2004 XC90 Radio Issues (discs will not eject)

[Scott E]

Curious to find out if others have had system problems with the Dolby Pro Logic II stereo (6 disc-in-dash)? I have 5 discs loaded (was in the process of changing the 6th) and cannot retrieve them. When I try to eject (or do anything else), the error message states "discs unreadable". AM/FM works, but not the cd player. I also get alot of noise - sounds as if system is retrieving/changing a disc, but no music, and cd does not eject.

Anyone else experiencing this problem? If so, were you able to fix? You or dealer? Insights much appreciated!

[Chethan C]

It must be a warranty thing, but ours did the exact same thing last week (3000 miles after the warranty expired). I have been pulling my hair out trying to find an aftermarket solution. There are no radios compatible with this car! No wiring harnesses exist. Does anyone know what the heck is going on. I definately dont want to spend a couple thousand bucks at the dealer to get the same piece of junk when I could potentially get a much better radio somewhere else...

[George]

CD changer went bad on my '04 XC90 @54K. Out of warranty!! Repairing the unit was $280 plus install. Better to go to an independent stereo shop, have them order the unit from the dealer and pay them to install the unit. Unless you plan on spending a few thousand dollars upgrading to a DVD/NAV unit I wouldn't suggest buying a new head unit as installation is very difficult in these cars.

[Ian London UK]

Scott E wrote:

Curious to find out if others have had system problems with the Dolby Pro Logic II stereo (6 disc-in-dash)? I have 5 discs loaded (was in the process of changing the 6th) and cannot retrieve them. When I try to eject (or do anything else), the error message states "discs unreadable". AM/FM works, but not the cd player. I also get alot of noise - sounds as if system is retrieving/changing a disc, but no music, and cd does not eject.
Anyone else experiencing this problem? If so, were you able to fix? You or dealer? Insights much appreciated!

I had same problem 2 months after purchase of 2004 XC90 T6 same head unit as you own It required new changer,mine showed all 6 disc icons in display but disc 6 was actually out of unit in my hand,dealer said unit got "confused" unable to reprogramme replaced hope yours is still in wty

[Mike]

I have a 2003 XC90 and I had the same problem. The dealer wants $420.00 just for a new part. Of course it is out of warranty.

We also just had to replace the transmission due to a radiator leak,$4,000.00 later...

[Larry]

I have a 2004 XC90AWD. The CD wont eject ethier. I get a lot of noise when I prees the eject button but not CD will eject. Is there anyway to get the darn thing out of the unit?

[Sick of my XC90]

we just took our 06 in for tie rod recall, and learned of a recall on the radio as well...software update. might check into that.

[BatonRouge]

Sick of my XC90 wrote:

we just took our 06 in for tie rod recall, and learned of a recall on the radio as well...software update. might check into that.

The recall is #174, it is a software upgrade for Infotainment Control System or ICM, it is a software patch to fix some vehicles that experience battery discharge.
It will not fix the problems these people are having with their 6-disc changers.
I have been working for Volvo for quite awhile now and have yet to see an XC90 with these kind of problems with the CD changers.

[Joe Griffo]

First my XC-90 radio would go to zero volume and any staion it wanted on start up. You had to press the stored staion and turn up the volume. The dealer installed every software update and it fixed nothing. Their cure was $900 for a new radio. Now the 6 CD changer isn't recognized at all and the LCD screen only lights when it wants.
I know of no one who will even attempt to repair this beast. I tried once.
I have searched for a replacement. No luck at all.
I took the radio out for repair and that turned into a real fiasco.
Is there no reasonable help???

[BatonRouge]

Joe Griffo wrote:

First my XC-90 radio would go to zero volume and any staion it wanted on start up. You had to press the stored staion and turn up the volume. The dealer installed every software update and it fixed nothing. Their cure was $900 for a new radio. Now the 6 CD changer isn't recognized at all and the LCD screen only lights when it wants.
I know of no one who will even attempt to repair this beast. I tried once.
I have searched for a replacement. No luck at all.
I took the radio out for repair and that turned into a real fiasco.
Is there no reasonable help???

What I would do first is make sure that the dearlership installed the radio operating software when they replaced your radio. If the software isn't installed your basic radio functions may work but the majority of the others won't.
You can probably look at your copy of the repair order from them. Look at the parts that were billed out, you should see the billing for the radio and there should also be software billed out as well. Software usually costs from $20 to around $35. If they didn't install the software you need to bring it back to them and have it done.

[Joe Griffo]

Thanks for your reply. I looked at the two repair orders from the dealer. The first one said"attempted diagnostic, tried update software with no effect" returned at a later date dealer said"tech performed manual tests on radio and finally confirmed customer complaint. Vechicle has upgraded ICM software, tech performed computer diag. and found code for ICM fault- needs new radio.
Charged $90.
I removed the radio and sent it to a repair shop who specialized in restoring factory radios. They could't fix it.
Joe

BatonRouge wrote:

<quoted text>
What I would do first is make sure that the dearlership installed the radio operating software when they replaced your radio. If the software isn't installed your basic radio functions may work but the majority of the others won't.
You can probably look at your copy of the repair order from them. Look at the parts that were billed out, you should see the billing for the radio and there should also be software billed out as well. Software usually costs from $20 to around $35. If they didn't install the software you need to bring it back to them and have it done.

[BatonRouge]

Joe Griffo wrote:

Thanks for your reply. I looked at the two repair orders from the dealer. The first one said"attempted diagnostic, tried update software with no effect" returned at a later date dealer said"tech performed manual tests on radio and finally confirmed customer complaint. Vechicle has upgraded ICM software, tech performed computer diag. and found code for ICM fault- needs new radio.
Charged $90.
I removed the radio and sent it to a repair shop who specialized in restoring factory radios. They could't fix it.
Joe
<quoted text>

Ok, I was under the impression that the dealership had already replaced your radio.
The $90 charge was simply a diagnostic charge. From what you just told me they haven't made an actual repair attempt for your radio concerns.

Its going to be very difficult to find anyone who will be able to repair that radio locally, because it isn't simply a radio, its a computer module that is part of your vehicle's communication network. I had thought they replaced it already, thats why I asked about the software because the AUM (audio module) requires operating software to be installed after radio replacement.

IF there is a hardware fault (the radio), no software upgrades known to man are going to fix it. The ICM (Infotainment Control Module) upgrade you were talking about addresses several software bugs and is simply done to every vehicle (its a customer satisfaction related recall, not a safty recall).

I'm sorry to tell you this, but a hardware fault is only going to be repaired by replacing the faulty hardware, namely, your radio.

[Saskatoon Canada]

I am experiencing a problem with my 2004 XC90 radio where it does not power up until the car warms up. this usally takes about 15 minutes. Granted the weather here in the last month has been real cold I thought Volvo was made in Sweden where it's just as cold. I never had this problem with my XC70
Is this common or is there a fix for this.

[HumZ]

My 05 XC90 had the same issue with the CD Player, two discs were stuck in slots 3 & 4, and Eject All or any operation wouldn't get them out. When I put the key in the ignition after an overnight idle time, the CD player would make a lot of noise chugging and churning and then it reports "Deck Error"

To make a long story short, realized how simple it is to get the player out of the console, got it out and ordered the replacement from one of the Volvo dealerships (exchange price was C$360), installed it and it worked fine. The dealer (and the manual) warned me a software upload requirement, however, it seems to have worked (day 2 now).

Frankly, based on the feedback I'm reading about these units, I think Volvo should seriously consider changing vendors (Mitsubishi), otherwise, some peeved lawyer may start a class-action suit against them on behalf of the thousands of Volvo owners. I recall Toshiba, Iomega and others getting hit with them due to defective product designs, which this CD Player certainly falls under.

[Magyar xc90]

My 2005 XC90 is experiencing same issues. The radio seems to have a mind of its own!!! It either won't turn of; won't turn off; when on won't change channels!!
After a transmission replacement at 14,000 miles(and several recalls) I hate to say it-but I think this is really a Yugo in disguise!

[Keith xc90 2004]

i have the same issue with cd player - getting error message 'decking error'. The radio continued to work but could not play or get cds out. So new CD player required at a cost of €750. Dealer then informs me that radio operating software is not installing because a problem flagged in relation to a subwoofer - cost of new subwoofer €1250 + labour. bear in mind the radio was working fine on the old one and experienced no distortions coming from any subwoofer previous to this.An incredible €2,500 to get fixed. Told him did'nt want to proceed and put old player back in as radio worked fine but tells me can't uninstall - new code part installed etc.. surely you can put in the code on the old cd player and get back to where it was? Anyone dealt with volvo customer service in Europe with something similiar - volvo contact details would be appreciated!

[Nap Holmes]

2004 XC90 43k miles
Radio display module started to display crazy characters 2 weeks ago.
Yesterday - a puff smoke came from behind the display and the display was toast.
Will update as soon as I see dealer.

Anyone ever experience this??