DIY B6 A4 Antenna Amplifier fix. Radio Reception / Key Fob Reception

[ionicswing]

I know there are multiple threads on here already about some of this, but decided to this anyway. with a little twist.This was more of a process for me, but in the end I have near perfect radio reception and key fob reception.

First off the problem is the antenna amplifier rubber separating from the board. I started off with some ideas from previous threads on here, and modified them.
Also I replaced the battery in the key fob, which didn't really do anything. Also, do this upon your own risk!! even though this worked out for me, I can't promise anything!! Now........



items needed:
small binder clips: $4 (office max)
isopropyl alcohol: $2: ? (had it already)
cotton swabs: $2 (wal-mart)
Firm hold pins(heavy bobby pins): $4 (wal-mart)



Tools needed:
hands
heavy wire cutters/dyches

The problem: The antenna amplifier board, rubber cracking and separating.


remove the back panel (just give it a good yank), and pull the board down with your fingers. disconnect the three connectors.

first, I cleaned the contacts on the board and on the rear windshield with the alcohol and cue tips. also used a small container to pour alcohol in and just be easier to manage. also used paper towel to aid quicker alcohol drying.






after that I strategically placed the binder clips in areas to which would improve the receptions:
for radio reception the area the word "germany"
for the key fob, the area with all the part numbers etc.
I ended up with this at first.

(I might add that the two yellow clips were to just hold that piece of rubber on the board, it was about to fall off!)



all of that did improve both receptions.
the key fob improved to about 25 ft away from the vehicle, where it was only about 6 ft to begin with.
the radio reception drastically improved, but still wasn't where I'd like it to be.


Thus got me to thinking that if I could distribute the pressure from the clips evenly across the board, it would help.

what I came up with was replacing the clips with bobby pins, which didn't work due to size of the pins. So then I thought of using the clips with the pins(as a bridge of sorts). Thus evenly distributing the pressure throughout the board.

I trimmed up the bobby pins with the wire cutters, which shortened them, placing them under the binder clips. For the key fob area of the board I combined a full length pin, and shortened one, providing more pressure over a bigger area.



Put everything back in place!! You're done!!

Now I am Completely satisfied with both radio reception and Key fob. The key fob reception now reaches out to around 80 ft give or take(I paced it off), but a far drastic improvement for around $10!! Hope this helps anybody.

[deadend9009]

Where is all of this located on a wagon? Great idea BTW!

[A4Maine-iac]

Wow . Learn something new everyday. Nice work.

[ionicswing]

quick update, and response to an message I received.

while driving earlier today my reception partially went away, and later found that one of the pins had shifted.

i corrected this by doubling up the pins for every clip. Went for a bumpy ride and all is well!! and might I add better reception for both key fob and fm, than above!






I received a pm, in regards to wiring of the key fob antenna not going through or maybe being used by the antenna amplifier. I can not say this is false or true, I literally have no idea!!

what I based my fix on was this tsb, which says to place pressure in a certain area and if the reception improves replace the antenna amplifier. Which my solution does and has at least corrected MY reception via pressure from the pins and clips. Whether this shouldn't work, I don't know, but in the end this did work for me! Hopefully it'll work for somebody else too!



thanks guys!!

[A4Maine-iac]

Thanks for this. I had issues with both radio and transmitter. What I actually did is use a wooden paint mixer as a support and several zip ties that I used at each connector point. So the zip tie actually runs under the prong. That way the prong hit the tie and keeps it up when pressed in place. Also I had to use a small SS brush to clean the contacts. Works a lot better. The range of the transmitter is only about 25 feet. So I will look into maybe something metal for support.

[customa4]

Maybe a metal ruler cut to size?

[A4Maine-iac]

^ good call. That would actually be just the right size. I didn't even have to cut the paint stick. It hangs over about 2".

[iamshayan]

I dont know about you guys but my favorite part of this diy was going to the store and buying bobby pins.

[Charles.waite]

All I did from this DIY to solve my absolutely terrible remote range was sand the windscreen contacts and the spring contacts with some 220 grit sandpaper and the remote range is now over 100 feet in ideal conditions. WAY better than the 5 feet I had before.

I second the request for this on an Avant as the antenna module is totally different and my b7 has terrible radio reception. Anyone done it in an avant before???

[Fast4esT]

I'm looking for some avant knowledge also, I have randomly very bad radio reception

[ionicswing]

I dont know about you guys but my favorite part of this diy was going to the store and buying bobby pins.

yes that was an interesting part!! especially after looking at about every hair clip item there was at wal mart!!

[Slowaudi908]

I installed a new ccm and the car still doesn't respond to the key if i do this could it fix my problem ?

[ri_toast]

I was going to repair my reception problem using the fix above. I found the booster missing, my key fob works but only when I am close to the car. That suggests that the problem you're experiencing is elsewhere.

[Charles.waite]

I installed a new ccm and the car still doesn't respond to the key if i do this could it fix my problem ?

Your keyfob transmitter beeds to be linked to your ecu. Has this not been done?

[ri_toast]

I've decided to bump this thread instead of starting another "reception issue" one.
I previously posted #13 here and I have an update.
I replaced the missing antenna booster and spliced in a missing connector. i also cleaned both contact points (board and window) and still I only have marginal reception, maybe ten stations FM and none on AM. Instead I have the transmitter action at > 50'. Prior to this it was maybe 6'. pushing on the board does nothing in my case. I do have some nice audi bulldog clips and bobby pins. (hehe)
I'm considering that the antenna wire is loose behind the radio or a signal amplifier inside the radio is faulty since the booster function seems to be working correctly seems to reason the problem is elsewhere or is it possible that the booster works in one area and not the other: key on a separate circuit from the radio channel?

unrelated but interesting anyway is the 6 inch buffer (dual action) that I bought at Harbor Freight for short money......my car has NO HAZE and the black paint is mirror like!

[thaifoodninja]

I've decided to bump this thread instead of starting another "reception issue" one.
I previously posted #13 here and I have an update.
I replaced the missing antenna booster and spliced in a missing connector. i also cleaned both contact points (board and window) and still I only have marginal reception, maybe ten stations FM and none on AM. Instead I have the transmitter action at > 50'. Prior to this it was maybe 6'. pushing on the board does nothing in my case. I do have some nice audi bulldog clips and bobby pins. (hehe)
I'm considering that the antenna wire is loose behind the radio or a signal amplifier inside the radio is faulty since the booster function seems to be working correctly seems to reason the problem is elsewhere or is it possible that the booster works in one area and not the other: key on a separate circuit from the radio channel?

unrelated but interesting anyway is the 6 inch buffer (dual action) that I bought at Harbor Freight for short money......my car has NO HAZE and the black paint is mirror like!

Do you have the stock radio or aftermarket?

[ri_toast]

Do you have the stock radio or aftermarket?

all stock, I'm ordering the removal tools. I'll have a look, see.

[ionicswing]

Did you buy a new antenna amplifier?

[ri_toast]

No not new, from eBay. Appears to be in good condition and since the transmitter is working as expected I suspect the radio. Most likely the antenna connection is loose or disconnected.

[ionicswing]

Did you get any stations before without the board?

[ri_toast]

Yes I did, seems almost the same. The seller assured me that the booster was tested. I believe that it was. All the connections are firm and the clips hold the board tight to the antenna contact points.

[ionicswing]

Interesting, from this point I think you're on the right track, and take a look behind the radio unit, when you get your din tools.

[KiwiAudi]

After being quoted $600 for a replacement antenna amplifier, I have been trawling the net looking for solutions, and came across this. Tried the bulldog clips and hey, great reception again. What an awesome thread! :-)

[ri_toast]

here's the conclusion to MY radio saga. over the last weekend i needed another (not radio related) interior piece and i was told that the minimum charge at a salvage yard would apply. while i was getting the trim item i looked for and found another booster antenna. i grabbed it. after the install there was no change.... so i either got 2 bad boosters or the antenna connection at the radio was loose or maybe the radio was bad.
today my removal tools arrived: the antenna connector was gone from the car, in its place was a nail with wire wrapped around it. it was pretty simple to make a connector then solder the antenna lead to it.

the other booster is available or if no one needs it or wants it i have a spare, which isn't bad although with this fix you probably don't need it either. thanks ionicswing. good info here!

[ionicswing]

You quite welcome.

But son of a B!! I would be livid over finding a nail in place of the connector. I can't imagine what kind of idiot would do that.

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[Luxus Panzer]

Anyone confirm the location in a B6 avant ?

[ri_toast]

i wanted to leave this here because it's radio related. i bought some radio tools and i was a little shocked at how badly they worked even though they were specifically for audi. these were a single insert like a soda can pop top handle with an increasing radius curve, horrible and thin. i decided to try another set and wow. slip "click" and slid right out. the difference is this new set is the three insert almost Y shaped. this tip you'll want to use is the longest; a straight taper to the hook. the brand is xscorpion model euro-key 333, highly recommended.

[whitedog]

i wanted to leave this here because it's radio related. i bought some radio tools and i was a little shocked at how badly they worked even though they were specifically for audi. these were a single insert like a soda can pop top handle with an increasing radius curve, horrible and thin. i decided to try another set and wow. slip "click" and slid right out. the difference is this new set is the three insert almost Y shaped. this tip you'll want to use is the longest; a straight taper to the hook. the brand is xscorpion model euro-key 333, highly recommended.

I took my Audi for a road trip last weekend. It was my first time out of town and I found out how horrible my radio reception is. I have great remote reception (>100 ft) but the radio is horrible. It sounds like I should still start by cleaning the contacts for the "antennae" then pull the head unit. I haven't found where this booster thingie is yet, but I'm sure some research will reveal it. I have the Bentley and VCDS and an awesome set of tools, so I'm prepared to dig in. Is there something I can check with VCDS to help diagnose this?

[whitedog]

For those looking for the Antenna for the Avant, the Bentley shows three of them. FM1 is located on the left rear window, FM2 is located on the rear window and FM3 is located on the right rear window. I have the picture from the Bentley, but it doesn't do much good. It looks like the FM1 is located low and to the front of the left window, but beyond that, I can't help

[Charles.waite]

For those looking for the Antenna for the Avant, the Bentley shows three of them. FM1 is located on the left rear window, FM2 is located on the rear window and FM3 is located on the right rear window. I have the picture from the Bentley, but it doesn't do much good. It looks like the FM1 is located low and to the front of the left window, but beyond that, I can't help

The antenna module itself is behind the drivers (left) side trunk panel. You have to remove four bolts on the trunk latch trim piece. Then one Philips screw up where the side trim meets the pillar trim. After that it's the cringeworthy popping out of the trim panel, Hoping nothing breaks.

[Jermunji]

Wow thanks AZ's . I've been having the radio/fob issue forever and didnt know what to do until I came across this thread. I'm doing this fix tday

[Jermunji]

Just did this and tested it. I have an aftermarket radio and I'm not sure how well it helped that but the key fob now works way better than the 6ft it use to. I did ~20 ft inside the house through the doorway.

[Spike00513]

Can't believe I only now found this thread.

As OP posted, there is an Audi TSB for this. The "new" part alone is like $350. Does anybody know if this is something Audi would do for free, like the coilpack recall? Or are all TSB's solely the owners responsibility until there is enough class-action lawsuiting to "upgrade" it into a recall?

[ionicswing]

Can't believe I only now found this thread.

As OP posted, there is an Audi TSB for this. The "new" part alone is like $350. Does anybody know if this is something Audi would do for free, like the coilpack recall? Or are all TSB's solely the owners responsibility until there is enough class-action lawsuiting to "upgrade" it into a recall?

I would say no! Audi is not going to do anything for free. I believe that TSB was to properly diagnose the issue, which happens over a long period of time and heat causing the rubber to separate from the board. Long out of warranty.

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[BerNur]

Does anyone know if the antenna no longer works would the key fob still function or no?

[Luxus Panzer]

Bump for Avant location.

[virgoavant]

I too would like to know on my Avant which antenna is the radio antenna. My radio gets horrible reception but my fob works fine. Is it the shark fin thing on the roof? Or is there an amplifier for the radio as well that I should check?

[BerNur]

Does anyone know if the Audi A8 antenna will work on our b6?

[Luxus Panzer]

Avant location?

[BerNur]

Avant location?

I donno if that helps you but that's all the Bentley shows for avants?