Help me decide if this is going to be worth the hassel/headache or not!!!

I have an '97 850 GLT that has approx 48K on it. I purchased this car from my father-in-law through a dealer in Sept 00. We put it though the dealer so that we could get the Pre-Owned Certification Warranty through Volvo (VIP Warranty).

In March 00, when my F-I-L was still the owner he had the Radio/Cass/CD replaced (SC-816) for backlighting that was out. Well, just recently, preset buttons 1,2,3 and the sliding tabs (bass, treb, fade) back lighting went out again on the new unit. I had the car in recently to have the Service Light turned off and mentioned that this problem had recently come up. Despite the "new radio SC-816" being only 10 mths old, their response - Volvo VIP doesn't cover it, the car is out of it's original warranty, and we’ll be a "nice guy" and only charge you $200 for a new one.

I’m not too happy about this situation. I could go to AutoZone and buy most any part off the shelf and received a 1 year or even a lifetime warranty on it. I find it criminal that they want $200 to change a lightbulb on a part that lasted only 10 mths. I know that the unit has to be refurbished and one cannot just change out the bulb.

So, do I live with it?? Or get out the brain and paper and go to battle with VIP or VCNA (probably losing battle as we have all heard that they don’t care and won’t stand behind anything)?? Or forget about it and pull the unit and try to replace the bulbs myself?? Am I getting worked up over something trivial.

Give me your thoughts and ideas.

Thanks in advance

Andrew T. Watson

Your radio should carry a warranty of 12 months or 12,000 miles from date of installation, whichever comes first. Since we are still in February, if the car has not travelled 12,000 miles then it should be replaced under warranty...it is that simple.

Yannis

Yannis,

It is my usual understanding that installed parts usually carry a 12/12K warranty. How do I find out about this?? The dealer is telling me that this doesn't apply as the original warranty is now out of date/mileage. Is this a VCNA applied warranty or what??

Thanks for the info.

Andrew T. Watson

I don't know why they are telling you what you claim. Either you are dealing with someone who is not aware of what is going on or you are dealing with someone who contributes to the "bad reputation of auto Retailers"...

Actually, I made a small mistake but towards your benefit. ANY NEE GENUINE VOLVO PART when installed on a Volvo, regardless the mileage of that particular car, is covered by the Volvo Genuine Part Warranty which is 12months/UNLIMITED mileage.

So, take this piece of information to your Retailer and ask to speak to the Parts Manager. I am sure (s)he knows the rules better than anyone else in the Parts Department.

Good luck,

Yannis

one more things that is EXTREMELY impotant!

If your radio was replaced UNDER warranty (back in March 2000), then you are not entitled to another radio under warranty, meaning for free. If that radio was PURCHASED BY YOU back in March 2000, then your radio is still under warranty, regardless of what the car's mileage is.

If you have any further questions, just e-mail me.

Yannis

I have read the different thread postings, and need to point the legal fine print in any waranty and specifically the Volvo waranty. Namely, wear items such as tires, brakes, bulbs, lubricants, etc... are not covered. I had this pointed out to me when I went through the similar experience with my dash board backlights. I ended up paying $98 to replace bulbs that I thought was going to be covered by the waranty. Two years later, I have had a bunch of other bulbs fail - to date my fuel gauge and the driver side thermostat rheostat are dark. I think this happens because the lights are always on - with this setting the dash lights are also always on - no fancy electronics to turnoff backlights during the daylight hours when they are not needed.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but I would recommend not worrying about the radio backlight as it is the first of many sure to go!

Steve

BTW; I have a '97 850

I recall seeing postings at various times about rigging the 850 for daytime running lights, to avoid illuminating the taillights and dash lights. I have never saved any, but obviously, this would lengthen the life of anything except the headlamps.

Anyone know of another site with instructions for converting the 850 for DRL's, or is it in the archive here (I did not locate it).......?????

Your VIP should have come with a complete set of paperwork which describes what is covered and what is not. If you dont have that paperwork, it is your right to request it. You also have a right to an explanation of why it isnt covered, and to ask which part of the contract applies. This is the whole reason for contracts...so there is no ambiguity.

I'd say to try and fix yourself if the above doesnt give satisfaction.

I don't have the part numbers nor do I remember where to get them, but there are several people on this board that have replaced the bulbs. Maybe they will jump in and help out with where to get the bulbs.

I saved these notes from a couple months ago on how to replace the radio lights. I didn't write these and I haven't done this so take it FWIW. Sorry I didn't save who wrote them, might be able to search the archives to find the original threads.

First note:

Well, I finally replaced my radio lights. It was not easy.

Getting right to the point: To my knowledge (after many phone calls and emails) replacement parts are not available from Volvo or Alpine (who makes the radios), unless you want to replace the entire radio for a few hundred bucks. You might get lucky at an Alpine service shop, but they were no help to me. I also tried several other sources, including a post here a couple of months ago, but came up empty.

What to do: Go to Radio Shack and buy the micro lamp type 7219 (SN 272-1092C), 2 bulbs per package at about $1.50. After removing the bulbs from your radio, remove the old bulb elements from the plastic housing and insert the new bulb in it's place. This is tedious as it requires you to chip away the "glue" holding to wire leads in place and wrap the new wire leads in similar fashion. However, I was able to do this with just an exacto knife (be very carefull PLEASE).

In a hour or so I had replaced all of my bulbs and should be good for another 100K miles. Please note that many owners (including myself) leave their headlights on all of the time, which probably causes the bulbs to burn-out sooner.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Second note:

There were 6 lights in my SC-710 (3 lights are shared between the 1-6

radio buttons), but your SC-815 should be the same.

To access the bulbs,

1. Pull the radio partially out of the dash (no need to unhook the wiring)

and remove the screws just behind the face plate on both sides of the radio

chassis (4 screws total).

2. Remove the equalizer buttons and tuning/volume buttons, they should

pull right off. (don't loose these, as the tend to "pop" off and land in

hard to reach corners of the interior)

3. Pry the plastic retainers just behind the face plate of the radio on

the top and bottom of the radio chassis and then remove the face plate.

At this point, you will see a printed circiut board which houses the 6

lights we're trying to get at, this also must be removed.

4. Remove the 3 screws the retain the circuit board, these should be at

the lower center and upper corners of the board.

5. Carefully remove the circuit board from the radio chassis and pull

straight forward. The circuit board is modular and slides into a couple

of multi-pin connections, so be sure not to damage. If you have difficulty

removing this, try prying gently with a small putty knife.

6. With the circuit board removed, access the lights from the backside by

turning the lights 1/4 turn CCW. (you can used a small screwdriver, but

you should be able to turn with your fingers)

To reassemble your radio, follow these steps in reverse, noting that the

circuit board must line-up with the multi-pin connections and a couple of

guide pins. As for replacing the lights themselves, follow the instructions

in my previous post.

I haven't run into your PROG button problem myself, but I think your right

about something being posted for it in the past.

Or maybe not.

How annoyed are you by the bulb?

My last Saab did this, I thought it would be more painful to pay for the recycled radio than live with it. So I lived with it. Annoyed.

So, how annoyed are you? $200 worth? And would you find it more or less annoying to chuck the factory radio and replace it, excuse me, "upgrade" it, with an aftermarket one. It will probably cost more than $200, however more satisfying that alternative might be.

Since the Volvo radios are "rebuilt" which I think means repaired. I'm quite amazed that they don't warranty them for at least a year. I guess this means they don't replace the light bulbs!

Can a radio radio shop replace the bulb? (Aren't the Volvo radios Alpines? If so, wouldn't an Alpine repair shop be able to repair it?)

You might also want to check with one of the Volvo parts discounting dealers and ask their price on a recycled radio.

I've found corresponding with VCNA to be a complete waste of time. However, who knows? Things MIGHT have changed by now! Hope will always triumph over experience!

-Uncle Olaf

'98 V70T5M 61k, same VIP "warranty" as yours

Just curious.

My SC-816 has a sticker which states that it is made by Mitsubishi. Did more than one supplier furnish audio units to Volvo?

Also, has anyone added the external amp to his or her system. I think the stock setup sounds pretty decent, but wouldn't mind a tighter wave when cruising at 70+ mph.

Thanks,

Bryan