Couple of Questions

[daveystoat]

Originally Posted by stuart bowes

if you do have an amp it should be under the drivers seat IIRC (someone correct me if wrong..) could have a little poke around under there and make sure everything is plugged in tight?

had any water leaks lately, do you have a sunroof, i think that was a question that was asked recently when I saw someone discussing a similar issue with audio (presumably because it collects in the footwell / under seat)

I never did hear the end of that problem, we found a replacement amp on ebay, not sure if he bought one.. then he said sound came back when he unplugged/replugged the existing one, then it went again.. that was the last I recall

check amp fuses?

Thanks Stuart.

Car doesn't have a sunroof, only got it last week so don't know of any water leaks. Will have a look for an amp if I get a few minutes later.

[stuart bowes]

some pictures for reference purposes?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/284369045...QAAOSwxMFemDR6

im assuming that's the same as yours based on item description

i think we worked out, the smaller 2 pin block is power, the larger rectangle block is output to speakers, the round one is the signal in from the head unit (same type of connector at rear of head unit)

if you do locate it, could try removing smallest square plug and testing for voltage

[ilmiont]

The sound issues could be solder problems on the head unit, which model is yours?

On the HU-850 sporadic symptoms like yours seem to be quite common.

On my car, I get

- sometimes no sound when turning the stereo on
- comes on a while later then works fine
- random switching between presets/CDs/input sources, often very rapidly
- a different radio station cutting in very loudly for a second, but no change on the screen

Mine is sporadic enough that I'm ignoring it for now - 95% of the time my unit works faultlessly, there's just specific days when it misbehaves and then it can become unusable, switching stations every few seconds or suddenly cutting out.

I think there was a company that repaired them but not sure if they're still going.

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=195270

[daveystoat]

Originally Posted by ilmiont

The sound issues could be solder problems on the head unit, which model is yours?

On the HU-850 sporadic symptoms like yours seem to be quite common.

On my car, I get

- sometimes no sound when turning the stereo on
- comes on a while later then works fine
- random switching between presets/CDs/input sources, often very rapidly
- a different radio station cutting in very loudly for a second, but no change on the screen

Mine is sporadic enough that I'm ignoring it for now - 95% of the time my unit works faultlessly, there's just specific days when it misbehaves and then it can become unusable, switching stations every few seconds or suddenly cutting out.

I think there was a company that repaired them but not sure if they're still going.

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=195270

Thanks, yes, it's a HU-850. I am planning to replace it with an Android unit (always supposing I can find a suitable model......). I am only getting the 'no sound' issue at the moment.

[stuart bowes]

details on touchscreen android auto https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...t=android+auto

and you can get an extra adapter if you do have the external amp and round connector - this one I believe https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171167300967?hash=item27da5dbd67:gKcAAMXQUmFSesW 6

[daveystoat]

Originally Posted by stuart bowes

details on touchscreen android auto https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showt...t=android+auto

and you can get an extra adapter if you do have the external amp and round connector - this one I believe https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171167300967?hash=item27da5dbd67:gKcAAMXQUmFSesW 6

Thanks, that is really helpful. I am pretty sure I have settled on the head unit I want (this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/ATOTO-Premi...s%2C179&sr=8-5), unless anyone has any better suggestions (I am open to them!).

I would also want to be able to use the steering wheel controls, but not found a suitable connector (I don't want to be soldering or cutting wires, I just want something I can plug in and it works). Any ideas on that will be gratefully received too.

You guys are all so helpful, and it's really appreciated.

[stuart bowes]

One of the details put on that other thread had the connector kit which included a bit to make the buttons work, pretty much plug and play

https://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/conn...tting-kit.html

The 'connects 2' bit which might be available separately

Definitely works with my Sony unit but couldn't comment on the one you linked from amazon.. tbh it might just be personal preference / snobbery but I tend to steer well clear of anything by a brand I don't know, with Sony you know its going to be good but I've never heard of Atoto or whoever that is, it offers a lot but is it really any good, who knows.. who makes the sound processing chips and so on

[daveystoat]

Ok, that fitting kit is for earlier models than mine, which is a 2006. The fascia adapter is slightly different, and apparently I need one of these:

https://connects2.com/Product/ProductItem/ASWC

For steering wheel controls. I really don't, because I don't want to be mucking about with bare wires/soldering. I don't have the knowledge or confidence to be doing it, and I really don't believe that it has to be so ridiculously fiddly in this day and age.

Sorry to sound like I am moaning, but I am finding it all very frustrating and unnecessarily complicated when it doesn't need to be.

(deep breath) I have looked at the units available. I could go for a very cheap (£60-£100) unbranded Android unit, but that would probably be a waste of money. The Atoto units are a bit more money, and seem to have good reviews and have good branded components (Toshiba, Qualcomm among others) while giving plenty of options and being better value than the Sony/Pioneer units that I can't run to.

[stuart bowes]

fair enough yeah plug and play would be easier, wasn't sure what year you had until now..

any of these others ones any good then?

https://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/volv...-adaptors.html

other retailers are available obviously, that just happens to be where I got mine from

[daveystoat]

Originally Posted by stuart bowes

fair enough yeah plug and play would be easier, wasn't sure what year you had until now..

any of these others ones any good then?

https://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/volv...-adaptors.html

other retailers are available obviously, that just happens to be where I got mine from

Thanks Stuart. I don't think any are suitable. It looks like that changed the wiring for the later XC70s (why?) so the one you got wouldn't work. Complete pain in the neck.