Perplexing B6 Radio...

[S4 speeed]

Hey Everyone,

So ever since I saw the first spy photos of the B6's back in early 2000's, I fell in love (as I'm sure you can all understand). Sadly, working & living in NYC, and then Chicago, owning a B6 S4 just wasn't something I could get comfortable with. However, a little over a month ago I moved from Chicago back to NY, but to LI instead of the city. The day after I flew in, literally, I was at Audi buying a black on black 2005 S4 .

Unfortunately, my first post is not all that cool, interesting, or about my upgrade plans. It comes with a question to all of you B6 S4 guys out there: do you find on really cold mornings/nights when you startup, the radio does not work for 5-10min but is fine after the car warms up?? The cd player, sat radio and speakers all work right away, but normal FM/AM signals just don't come through....any similar experiences out there? Suggestions? Thanks!

[2PUTT]

never happened with either of my radios. i had the stock then switched to RNS-E.

[SoCalS4Avant]

Never any problems...how cold are you talking about? I've had the Avant in below freezing temps, and never any problems.

[FastB7S4]

maybe it's the antenna?

[ichibunz]

no issues with mine except the volume control, might wanna send it back to the dealer to get it fix. Good Luck!

[SuperAvant]

I always get weird electrical quirks with mine but not this. The windows will take a while to go down after you press the button. Stuff like that...

[S4 speeed]

I'm not talking about temps too cold, 30*-40*F more or less...yea, I was thinking the Antenna too, but then why would it pick up satelite and not am/fm ya know?

I guess I might have to take it back to the dealer and get it looked at, just tough when I work 80hrs/wk on average. As to "SuperAvant," I guess we all have quirks that don't make much sense, good luck trying to get that worked out.

Thanks for the help, and until I take it in, if you find out anything else or anyone else has suggestions, let me know.

[richib86]

i DID have this problem, the tint of the screen is also strange when it happens, as if everything in the radio needs to warm up. i also had this same problem with my air conditioner/heater and to this day have that problem with my air on the rs

[amremt]

I am almost 100% positive that the audio components in the audi's, whether it is cpo or not are not covered by any part of the warranty. I would suggest taking it to a reputable car audio shop. It could save you a lot of money and time. Just an idea though.

[S4 speeed]

i DID have this problem, the tint of the screen is also strange when it happens, as if everything in the radio needs to warm up. i also had this same problem with my air conditioner/heater and to this day have that problem with my air on the rs

YES, thats exactly it!!! So weird, but I don't have the problem with heat/ac...Alright, so at least now I know I'm not the only one. I bought my B6 certified used, so I'll head back to the dealer at some point and get it checked out. If I find something out, I'll deff get back to you "richib86."

If "amremt" is right, and it's not covered under warranty, I'll take it to a good shop and I'll get back to you guys on options/pricing/etc. And with that, anyone have a good shop recommendation for Audi's in Nassau County??

[S4 speeed]

YES, thats exactly it!!! So weird, but I don't have the problem with heat/ac...Alright, so at least now I know I'm not the only one. I bought my B6 certified used, so I'll head back to the dealer at some point and get it checked out. If I find something out, I'll deff get back to you "richib86."

If "amremt" is right, and it's not covered under warranty, I'll take it to a good shop and I'll get back to you guys on options/pricing/etc. And with that, anyone have a good shop recommendation for Audi's in Nassau County??

Hey guys, promised you an update...so about three weeks back, like usual, the radio did not work for the first 10 min...but then, the radio did not work for the next 10 min, and 10 min after that...long story short, AM & FM do not come in at all anymore

so i finally had a chance to return to Audi and they said "its an electrical issue, probably the booster, but no problem it's covered under your warranty so we'll take care of it." They made me drop off my car today, with no guarantee when it'll be given back (surprise surprise) and then the manager tells me they don't have any loaner cars but Hertz will be by to pick me up...turns out, I am now the proud driver of a puke-green 4cl ford focus ...stupid thing is as slow as a snail, literally, and i couldn't be more annoyed!!

they better fix the problem, and get me my S4 back soon...and if i find out they had to tear out the liner and a crap load of other stuff and didn't fix the problem, i'm going to be pissed...i'll let you guys know what happens

[imolafem]

Is this your first Audi? Seems like you have had bad experiences with repairs in the past. I've had a few odd things happen with my S4s and the dealer has always stuck with it and done everything they could, in a very short amount of time, to get it back to perfect. Don't be so negative =)

[Morton]

Yes - I've had a similar problem that has recently gotten worse.

Have had a B6 S4 for over 4 years (bought new). When the temperature is below freezing, the head unit will come on (display operates as normal) - but no sound emanates from the system. This includes radio, CD, SAT - EVERYTHING. Depending on how cold it is - it can take as much as 20 minutes +++ for sound.

Had the head unit replaced under warranty - to no avail. Dealer now wants me to leave the car overnight when it's suitably cold to diagnose further. As this is a preexisting issue and the car is out of warranty, I made sure the dealer noted same to ensure AOA would finally fix the issue.

BTW...I have posted the issue on AudiWorld - and folks suggested it is probably attributable to an issue with the amp???

Now the problem has gotten worse in that the dealer removed the head unit during the last service (car has 29k miles) - and failed to reconnect the FM antenna (or so they say). Had them reconnect the antenna - and now FM works intermittently - as does the corresponding rear window defroster (causal relationship???). Have absolutely no idea why it works sometimes and not others - and no idea if related, although this is a new symptom.

Will advise further once I take the car in for further diagnosis.

[S4 speeed]

Is this your first Audi? Seems like you have had bad experiences with repairs in the past. I've had a few odd things happen with my S4s and the dealer has always stuck with it and done everything they could, in a very short amount of time, to get it back to perfect. Don't be so negative =)

I've had bad experiences with dealers, and thats where my frustration comes from more than anything else...but i agree, i shouldn't be so negative, thanks imolafem

[S4 speeed]

alright, so i got my car back from the dealer, and everything is in working order (and I hope it remains that way)...turns out, it was the booster. By the looks of it, they popped off the roof liner at the top of the rear window (above the rear headrests) and worked their magic there.

I have a feeling both the radio booster and connectors for the rear window defrost are housed up there. So "richib86" and "morton" I recommend popping off that liner piece and checking your connections.

If to no avail, swing by a dealer and ask them about the booster. I really have a feeling this will help solve your problems and I'm sure its an easy fix (mine was under warranty so I have no idea about cost, sry). I hope this helps!!

-Nick