radio has weaker than weak signal

[jezmoz 0]

I bought a new stereo , and thought this might solve the problem with the previous stereo,( really weak radio signal (if any) . Installed the new stereo and still the same. The aerial is defo there (i plugged it in, the wire seems fine, no loose connections etc). Could it be the mast???? or is this a headlining off job ??? Is it common for mk3 to have a vrap radio signal??

[shail 0]

I have the same with mine, ive checked all the wiring and its all ok, but still I cant get any MW and very very very poor FM, its so bad i cant actually listen to it. My last Mk3 had a front wing mounted aerial which worked a treat.

[dubloke 4]

you could always try a brand new mast as the vr ones are amplified as standard. you have to remove a small section of the headlining in the middle of the rear of the boot section but is quite easy and is as easily returned to as it was no probs! sometimes the underside of the mast, where it bolts to the roof can rust and thus provides a bad earth for the ariel and a crap reception ensues. its a simple matter to both check for this and try a different mast altogether. i have the smallest of small ariel masts on mine and still manage to get some fm reception, no probs with normal height masts at all!

[Knightrider 1]

I have just bought a new ariel mast from a main dealer as mine was manked. It has not really improved reception, just looks better! Discussed the poor FM reception and the parts guy told me that there were problems with the insulation of the cable from front to back (rear roof mounted ariel) breaking down. My FM is OK for 'strong' stations like Radio 1 and 2 etc, but I can't get loads of local sations properly - on search it won't pick them up. My MW is non existant and I used to listen to Talk Sport in the car.

[xyber 1]

buy a small amplified aerial and fit it under the dash somewhere, thats my plan anyway, you can get those that are like a wire pattern on a sticker that work out to be 4 metres long and are spot on, got one in my work van

[shail 0]

Check out the FAQ here: http://www.vr6oc.com/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?156309.post this is how I fixed mine.

[Knightrider 1]

Just spoken to a mobile ICE guy. All the VAG roof aerials have an amplifier in the black cone that the whip screws into. It is not a good design and they eventually start leaking, soak the amplifier which then blows. Result = virtually no radio reception. He has changed 'hundreds' for VAG dealers and private individuals over the years. So changing the head unit makes no difference at all. I've booked him to change the whole aerial unit, inc. amplifier element and put in a new aerial cable front to back (the insulation often breaks down on that as well). It will cost about £50.00 but he assures me that it will fix it and I'll get normal FM reception and be able to pick up MW - currently I can't get a single MW station. I expect it would be cheaper to buy a replacement amplifier cone and fit it yourself but I don't like messing around with trim and head linings!

[vw_golf_vr6 0]

cool i need to fix mine as well, roof aerial on my vento is dead too and i've even put the autoleads booter inline behind the radio.

wheres best place to get new aerial base/gasket and new cable? i have a feeling VW dealer will be asking mega bucks?

[Knightrider 1]

Talked to a main stealer. The manufacturer that VW sourced the amplifier cone and aerial from was/is Votex. Usual whinge about having to look at it as it depends which one was fitted, blah, blah. But he reckoned they are £80-£130 from VW. I'm sure you can get them from any of the specialist non main dealer VW parts companies for a lot less. Doubt a scrappy would be worth it as a second hand one would probably be dead anyway. If the mobile guy can do mine, including the front to back cable, for £50ish fitted, I'm a happy bunny! He is coming tomorrow, so I'll report back.

[vw_golf_vr6 0]

sounds a bargain, i'd happily pay that to have mine sorted

[Knightrider 1]

ww_golf_vr6, I've spent my £55 inc. VAT with the visiting ICE man in a van. What you need to do is remove the standard VW roof aerial (which has the booster in it) and replace with one such as this http://www.rockshore.uk.com/roof-mounted-car-radio-aerial--antenna-with-base-491-p.asp which does not have a booster inside, so is cheap (£10.00).

Put in a booster behind the radio. Reason you have to replace the roof aerial, not just add the booster, is that if the booster within the aerial is kaput there will be no signal to the actual bee sting, the circuit is broken. My guy also replaced the aerial cable front to back just in case.

Reception is now much better - I get MW programmes and they are listenable. Turns out someone has put a Gamma from a Passat in mine and it is a useless radio unit so it is not as good as I'd hoped but that is now down to the radio, not the aerial.

[vw_golf_vr6 0]

cool thats really usefull

think the worst part is goin to be the headlining but i'll give it a go.

i have an autoleads booster up behind the radio ready too.