your own VIDA/DICE setup too - you'd do it for about 60 to 90£ for the interface and the software is free/easy to get hold of. Even if you needed to buy a laptop for it - you'd probably do it for less than the Volvo diag cost! Or - You may find someone local has the setup and can have a scan done for you (COVID allowing of course)

Do check the connections under the drivers seat at the amp too. There's power, audio AND fibre feeds connecting to the amp.

The Amps do fail - often as a result of water ingress (leaking windscreen being common) but there are companies that can repair the Amp for around £100 too. "Volvo Diagnostic" (https://volvodiagnostic.com/) being a recommended supplier of this service.

Can you hear the parking beeps? My speakers failed on mine (all four woofers) and was nearly impossible to hear the parking sensors. Speakers replaced and back to a working system again! Volvo Diagnostic told me that the Dynaudio speakers failing like this isn't that rare either....

[AMac11]

Thanks for getting back to me.

I’ve tried the battery disconnect but I could try again tonight.

I’ve been trying to find all the connections for all the fibre components found the control module (screen) the cd change and the amp but can not for the life of me find the antenna is there one and do you have any idea where it is? I’ve had most of the interior out of the car but can’t trace the fibre cable towards the back.

As for the parking assist I’ve pulled the control box for that out as it had a little damp around it but I also couldn’t hear any beeps when it should be, I plugged my snap on diag tool into the car and it could detect the box and all that was working fine but couldn’t detect any of the sensors so it may be damp in one of the connectors?

To be honest I don’t really want to spend to much money on repairing an old system I’d rather spend money on something that’s up today’s and can be compatible with a phone thinking of maybe looping the amp out and replacing that with a new one and finding a flat head unit of some description not sure how I’d work it though

[AMac11]

Another Idea could I not just loop out all the components such as the CD player and the amp and just keep the icm (controls module) for the climate control and replace the lot with my own stuff?

[Oak]

It's a massive job to replace the pre-facelift with a alternative system - most don't bother.

There is an aftermarket system from BluePower.se but this has its own issues with support, reliability and its expense!

Many many people want an upgrade but most Volvo's with the waterfall centre console - this is just not worth the time, effort and expense. Most decide to repair what's there. It's actually a very good system too in most cases (esp the Premium and High Performance options)

Yes, you could hack it all out and some with a V50 have done this and mounted the control display in the bottom of the waterfall but to my eye this looks messy and takes your eye off looking ahead. With the V70 the display is even bigger so I'm not too sure how this would work/look either.

If you've found damp it's likely that's the issue - and more likely the amp.

The antenna/aerial is located in the rear side windows (looks like heater strips but it's for the radio).

It might be worth repairing it to get it working and then perhaps adding a DAB tuner/BT receiver on the AUX to get the best of both worlds?

I'm afraid your options are very slim without spending a LOT of money and time and potentially still have a system that doesnt work!

[AMac11]

Okay well I’ll sort all damp out and test it all.

I’ve found some pioneer modular systems which allow the screen to be mounted separately to the single din radio control unit, (SPH-EVO62DAB-UNI) so what I was think was to loop and remove the Volvo amp, wire in a aftermarket amp to the speakers (same wattage) and fit the pioneer module, this would be done without removing any of the MOST system still allowing all the climate control functions. But allowing myself to have an up to date radio system with car play etc.

[Oak]

Looks like a good unit, but unless the lead it extendable, the headunit would need to be fairly close to the display? I'm not sure if the ICM needs to remain, I would suspect it does as it's integrated into other systems like the park assist, seatbelt warning, etc... If this is the case then I'm not sure where you could place the headunit of the Pioneer and/or mount the display so it was in easy reach of the driver.

Not sure if you have pop-up nav, but there is a cheap(er) Android unit that swaps the display on AliExpress. This gives some modern feel use, and even if you don't have popup satnav, it's often cheap on ebay and you'd only need to make use of the mech and housing?

[AMac11]

You can get an extend lead for about £80 I’ll have a look at the options and sort something out thank you for your help!