The problem is not the "MOST" system. There is an interface for fibre "MOST" systems which a couple of companies already use (BMW, Mercedes). The problem is that there is NO input (analog or other) on the S40 stereo. The only way to get an external signal to the stereo is to feed it in where the AM/FM ties in. If you are good at wireing and do not mind voiding your warranty, then you can get the Ipod hard wired. If not, you have to make do with the FM transmitter until Volvo makes an OEM hardwire point in the system (which will probably only apply to future S40's)

Niko,

What you are saying is that there is pretty much no reason to look for a solution any more unless we are opening the audio system? That seems to make sense to me but I'm not sure it is the same in everyone else's mind. :thumbsup:

As you mentioned the more skilled people out there might be able to do it but personally I feel I can't do anything until the warranty runs out. And that's not going to happen for few years from now.

It sounds that the best option still remains the fm modulator. What was important to me was the capability to change tracks from the existing steering wheel controls. I don't know I'll ever be able to do that...!

I whish I had detailed information on the audio system so I could better evaluate what I can do. I have basic knowledge in electronic and can do few wiring things myself but without schematics I don't feel like opening every thing under warranty to find out. Has anyone seen detail schematics of the audio system?

None the less thank you Niko for your valuable input... :grin:

Grég

I have seen one out of the dash. There is no input.

Greg, you are correct. Unless you feel like re wireing the AM/FM input, there is not a way to hardwire the Ipod (currently). Even if you do, there is no way to control it w/ the steering wheel controls.

I hope Volvo realizes that this is an importan "marketable" feature for the S40 but as of yet, there is no solution other than the FM transmitter.

Too little too late...

http://forums.swedespeed.com/zerothread?id=58870

I don't know how reliable this source is.
If it is it will be interesting to see how compatible this new audio head sytem will be with our 05/06 cars and at what $$$!!!

Greg

Hello new to forum and purchased S40 a month ago. I just received a "crutchfield" magazine in the mail. I'm hoping someone might be able to confirm that the new Harmon Kardon Drive and Play adapter will work in a 2006 S40. It is not, to my understanding an FM modulator, but a full controller with display. Selling for 200. The link: http://www.crutchfield.com/S-umGoVLvfC4R/c....asp?I=108DP1US If anybody owns and can offer some feedback, that would be terrific. Thanks and good luck with ipod/factory radio issue.

Look about half way down the page. You get a "free" FM modulator with the purchase. The LCD mounts to the dash and the controler mounts where ever it works best for you. This is a really neat unit (my friend has one in his BMW). Unfortunately there is no way to plug an IPod in to the S40 stereo. You have to use the FM transmitter.

Cheers

Hello,

Just wanted to throw this out because looks like I'll be attempting something in the sister S40 soon too. What about direct FM injection? I haven't taken the stereo apart yet, but is the antenna a standard antenna connector? Just using the iTrip is **** and she about cried when I showed her my 2002 Honda with the CQ-C8413U with the iPod controller and BT car kit in it.

I'm a little dissappointed too that Volvo over engineered their dash so that from what it looks like you can't even pull that thing out of there.

All that to show this link....
Crutchfield Scosche Direct injector

Also, could anyone mention whether there is an entertainment mute? The Motorola IHF-1000 is a great kit (same kit they show on their website for the 2006 Volvo). If there is an entertainment mute would at least make it 'sorta' bluetooth/car kit enabled.

I haven't looked yet, but any thoughts would be nice. If only we would all get together and write some Assembly code on a 68HC12 that would work for the stereo accepting external sources....

Thanks,
Brian

Hi all. I just today started my ipod connect into the s40 journey. Sooo dissapointed to have it confirmed that it is not possible. Volvo Australia have been very un-helpful about it!

Seperate issue... is it a known thing that burnt CD's cannot be read and get stuck? Is there a trick to the formatting or something.

I am about to take my car in to have a cd removed (3rd time!)

search this forum, some brands work better than others (the thickness is the difference I believe) I can always get them to "read" but I know that the CD's getting stuck is a known problem and Volvo discourages using burned CD's for that reason.

Hope you get your CD and stereo back soon!

Thx Nico for your reply,

I also rang Denison USA - phone # is (USA) 866.822.3673...

The confirmed there are not current plans to release an ipod connector for the tech reasons already sited in this forum.

They are about to realease a direct antena connect product which of course would be better than the normall fm transmitter but by how much??

Anyone worked out what burnt CD's work and which don't.

Nico - i have been given that width/thickness reason in the past so that makes sense.

I have worked out that tdk branded disks dont work!

Hi guys... I have a 2007 White S40 T5 AWD with the premium sound package... It has an AUX connection for any type of external audio device... The 6 disk cd changer also plays MP3 Disks...

Yea, yea! Revtek No needs to brag about it. :offtopic:

I'm just teasing... I whish I could swap my audio system with a 07 version.
Volvo says the system won't be compatible but still I wander how different are they really and what could it cost?

An other thing is I also whish we could buy the audio system from a 3de party or directly from the audio maker. I know Volvo design their own audio system but they don't make the parts themself.

Anyway, enjoy your Aux...

Greg

Glad Volvo fixed their mistake. They don't make many but this was a big one in my opinion.

Yea... It is pretty cool... Too bad my left front driver speaker blew. :crying:
It's covered under warranty so no biggie... In the future though, I was thinking of upgrading the speakers. Any ideas on how to get to them? I was going to pop off the speaker grill but it felt like I was going to break the plastic before it popped off...

What kind of speakers does Volvo put in the Factory Premium system? :puzzled:

I called Volvo today and asked if I was able to purchase the 2007 radio for my 2006 S40. Unfortunately, no luck. I am SOO angry right now. The sales representative said that it's not as easy as installing a new radio even though I tried to offer him money and begged for about 5 minutes... He explained that the entire wiring of the car would have to be replaced. The only people who install this wiring is at the factory. Therefore, if a 2007 S40 is not satellite capatible when built, then the car will be installed with the fiber MOST radio and will not be satellite/ipod compatible.

To me, this seems like a temporary solution until something is figured out with the fiber MOST system. If not, then why wouldn't Volvo install the satellite capatible radio in all S40's?

I plan to call Sirius and let them know that I am unable to suscribe due to my fiber MOST radio. Maybe Sirius could put the pressure on Volvo.

I am fed up with cheesy commercial radio and my crappy FM ipod transmitter. My brother works with electronics and has done wiring before.... What would void my warranty if he hard-wired into the antenna? Would my car warranty be voided or just my radio?

S40 Aux input and stuff....


I had my 2005 S40 T5 in for the recall maintenance last weekend. The dealer gave me a either a new 2007 S40 2.4 as a loaner for the day. Over all it is the same basic car with a couple of slight updates...

The main changes that I noticed were
1.) The crappy cup holders have been restyled a bit (they are deeper and have rubber tabs).
2.) The console on the ceiling has been rearranged a little. The lights are bigger and the buttons and moon roof controls are repositioned.
3.) AUX INPUT!!! This model has the premium sound kit for the 2007 version. Overall it looked the same as mine except the "CD" button on the sereo now says "MODE". When you press the button a little screen displays asking you to switch between "CD" and "AUX". The actual AUX input is a 1/8" input jack located behind the floating console in the CD/coin tray. The tray has been reduced in size to accomodate this.

I asked if there was a retrofit kit to put these components into a 2005, but the dealer said no. Has anyone else researched this??

Hello people i am new here and i just bought a 2006 S40 volvo i a so happy with it! The car is everything I expected but, of course, the sound system I really hate that I cannot play Mp3 or connect it to my Ipod, well today I decided to do some research in the internet to see about some possibilities or options to do that and at the end I am convinced that the only solution is the wireless FM transmitter, well anyway I thought I always could burn cd´s with my music but now I am reading here that some brands of cds could stuck on the radio and don’t go out, some one here said TDK did not work and other one said some brands work and some other not, which brands work? Niko05 you said that you did not have this problem which brand of cds do you use? I am not planning to change my car in some time 3 or 5 years so I will have to find a solution but if I can not use my burn cds or my Ipod or play Mp3 I don’t have a lot of options!! So if someone of you bun your own music which brand of cds are you using? Thanks a lot for any help you could give to me

Alex

Hello Omnicromm,

Unfortunately I believe the answer is not that simple. I have used a lot of CDR in my S40 05 model. I have to say I haven't had that problem of a stucked CD.
However I know that there are few things to consider:

- For one is that unfortunately it is not just about the brand name of the CD but also about the different production series Brands are making. There is speed compatibility and just plain material surface.

- An other consideration is the software you use to burn CDs. Not every thing is done the same way. Something I do know is no matter what system you use it helps an all lot to close the CD completely, whish means you can not burn any additional data. From experience, this helps an all lot making the cd compatible with most system.

Personally the most CDs I have used in my S40 have been different type of Imation especially some 80min 1x52 compatible. I also have used some Verbatim digital vinyl CDR 80min (the kind that looks like a mini vinyl disc.

I hope this helps, Have fun with your new car...

Greg

Well thanks a lot for the answer!! i will try with the imation because here at my country there are a lot of them! and i used to use it on a Sony exploid without a problem!! thanks a lot again i will try it!

Alex

hi people i have another question and maybe some one of you could help me is about does FM transmitters wich one of them si better to use with an ipod some were i find this one: "Kennsington RDS FM Transmitter/Car Charger for iPod" and the said that is the best so what do you think some one of you use something like that? thanks a lot for any help! :)

Alex