Volvo 245 radio help

Joss

Any idea on possible issuers with this radio not turning on? Tried to it out and have a look but can’t figure out how to remove it either. anyone got any tips I’d really appreciate it. Also wouldn’t mind another radio to possibly replace if this one if FUBAR, located Melbourne east suburb

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Forg

Grab a multimeter and check power at the fuse (in the fuse-box - passenger footwell) with the ignition-switch set to ACC … if that no worky, it’s likely the ignition switch.
If there’s power, spin the fuse a few times, sand the ends maybe, it could be the fuse or the contacts … 240 fuseboxes are notoriously bad (or maybe it’s just that style of fuse that’s bad, they were an outdated type of fuse by the early 80’s).
If there’s power after you do that but the radio still won’t switch on, then maybe test power at the plug in the back of the radio … may be able to access it without pulling the radio, by removing one or both of the plastic trims on the side of the lower dash.

I reckon checking that lot will get you a lot closer to knowing whether the radio itself needs repair or replacement. 🙂

carnut222

Often these aftermarket radios have an in-line fuse in the harness…find the harness coming out the back of the radio and see if you can find a fuse holder? Also check that the radio fuse in the fuse panel has power as per Forg's comment. I doubt it's the ignition switch unless you have other accessories/items that are simultaneously not working. Note sometimes the fuses on the radio harness are jammed inside the radio plastic "pocket"/"box" at the back of the radio, and without pulling the radio out, you may not be able to get at them. Not sure how that radio is held into the DIN frame, but usually there's some sort of flat blade/key that you use to release the radio from the sides of the DIN frame. If you don't have that, it may be difficult to remove the radio from the frame. If you remove the plastic centre console frame completely, you'll be able to access the 4 screws that hold the adapter face plate in place…then you can slide the whole radio/DIN frame out as a unit. Once you do that, you can push the tabs on the DIN frame flat which allows you to remove the radio with the DIN frame as a unit. A bit hard to describe in words LOL!

Major Ledfoot

A 245L with air conditioning! Rare much?

245Ls didn't have clocks nor radios as standard - you drove them, in silence, for gawd knows how long.

Check the accessories fuse in the fuse box. Is the fuse blown? Is there power on the accessories rail?

As others have said, these aftermarket radios also have at least one inline fuse, usually a glass 3AG of about 2A.

But this gadget also looks like it will have two power feeds - one connected to the accessories power rail for turning the radio cassette on and off with the key; and another 'always on' power connection for the radio memory and clock so it doesn't develop Alzheimer's when the ignition key's turned off.

As my crystal ball is borked, I have no idea where the installer connected the 'always on' power connection to the radio. The PO may have disconnected it, as the radio may have drained the battery if the car was left sitting around.

I can't find much on the ARB350, but this may help.
https://www.scribd.com/doc/62950783/Clarion-Standard-Wiring

GreenGL

Looks like most of the bases have been covered.

As for removing it, you'll need to take off both inner kick panels (what is basically the plastic pieces on the sides of the radio.

Phillips screw for the upper screw, and a flathead to turn the plastic lug/screw 90deg for removal. Carefully remove each trim piece (they kinda slot into a bracket towards the firewall side. After that , you'll see where the radio is held in, two flathead screws if it still is like the factory setup. Looks like your radio is in a DIN cage. if theres screws, remove them, if not, you'll need the DIN cage release tools, or make one up.

There's fascia kits out there https://www.soundmaster.com.au/Aerpro-999210-Volvo-200-Series-1975-1993-ISO-DIN-Facia-Kit/999210 you may find it cheaper elsewhere, if you wanted to tidy up the look of an aftermarket headunit.

Forg

I just noticed, it has a handle … removable radio-cassette unit, that’s early 90’s at the newest! 🙂

But being able to pull it out may make access to the rear a lot easier!!

carnut222

It doesn't have a handle (not one of the removable type from the 80s) and it already has the DIN fascia kit installed, because it's a DIN radio…just to clear up the last 2 posts. 🙂

Forg

Oh yeah … it’s not a handle! Coulda sworn it was a handle when I looked yesterday!!

Carrying around a head-unit with an inbuilt amp all day was such an annoying solution to car security …

carnut222

Forg Haha yes…I had a 1985 VW GTI in the USA back in the day. The radio got stolen twice so 3rd time I got a Sony pull-out unit. I still have it in the shed (nostalgia and all that!) I used to pull it out, put it in a bag and put it under the seat. Seemed to deter theft. In addition I set up a switch in the boot that I could flip when I left the car and if the doors were opened it blared the horn.

Joss

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UPDATE

Old aftermarket radio is broken and I can’t fix the pins the connect to the buttons, s

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o unless u drive around with the face off it won’t work.

I’ve got an original radio of marketp

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lace but there is no harness pin, which doesn’t matter cause all the wiring is in clips anyway,

and just need to know what goes to what colour wise. Anyone who has done one or who has a diagram please send a message

Forg

The following is from a 1983 wiring diagram ... unsure what age yours is (realised when I came back & looked at it now that the upper-dash appears pre-1981) but I did find a lot of the same colours were used across years.

I tried to photograph the key to wire colours but it came out too blurry ... should be easy enough to work out though (GN is Green, GR is Grey, BL is Blue, BN is Brown - pretty sure SB is black).

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