[Paul W]

If you have little to no FM reception (and I believe the same goes for AM), then there is a good chance your OEM roof antenna has a bad amplifier in it and needs to be replaced. The amplifier is built into the antenna, thus the reason to replace the whole thing. There are many reports of this being the issue, and I am one to add to the list.



The cab came with an antenna in the windshield and a separate amplifier that sits somewhere between the radio and the front windshield, it seems to last longer. The coupe antenna amplifier is built into the antenna which gets beat with heat from the sun, is at the hottest part of the interior when sitting in the sun, and also gets exposed to cold temperatures in the winter. The poor thing just can't get a break, so it gives up sooner or later.



To replace it, it's very simple.



Start by taking out the screws that hold the hard panel in place just behind the sunroof. There are 5 screws on the aft part/bottom of the panel, and two on the front edge, you need to crack the sunroof open to get to these. They are all just Phillips head screws. The panel drops off and then you can move the headliner out of the way where the antenna is (mine wasn't attached under the panel, just at the back edge).



You'll see this (looking from the driver's seat back):







There is the antenna coaxial connection and the +12VDC to power the amplifier. Cut the tie wrap and disconnect the two connections. I then used a voltmeter to ensure I had switched +12VDC at the electrical connector with the radio on and that it turned off with the radio off. Yep, I had that, so it just confirmed my suspicion that the antenna amplifier was bad.



Here is the new antenna. I purchased it from Sunset Porsche in November 2013 for $124.22, and paid an additional $20 to have it expedited from Germany, it arrived in the states in about 4 days.



Part Number 928-645-201-00



Mine didn't come with a new plastic gasket/base, but after contacting Sunset, it was supposed to have one in it, I just cleaned up my old one. I will blame Porsche if I don't win the Concourse!















To remove it, I used a large pair of needle nose pliers, that was easy enough. Once you have the old one out, install the new one, and then I taped it to the roof with some blue painter's tape (so it would temporarily stay in place) so I could get the new nut started with the same pliers. The other alternative you can do is to buy a plumbers wrench set at Home Depot....when I went there and saw it was $20, I decided against it and could get it with the pliers. It is reported that it is 21/32" (the nut is 17mm), you need this kind of wrench because the wires need to fit into it, kinda like an O2 sensor wrench.







Once you have everything connected, turn on the radio and ensure you have good reception, then replace the tie wrap with a new one (or glue the old one if you can) and put the headliner panel back in while you consider re-covering all headliner pieces with Alcantara to match your steering wheel that you retrofitted.



Enjoy radio stations once again!!!!

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[flash]

you really need to start putting these into PDF files so they can be put in the DIY section.

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[Paul W]

I will.....I was also thinking about creating a reference page on audipages.com and have a link in my signature....i.e. assemble them so they look like the workshop manual sections and put all the related posts in each section. It's quick and easy for now. Here is an example for the A8:



http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articles/s...steer.html

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[flash]

that's how this site is going, and frankly was pretty much set up from the moment we took over. i plan to spend a fair amount of time over the next few weeks, indexing and reorganizing threads, making it easier to find things like a DIY. it's important though that any DIY can be easily downloaded, hence the need for a PDF.



with over 2000 threads to be moved though, there is no chance i am going to create PDF files.

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[EEZATOY]

Side note - in the tool kit the lug nut socket (IIRC) its hollow and fits the antenna nut you can fish the wires through/into it and it works great. Its been a while since I updated my antenna to the accura MDX one but thats what I used...future reference



Sam

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[bombfactory]

Thanks Paul, great write-up. I will be tackling this project soon.

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[hot968]

Fantastic!! This is the kind of directions I can follow. Thanks for a great job of instructions and pictures. I wish I could find instructions like this to install a radio, with pictures and all.

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[DRR968]

Paul W,

Just wanted to say 'thanks' for your post and pics. I've had fun ([email=#@$]#@$[/email]?) the last two weekends trying to diagnose same... starting with head unit, to antenna connection on unit, to 12v under dash, all good. Then tore into the same spot your pictures showed to confirm 12v, and to use needle-nose to remove my antenna. What I would have given to have your write-up and pics!



BTW, tried Porsche here in Canada. They wanted $190 (that's CAD, money with pictures of hockey players on it). Then went to VW dealer, and all they could show me was an antenna that 'looked close' but with no amplifier. Think I will order Porsche part in Phoenix, as you did, and pick it up when I am there over the holidays.



Sorry for the rant ... I do have a question.....

Any definitive way to know for sure it's the antenna amplifier, before you spend $120??? I have done all you guys have said, and I have the symtoms of (1) average to weak FM reception, and (2) no am reception at all (and I can hear the engine rev in the static of my AM).



Thank you. Dan

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