Symphony Radio Problem

[winchesterstoke]

Hi there. First time poster - so please be gentle!

My radio on my Octavia has started to malfunction - AM and LW have so much interference on them for about 90% of the time (even with the engine off). FM is fine.

If I can't fix the radio, then can somebody advise, what am I looking for to replace the radio? I know I need the CD controller, but am I looking for a particular manufacturer to make connecting/fitting easier (is the Symphony made by one of the big car radio manufacturers and re-branded?).

Ideally, would like to get a DAB radio that I could slot into the existing housing without having to do any wiring?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[mluton]

I recently bought myself this

I dont think any aftermarket stereo will give you control over the CD changer, but with MP3 today, there is no need for one.

[FOZ1]

This may be a problem with the aerial, as I am sure there is something in it that suppresses the interference. Might be worth checking the connections.

[winchesterstoke]

This may be a problem with the aerial, as I am sure there is something in it that suppresses the interference. Might be worth checking the connections.

Many thanks both of you.

If there was a problem with the aerial, wouldn't I get distortion on FM?

[mluton]

FM signal is strong, so you may not notice.

[trundlenut]

I had this problem and I replaced the HU with a Blaupunkt one and an aerial booster and the reception is now great, it made me wonder if the original HU was actually giving any power to the circuit in the aerial. Didn't realise how bad it was until I put the new one in.

Strangely it had also lost all the bass. Also the CD changer destroyed itself so I just gave up and replaced it all.

[KenONeill]

I'd suspect the aerial in the first instance.

Also, if the car's petrol, sit it next to another one with the engine running and its bonnet open, and see if the second car gets AM interference too. If so, the problem's interference suppression in your HT circuit, and not the radio system.

[TurboTurbot]

I think the same has happened to my Symphony (2003 Octy TDI Elegance). At some point recently, not sure exactly when, AM (especially) reception plummeted to cats-whisker quality. I used to listen to Radio Scotland AM in Ireland!, but now all I get is crackle.

Does anyone have handy instructions for investigating the antenna and feed into the radio? Further - does anyone know of a booster that can sit between them? That would be nice.