Replacement Backlight Bulbs for S70 S90 S40 850 960 SC 816 815 Radio

REMINDER: If you disconnect your radio, you will need the correct Volvo code to make it operational after you reinstall it. If you don’t have the code, get it from your dealer before you disconnect your radio.

When I purchased my 99 S70 AWD last year, all the backlight bulbs were out in the radio. The radio, CD, and cassette player all worked perfectly but no faceplate lighting at night. I looked around this board and some others and there were a few folks talking about replacement bulbs from Radio Shack and such. Long story short, Volvo part number 9148908 (Bulb SB021) which lists for 11.76 is a perfect fit.

Now I must clarify something before you go pulling out those old bulbs and throwing them away – the replacement bulbs are CLEAR. If you notice, your dash lighting is a light greenish blue. I found that when I removed the old bulbs in the radio, they had a rubbery covering on them that is removable. To my knowledge this covering is NOT available from Volvo. My radio had five bulbs in it and after I removed them, I simply took the rubber covering off of the old bulbs and put them on the new bulbs. Then install the new bulbs with rubbery covers and perfecto. The radio now has lights that match the dash lighting…

The radio is simple to remove, and I found I only need to remove four screws around the face plate to get it off. On each side of the radio, there is a plastic tab (same color as the faceplate) with a screw in it about and inch down from the top of the radio. I removed that screw and the one above it on both side, then carefully remove the volume knob by pulling straight out. The last step is carefully prying the eight plastic tab retainer up as you pull the face plate forward. There is a flat wire connector behind the face plate that I found easy to reconnect with a good pair of needle nose. The original lights were black plastic, and require a quarter turn to remove. After you replace the bulbs, reconnect the flat wire connector, replace the faceplate, put in the four screws, and put the knob back on the front. Enjoy.

Hope this helps some one else out.

Oliver

Over a million Volvo miles and still smiling :-)

Save those old bulbs for the next time a radio light goes out! The radio shack bulbs ARE a perfect fit, they just don't come with the quarter-turn black plastic base.

On the interior switches the bulb leads are just wrapped around the base - easy to remove and replace with the aid of a small implement such as an Exacto knife. The radio bulbs are different and not so easy as the bulb leads are melted into the plastic base. Some careful work with the Exacto knife frees the leads allowing the bulb to be replaced by the much cheaper bulb from Radio Shack PN 2721092.

If you don't want to mess with swapping the little bulbs from their bases, but want an option other than the Volvo stealership, you can try your local Honda stealership, according to other online sources. They are Honda PN 35505-S84-N01 "BULB, NEO-WEDGE (T3)".

Thanks for sharing!
Will
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854 - 244 - Mini

Here is a web site with a detailed bulb replacement procedure, including clear and annotated photos. It uses the Honda bulbs ($3.50 each), and explains that those bulbs are a perfect fit and require no modification, except for reusing the blue gel cover from the failed bulbs.

http://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/volvo_radio_bulb_replacement.php
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Dave in Virginia; 1998 V70 T5(M): IPD MOTRONIC+ ECU Upgrade, Sport Muffler, IPD Strut Tower Brace; VDO Boost Gauge, IPD Anti-Sway Bars, Rocha ABS Control Unit, Koni FDS Struts and Shocks/// 1988 245 DL Wagon// 1967 MGB Roadster

Thank you.