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84 radio in an 89 245 - what to do w/ the extra wires?? 200 1989

posted by  mperkins on  Fri Jan 30 19:52 CST 2004
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Hi there.
After theives broke in a stole a nice aftermarket stereo/CD player, I decided to go back to the roots. I only listen to AM radio anyway.
So I took a trip down the boneyard and I pulled a radio/cassette player out of a 1984 240, the closest match I could find to my car.
There are some obvious differences: first of all, the old stereo in my 1989 was up near the top of the dashboard; the one I pulled from the 1984 came from down below, in an area I used for storage.
Well I found a plastic piece and filled the hole up top with a new storage place, and I installed the stereo to the best of my ability down below.
There is a big problem though. There were more wires running into my old stereo than this new one can accomodate, notably a red wire with a plug on the end of it, and a yellow wire with a plug on the end of it.
What's more, my battery seems like it is dying ever since I put this "new" radio in. Does it have something to do with not being properly grounded? What about the red wire and the yellow wire?
Thanks for guidance








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    84 radio in an 89 245 - what to do w/ the extra wires?? 200 1989

    uid 18335's pic
    posted by  Volvo Lovin' on  Sat Jan 31 07:44 CST 2004
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    Argh! I just typed a big long post, and the computer refreshed on me and got rid of it! Anyways, here i go again. The two wires, red and yellow, are most likely constant and switched power. Modern radios need the two to remember presets and clocks, and to turn on and off with the car. Your replacement volvo radio needs only the switched, since it doesn't have the brains to remember things. If you have this hooked up wrong, your radio will stay on when the cars off, therefore killing your battery if it's left on. If this is the case, go back in behind there with a test light or voltmeter. Find the wire that gives power only when the key is switched on, and power your radio with that. I think that should help you out, if not, post back. I've done my share of stereo stuff in many cars, so i'll do my best to help ya out.
    Let me know if that helps!
    Cheers
    John

    '83 244 DL (retrofitted with cd player)
    '66 122 (front end retrofitted by bus)








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    84 radio in an 89 245 - what to do w/ the extra wires?? 200 1989

    uid 15053's pic
    posted by  Dylan Berichon on  Fri Jan 30 21:18 CST 2004
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    last visit: Thu Oct 23 17:22 CST 2014
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    Just a guess, but one of those wires was probably an always hot wire so your aftermarket radio could display the time when the car was off or something.

    Another one is probably for a power antenna if you have a 244.

    Keep in mind these are total guesses. I don't know much of anything about car radios other then my Volvo 8-track player in my '80 245. Now, if you want to learn how to rebuild one of those, I can help!

    Good luck.
    --
    If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as "Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!"







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