radio problem

[jrw]

i have a 2001 1.9 tdi and when i purchased the car the radio only worked om fm and not on medium wave and long wave .I replaced the radio with a new one and i still have the same problem.Any ideas as i am baffled

[a8 tech]

Sounds like the aerial base in the roof is at fault

[jrw]

Is it a bad job to change as i guess the roof lining has to come off

[a8 tech]

Just drop it down at the back to access the nut that fastens it.Be carefull not to bend the roof lining

[jrw]

cheers i will try and get one

[Trev McM]

i have a 2001 1.9 tdi and when i purchased the car the radio only worked om fm and not on medium wave and long wave .I replaced the radio with a new one and i still have the same problem.Any ideas as i am baffled

Same year & type. Presume you have a Double Din Symphony ? If so read on, my Symphony didn't work much on FM and not at all on LW/MW, plus CD player keeps saying error 1 on all CDs!

First thing to check is your aerial, but don't take the roof lining off, you get to the bottom of the aerial via the rear roof lights. Pop them out, but there's not much to see/check.

Second, look behind LHS rear wheel arch and check connections to a small unit, called the diversity unit, which if it's the same as mine, sits on top of the bass unit. It collects signals from the roof aerial and small aerials on both sides of the rear window, behind the trim. Problem here is that the Diversity unit connects them all together and connects to the radio - however, as mine was kaput, Audi want £100+ for a new one!!! I doubt they will let you borrow one to check just in case either !! I've had no luck with On-line breakers either !! Hen's teeth 2nd hand it seems.

Your possible solution would be to replace Audi aerial and run it direct to your radio of choice or perhaps the the Symphony will now work - a new aerial fitted was £40 inc vat.

My solution - replace Audi roof aerial for an amplified DAB aerial (looks exactely the same as norma Audi) and feed aerial direct to my DAB radiop with CD player and MP3 capable. Problem now is no-one makes a double Din Facia kit for 01/02 Audi A3's with double Din !! (OK you can cut down an A6 version, but it's not the same !!). Still on the look out tho'!!!!

If you have the double din, don't be conned into thinking "aaahhh" I could go Sat Nav & DVD. The early A3 double din is a bit unique !!!

Hope that helps?
Trev McM

[jrw]

Mine was a concert system but i have had a look above the bass unit and there is nothing there. Thanks for the info though

[a8 tech]

just a roof aerial for you with in built amplifier

[jrw]

does the a3 use the heated rear window as an aerial for mw and long wave

[j_ritchie]

Hi,
I've also got a 2001 1.9TDi just had it 3 weeks and the previous owner had replaced the radio with a pioneer. I'm struggling to get a good signal- sometimes it won't even pick one up. Turns out that you have to put a booster in the back of the radio before connecting the aerial, mine was fitted but the connection on the Audi Aerial lead doesn't fit the booster well and keeps disconecting- even when I covered it in electricians tape. Will need to find another solution.

Good Luck