Radio volume turns down on its own[850][1996]  MattR -- Wednesday, 12 December 2001, at 1:48 p.m.

I have a 96 850 and I'll be driving down the road and the radio volume will turn itself down a bit, but will never turn itself back up (as if it were one of those radios that turns the volume up and down depending on your speed). If I turn the radio back up myself, it will usually stay at that level, though sometimes it will turn itself down again.

Any ideas? It's not something I would switch out the whole radio for, but if there's an easy fix, I'd love to know.

Thanks,
Matt
--
96 850R 90k thevolvoaddict@hotmail.com
 

Some of the radios have a remote contol infrared port (but Volvo
does not sell the remote control). If the sun hits it just
right it can change the volume. Happened to me once. Is the
Sun low when this happens or the sunroof open, etc.

What model radio do you have? Some also do turn themseleves up
and down based on background noise (I think SC-815 and 816s do
this). I've never actually heard this working on my SC-816, though.

I assume it does not occur at night. :)
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Ray Niblett 98 S70 T5M / 95 855 GLT
 

I just recalled light as a cuprit causes the volume to turn
up (thats what has happened to mine). I suppose it could
go down. I have seen a couple other posts here where people
report the volume turns up. Don't recall one for volume turning
down, though.
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Ray Niblett 98 S70 T5M / 95 855 GLT
 

Well I do have the SC-815, but I didn't see anything about the radio doing anything to the volume because of background noise or speed or whatever. From what you've said though, it sounds like you've given me the answer to my question.

One extra question though, is it possible to get a remote for the radio? Is it something I have to get through Volvo, or are there generic remotes that can be programmed?

Thanks again,
Matt
--
96 850R 90k thevolvoaddict@hotmail.com
 

I'm like you, I couldn't find anything in the handbook, but my radio has always been "speed sensitive". Faster I go, louder it gets and vice-versa. It's not a huge change in volume, but I've noticed it since I bought the car two years ago. Kinda cool actually.
--
Matt Rivers (97 850 T-5, 73k miles)
 

It is in my 1998 owner's manual. The SC813 and SC816 units have a button on them labeled "ASC", which does exactly what you describe. The change is subtle but noticeable.

I'm not sure if 1997 and prior units had this feature.
 

--
Keith (98 V70 GLT)
 

I think that the ASC was standard on most if not all of the units if not, it certainly was on the higher end units. Some of the units do not have the ASC button but they do have the ASC option. You might have noticed a little ASC icon in the upper right hand corner of the display. When this icon is present the “auto speed control/compensation” is working. It adjusts the volume of the radio to compensate for your speed and other “noise” factors.

For those of you, like me, who do not have the ASC button, you can turn the feature on and off by holding down the CD button for a few seconds.

--
'97 854R
 

Matt- if your headunit is an 815 you may have activated the ASC. To turn it off, just remove any cds from the unit and press the CD button for 2 second. If you don't have the 815 or 813, it may the SUN thing. As for the remote, I was told by EA.com that they can order it for about $100. I think it may only be available in Europe or Canada cause I never saw it offered at the dealer. Either way since you're usually w/in inches of the radio I thought it was useless(I got VIP drilled aluminun pedals for $60 instead..)
--
97854T5 w/mods
 

I always wondered what the "ASC" icon on the display was!
--
Matt Rivers (97 850 T-5, 73k miles)