2010 xc90 D5 raido issues, poor recption

[Peterspencer]

Hi Folkes.

We have an xc90 which has recently started having issues with the radio.
On start it appears to loose its signal and cant detect stations but after a short while it works as normal, think it may be moisture related as it happened to me when the car had been left in a very windy wet spot.

I suspect corosion somewhere?

Is the aerial and power amp in the celing, at the back near the tailgate, what do the aerials in the side rear windows do and are therw amplifiers for these.

Is this a common problem?


Thanks in advance for your kind support

[SwissXC90]

Important here is to know whether the issue is related to AM or FM or both
Also important to know is whether you have RTIA navigation with RDS-TMC traffic messages on the nav

The FM system uses 2 antennas: one on the rear left, and one on the rear right side windows

The AM system uses one antenna only, the main antenna, which is I believe rear left (the window with more on-glass elements)

The Volvo radios do unfortunately have a not so uncommon problem with the tuner module dieing, and the only fix is a replacement radio.

[Peterspencer]

No nav on the car, FM is an issue but not sure about AM as its not cricket on radio 4 ATM

Is it easy to change the radio.

[john langrick]

Just another thought... Have you fitted any after market led lights coincident with your failed reception?

John l

[SwissXC90]

If you have no nav, the 2 x antenna coax cables go directly to the radio.

If FM has failed completely then it is highly unlikely to be the antennas, antenna amplifiers or cables.
Why?
Because there is 2 of each, and for both antennas, or both amplifiers, or both cables to have failed at the same time is very unlikely.

But VIDA would tell you for sure because you can test each antenna in turn to see which one is working - VIDA monitors the reception signal strength of the main and the sub antenna, and thus you can see which one is working, and which has died.

So it is more likely to be the radio itself: which is the box containing the CD player/changer, inside the dash
Easy to replace.
BUT I have heard conflicting stories as to whether the radio is coded to the car or not. Mainly due to the anti-theft system.
A brand new unit is always guaranteed to work. But needs programming to the car, due to the anti-theft system.
I don't know about 2nd hand units.

[SwissXC90]

Each side window antenna has an antenna amplifier where the window connection is made to the coax cable.
You cannot really test the antenna amplifier other than checking the signal with it connected, and with it disconnected.
As 2 FM antennas exist, you need to isolate and test each in turn.
And check the amplifier has power, and is bolted down properly, and has no corrosion on it or the ground connection

[Peterspencer]

Originally Posted by john langrick

Just another thought... Have you fitted any after market led lights coincident with your failed reception?

John l

No, all as standars

[Peterspencer]

Originally Posted by SwissXC90

Each side window antenna has an antenna amplifier where the window connection is made to the coax cable.
You cannot really test the antenna amplifier other than checking the signal with it connected, and with it disconnected.
As 2 FM antennas exist, you need to isolate and test each in turn.
And check the amplifier has power, and is bolted down properly, and has no corrosion on it or the ground connection

Many thanks.

I am going to work allong the route that one of the amps is suspect as it does sometimes give a very weak radio reception just,like you would get on my classic rangie had you not extended the aerial.

Will do some digging and see if there is any corosion.

Its working fine today so one of them issues that will be difficult to ensure a fix

[Croft]

I have a 2008 V70 that developed poor radio reception. Having read the posts on the forum, I started to have a quick look. Noticed that at the top edge of the rear quarter lights have pop-on connectors to the glass wire elements that then run into the headlining. One of these had become detached, probably caught on boxes I had loaded into the boot space.

Simple re-connect - all seems good.