Radio/Aerial Fault

[regor]

I have a 2005 A3 Sportback fitted with the original Concert II radio. It has recently developed a fault with the radio where it loses the reception every few seconds. I have traced it as far as the aerial connector, which goes short circuit every few seconds, before returning to normal impedance. The strange thing is that this only happens when the engine is running. I'm guessing it's something to do with the slightly increased voltage from the battery when the alternator is charging.

Has anyone else experienced this fault before, and does anyone know where the aerial amp(s) are located on this model so I can follow the fault through.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[scottie123]

i believe the aerial amp is in the boot door.

Guide here to help you look

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?t=67896&highlight=rns-e+aerial

it is to rectify a different problem, but will guide you to where allt he bits are.

 

[regor]

Thanks for the info. I've found the aerial amp assembly and traced the fault to a capacitor on the main PCB. It appears that someone never varnished the board properly and this component has suffered some water ingress at some stage, causing it to corrode. With the engine running the voltage was obviously just enough to break down the di-electric and cause the capacitor to go short circuit.

Removed the offending capacitor and the fault has now gone. Its probably part of a filter circuit so it won't have any significant impact on the reception performance.