RSE Rear Center Console Removal

[Crashroland]

I have a 2006 XC70 Ocean Race w/ the Volvo Rear Seat Entertainment system. I am having issues with its operation and I believe that the problem lies in the connections at the lower end of the main wiring harness which is is the mesh sleeve.

In order to access this end of the cable though I need to disassemble the rear center console. This is the area of the console with the rear power port and the blank where a rear ashtray can be fitted.

I've checked the forum postings and the Resources section and cannot find drawings or instructions for this. Can anyone please help?

[Art]

Use the link below for the instructions and perhaps help you find the issue concerning your RSE. You'll need to refer to MY2007 XC70 to find what you're looking for. It will be listed as multimedia monitor with DVD/RSE. What exactly is the problem?

http://accessories.volvocars.com/Acc...rtNumberSearch

[Crashroland]

Art,

Thank you so much for your reply. I took your suggestion and searched the Volvo site for installation instructions, but could not find documentation for my version of the RSE. Have I missed the document? Have you been able to find it? This option was available in 2006 only in the Ocean Race Edition car. In later model years it was available as an option in all XC70's but always as a dealer installed option.

Regarding the trouble with my RSE- I believe there is a connection issue with the lower end of the main harness. When the center armrest, (in which the DVD player resides and to which the upper end of the harness connects), is in the closed position the left screen works but the right screen is either scrambled or blank. When the armrest is fully opened, the reverse is true.

I will be grateful for any guidance provided for disassembling the rear center console.

BR

Roland

[Art]

Try clicking on the link below.

http://accessories.volvocars.com/Acc...28-07%29,_2007

A while ago, I posted some photos with respect to removing the panel at rear of the center console. Perhaps that might help although I'm not sure if that will give you complete access to the harness in question.

http://www.volvoxc.com/forums/showpo...7&postcount=21

[Crashroland]

Art,

Thank you very much for the link to the resource on Volvo's accessories site. You found what I could not and it is probably the information that I need.

Your posted pictures are also very helpful. I won't be able to put these instructions to use until the weekend but when I do I will post what I discover.

Wish me luck!

-Roland

[Crashroland]

Its been a little while since my initial post, but I did want to close the loop on this for anyone who has been having similar trouble with their RSE System.

Turns out that all of the trouble was the result of damage to the video cables within the RSE wiring harness that connects the DVD player in the armrest to the cables that connect to the headrest displays. The damage was caused by the repetitive stress of the cables flexing each time the console armrest was raised and lowered.

I bought a replacement harness from Tasca, (very reasonable). Al's help in finding the correct installation instructions on Volvo's website was invaluable and my thanks go out to him. If anyone is dealing with this issue, look earlier in this thread for the link posted by Al to the instructions.

All in all the repair was not difficult. My original wiring harness lasted 5 years so based on that I suppose that it will be 2016 before I need to make this repair again.

[Ironhorse]

Can anyone help me with this? I have a 2005 XC90 with the usual broken wires in my console connected to my armrest dvd player. My dealer said I have to purchase the complete unit for $1100 as they do not sell the wiring seperately. I'm sceptical!! Can someone tell me what the part number is or where I can buy one. I may be able to repair them, but every wire has broken.

Thanks

[Crashroland]

Ironhorse,

I think that I can help. Let me recover the part number I ordered and I'll be back to you soon. Rest assured, it is not a difficult repair. --Roland

[Crashroland]

Okay, the part number for the wiring harness in the Volvo Rear Seat Entertainment System, aka RSE, is 30695477. This is for the harness that connects directly to the DVD player which is located in the Center Console Armrest. This harness is a common point of failure because it must flex everytime the armerest is lifted to access the console storage area. The good news is that it is not a difficult item to replace.

I bought my replacement at Tascaparts.com and paid about $136 for the part.

The link posted below by Art and reposted here:

http://accessories.volvocars.com/Acc...28-07%29,_2007

will take you to a PDF from Volvo that provides the installation intructions for the entire system. Many of the steps described can be ignored if you are just replacing the harness.

I hope that this information is helpful. I know that there are many Volvo owners that will have to contend with this harness failure issue.

--Crashroland

[ktcollins]

I have the 2008 XC90 Sport and although I am not having problems with the DVD player, the plastic bracket is broken and I want to replace it. Any idea of a part number? Do I need a special tool for the six point socket screws? They are hard to reach ...