Hello again. For the first time the radio/cassette unit in my usually trusty 1987 760 GLE wagon with B280E engine (UK spec.) is letting me down. The tape works, but the radio display illumination disappeared along with ability to tune radio stations. All I can hear is some garbled sounds, faint music and so on, but no response when trying to tune stations manually or use the presets. The radio/cassette unit is the original factory volvo unit, labelled CR-4021.

Is this fatal to my radio, or is there an easy (or difficult) fix? What should I check first, and if repair is necessary how do I specifically go about it? It sure would be nice to listen to the radio again, as I am now beginning to have had enough of my old tape collection, or silence.

Any help from fellow brickboarders would be gratefully received. Thanks for a great board which I eagerly visit every day to compare postings with symptoms on my car.
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Kjartan Langskog

I was able to repair the radio in my '87 which exhibited similar symptoms by touching up solder joints that connect what appears to be a large chunk (IF stage?) of the tuner to the main PCB in the radio. Look for a tinned metal box hanging from the PCB on the left side of the radio. Use a small (20w) iron, and if you decide to add solder to the joints do not use acid flux- rosin core solder is better IMHO.

Note that this fix does not restore the tuner display, or least it didn't for me.

Thanks for your help, I will open up the radio and have a look.

As for the missing illumination, there is a post in the FAQ section which may be worth following up:
http://www.brickboard.com/FAQ/700-900/RadioAntenna.htm#RadioLCDDisplayBulbReplacement

I also found another link for this at:
http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/index.htm?id=161071

Long live the original radios (I hope).
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Kjartan Langskog

had the same, replacement was the only way to fix it, and one quick note, the radio would work after the battery was disconnected for a long time, but this would be short term and it would go bad again.

Thanks for your help haroon. How did you know there was no fix? Did you dismantle the radio? I am certainly very concerned about the lack of tuning, however I have seen some information in the FAQ on replacing radio bulbs to regain the illumination. The illumination has disappeared only from the radio display and the preset buttons, not from the remainder of the buttons including the memory button.

The fact that I can hear radio stations at all indicates to me that the radio is somehow receiving but I am not able to control the tuning. Instead the radio has taken on a mind of its own, and I can hear stations changing by themselves, although the clarity is not good.

Anyone who can help any further before I have to either try putting the radio in for possible repair, or replace it (the last option for sure being a painful one in cash terms)?

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Kjartan Langskog

I removed the old one out and tried to see if anything was odd or for a battey or something. Could not find anything. I have never had a volvo radio last for more than ten years. See if disconnecting the battey for a couple hours has any effect. It would work normal for a day or so.

Thanks, I will try your suggestion of power disconnection. I see from my original manual that power is via fuse 14, which also fuses door mirrors, cigar lighter and tailgate wash/wipe. Presumably taking the fuse out will have same effect as disconnecting radio or battery?

I would also add that on occasions the radio gives off regular sound codes, a bit like morse codes which I do not know the significance of. I see nothing in the radio manual about this model requiring input of a code after disconnection.
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Kjartan Langskog

Like in the relays in Volvos, the radio solder deteriorates, i'm facing the same problem. Honestly, i'd recommend replacement unless you are like me, who is undertaking salvaging the unit in hopes of keeping a "stock" look to the car

If you need any help i'm willing, is it the 6141 unit?

Yes, I must admit I also prefer keeping the original look of the car. The car is UK spec, and the radio/tape unit is labelled cr-4021. Any help would be most welcome.
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Kjartan Langskog