Hello everybody, 

 

I am new to this forum and straight away I have a question

I have a 2021 Octavia Combi 2.0TDI which is really the perfect car for me. It's a family car and I tow a 1300kg caravan with it. The only issue I am having practically since I bought the car new is the error message "Emergency call restricted. Please visit workshop".

Car was sent to the authorized service and the problem is always coming back after the car gets wet (heavy rain or carwash). They changed a lot of things but at the end, I think they are just guessing and changing random parts. The problem is persistent for 3 years now and I'm crazy.

Two weeks ago, the plastic cover from the antenna just fell off during the wash and I could see the exposed electronic parts. Of course, I got the error message and now the GPS antenna is showing the wrong position.

Anyway, the authorized service refused to change the antenna under warranty because they said that I broke it...

 

Now I am considering to buy the antenna and replace it myself. I am a engineer and handy with tools but I never did something simmilar.

Can you help me with some advice or steps how to remove the headliner in the back of the car in order to reach the antenna? 

The antenna replacement looks really simple so that should not be a problem?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

Looking at it from here with my (untrained) eye - the screws look like they enter from the bottom. I suspect thats a headliner down job.

 

... Yep just checked the service manual. Headliner down (hard part), then its fairly easy. The headliner will be the awkward bit. Worth buying the ERWIN subscription for an hour and grabbing the service manuals as it will make life a lot easier.

 

I'm seeing torx bolts holding the board itself in. I suspect though this is soldered to some connector on the back, so that might not help you all that much, especially if the housing is broken too.

Hi @bdavbdav, 

Yes, the screws are from the bottom but they only hold the plastic cover. The antenna assembly looks like it's fixed from below (judging from the pictures I found online).

After changing the antenna, will I need to program anything or is it just plug&play project?

@MirkoRI Nope no programming or anything - just appears to be two antenna connectors. I reckon its an afternoons work for someone like myself who hates pulling interiors apart, and I'd be buying some replacement clips from VW and a good set of pry tools beforehand. Definitely buy the service manual before you do though - for £8 it will be invaluable going forward.

Hi were you able to replace it? I have the similar problem, damaged antena but on enyaq coupe. Antena is based on some kind of plastic plate, not a glass. Would really appreciate if younwere succesfull

Hi Roman,

I decided to go to the dealer not to avoid the warranty.

They replaced the antenna. The complete job (antenna + work) costs about 250 Euro so buying a used one and trying to do it myself was not worth the risk.

Antenna is fixed from the bottom side with three screws. You need to remove the headliner to access it.

If your antenna is broken, watch out. The water will leak inside and short-circuit it causing issues with GPS, emergency call ect.

Hope I helped

Thanx for the reply i didnt expect you will see it :-) do you have the plastic cover underneath the antena, since i have skoda enyaq coupe, there is a glass panoramatic roof but antena is based on tha plastic glossy baseplate, which I bended while hitting the garage doors. So woul be nice if its possible to replace it together....

Take a look at the picture above. That's basically it. The antenna has a plastic base with a rubber seal around it.

Nothing more to it

Not sure if we speaking about the same plastic base. I mean if the whole base maybe 30cmx30cm. Is this plastic on your car as well? I have this big plate bended. Sending you my picture as well, where I encircled it. This is what I am interested, if they changed the whole "plate"

Aaa, now I get it.

No, my roof is all metal and it was not bent so there was no need to do that.

But I’m sure it will be possible to replace it, just ask the dealer.

Sorry for the confusion

Yeah, nevermind, I thought yours is metal :-). Seems like it is possible to replace and no need to go from beneeth the ceiling, at least I hope for it, so they will NOT DAMAGE the HEADLINER :-(..I will ask my dealer....thank you for your time Mirko