Hi, I trust someone can help. My Fabia Mk3 1.4TDI has recently had problems with the DAB reception. The DAB radio can take a minute or two to get a signal and play or not play at all. When the radio won't play there is a symbol showing an aerial with a line through it (no signal?). The FM plays OK. I get the fault code .B110311 - Digital radio antenna 1 Short circuit to ground static.

This seems to be a fairly common problem with VW make cars and I have read various posts about possible fixes which are a bit confusing. Some suggest fitted a separate DAB aerial to the radio. I wonder if anyone has had this problem and managed to fix it. The fault code implies a wiring problem. Is it possible to fix this?

I look forward to all comments and suggestions.

Regards

Until a more knowledgeable person comes along with a better answer, here's mine.

IIRC, on older MK3s at least, it's possibly DAB antenna and/or antenna amplifier, I think past threads have covered the location of the amplifier, but you'll have to check all this as my memory ain't the best.

HTH. Good luck, let us know how you get on.

ETA: of course it could be software issue or the radio (infotainment unit), you could also check for Recalls (well those they admit to) or updates. Škoda Recall Campaigns - https://www.skoda-auto.com/services/recall-campaigns

Edited 4 June, 20251 yr by nta16
ETA

Probably DAB antenna broken due to water ingress. Pls share VIN so I can check antenna system you have.

Hi, Many thanks for replies. So a likely cause is a faulty DAB aerial/amplifier. What is worth changing first, the amp or aerial or is it just one unit? Also, are these parts behind the rear head-lining and fairly easy to remove?

For reference the car is a 2015 hatch-back and has the following vin TMBFJ6NJ1FZ060711. The aerial is as shown below.

Regards

Let pab567 help you first.

Best usually not to just change parts with guesses (that's what some professionals do because they're lazy or just want more money out of you) best would be to get a scan tool to check what might be. I don't know how much it would tell you as I've never looked or researched by you do need the scan tool to be VW appropriate and cover your model and (part) year / VIN and for the program to be up to date before used with the car battery (and if appropriate tool battery) is reasonable state of charge(s) with good connections otherwise you can get spurious readings and results.

For Briskoda members with VCDS in your area that can possibly offer readings and reports, or more, for beer token (unless they are professional services) see the following link. - https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/262215-list-of-vcds-owners-previously-known-as-vag-com-vcp-owners/#findComment-3091029

HTH.

Hi, Thanks for advice. I have done a scan (With an OBDeleven tool) and the faults I get are:

B110311 - Digital radio antenna 1 Short circuit to ground static

U11B800 - Interface for external media No communication  Intermittent

However, I cleared the faults and did another scan this morning (and the DAB radio was working OK)

And only get one fault:

B110311 - Digital radio antenna 1 Short circuit to ground static

Does help to clarify the possible cause?

Regards

Sorry I seem to have over exerted my one braincell today, you did say the code.

A short to ground might be water ingress perhaps still there or caused corrosion perhaps or wire or connection going wrong, could be at one end of circuit or other or in between. You could test with a multimeter to see if everything is getting or going to where it should.

The U11B800 - Interface for external media No communication  Intermittent might be just taking a phone, connector wire or something like a USB or card out of a socket without doing the key presses to "safely remove hardware and eject media". If you clear that code and don't plug anything in or remove and the code doesn't appear then that might confirm this. Or it might be associated to the DAB issue.

Hi pab567,

Are you able to determine the DAB antenna system in my car from the VIN? Also any other info you can provide like location and access etc would be greatly appreciated.

Regards Brian

Brian, if you want to call pab567 put the at ( @ ) symbol just before his site name, example @nta16 = @nta16 .

You can edit your previous post to change it.

6 hours ago, bris24 said:

Hi pab567,

Are you able to determine the DAB antenna system in my car from the VIN? Also any other info you can provide like location and access etc would be greatly appreciated.

Regards Brian

Hi @pab567

Hope you don't mind me calling you as suggested by Nigel above. I would appreciate if you could help in anyway.

Regards Brian

See the picture below - I believe aerial base 6C) 035 501 is broken due to water ingress

Hi pab567 many thanks for reply. I will get a replacement aerial base unit and see it that fixes it. The fault is intermittent as it worked OK this morning.

Regards, Brian

You could try drying out the base and if the radio is ok until it gets (a lot?) water on it and then it fails might give conformation of being in the right area at least.

Or if the part isn't expensive perhaps just replace it for the sake of time and hassle.

Good luck, let us know how you get on and end result to getting it fixed.

@pab567

Hi there. I have the same error:

00012 [0x00000C]

B110311: Digital radio antenna 1, Short circuit to ground

Aerial for digital radio - short circuit to ground

Status bits: 1

Priority: 6

Frequency: 1

Unlearning index: 60

Odometer: 19156 km

Date, time: 2025.10.05 14:29:55

Paramteric values: 02 86 7C 18 2E 02 02 6E FF FF FF FF FF FF

Status: Test failed, Confirmed

DAB radio seems to work fine, however.

My VIN is TMBMP7NP2K7050937. Any thoughts ? Many thanks in advance!

I have the same fault code to. DAB seems ok, however signal strength is patchy in certain areas (but same areas as with a different brand DAB radio in an previous vehicle) @pab567 if I provide you my vin can you advise of the antenna replacement required please?

@Aciduzzo your antenna amplifier is 3V5 035 577 F:

@pab567 my VIN is TMBDE7NP5J7575222 :)

The same:

1 minute ago, pab567 said:

The same:

much appreciated as always :) thankyou

@bris24 @s88urd Did you manage to resolve this problem? Our car has poor DAB reception and is throwing the same fault code.