Hey folks, 

 

Apologies for another duplicated topic on this issue..... Admins feel free to move this thread into the large collection of Radio issues.

 

I recently bought a Skoda Karoq SE Tech 2020 for my ever growing family and it has been great! Not a fan of SUVs but it likes driving a large comfy mattress. I digress, I have noticed that the DAB signal for the digital stations (like Absolute radio) is shocking. Works fine with BBC radio stations as it can switch to FM bands, but my previous cars (Audi, VW) never had this issue before.

 

I've seen in previous threads that a software update might be the way forward - or even a signal booster - or to take it in to a mechanic to see. Personally, I feel that the antenna work fine but could be the software of the Amundsen system I have?

 

The software version I have is MST2_EU_SK_ZR_P0478T - does anyone know if there are more updated versions for this system? And how could I acquire one without having to go to a dealership (I don't have enough time to with kids and drop offs etc).

 

 

Lonely forum for me.....

 

Anyways found a source for MIB firmware updates - follow Mr Fix on Youtube

 

Used an ODB scanner and found an error code B127013 - Impedance Converter for DAB radio 1 - Open circuit.

 

Removed tailgate trim to locate DAB antenna amplifier. Replaced unit 5E5035577B from breaker on eBay - managed to find a brand new genuine part for £25. 

 

All fixed now. Relatively easy - once your confident in removing trim (don't be scared of the clicks or worry about break the trim itself). 

 

 

Glad you got it fixed. Never had much luck with DAB signals in my previous cars anyway. 

I have only had the Karoq for 11 days 

 

When setting the favourites on the wireless I picked the DAB versions of the stations I like to listen to.  Reception has been (or had, see below)  rock solid and crystal clear.

Turned on the rear screen heater a couple of days ago and it was like listening to MC Norman Collier 🤘

 

Turned it off.  Clear as a bell again

On 01/01/2024 at 09:55, Peej89 said:

Lonely forum for me.....

 

Anyways found a source for MIB firmware updates - follow Mr Fix on Youtube

 

Used an ODB scanner and found an error code B127013 - Impedance Converter for DAB radio 1 - Open circuit.

 

Removed tailgate trim to locate DAB antenna amplifier. Replaced unit 5E5035577B from breaker on eBay - managed to find a brand new genuine part for £25. 

 

All fixed now. Relatively easy - once your confident in removing trim (don't be scared of the clicks or worry about break the trim itself). 

 

 

This sounds exactly the problem I’m having. I bought a 2020 Edition model and it seems to receive some DAB stations but not tons and loses them all the time. I can drive out of my driveway and it loses the signal. I can literally turn a corner and it loses it!  I made a 30 min drive yesterday and loses Absolute 80s 90% of the time. I purchased the car a few weeks back in Crewe and it seems to work better up there but in Bucks where I live it’s shocking. My gfriends 10 year old Ford Focus picks up way more stations and is rock solid not losing them. I had the car back to Crewe main dealer recently and they say it’s working as it should. The FM also seems fine. I had to replace the parking ticket holder on the front pillar As the previous owner had snapped it and was able to remove the trim but getting it back on was a nightmare. I guess it will be similar for the rear pillar. Might try it though as it’s driving me nuts. Spent my life’s savings on a car that seems to have complete useless reception. It has the stubby aerial on the roof which I think is for the GPS/Wifi but I believe the DAB/FM is in the rear heated window. 

On 01/01/2024 at 09:55, Peej89 said:

Lonely forum for me.....

 

Anyways found a source for MIB firmware updates - follow Mr Fix on Youtube

 

Used an ODB scanner and found an error code B127013 - Impedance Converter for DAB radio 1 - Open circuit.

 

Removed tailgate trim to locate DAB antenna amplifier. Replaced unit 5E5035577B from breaker on eBay - managed to find a brand new genuine part for £25. 

 

All fixed now. Relatively easy - once your confident in removing trim (don't be scared of the clicks or worry about break the trim itself). 

 

 

I also watched Mr Fix and as far as I can see I have the latest firmware. I have a cheap scanner and it doesn’t show any issues but that could be because it’s a cheap scanner from Amazon. The only difference with mine to yours is I think the Edition model has the Columbus system. 

On 01/01/2024 at 09:55, Peej89 said:

Lonely forum for me.....

 

Anyways found a source for MIB firmware updates - follow Mr Fix on Youtube

 

Used an ODB scanner and found an error code B127013 - Impedance Converter for DAB radio 1 - Open circuit.

 

Removed tailgate trim to locate DAB antenna amplifier. Replaced unit 5E5035577B from breaker on eBay - managed to find a brand new genuine part for £25. 

 

All fixed now. Relatively easy - once your confident in removing trim (don't be scared of the clicks or worry about break the trim itself). 

 

 

I found this vid for removing tailgate trim. Is this similar to how you did yours? Thank you for any help and apologies for all the questions. https://youtu.be/tCCEESv9w2c

In case any of you don’t get amazing reception from DAB I bought an aerial amplifier from a scrapped 23 reg Karoq from Lithuania and put in my 20 reg and it’s made 100% difference. I can now drive down the street without losing the signal! The only bit that was missing was the metal bit that pulls the amplifier in when you screw it in but managed to get the old one off the old amplifier. It’s a bit of a pain getting the boot trim back on but for £24 I can now have perfect DAB! Well worth a try if yours isn’t great. I’d go for the newest one you can find. 

2 minutes ago, Vegas10 said:

In case any of you don’t get amazing reception from DAB I bought an aerial amplifier from a scrapped 23 reg Karoq from Lithuania and put in my 20 reg and it’s made 100% difference. I can now drive down the street without losing the signal! The only bit that was missing was the metal bit that pulls the amplifier in when you screw it in but managed to get the old one off the old amplifier. It’s a bit of a pain getting the boot trim back on but for £24 I can now have perfect DAB! Well worth a try if yours isn’t great. I’d go for the newest one you can find. 

I actually purchased a used amplifier off eBay from a scrapyard but haven't gotten round to fitting it.

1 hour ago, ronniebarker said:

I actually purchased a used amplifier off eBay from a scrapyard but haven't gotten round to fitting it.

I wonder why so many of them aren’t working well that we have to replace them in the first place. Quite a few on Facebook have said their reception is not great. 

I have resolved the issue finally - I've just traded in the Karoq for an Enyaq 85 Edition 😁

1 minute ago, ronniebarker said:

I have resolved the issue finally - I've just traded in the Karoq for an Enyaq 85 Edition 😁

Some might say a bit extreme - good luck with the new motor........😎

The change had nothing to do with the DAB issue I hasten to add.

I had six very good years with the Karoq and the DAB issue was the only problem in over 50K miles. Hopefully the Enyaq will be just as good

My partner, who is the owner of our Karoq, has found the DAB reception for her favourite station - Smooth - anything but smooth in comparison to the DAB reception of her 2016 Fabia that we just traded in for the Karoq. 

 

I noticed that the old Fabia had DAB and FM separate selection touch screen buttons, but in the Karoq you can have either FM or DAB/FM selected.  The car is supposed to have Amundsen Plus - whatever that is.  Is the problem with the reception that's it's some sort of hybrid DAB (if that's a thing!)?

13 minutes ago, Ooopnorth said:

My partner, who is the owner of our Karoq, has found the DAB reception for her favourite station - Smooth - anything but smooth in comparison to the DAB reception of her 2016 Fabia that we just traded in for the Karoq. 

 

I noticed that the old Fabia had DAB and FM separate selection touch screen buttons, but in the Karoq you can have either FM or DAB/FM selected.  The car is supposed to have Amundsen Plus - whatever that is.  Is the problem with the reception that's it's some sort of hybrid DAB (if that's a thing!)?

Mine was the amplifier in the tailgate. The dealership wouldn’t admit there was a problem with the DAB reception but I couldn’t drive more than 100m without losing the signal. I bought a second hand amplifier from a 2023 scrapped Karoq and fitted myself and now absolutely perfect reception. 

8 minutes ago, Vegas10 said:

Mine was the amplifier in the tailgate. The dealership wouldn’t admit there was a problem with the DAB reception but I couldn’t drive more than 100m without losing the signal. I bought a second hand amplifier from a 2023 scrapped Karoq and fitted myself and now absolutely perfect reception. 

Thanks for that.  This is a 2024 Karoq so I'd hoped they'd have fixed the issue...umm.

3 minutes ago, Ooopnorth said:

Thanks for that.  This is a 2024 Karoq so I'd hoped they'd have fixed the issue...umm.

Mines 2020 and bought in August approved used. Apparently the amplifiers can just go. The new one was £20 so decided to give it a go and only takes 2 mins once the tailgate trim has been removed. Mine uses the heated rear window as the aerial. 

1 hour ago, Vegas10 said:

Mines 2020 and bought in August approved used. Apparently the amplifiers can just go. The new one was £20 so decided to give it a go and only takes 2 mins once the tailgate trim has been removed. Mine uses the heated rear window as the aerial. 

Have you got a rear facing dash-cam?

5 minutes ago, Berisford said:

Have you got a rear facing dash-cam?

No, I don’t have a dashcam as know they can cause interference. I was reading today on a Facebook group about a guy that replaced the shark fin type antenna on top of the car and his new one had an antenna for the DAB so ran a cable from the new antenna to the front of the car. My antenna for the DAB is the heated rear window (and doesn’t interfere with the signal if on or off) but as soon as I replaced the amplifier it was like night and day. I could suddenly receive loads of stations whilst parked on my drive that I couldn’t receive before. 

I have the same problem on the Karoq (had it in the Octavia as well), but it is only when I get near my local hospital. Lots of antennas on their roof, for all emergency services. However, BBC stations work perfectly! I wonder if some of the smaller stations need to beef up their transmission strength, although precluded from drowning out the competition.

8 hours ago, Choclab said:

I have the same problem on the Karoq (had it in the Octavia as well), but it is only when I get near my local hospital. Lots of antennas on their roof, for all emergency services. However, BBC stations work perfectly! I wonder if some of the smaller stations need to beef up their transmission strength, although precluded from drowning out the competition.

When my reception was bad with my faulty amplifier I too noticed that I only used to receive mainly BBC so definitely think they are stronger. Since changing the amplifier though I can receive around ten times as many. I do usually do a rescan though if I swap to a different part of the country. 

I must say, however, I rarely use the radio, just blast the locals with 70s prog /rock from my pen drive! Yes, I am that old😂

anyone able to confirm the antenna part number? Looking at replacing our as DAB/FM reception is appualing. Is it still 5E5035577B or any variation?

Edited 27 April, 20251 yr by Oli

3 hours ago, Oli said:

anyone able to confirm the antenna part number? Looking at replacing our as DAB/FM reception is appualing. Is it still 5E5035577B or any variation?

Mine was 2020 Skoda Karoq Aerial antenna amplifier 5E5035577B which I bought from eBay but it was from a scrapped 2023 model Karoq.

Cheers. Have ordered one and waiting for it to arrive.