Static on every FM channel

[oneirogmophobe]

I hardly ever use my radio because I listen to my ipod most of the time, however last week I tried listening to the radio and had nothing but static. I think 2 channels came in, but they would go in and out of static as I am driving.
I recently had my valve cover changed, but that is the only thing I can think of. What all could be the problem, where can I look? Thanks!

[festerfm]

i'm going to guess that u dont have the shark fin antenna... if you do not have the fin antenna, you have a very poorly designed creditcard looking antenna booster that is located under the trim piece above your rear window.. it cracks.. and when it does, it's useless.. new from audi, u'r lookin at about $260... mine went a year and a half ago, i just bought an antenna from ebay that is used for motorcycles or boats, its a hidden antenna. hooked it to the radio, then ran the wire up the a-pillar on the drivers side and stuck it on the windshield.. barely visable, but a $20 fix for when i actually do use my radio..

[oneirogmophobe]

How hard is it to get to/replace?

[kwimberly]

Check out the threads here:

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

[oneirogmophobe]

Any other ideas? I can't tell if he pulled the headliner down or what? How do I get to it?

[festerfm]

there is a 4-5 inch strip just above the rear window... it spreads the complete width of the window, but is only 4-5 inches wide..

"Just pull the panel off the ceiling of the car. It is a pain in the butt to get back up there. But you just grab hold of the panel near the glass, and pull really hard. When it sounds like the tabs broke off, its loose. They don't break, but it sounds horrible when they come loose. Be careful if your window is tinted too. The actual diversity control module is held on with little clips, its easy to get off."

[oneirogmophobe]

there is a 4-5 inch strip just above the rear window... it spreads the complete width of the window, but is only 4-5 inches wide..

"Just pull the panel off the ceiling of the car. It is a pain in the butt to get back up there. But you just grab hold of the panel near the glass, and pull really hard. When it sounds like the tabs broke off, its loose. They don't break, but it sounds horrible when they come loose. Be careful if your window is tinted too. The actual diversity control module is held on with little clips, its easy to get off."

So this is going to sound really weird, but I don't think I have this piece? Anyone have a picture? I tried googling it, but didn't find much. I bought my car used and my headliner is actually started to come off and I know it is in the very back...maybe I am missing that piece? I will go look again real quick but I am pretty sure I don't have it?

[oneirogmophobe]

So I am an idiot! that piece is what is the headliner is coming off of...I have been trying to spray stuff up in there to get it to stay, when I could have just taken that piece off and re-wrapped it. I feel really stupid and see what you are talking about now. I will have to check it out tomorrow, thanks!!!!

[festerfm]

np...my suggestion to you is try to find a b6 in a junkyard (good luck) and try to snatch a piece from there (make sure it doesnt have the sharkfin). like i said, $260 from dealer, not worth it... unless u'r made of money... which in that case, get me one too!!

[97ss10]

I think mine just started having this problem last week. Is there any way to test it or is there pretty much nothing else that could cause it? Can you switch to the shark fin or is that just as expensive? Thanks

[dirtybrd]

Oneirogmophobe, the fear of wet dreams. Who fears that?

[oneirogmophobe]

I think mine just started having this problem last week. Is there any way to test it or is there pretty much nothing else that could cause it? Can you switch to the shark fin or is that just as expensive? Thanks

When I took off that piece, sure enough the antenna booster was cracked and drooping. I guess I will just stick to my iPod for now.

Oneirogmophobe, the fear of wet dreams. Who fears that?

I just thought it was funny and no one ever seems to get it nor take the time to look it up. It's a personal laugh for me

[festerfm]

get a hidden antenna for a boat or motorcycle... it will do just fine if you have and aftermarket radio that will accept a generic antenna

[oneirogmophobe]

get a hidden antenna for a boat or motorcycle... it will do just fine if you have and aftermarket radio that will accept a generic antenna

I have a stock radio...can you still wire a hidden antenna to it?

[97ss10]

Ditto on the stocker...

[diagnosticator]

I have a stock radio...can you still wire a hidden antenna to it?

Yes.

[mrbacardi35]

thanks guys i have the same issue, but i ignore it because i didn't know where to start. AZ FTW

[97ss10]

I just checked mine and it's cracked in the exact same place as the one in that link to AW. Not sure what I'm going to do yet. I'm hoping there's a way to hook up an aftermarket antenna that will fit where the stock one is and will work with the stock wiring.

[skizsam]

i'm going to guess that u dont have the shark fin antenna... if you do not have the fin antenna, you have a very poorly designed creditcard looking antenna booster that is located under the trim piece above your rear window.. it cracks.. and when it does, it's useless.. new from audi, u'r lookin at about $260... mine went a year and a half ago, i just bought an antenna from ebay that is used for motorcycles or boats, its a hidden antenna. hooked it to the radio, then ran the wire up the a-pillar on the drivers side and stuck it on the windshield.. barely visable, but a $20 fix for when i actually do use my radio..

My radio signal is horrible....what antenna did you buy on ebay for $20?
Something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hidde...Q5fAccessories

[97ss10]

Crutchfield.com has several options also

[skizsam]

Crutchfield.com has several options also

And what options have been successful in Audi's?

The 2 I see don't really have good reviews?

[97ss10]

well what I noticed on those reviews were that most of the poor reviews complaining about bad reception were on cars that had mast antennas and the good reviews were on cars that had antennas in the glass. That may just be a coincidence but I doubt it. I'd definitely rather take a chance on a $20 antenna before paying $250-$500 on a defective design from the dealership. Just my .02.

[97ss10]

Ok I read somewhere that there was a service bulletin on this issue (don't remember where) but no recall. I just talked to a service manager at my local dealer and he said to find out what bulletin number it was a call Audi. He said if nothing resulted from that then call him back because he might be able to compare it to the Jetta because it might be the same part and it will be cheaper through VW than Audi. But he said check with Audi first so if anyone knows that bulletin number that'd be helpful. Thanks.

[martini]

http://www.a4mods.com/webcontent/for....msg352#msg352

[festerfm]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-U...3A1|240%3A1318
that is the one i got...


edit... i remember posting that thread on a4mods.. long time ago.

[97ss10]

Edit: Nevermind, I had to register to see the attachments.

He said he attached the bulletin but I don't see it anywhere on that page?

[martini]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-U...3A1|240%3A1318
that is the one i got...



edit... i remember posting that thread on a4mods.. long time ago.

did that end up working?

[festerfm]

it's not 100% perfect, but the very seldom that i listen to the fm radio, it's good.. doesnt get AM stations tho.. i like "mike & mike in the mornin".. bummer