posted by
someone claiming to be Hugh
on
Sat Mar 20 13:24 CST 2021 [ RELATED]
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Hello All,
I have a 1996 850 GLT Wagon that came with a SC-815 radio (am/fm, cassette/cd). I can no longer turn it on suddenly. I checked the fuse (7) and it was good. I pulled the radio out of the dashboard and all the wires to power it were properly plugged in.
It was then I noticed the natural “tension” on the button that you experience when you push the button to turn on the radio and turn it off was gone. The button was “loose” in its socket. This was confirmed when I tried the button on the SC-815 radio in my other 1996 850 GLT wagon. Assuming I am correct in my diagnosis:
1) Can this “On/Off” button be fixed?
2) Can this button be replaced? If yes, where do I get a replacement and how do I replace it?
3) Will I be forced to purchase a replacement radio?
Thanks to all who respond.
Hugh
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The junk yard sounds like a good option - if the price is good, he probably has access to a bunch of them.
Supply and demand - some time ago I got a 100 amp alternator for 30 bucks - the counter clerk told mr they had 40 of them!
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posted by
someone claiming to be Hugh
on
Sun Mar 28 20:36 CST 2021 [ RELATED]
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James,
The salvage yard I'm dealing with has several SC-815 radios on hand. Whether they work perfectly could be an issue. I just purchased one for $65 that is headed my way. As I mentioned above, my original radio started to work again. Go figure? If the radio I received works, I will keep it in reserve. Someday and that day may be soon I suspect the radio in my 850 will stop working again. Even if it doesn't fail, I have another 1996 850 GLT wagon with the same radio and it too may stop working one day. I rather have a spare a I never use, than not have a spare that I can't now find.
Hugh
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I got a few spare radios that I sent to you or the parts that you might.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Hugh
on
Sun Mar 28 20:38 CST 2021 [ RELATED]
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HF63,
Thank you for your offer. I purchased a replacement SC-815 radio from a salvage yard already.
Hugh
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The radio will work with any switch.
If you can figure out how to remove the face of the radio, see if there are wires attached to the switch.
If so, the wires could be run to another 850 switch installed in a spare switch slot - all of our 3 850s had extra switch slots.
If the switch is mounted to a circuit board, a radio repair shop, preferably run by an older gentleman, may br able to help you.
A junk yard radio may be a better solution.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Hugh
on
Tue Mar 23 10:34 CST 2021 [ RELATED]
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James,
I don't have the skills to make the switch repair you recommended above (my shortcoming). I did discuss this problem with my private Volvo garage and it suggested, I replace the radio with an aftermarket unit (which I am reluctant to do, because I like the "original stock look") or obtain a used radio from a salvage yard. I did order a used radio and it should arrive in a few days. Hopefully it will work. The salvage yard did offer to "warranty" the radio. I know that realistically this radio, like the one currently in my 850, is over 20 years old and this "old technology" just like me has a "shelf life". Someday, I may have to replace my Volvo radio with an aftermarket unit, but I hope to dodge that bullet as long as I can. Thank you for your response.
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The big deal will be if the radio you ordered has a code with it.
Don't throw the old radio away. It has good bulbs!
--
Keeping it running is better than buying new
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posted by
someone claiming to be Hugh
on
Tue Mar 23 18:30 CST 2021 [ RELATED]
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Klaus,
We think alike. I asked the representative from the salvage yard to make sure that the 4 digit security code was obtained so I would be able to activate the radio once it was installed. He said he is able to obtain the 4 digit security code by contacting his local Volvo dealer. I also asked if the radio worked? His reply was, when the donor car comes in, the radio is checked to make sure it works. Of course, he said, radios are sometimes "problematic" so they are warrantied. I hope the radio I obtain works out. If it doesn't you may see a separate query posted by asking the members of this community for sources to obtain a replacement aftermarket radio that will neatly fit into the existing slot in the dashboard. My private Volvo garage recommended an on line radio supplier called "Crutchfield". I haven't don't any research on this vendor, and personally I hope that I don't have to, but as I mentioned before, the radios on my two 1996 850 are approaching the 25 year mark, and unlike a bottle of wine, they do not get better with age.
I'm sure a current 2021 radio will have features that didn't exist back in 1996, but I will miss that "stock look" of my old Volvo radio. I guess we have to manage our expectations sometimes.
Hugh
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Hi Hugh,
I have been cruising the BB trying to find things to read and in doing so I have followed the thread somewhat.
I see that you are hung up on liking the look of the radio and are not onto considering the aftermarket solution.
In being a little humorous, I will suggest taking a picture of the radio with a picture phone or old school camera, and then place the photo over the front using pins so you can flip it up to use the newer radio. I know it’s silly but “When one is desperate one can get creative.” (:)
Now, with all foolishness aside, you can open the radio up and try to fix it!
It’s not working now so you have nothing to lose.
It the best thing to work on and get experience.
With that said,
In my experience with doing lots of like this, (:) I find that if a human hand touches things it can break things.
With these switches stuff like dirt or oils or food from the fingers can make things gummy!
Remote controls fir a TV work with a carbon faced pad touching a circuit board. The membrane is the spring tension that you talk about.
On calculators, there use to be, half domed metal bubbles that touched down. They would grow weak after many heavy fingered thumbs, so they went away!
In the case of your radio the switch could be similar as above or be more mechanical in nature.
The ones used now are small squares housings with a center button pad that the outer button presses onto.
There is most likely a tiny spring locked up inside switch or under the button you touch!
The unit may have gotten “gunk inside” it since the outer push button fits loose in the front face of the radios face plate.
Just cleaning the square button with some denatured alcohol might flush out debris or just cleaning behind the control panel might fix it. The switches are only about .150 of an inch square so the pad is even tinier.
There are two pins or a circuit that can be crossed to bypass the switch so then when you use the ignition switch, it will go on and off. This way, you can wear out the volume buttons! (:)
I think I’m going deaf, so I ignore the volume settings anyway!
A replacement switch can be found out of a myriad of electronic devices thrown away everyday and everywhere! Get two or more, if you find some, for the next radio!
So, it comes down to are you willing to tear open “something broke?”
Think of it as a challenging adventure of using your hands and mind, to ease it back together too!
If the ordered radio is the same, you have a blueprint to work with or it will take lots of pictures! (:)
Keep us posted with your progress!
Some of us are desperately bored!
Phil
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posted by
someone claiming to be Hugh
on
Thu Mar 25 12:51 CST 2021 [ RELATED]
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Phil,
I confess, I like your first suggestion of taking the picture of the old radio and superimposing it upon the replacement aftermarket unit. I could have the best of both worlds: that "classic" look combined with up to date technology.
Here is an ironic update. Yesterday, I got into my 850 and pushed the "On/Off" and my SC-815 radio and it worked! There is no rhythm or reason to it. I had done nothing to it. It just worked! The button is still "broken" in that doesn't possess the natural "tension" to the touch. The button is "loose" in the slot. I think you might be onto something about cleaning the area around the button to remove some dirt or "gunk" that has collected around it. I'll try that.
Of course a form of "Murphy's Law" kicked in. What I mean by that, is the radio "fixed" itself only AFTER I ordered a used radio that had been shipped to me and was in transit. The salvage yard said I could "refuse" acceptance of the package and it would eventually be returned. I have a good relationship with this salvage yard, and I don't wont to come off as a "Jerk", so I told them I would accept the radio. The price was not huge ($65), plus my radio could stop working again tomorrow. Miracles come and go. Also, I have another 1996 850 GLT wagon, also equipped with a SC-815 radio and it could go on the fritz tomorrow too. I have spare SC-815 radio today, that may not be the case a few years from now. Like real estate, they don't make them anymore.
But I think your suggestion of gently cleaning the button of my radio has worth. So thank you for sharing your advice and humor. Your help is reflection of why I value this Volvo community so much.
Hugh
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posted by
someone claiming to be Hugh
on
Mon Mar 22 10:48 CST 2021 [ RELATED]
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James,
Thank you for your reply. I do know how to remove the face plate. I have replaced bulbs that have burned out multiple times. So I will take a look.
Hugh
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