Hi all,

 

I have a 2017 rapid spaceback SE tech TDI.  Had it from new and absolutely love the car and it suits the family perfectly.

 

Recently I have been experiencing an issue with the DAB radio signal - which until now has been flawless.  It is constantly intermittent while driving along, the frequency of the radio dropping out varies.  I believed at first it was an issue locally so switched to FM and carried on.  Last week I had to work in Dorset cira 200 miles form home and the radio was exactly the same.  The issue happens with both the National stations and regional.  When I got home I left the car running while quickly unloading some bits out the boot, and noticed that while the boot was fully open the radio picked up the local DAB station in a area which had recently become a dead zone.  

 

I have updated the SatNav up to the latest release on the portal, and checked for other software while there portal is saying that there isn't any.  I have tried to retune the stations and at times it is saying that 5A no stations available.  

 

If anyone has any ideas then I would really appreciated some help.  Thank you in advance for any help.

Where is the aerial?  Sounds like it could be a frayed/broken wire, unless you’ve recently added a dashcam or the like, with insufficient cable shielding?

 

Just guessing, really, tbh..

Edited 11 June, 20214 yr by Baxlin

Hi Baxlin,

 

I am unsure of where the aerial is as it has a full glass roof therefore doesn't have the "shark fin" on the roof.  I haven't added a dash cam or changed anything.

 

Do you think that aerial could be in the boot behind the number plate?

In other Skodas the heated rear window element is also used as the DAB aerial. So the better reception could be because there is a bad connection between the heated rear window element and the radio - or because the aerial is higher up when the boot is open?

I am starting to think that it is a issue with the connection.  I live on top of a hill with nothing really around me and the signal is intermittent with the boot closed.   Then once I open it I get a signal.  I will pop the rubber boot off in the boot and visually check the wiring for any damage.  Other than than I will have to take it to a garage or specialist.. Or perhaps just get used to no DAB.

AskyA, have you found what the issue is? I have a very similar issue in my 2015 yeti. Haven’t had much luck chasing down where the DAB gets it’s antenna. 

7 minutes ago, kjb400 said:

AskyA, have you found what the issue is? I have a very similar issue in my 2015 yeti. Haven’t had much luck chasing down where the DAB gets it’s antenna. 

 

If you have a sharkfin with a whip on the roof, it's probably from there.

 

Drop the rear of the headlining or use a borescope to take a look which fakra connectors are coming out of it:

- black is DAB

- white is am/fm

- blue is GPS

- purple is GSM

KJB400 - sorry for the delayed response.  No I haven't found a solution yet.  I believe that there is something wrong with my rear window (my DAB antenna is on the rear window as i don't have a sharks find pod on my roof as i have full pano roof).