Symphony II reception issue

rovision · 01-10-2008, 08:48 AM

Radio is cutting on/off in the FM band. Not completely, but loosing strength to some noise level. AM band seems to be fine even when signal output is low on FM.
STA revealed possible issue with an antenna amp. Anything else that could do this?
If it's the amp, where exactly is this located? Is it accessible for replacement through the trunk, or by rear seats access?
Thanks,

Matt Devo · 01-10-2008, 08:57 AM

wellused · 01-10-2008, 09:06 AM

rovision · 01-10-2008, 09:11 AM

Tgr_Clw · 01-10-2008, 09:31 AM

shwndh · 01-10-2008, 09:39 AM

I can guarantee you that this is the problem. Check out the thread below. You'll see a pic of where it's located and a crack that your's has probably developed as well. To find more info on them just do a search for "antenna booster". You'll see tons of posts about them, half from me. The dealer wanted something ridiculous like, $275 for that thing. I found one from a junk yard for $125. Look around and check to see if the part has been upgraded yet.

http://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/1002471.phtml

Matt Devo · 01-10-2008, 10:37 AM

AudiTwink · 01-10-2008, 10:50 AM

I'm glad to see my picture is still getting around to help people diagnose this problem. Fortunately I have found a much cheaper solution to fixing this, than going to the dealer or buying a new booster.

At PepBoys in their audio stuff with the car radio kits, they sell antennas. Granted most of them are replacement external ones, Metra makes a glass mount one. I know, I know what you're thinking but no put that thought aside for the moment.

The antenna is small enough, that I was able to place it on the passenger side above the rear window, next to the broken factory booster. I had to buy an extension cable to make the antenna wire that came with the new one long enough to reach up front, and an Audi/VW head unit adapter to plug it in. The remote turn on and power for it was pulled from the remote turn on from the factory amp, and the constant from the amp. The hardest part of the whole install was running the wires from above the window to the amp (go figure).

The reception is 100% improved, I can't tell a difference in this versus a good factory booster. Even though the packaging says it must be mounted away from metal and on the glass, mine is stuck to the fame of the car behind the roof panel and works perfectly. I have metallic tint on the back window too!

The antenna was $29 from PepBoys, the head unit adapter was $9 from PepBoys as well. The extension cable from PepBoys is only 4 feet, and wasn't long enough for me, but AutoZone sells an 8 foot one for $7. All in all I spent $45 plus tax to get my radio back, best >$50 mod yet!

I'm sorry I didn't take any pictures, but if you need some, or help with this, just shoot!

I will warn you, the antenna has a red led on it that shows when it has power, and unless you put two layers of electrical tape over it, it'll shine through the headliner.

shwndh · 01-10-2008, 11:09 AM

I couldn't find an antenna that would work when i had the problem. I'm going to look for that antenna and the parts for when this one goes bad.

You definitely need to take some pics of that and put in the tech section. Excellent fix, I'm very impressed.

scorneil · 01-10-2008, 11:33 AM

it's worth it

01-10-2008, 08:48 AM	#1
rovision Member Account #: 58591 Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 633	Symphony II reception issue Radio is cutting on/off in the FM band. Not completely, but loosing strength to some noise level. AM band seems to be fine even when signal output is low on FM. STA revealed possible issue with an antenna amp. Anything else that could do this? If it's the amp, where exactly is this located? Is it accessible for replacement through the trunk, or by rear seats access? Thanks, __________________ ======================== 2003 A4 1.8TQ Dolphin Gray \| Sport Package \| Xenon lights \| Tires: OEM Pirelli PZero Rosso Assymetrico \| Kumho ASX at 30k \| Avon Tech M550 A/S at 56k Other "mods": tinted at 34k Llumar 38%F/23%R \| fuel pump replaced 35k \| R brake pads replaced 35k \| F brake pads replaced at 57k Pagid OE+Motul 5.1 \| TB replaced 85K ======================== 2006 A3 2.0T Light Gray Silver \| Sport Package \| Bluetooth \| Xenon lights

01-10-2008, 08:57 AM	#2
Matt Devo Senior Member Account #: 52813 Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 6,875	I'd bet on the antennna amplifier. it's above the headliner driver's side rear corner __________________ ------------- 2002 A4 1.8T 5M. 130k miles and counting AIM/Gamertag: denimA4turbo

01-10-2008, 09:06 AM	#3
wellused New Member Account #: 108069 Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 342	Did you get tinted recently?

01-10-2008, 09:11 AM	#4
rovision Member Account #: 58591 Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 633	no, and it's a non-metallic tint anyway __________________ ======================== 2003 A4 1.8TQ Dolphin Gray \| Sport Package \| Xenon lights \| Tires: OEM Pirelli PZero Rosso Assymetrico \| Kumho ASX at 30k \| Avon Tech M550 A/S at 56k Other "mods": tinted at 34k Llumar 38%F/23%R \| fuel pump replaced 35k \| R brake pads replaced 35k \| F brake pads replaced at 57k Pagid OE+Motul 5.1 \| TB replaced 85K ======================== 2006 A3 2.0T Light Gray Silver \| Sport Package \| Bluetooth \| Xenon lights

01-10-2008, 09:31 AM	#5
Tgr_Clw AudiWorld Uber User Account #: 88605 Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 43,102	Metallic tint doesn't screw up FM reception, only AM (to an extent). __________________ 2003 Brilliant Black Audi A4 1.8T quattro Sorry. Can't handle vB. I am now at: q u a t t r o w o r l d . c o m

01-10-2008, 09:39 AM	#6
shwndh AudiWorld Senior Member Account #: 44415 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 2,653	DING! And now you'll be pissed to find out how much that piece of junk costs.... I can guarantee you that this is the problem. Check out the thread below. You'll see a pic of where it's located and a crack that your's has probably developed as well. To find more info on them just do a search for "antenna booster". You'll see tons of posts about them, half from me. The dealer wanted something ridiculous like, $275 for that thing. I found one from a junk yard for $125. Look around and check to see if the part has been upgraded yet. http://forums.audiworld.com/a4gen2/msgs/1002471.phtml __________________ B6 A4 3.0 AW Member Database

01-10-2008, 10:37 AM	#7
Matt Devo Senior Member Account #: 52813 Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 6,875	I replaced one, was $125 for a used one from dadsauto __________________ ------------- 2002 A4 1.8T 5M. 130k miles and counting AIM/Gamertag: denimA4turbo

01-10-2008, 10:50 AM	#8
AudiTwink New Member Account #: 116017 Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 105	There is hope, and its less than $50 to fix this! I'm glad to see my picture is still getting around to help people diagnose this problem. Fortunately I have found a much cheaper solution to fixing this, than going to the dealer or buying a new booster. At PepBoys in their audio stuff with the car radio kits, they sell antennas. Granted most of them are replacement external ones, Metra makes a glass mount one. I know, I know what you're thinking but no put that thought aside for the moment. The antenna is small enough, that I was able to place it on the passenger side above the rear window, next to the broken factory booster. I had to buy an extension cable to make the antenna wire that came with the new one long enough to reach up front, and an Audi/VW head unit adapter to plug it in. The remote turn on and power for it was pulled from the remote turn on from the factory amp, and the constant from the amp. The hardest part of the whole install was running the wires from above the window to the amp (go figure). The reception is 100% improved, I can't tell a difference in this versus a good factory booster. Even though the packaging says it must be mounted away from metal and on the glass, mine is stuck to the fame of the car behind the roof panel and works perfectly. I have metallic tint on the back window too! The antenna was $29 from PepBoys, the head unit adapter was $9 from PepBoys as well. The extension cable from PepBoys is only 4 feet, and wasn't long enough for me, but AutoZone sells an 8 foot one for $7. All in all I spent $45 plus tax to get my radio back, best >$50 mod yet! I'm sorry I didn't take any pictures, but if you need some, or help with this, just shoot! I will warn you, the antenna has a red led on it that shows when it has power, and unless you put two layers of electrical tape over it, it'll shine through the headliner. __________________ __________________________________________________ ___________________ Previous Cars: 2005 Indigo Ink Scion tC 1996 Cyclamen Pontiac Trans Am

01-10-2008, 11:09 AM	#9
shwndh AudiWorld Senior Member Account #: 44415 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 2,653	You, my friend, are The Man! Great post! I couldn't find an antenna that would work when i had the problem. I'm going to look for that antenna and the parts for when this one goes bad. You definitely need to take some pics of that and put in the tech section. Excellent fix, I'm very impressed. __________________ B6 A4 3.0 AW Member Database

01-10-2008, 11:33 AM	#10
scorneil New Member Account #: 119899 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 87	get SIRIUS it's worth it

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