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Car radio only picks up static

Tiny
AADUNLAP3806
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 101,500 MILES
I have replaced the old antenna with a new one with still no prevail. ANY station (am or fm) produces only static. We have also unplugged the battery and reset the radio. My cd player works as well as my cassette player. I have a Monsoon radio, with no amp in the trunk. When I performed the "test mode" from the "mix" button, it states that my antenna is "on" but that is turned all the way down and it is "useless." Please help me! This is driving me insane!
I feel like it is coming from the tuner? Could it really be so easy to fix?
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Wednesday, September 14th, 2011 AT 7:57 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
Yes, especially since it is a, "signal noise" associated with the radio.
You did say the CD player sounded fine. Either your antenna is not hooked up well in the back of the stereo, (large coax type cable). Or, the tuner has gone out in the radio which is common and you will need a new radio.

Here is a diagram below so you can check the connection or replace the antenna which could be bad.

1 - Antenna rod
2 - Antenna base
- Roof antenna booster is located in antenna base.
- Removing and installing: Lower molded headlining at rear
3 - Antenna cable
- From roof antenna to front of center console
4 - Antenna cable
- From center console to radio unit
5 - Hex nut M14 with serrated washer
- Serrated washer is attached to hex nut with a plastic ring.
- Apply contact grease to the inside of the roof in area of serrated washer.
6 - Seal

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find.

Cheers.
Image (Click to make bigger)
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Wednesday, September 14th, 2011 AT 10:28 PM
Tiny
AADUNLAP3806
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I have gone to VW forums beforhand and they have all told me to replace the antenna base. Just for some added information, this noise started when I was returning from a long road trip. And continued after the replacement of the antenna. I can go through EVERY single readio station (am or fm) and get Nothing, not even a slight sound. Which makes me wonder it is something to do with the reception. But, like you said, the cd and cassette players are both functioning properly and have never stopped working properly. Do you think it could possibly be the whole head unit that needs replaced?

What does this "antenna filter" go on/snap on to?
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Thursday, September 15th, 2011 AT 2:02 AM
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
I don't think you need a head unit as the receiver is pretty simple and not likely to have failed before other stuff.

The base you are talking about, (from the VW club), is it a rubber gasket type thing. That would make sense as all the noise from the electronics in the car are getting to the antenna and causing a signal.

My advice would be to go to a VW dealer and get the gasket for the antenna, make sure it is connected solid. Then check the head unit connection if that does not fix it.
I hope this information helps.
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Thursday, September 15th, 2011 AT 5:30 AM
Tiny
AADUNLAP3806
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Hi there! Been busy trying to repair parts of the jetta. I called a few places about the "noise filter" you had recommended, and all of the radio retailers/stores I talked to said that it should not be a noise filter and that it wouldn't be the whole unit because it's pretty simple how it works. It's not aftermarket. And as far as connections go, we pulled out the unit and all the connections were solid, proper, and clean. The new antenna base we purchased and replaced was put on securely and we made sure that there was no room for water to get in and that all of the connections under the base were connected. All that we are guessing now is that there is a bad wire somewhere between the antenna base and the headunit. Like I said, when it occurred originally. We were in Florida, heading back during december so we went through rain, snow, ice, sleet, humidity, and fog, so is it possible it got into a wire without corroding either of the ends that were visible to us? Or do you have any other suggestions? Your help has been incredible, by the way!
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Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 AT 3:01 AM
Tiny
DRCRANKNWRENCH
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,380 POSTS
As far as the noise filter goes, any noise can be eliminated or supressed with the right kind of noise filter. The problem is that they getto be kind of overwhelming in selection. Unless you go to a stereo shop that is high end, you won't get but one type which is generally an in-line made for one type of wire or connector.
Noise can come from so many places;Engine alternator, spark plugs, loose connections, etc. RCA connectors are very susceptable to noise as they have all of the highly condutive metal all the way around a high power, or high signal, connection.
So, you need a specialist. Belwo are a few noise filter shops that make them for cars and you can read tech atricles on their pages and call them about the type of noise filter you need. It sounds like you eliminated a few possibilities, but when you get some types of noise that has to do with the way a few electronic components are grounded, it is nearly impossible to find the source of the noise.

Not many people come back and thank me for helping them, so I really appreciate it.

Take care

Dr. C
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Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 AT 9:25 AM
Tiny
AADUNLAP3806
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Alright, I do understand what you are telling us to do. But what I am confused about is that the vehicle has not always had static. Nor did it slowly start occurring. Like I said, it suddenly happened driving home which makes me think that something broke. And I cannot pick up any stations nor any noise but static. It is also the original VW radio system with nothing aftermarket. If it had slowly started working, I would go out and purchase a noise filter right away. But I just don't understand how the problem could be noise NOW, when I have had the car since 2003 and have never had a problem with the "Noise" in the radio.

I really do appreciate all of the help you've provided! It's nice to have someone to chat with that knows what they are doing. I just don't want to go spending money on something that won't repair it. (:
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Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 AT 9:00 PM
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
I work at volkswagen and your generation jetta has a major problem with antenna bases. I believe they are only around $40 and not that hard to install. Install an antenna base and your radio will be static free. Especially if it has never been changed before.
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Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 AT 9:23 PM
Tiny
AADUNLAP3806
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Hi, F4I_guy! A REAL VW MECHANIC! (: I have already replaced the antenna base with the factory antenna base. Still all static. Checked all connections (from antenna base and behind radio unit) and there were no problems or corrosion. ): Sooo confused.
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Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 AT 9:49 PM
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
If the antenna base has been changed. Assuming the actual antenna is intact. I would proceed with testing the antenna cable itself to see if it's rubbing through anywhere or if it has an open circuit. At the antenna base you should be getting voltage when the key and radio is on. You can also do a resistance test on the antenna cable itself, you should get a low ohm reading.

If the cable is fine, I would try to swap head units. Unfortunately, I have replaced a lot of radios. Not for your particular concern, but they do fail frequently.
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Thursday, September 29th, 2011 AT 1:18 AM
Tiny
AADUNLAP3806
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Alright, so sorry for no response asap. We have been trying to make more repairs to make the car sell ready before winter. We tested the antenna base and where the antenna cord connects into the back of the radio head unit, and the spot where the cord plugs into the radio is not getting any voltage. (Just want to add here that my boyfriend was beating himself up that he didn't think of this earlier. Hahaa!) The antenna base itself is getting electricity tho. So I'm guessing the problem is the connection "port" (?) In the back of the head unit. SO. I'm thinking the only way to fix this problem is getting an aftermarket radio put in? I was thinking about trying to find the little tan port and replacing my broken one but I am thinking that would be too difficult and expensive. Any thoughts? Thank you for all of the help oncce again, I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!
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Monday, October 10th, 2011 AT 6:53 PM
Tiny
KARL411
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My car had a similar noise, static interference, every time. It happened to be a loose conector in the amplifier, which is in the trunk. I hope it can help someone.
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Thursday, June 4th, 2015 AT 4:07 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Great addition to the thread!

Please help on 2CarPros anytime, we need the help.

Best, Ken
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Saturday, January 21st, 2017 AT 3:24 AM
Tiny
DAAMICK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
  • 100,000 MILES
Cd works and sounds ok. Only getting static, checked base and antenna. Ibm checked cable,
resistance low. Is it defective tuned, radio is amplified monsoon.
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Saturday, January 21st, 2017 AT 3:27 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Sounds like a faulty radio head unit, I would get it out and bench tested by a radio tech first.
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Saturday, January 21st, 2017 AT 3:27 AM (Merged)

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