The dealer can't tell me what replacement models will work(!). Will the SC816 fit where the original one is now without any modifications?

Thanks for any tips!!!!!!

Yes the SC-816 is a plug-n-play swap for the stock SC-811, just specify you want the black face plate. There are many of them on Ebay if your dealer jerks you around. Just because the guy works at the dealer doesn't mean he knows Jack.


Mike
'95 850T (w/SC-816)

If, as is indicated in your other posts, the other SC-series radios will fit, the SC 816 will. Double-din size on all. Check the wiring diagrams to be sure, but the plugs from the harness should be the same. If all else fails, and you're still unsure, take out your present radio and look at the rear, then compare what you see with the rear views of the SC-816 (look on eBay, if you can't find them elsewhere). If it helps any, I have a '96 960 with an owners manual with instructions for operating all the SC series radios, since the others were upgrades--tends to confirm that the wiring harness plugs and head units are plug-n-play interchangeable. I'll shortly be taking out the SC 811 and installing an SC 816, and I expect it to take, maybe, 5 minutes including reattaching the battery cable and entering the code.
The only SC series radio which would require further wiring would be the SC-901, which has the three-CD in dash, but requires a separate amp. Don't bother with it--more trouble than it's worth.
--
We have met the enemy and they is us. [Pogo] S70 cop car : Rough Rider tires& suspension, Walmart fog lights, eBay speakers, ambiance by Pall Mall, trim by Le Duc d'Tape, 8-channel THD by OEM amps

Did you find an 816 with a black face? I see eBay ads for such, but I thought that the 816 came out in '98, and I don't know of any Volvo's with a real black dash after that point? Also, the 816 has automatic loudness adjustment based on vehicle speed. I assume that the early 850's would not support that in the existing wiring harness, but at the same time, I see lots of ads saying that 816's plug in to replace 710, 810, 811 radios. I am planning to get either an 815 or 816 to plug into my '95 855T which now has the 811 premium system, and would be interested in any feedback.
--
Mike Sullivan ('91 745 (171k), '93 965 (147k), '95 855T (60k), '98 V70XC (78k)

My wife has a 1995 855. I think the radio is an SC-811 (it is
AM/FM/Cassette). I have a 98 T5 with an SC-816. I put the
816 in the 95 for long family trips all the time. Works fine.
I also believe the 815 is same as an 816 except it is black
(not gray).

I've never heard the SC-816 auto-volume "thing" actually work.

I recently matched specs for 810, 811, 815 and 816 from my '93, '95 and '98 owner's manuals. Biggest difference was that teh 810 has lower power (4 x 20 amp versus others all at 4 x 25). then the 816's auto sound level. Of course, the 816 is also a single knob, while I think the 815 is two knobs, so the tuner function is a little different. On the 816, the auto sound feature has to be turned on. It shows a little symbol in the display, top right, if it is on. I do notice that I adjust the sound level much less in our '98 with the auto sound activated, versus the other two cars, but I can't say that I hear it change - very subtle.
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Mike Sullivan ('91 745 (171k), '93 965 (147k), '95 855T (60k), '98 V70XC (78k)