Installing electronic equipment?

I'm looking to put into my 2001 S80, a stero and new alarm system,
amongst other things. Every shop I've talked to says they don't touch
Volvos because of the complex electrical system. I did talk to one
Volvo dealership that said the 2001 model's electrical system isn't as
interdependent as the later models, but I certainly have no idea.

My question is whether there are any reputable shops, which can work
with Volvos, on the East Coast? Being that I'm going to be driving
south in a short while, *where* on the east coast doesn't really
matter. Any further advice would also be greatly appreciated. Such
as, if the new system doesn't work, and I put back the old system,
would the computer still be wrecked from that? If so, could you
"reset" the car's computer?

Thanks a lot!!

 

If a thief tries to defeat the immobilizer system that's already in the
car it won't start or run. In fact, if you try to replace almost any
part on the car other than the oil filter you have to phone home to the
mother ship to get everything on the computer network to agree to
communicate once again. Only then can you get the motor to start and
run. If you just want a system that makes noise I'm sure the factory
alarm system that just connects to the existing wiring is still
available and last I checked it was reasonably priced.

As far as where you're going, it does matter. If you're not going to be
in ir near a major metrropolitan market the likelihood of finding
someone qualified or capable of working on the car can be very slim.

Bob

 

Err why?

The S80 already comes with a very sophisticated immobilizer and alarm
system, factory fitted. Nothing you could buy for less than ~500 notes would
be a patch on the Volvo system.

Volvo's stereo's are regarded as about the best you'll get in a car of this
size, so you wont improve on it unless you're spending serious dollars.

Tim..

 

speaking of s80 alarms....do any of yours just go off for
"no apparent reason"?.....how do /have you handled this..?

 

anybody add an ipod hook up to the s80? how did it
work out" how is the sound quality?....

 

That's good to know about the immobilization. The alarm system I want
to install in fact isn't really an alarm system, it's one of those
2-way pager things, so if there's intrusion, I'm notified. I'm trying
to decide between the Viper 791XV and the Scosche RSA2900F. Any
reasons why one is better than the other?

As for a new stereo, I'm happy with the sound I have with the current
stereo, but I want something that plays MP3s, since I'm converting all
my audio CDs into MP3 format and putting them onto DVDs. Certain JVC
units will play MP3s from DVDs, and that's exactly what I'm looking for
(though unfortunately these JVC units don't have integrated GPS,
damnit!). I talked with a shop that will just use an adapter of sorts
to plug the aftermarket stereo into the Volvo's sound system. They do
general Volvo repairs, and say they successfully do this on a moderate
basis. There's no serious rewiring or whatnot, and they take care of
the computer configuration, or so they told me, with installation being
about 1 hour or so. If I get a good unit, I can't imagine my sound
won't remain top quality...

Thanks for the response, I appreciate it. Do you have any info on one
of these two-way pager systems? Thanks!