Hi Folks,

I need to put a new radio into my 94 945.

Any suggestions?

I'd like to use an older model... I do not like the new radios with all the bright lights. Red. Blue. Flashing. I like to have the dash nice and dark when driving at night. So I'd prefer an older model radio with no or limited lights.

Thanks for any tips.

I've a Pioneer KEH-3400 Supertuner cassette deck which was removed from my Volvo before it went to Co-Part after my accident 1 month ago. I've never had any trouble with it. Please contact me @ hblsky at bellsouth dot net if you are interested.


Andrew

I installed a 1990's Panasonic cd/radio which has nice simple controls, it slid into the cavity very nicely, made some adapters for the wiring, easy peasy.

Look on eBay for a "vintage" Panasonic cd/radio, they're the best IMHO

Thanks for the tips!

I may try to get the code for the radio... See how it sounds.
Then probably end up putting in the Alpine unit and some new speakers.

Thanks for the responses.

FYI: I am replacing the original radio. Lost the code, plus it generates a lot of static. ???

Some 10+ years ago I used Crutchfield as a reference for speakers/stereo for my 240, then found them super cheap on eBay. That was before car stereos had all these bright red or blue lights.

Interestingly, I do like that modern car stereos still have a knob for volume control. Dunno if anybody else remembers when car radios had push buttons for up/down volume... Super slow response and you had to look at the radio to make sure you hit the right button. Knob can be used blind. Which on a side note, is one reason I really dislike the newer ipod designs with "swipping" instead of buttons. You have to actually look at the device to operate it. The older ipods had buttons you could use blind. A tragic loss of function.

I may have to get e new radio to have the USB function to plug in mu ipod. :/

I did come across this decent write up on 940 radio replacement.

http://volvomafia.com/new-blog-1/2018/1/14/volvo-940-aftermarket-stereo-and-speaker-install

I put in to radios from Crutchfield a few years ago in my 740.

The Kenwood KDC-HD262U had small buttons, hard to read/know the functions and the display was impossible to read in daylight on a 740.

The Alpine CDE-143BT had a nice big knob and very easy to navigate/control/read. Highly recommended.


--
Paul NW Indiana '90 745 turbo 145 K

Dear MrNabisco,

Hope you're well. If you're sure the radio is the factory-installed unit, you can get the security code from a Volvo dealer's service department, if you provide the Vehicle identification Number (VIN),

Hope this helps.

Yours faithfully,

Spook

Try eBay or one of the national boneyard sites on the net. I got a nice factory radio for my 2002 Passat off a national junkyard registry site for a reasonable price. Unfortunately, can't remember the site name....

Oh yeah, the boneyard gave me a 60 day warranty!!

If you're looking for a radio function only, why not go with the OEM radio (salvage yard or ebay)? I personally find the 940 radio both awesome looking and good-sounding. With a cassette adapter you could add "AUX" input functionality, and perhaps someone knows of a way to add a permanent AUX jack to this radio...
For my part, I'm keeping the old unit for AM/FM use.
--
'98 V90 234K
'98 V90 157K
'94 940 NA 189K

hi Nabisco- hope that name doesn't denote you as a cracker. haha only kidding. you ask a real tough question. have wrestled with this when the alpine oem cassette radio crapped in my 92 245. radio worked but cassette stopped working due to a worn out drive gear in the cassette clutch mechanism. plastic gear was designed to fail and was made of unobtainium. other problem is the disappearance of radio mechanics or others skilled in repairing these things. common response is to heave it and replace with new. best selection price and service I have found is crutchfield in Virginia. tried junk yards and the radios I found were also shot, water logged or cockroached. try yards though you might luck out. good luck oldduke

Hi Mr. Nabisco and Uncle Old Duke!!!

Good to read your posts again Old Duke! I guess you were on holiday some weeks ago?



(from http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/1994/1994_940/94940_1_1.html)

For the single DIN-height slot in the 1994 940 center console, your radio options are limited. Are you replacing the factory CR-712 or CR-814 or another aftermarket?

I've had some luck with junkyard radios. Though the made in 2000 CDX-S2000 in my 1991 240 shows it's age in the CD-player. Used wire harness adapter kits from Crutchfield or eBay, removing the head unit and amp, yet used the power and speaker wire harness. The Volvo wiring in 1991+ is is way better quality than what you get for aftermarket installs. I also replaced the 1991 factory Dynaudio speakers with new.

The CD player 1997 Sony CDX-4160 in my 1992 has failed (again) and delivers fault code E-04 and I'm bored with removing it and attempting repair again. The audio is better, if not as loud, than the CD-S2000. The thing had some speakers replaced on the door and the factory holes in the hat shelf. So, some junkyard speakers work fine with the radio today. Though FM and AM serve up garbage broadcast content, usually, as available in arches and baseball cardinals city-hole.

Other radios and installs works fine and the displays were dim and not so animated as those made for the ADHD generation.

You'll want the mounting cage if the auto radio manufacturer uses it with the replacement model, a bezel behind the faceplate that sit in the dash. You may have other issues to secure it in the 940 center console single-DIN radio slot. Use adapters to secure to the radio plug and make it plug and play with the Volvo radio power and speaker wire harness. The factory radio may have powered the dash tweeter / mid range speaker assembly on the dash. The DIN cable to the remote AMP powers the speakers in the doors. The dash mount tweeter / midrange assembly improves stereo imaging as it reflect off the windshield interior.

You may want to try craigslist and eBay for brand models that do not light up the interior. I'm unsure when these bright and gauche auto radio displays became the sole option. Yet also these radio may provide digital radio reception (for what that is worth) and the ability to play USB drive audio files, negating the CD player need. Though a CD player that can play audio files like higher bit rate mp3, aac, ogg, or other may be useful. You may need to inspect or somehow clean the used radio for dust.

You may want to ask a car audio dealer including Crutchfield what they have that gives you the playing options you want without the sodium halide animated bright display.

With a new powered head unit, with power audio going to the four door speakers ... probably no need to connect the dash speakers. Though better door speakers help if you have the not so good when new Dynaudio speakers installed by the factory. Secure the speakers to the door to seal the front and rear of the speaker and secure the speaker to the inner door card using the same clips as factory, or better clips. The Dynaudio speakers had a oblong speaker bolt pattern. The speaker hole in the 940 door is round and get as big a 2-3 way speaker as you can to fit for resonance.

I found Sony to be okay. Though other brands and models recommended by your brickboard compatriots here may be better.

Hope that helps yoooooooooooooooooo.

Unemployed MacDuffed wondering where the roof over my head goes soon.
--
Give your brickboard.com a big thumbs up! Way up! - Roger Ebert.

hi kitty g- thank you for those highly intellectual and stimulatingly ponderous essays which entertain and inform. since I acquired my 92 245 in early 11 where I replaced the alpine radio, I have had two pioneer am fm cassette radios in it. they were not very good appliances. the first had the drop forward face with the cassette slot behind it. the door was always loose and made poor electrical contact with its terminals. it lasted about 5 years. next was another pioneer model which was one of their last cassette players . that lasted for 2 years and the cassette clutch mechanism conked and I couldn't find a person to repair it. pioneer is very difficult to get in contact with . finally they told me they no longer supply parts. cant find cassette suppliers either. switching to a basic jvc cd player with am fm. have to get around to installing that. friends and enemies tell me they last longer than cassette players . less moving parts I think. take care and keep up the good work. thanks tons oldduke