Can anyone give me complete instructions as to how to remove (and reinstall) a radio/tape from the upper dash of a 1986 245? I have removed and replaced the stereo unit in my 745 but this looks completely different. I would really appreciate any input anyone can give as to how this works. Is there a preamp? I will probably order the replacement radio/cd player from Crutchfield.com and they are usually pretty good about wiring harnesses, etc. Thanks!!!
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Darius in Albany NY '86 744 GLE (180K, given to my mother-in-law); '91 745 Turbo (195K-my 'Little Red Wagon'), '00 Toyota Camry (90K - my wife's transportation appliance)

Assuming that you have (now) a Volvo radio, #CR-4123, here's how it is in my 1988 244. I installed it because (1) I had it already, and (2) the one in the car from the Original owner was junk. A RSO (radio-shaped object).

Do you have four speakers? With that radio, powering the rear speakers requires an amp. There will be a cable connected from the back of the radio to the amp.

Do you have a power antenna?

There may be more than one wiring connection to the radio. The main one is a 9-pin square-shaped connector, easy to find. It carries ignition-switched power, constant power, power to antenna, and two outputs for each of the front speakers. One pin is unused.

Rear speakers are power another route. The wires to them are not factory like the front speakers are, so they may be either right side or left.

The amp might be under the passenger seat, or mounted on the firewall in front of the glove box.

Radio removal. Remove the 2 square-ish panels to the left of the radio. You will see some screws to be removed. With them out, the radio can be pushed to the left, allowing some little "bumps" to clear on the right side, and the radio should slide out.

If it won't budge, you will need to pull the glove box to get at a support strap that connects between the back of the radio and a bolt on the firewall. It is easier to take the strap off the firewall.

Unplug the connectors, don't just cut wires. There are color codes for the 9-pin connector, maybe for the others, too. Note that the 9-pin connector has another connection that goes to the power antenna which may also power the amp.

Good Luck with the project.

Bob

:>)

Been many years since I pulled a radio, but I believe that if you snap off the cover just to the left of the radio (or the tach/oil pressure whatever-someone-put -in-that-hole guage), you will find a screw that secures the radio. Once you remove that screw, it should detach and pull out. The harness is pretty short, so you have to reach behind and unplug it before it comes out very far.

When you put in a different radio, you will probably have to use a cover frame (should come with radio) and do some cutting/fitting to make it look good in the dash, and you will likely need to add a bracket to hold the rear of the new radio secure. A dremel tool comes in real handy.

Its really straight forward, remove the side pieces, remove the glove box, it comes right out.

I found ordering from Crutchfield to be the easiest. the radio comes with instructions taylored for the car. when i didmine, i couldnt find the amp connector, i called thier tech line, the guy walked me right through it, "lift this bundle, the connectors there". they must have quite a data base