SQLGuy

Hi folks,

A while back, when I replaced the windshield in my S4, I installed an OE bee sting antenna (back of the roof), to make up for the in-windshield antenna I no-longer had. Since then, my radio reception has been not that great. Today I opened up the sunroof motor cover and verified that I am getting power the antenna, but I also experimented with tuning a weak station and connecting/disconnecting the power plug. End result is that it doesn't make any noticeable difference whether power is connected to the antenna or not. This doesn't seem right. Do you think I got a bad antenna?

By the way, I also verified that the signal the radio is getting is coming from the roof antenna. Disconnecting the signal cable, makes a big difference (almost no reception).

Thanks,
Paul

pcar928fan

The amplifier is VERY IMPORTANT! That said, most all of them are burned out by this point and are a REAL PITA to get to! Even my '94 went out recently! If you have a very powerful aftermarket radio that has a REALLY good receiver you might be able to get away without it if you live in/around a metro area (probably not Colorado Springs I am thinking...)

Good luck!

StratfordShark

Did you install new OE bee sting or find a used? The amp in the base of antenna on my MY91 had your symptoms - in fact made reception worse when powered." Replaced whole thing with a Mk II Golf (Rabbit) bee sting and reception now excellent.

When I opened up base of all amp I found the material used to "pot" the circuit had turned into a honeycomb like dry powder with age. I think this corroded several components

the flyin' scotsman

Check the grounding of antenna and receiver........bad grounds add considerable noise.

SQLGuy

Grounding is good.

The new antenna was new.

I'm going to dig in to the GTS to see what the effect is there when I remove power from its antenna. Assuming it makes a difference, I guess I'm looking at buying another new antenna for the S4, which I will then test immediately in case its also DOA.

The other option that occurred to me was that I could run the signal back through the old amplifier, which I'm pretty sure I left in its original location behind the glove compartment. This seems kind of inelegant, though.

Larry Velk

Oh yeah... German cars and the radio/antenna system. Only reason more people don't complain about this must be most of the systems have been replaced by now. Early Merkur - motor fails due to one drop of water getting in - repair impossible due to German antenna lead with very odd thread size and micro thin wire. Nine five one Porschce - constant need to wiggle the connector at the W/shield base. Late Merkur - ultra thin wire breakes where bent at hatch. Nine two eight - Blauk-"kaput" radio volume **** more sensitive than pregnant wife (and makes more bad noises
).
Went with VW post which has tiny amp built into base. Mail order from outfit in Wisconsin. The price was best from the Wisconsin guy. I think I still had to splice and stuff but don't recall as I'm very sick of dealing with those antenna leads - they are very hard to solder the center wires together in the headliner area.

Randy V

Do you have a link for that source?

Thanks.

Larry Velk

Sorry on the source - found using search. I DO recall the town was Eastern Wisconsin, like Manitowoc. I will look for the receipt.

FREAKINHEAT

If you do a search for replacement antennas, you will find a company that sells a bee sting replacement which includes the antenna line and power for an amp inside the antenna. I replaced an old cell phone antenna with the bee sting and it worked great!

Schocki

When I replaced my antenna on the GTS, I used one that uses the antenna cable as a power supply source for the built in amplifier. The amplifier needs power, otherwise the reception is even worse than without an amplifier at all. To use the antenna cable as a power supply too you need a special radio (VW used to make them) or a special connector.
The connector can be bought at any VW dealership (foto below).

Herman K

Schocki

Happy New Year do you have a part number for that item?

Schocki

Just talk to your nearest VW dealer. They call it "Phantomspeisung" in German (if that helps).

Randy V

Does that connect at the radio or near the antenna?

Schocki

Just right behind the radio, makes it easy to connect. Works great!

Herman K

Looks like "Clutchfield" carries a similar item

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-gSuI0Cm...a-Adapter.html


Install information


http://www.installdr.com/techdocs/999014.pdf