S40: - Electronic radio aerial?

ShadowLabs · Sep 2nd, 2018, 20:37

Hi all,

I've just bought a 1998 Volvo S40 1.8 used. It's supposed to have an automatic aerial for the radio, but it does not go up. The stereo has been replaced by a Pioneer DEH-2100R. I don't hear the motor working or trying to move the aerial at all when I turn on the car. I also can't find a button to toggle the aerial manual. What gives? I'm feeling like it is not wired up correctly to the radio, but I have yet to find any clear documentation on which wires to check.

Joseph Martin · Sep 4th, 2018, 16:59

I could be wrong, but I’m of the thinking that an aftermarket stereo won’t have the ability to activate an electric aerial. After all, not every car has an electric aerial fitted.
The standard Volvo stereos are pretty good, most are manufactured by Alpine. I’d personally take it out and get a genuine Volvo one, unless you want MP3 compatibility.

canis · Sep 4th, 2018, 19:47

Traditionally, it's the blue wire. This isn't exactly the right manual, but it's probably not a million miles off.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/12...page=20#manual

On page 20, you'll notice there is a blue/white wire. This goes "high" (in other words, it delivers 12v) when the unit is switched on. This isn't much current, it's not there to power anything particularly, it's just to tell the aerial when to lift.

The volvo aerial might well use a different colour though. So you'll need to figure this out. The aerial will have a power source, a ground wire, a sheathed coaxial, and the signal wire. It's the signal wire you want, find it and connect it to your blue wire on the radio set.

In the Haynes manual, it tells of an electric aerial which has three wires:
1) A red/black wire for power leading from fuse 5.
2) A black wire for ground.
3) A red wire for the signal to lift, leading from the radio set.

This is good news, because it means it'll be somewhere in the dashboard. Unfortunately, being red, it'll be a complete bastard to identify.

You'll need to test several things. Has the aerial got power? Is the aerial grounded? Is the blue wire connected? Is the "high" signal reaching the aerial?

Sep 2nd, 2018, 20:37	#1
ShadowLabs 1998 Volvo S40 1.8 Last Online: Sep 2nd, 2018 21:56 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Gouda	Electronic radio aerial? Hi all, I've just bought a 1998 Volvo S40 1.8 used. It's supposed to have an automatic aerial for the radio, but it does not go up. The stereo has been replaced by a Pioneer DEH-2100R. I don't hear the motor working or trying to move the aerial at all when I turn on the car. I also can't find a button to toggle the aerial manual. What gives? I'm feeling like it is not wired up correctly to the radio, but I have yet to find any clear documentation on which wires to check.

Sep 4th, 2018, 16:59	#2
Joseph Martin Master Member Last Online: May 11th, 2024 18:25 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rothesay, Isle of Bute	I could be wrong, but I’m of the thinking that an aftermarket stereo won’t have the ability to activate an electric aerial. After all, not every car has an electric aerial fitted. The standard Volvo stereos are pretty good, most are manufactured by Alpine. I’d personally take it out and get a genuine Volvo one, unless you want MP3 compatibility. __________________ CURRENT 340, 360 GLE, 440 GLT, 440 TD, 460 CD (x2), 850 T-5 (x3), 850 TDI, V40 Sport Lux, V40 1.8 S, C70 GT 2.0T PREVIOUS S40 1.6 (x2); 440 1.6i

Sep 4th, 2018, 19:47	#3
canis Non Fragile Last Online: Oct 13th, 2023 05:46 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chadderton, Oldham	Traditionally, it's the blue wire. This isn't exactly the right manual, but it's probably not a million miles off. https://www.manualslib.com/manual/12...page=20#manual On page 20, you'll notice there is a blue/white wire. This goes "high" (in other words, it delivers 12v) when the unit is switched on. This isn't much current, it's not there to power anything particularly, it's just to tell the aerial when to lift. The volvo aerial might well use a different colour though. So you'll need to figure this out. The aerial will have a power source, a ground wire, a sheathed coaxial, and the signal wire. It's the signal wire you want, find it and connect it to your blue wire on the radio set. In the Haynes manual, it tells of an electric aerial which has three wires: 1) A red/black wire for power leading from fuse 5. 2) A black wire for ground. 3) A red wire for the signal to lift, leading from the radio set. This is good news, because it means it'll be somewhere in the dashboard. Unfortunately, being red, it'll be a complete bastard to identify. You'll need to test several things. Has the aerial got power? Is the aerial grounded? Is the blue wire connected? Is the "high" signal reaching the aerial?

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