Does anyone know if a similar method of connecting an FM modulator would work on a 2006 XC90?

I don't really know much of the XC90 but if it as the same AFM modul you should be able to wired a Kenwood KOS-A200 the same way than ElectricSilver and I did...
The hard part might be to find the AFM module.

Good luck and let us know of your findings...

Greg

Dear Gregoir,

You have convinced me to hotwire my Ipod into the antenna system in my S40.

Did you use Silverspeed's 9V-method?

I located the antenna connectors at the left side C-base however I did not yet find the AFM.

Would it be best to plug in the FM Modulator closest to the AFM? And if so then the noise reducer between the AFM and the FM Modulator?

Do you have some photos of where you installed the FM Modulator etc?

Thanks,
Michel

Is the AFM anywhere near the flux capacitor? I can't seem to find it.

What is a non-technical type supposed to do to listen to their freakin' I-Pod without an FM transmitter?

Dear ElectricSilver,

I followed your instructions and wired my Harman Kardon Drive + Play with the FM-modulator using the 9V-method. A nice unit the HK - I have to say, background hiss is minimal.

At first I did a test install in my sister's car, a Peugeot 206 with a normal car radio and normal antenna. Although there was a small hiss (no filter used yet), the music came out at full dynamic range, better or at least equal to FM-radio.

Then I opened my Volvo S40 (2006) at all sides, made the antenna patch cables (soldered them) etc. and did a clean install.

I have to say, the music comes out of the radio on every frequency I chose, overruling any and all radio station that is broadcasting on that particular frequency. Like I said, minimal background hiss.

Three problems however:

1. The dynamic range seems limited (like some kind of stereo AM quality instead of stereo FM)
2. Harder rock songs seem to break up and make the sound awful
3. Whether I plug in the antenna and modulator or I leave it out of the HK unit, the sound remains unchanged

Could it be my patch cables (no connection with the FM modulator)? Radio reception is fine.

Can I hack in anywhere else after the window AM/FM unit into either one of the antenna cables (I found them in the door)?

Any help is appreciated...

Thanks!
Michel

FlyingL,

On my S40 2005 model the AFM module is behind the black triangular plastic window cover near the air bag pillar cover of the rear windshield and on the driver's side.

Greg

Mikeynl, you might want to try either connecting directly to the AFM (I believe Gregoire installed his this way), or try another FM modulator. Is the HK modulator model specific, or can you go with any modulator?

I experienced similar sound quality to what you described with the first modulator I installed. It was an Audiovox FM 100A. It was like you described: sounded like AM, rock music was all distorted, and the sound kept modulating back and forth between surround and normal (I have the premium audio package). Switching from surround to 3 channel wasn't an option because 3 channel sounded even worse! All of those problems were gone though after I installed the Kenwood.

After I installed the Kenwood, I had to go to the equalizer and adjust all of the channels—basically turn everything way up—to get it to sound good.

Thanks for your quick answer.

The problem is (and I know it for sure) that the HK unit is working perfectly as I tried it in my sister's car on a normal radio with a normal antenna system.

The HK unit is also so strong that it doesn't even matter whether the antennacable is plugged in or not as it bleeds through the air like hell overruling any station on the frequency (free choice) it is tuned in to.

Which made me think that if I connect the HK closer to the module where coax becomes glasfiber I would be better off.

And which made me also think if my 9V patch-cables might be the problem as it doesn't matter whether they are connected to the HK or not....

Hi ElectricSilver,

I got a bit farther.

I stripped my car and found the two mysterious antenna cables in the front. There are extended in a white plastic box (with connector, white / purple) before they disappear somewhere in the dashboard.

The location of this white box is behind the floor carpet, driver side and then next to the left footsupport block.

There I did a hard tap-in (cut the cable, soldered my cables in). Normal FM and AM reception is still perfect as is RDS.

Reception of my iPod is now also good although:

+ some songs sound perfect (bit flat though)
+ some songs are way too low in volume
+ some songs are over-modulating (rock songs)

I have tried to level and normalize all mp3-files but this didn't help me yet.

So I guess you are right to some extend that the FM-modulator in the Harman Kardon package is not too good.

What I need then is a separate and dedicated FM modulator so I can keep my control etc. via the HK Drive+Play because that IS nice.

Could you recommend the JVC KS-IF300? That is just what it is: an FM modulator with a line in and antenna in/out.

Thanks,
Michel

Unfortunately, I don't know anything about that modulator. I've only used two: the Audiovox FM 100A (crap), and the Kenwood KOS-A200 (good).

Hmmm - well we could assume that Kenwood, JVC but also Harman Kardon would not make crappy things, can we?

Anyway, as I said, I tapped in the antenna line way in front, avoiding a lot of radio reception from the cables after the modulator if you used the 9V method and have to say (the sound is not yet perfect) but on any frequency I tune the HK in, there is no other radio station again, only my iPod...

Thanks for ur help so far.

FYI:

Still short on time to discuss but on photo bucket you can find images of my install...

http://s207.photobucket.com/albums/bb36/Tu...oire/?start=all

Greg :thumbsup:

Mikeyln,

I'm really intrigued in the fact that you tapped in the antenna way up front. I tapped into the AFM module using off the shelves cable but I'm still getting bad reception when in downtown. My guess too much interference and crap from other cars...

Post some images of what you did...Thanks...

Greg :beer:

Hi Greg,

Well - it isn't exactly the cleanest install (yet) and I will make photos as soon as I am done.

I f#cked up a bit when I was pulling the controller cable of the Harman Kardon through a hole. The connector (4 poles 2.5 mini jack) came off and fell in a place where the sun never shines actually.

I also found out that the HK's FM Modulator is crappy. I changed this one with an off-the-shelf type and connected that one to the audio out of the HK unit. Before my little accident (see above) the sound was perfect and that only with with soldered/taped antenna connection.

There was some hiss and moreover - the sound of the iPod hard drive spinning when changing songs but connecting the minus also to a chassis earth point eliminated all side noises with only some FM-hiss remaning when I turn up the volume. I listen rock / pop songs anyway so I am not afraid that is going to annoy me a lot.

So tomorrow - first thing - I will call the HK service centre and hope and pray that they either can fix my connector or can sell me a new one. I have no experience with 2.5 mm mini jacks with 4 poles (copper - black - blue - red). My maths suck right now so I will not calculate that there are 16 options or so... (8 I guess coz earth is clear) :bwekk:

Anyway - I have 3 more days in fixing this problem and solving it once and for all coz on Friday I will drive to the south of France.... (1300 km - 830 miles).

About the antenna cables. I got this idea from a Dutch Volvo forum. A guy told me he had a modulator installed and they installed it somewhere behind the HU. Well - I couldn't find cables there and since the 9V method was not satisfactory for me I continued my search - ripping apart the car :banana:

I followed the antenna cables from the AM/FM unit (I prefer to call it that as in some other methods the AFM unit appears to be a different unit), down the door sill (back door), then found them again in the door sill (driver side - left in mine) then found a white plastic box behind the carpet and next to the footrest for the left foot of the driver.

In the plastic box I found two antenna cables in a connector. I don't know the name but it was white with a purple clip around it. (I think they call it double FAKRA).

In the car shops I visited they didn't sell these type but after some studying I found out that one FAKRA had side "wings" and the other one was round. I checked the AM/FM unit and ditto: there the AM/FM1 connector was round and the FM2 connector had side "wings".

I disconnected the AM/FM unit and still had radio reception:

Assumption 1 : the cables are coax coz they pick up signal
Assumption 2 : the FM2 is used for the FM signal (coz of the side wings what I also noticed in the car parts shop for other brand cables)

So - trial and error and knowing I could always fix a coax cable again: I cut the FM2 cable near the white box in front and connected the FM modulator in between the cable end.

It works - and with my new FM modulator : FM stereo quality - near CD with only a little hiss as said before.

I still want to use my HK set because it just looks nice and is very easy to control.

HK Display - right side of the HU on the dashboard
HK Controller - in the cup compartment
HK Main unit - under driver seat on top of air inlet
iPod - under the RTI system in the glove compartment
Cables - under carpet / doorsill driver side and through middle console
FM Mod - in empty compartment under the steering wheel (where my Nokia Car thingy is also pre-installed - crappy install I noticed by the way)

Pics will follow as soon as I have fixed everything to last and prior to final install (and after I vacuum-cleaned the car ;-)

Thanks so far!

:amen:

PS1 : Connecting to a true chassis ground really helps
PS2 : I live in an area with almost no empty frequencies and I get clear reception now, not over-modulating anymore
PS3 : I think my diesel consumption will increase with somany power consuming units installed :P

Nice this Harman Kardon.... break off the plug and you're f#ck... or as Microsfot called it: F#cked and No Play.

Connector are proprietary and hence not availabel in any specialist shop.

A new control-unit costs $70....

So I just bought a second hand complete set again for $ 50 - still under warranty. Should have done that in the first place...

Well anyway - my el cheapo iPod solution is running into number now.

HK Drive+(no) Play $ 140
GOOD fm modulator (additional) $ 80
Cables $ 20
Tools (that I didn't have yet but required) $ 30
Replacement set HK $ 50

That's as much as the iPod itself. :offtopic:

I hate Volvo for not having an easier solution. But then again - I love my car and the way he/she/it drives :grouphug:

Thanks guys for all your support. Tomorrow full update when I got the replacement and should be up and running.

Michel :57:

hi, pressume when you say the white box, you are talking about the one with a black cable to purple connector, and a grey cable to grey connector. If this is the case these are to do with the volvo telephone system. the purple connector is the antenna from the roof to the phone unit and the grey one is the microphone cabling from the mic in the central roof console.

Is there no one with good electronic circuit board knowledge that can find an input in the afm module just before the analogue signal gets converted to a digital one, or on the cd head unit itself

Nope - your presumption is wrong.

In my car there is NO Volvo phone system and in this white plastic box I found the same cables coming from the AM/FM unit in the back. Both cables are black and go into one (double) connector, just for extending the cable. The connector is in the white plastic box on the left side of the car next to the foot support next to the coupling (I have manual gearbox, driver's seat on the left side).

This is as close to the AFM unit as I could come although I also found some cables behind the dashboard panel directly behind the HU. (you can take it out very easily - just put your fingers behind it and pull). From there I could feel the backside of the HU display and the CD-player but I did not check those cables.

My solution now works brilliantly but have to say, I use the iPod connector to the Harman Kardon set merely for charging purposes and a headphone -> line out from iPod to a separate FM Modulator - so I can use the volume control and EQ from the iPod to further enhance sound.

Am tuned in at 87.9 FM and did a test drive in Holland today. There was no interruption at all. The close to the HU the less interference by reception of station through the cables. That's why I had trouble with the 9V method. After the AM/FM unit the cables still pick up signal as well and that is ruled out right now.

Sound is good, only a bit static when volume is all open and no song is playing.

I even got it so good now that on extreme bass songs the HU is clipping so I have to turn down the bass / volume on the HU. Even on CD's this is not happening!

Sometimes you got to take risks in life and in this case it all turned out for the better.

Michel

have you got any photos of the box and the cables behind the head unit? would be interesting to see if i have the same in mine, i checked my passenger footwell, mine is rh drive and found a clear plastic box with loads of cables in but couldnt see anything that looked like it might be aerial cabling.

Mikeynl,

I'de like to improve my antenna connection to my Kenwood unit. Still too noisy downtown. Any chance you'd have some images of this box you mentioned near the drivers foot carpeting...
Thanks in advance.

Greg