My old CR-814 radio head has died (tuner only, amp is fine) Since I already have an investment in a rear mounted CD changer, I want to just swap out the old and replace it with another radio of similar vintage (yes, the wife has cassettes she wants to listen to). So my question is, what model radios will fit my '94 945 dash?

CR-915? SC-811? SC-813? SC-815?

There is a plethora of these things on ebay for nice cheap prices and thay come with the code so that is the way I have decided to go.

I don't mind losing the useless shelf above the ashtray to use the double DIN size units if they are compatible, which is what I am guessing. The pinouts look the same but I wanted to know if the physical size of the units used in the 960, S90 & V90 works in the 940.

Thanks
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Bob Kraushaar '94 945T, '88 240, '84 242Ti, '88 300 TE, '89 560 SL, '68 Shelby GT-500 KR

Have you tried the open-and-spray-clean on your present CR 814? Crud in the innards can cause intermittent loss of sound, random loss of one or more channels, and general gnashing of teeth.

The CR-915 runs six channels without an external amp; your CR-814 runs two channels from the head, and the rest (usually 4) from the external amp. My CR-915 was from a post-'92 vehicle, so it did not have the same connectors as the '92 CR 814. You may have to make an adapter, depending on what year car you're dealing with and what year the donor car was( again better if you're at the junkyard --a couple of minutes with the wire cutters and you're home).
I am pretty sure the '92 960 would not take a double-din, but I believe the later 900s could--I reallly don't know, tho! The SC units, except the SC 900 and SC 901, have internal amps, but may be only 4 channels--don't know for sure--find out before you get into that.
The 915 will run your volvo cd changer, but has no conection for an external amp. I would recommend the 915 if you get a choice in the same price range and are not in the habit of maxing the volume control.
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We have met the enemy and they is us. [Pogo] S70 T5 cop car : Rough Rider suspension, Walmart fog lights, eBay speakers, ambiance by Pall Mall, trim by Le Duc d'Tape, 8-channel THD by OEM amps

Managed to fit a CR-905/906 into my 1995 940. THe CR-905/906 were fitted as standard in 850s in Malaysia. No problems hooking up with the CD Changer as well.

Did you have to do any cutting or was it a slide-in fit?
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Bob Kraushaar '94 945T, '88 240, '84 242Ti, '88 300 TE, '89 560 SL, '68 Shelby GT-500 KR

I didn't have to cut or make any adjustments. Just plug and play :)

The CR-905 and the CR-906 was not available in the US as you have different freqeuncies. However the equivalent is the CR-915 and although I have never seen one myself, my Volvo accessories booklet states that this will do the Volvo/Alpine CD changer in the same way that the CR-905/906 does. Your car will most likely need new cables Volvo part nos 3533380-6 and 3533358-2 to connect but then it should be plug'n'play. The SC units as fitted to the 960s and later FWD Volvos will not fit, I have tried but like you, I have an automatic 940 and the OD relay is in the way. It would have been great as they are far better but there you go. Unless you have the 940 SE which is in fact a 960, then the double din SC units are to be preferred.
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George Holmer, Belgium, Europe, 1995 940 Turbo; 1987 745 GLE Turbo Diesel Intercooler; http://www.ttsservices.co.uk/my%20volvos.htm