Radio reception, 2006 Jetta

[OzBoz]

Hi all, I'm new here so I apologise in advance for any goofs.

I am experiencing very poor reception on the Jetta's radio (from day one new) and the dealership, without checking, just blamed the tint on the rear window. My previous car, a Vectra, had the same set up, but worked very well. The FM stations seem to be ok, but the AM stations start to loose signal at about 20km, and one local AM station is unreadable at any distance, due to a loud, pure frequency tone. The tone varies slightly in amplitude while driving, but not in frequency. The tone also ceases when the engine is turned off.

It is my suspicion that the management computer is leaking RF, and/or there is a poor connection somewhere. My problem now, is that I can't get past the bloke on the front desk at the sevice department, because he has a built in excuse. "Sorry mate, it's the window tinting"

I am now inclined to have the tinting removed from the rear window, just to prove my point, and have it replaced once the radio is fixed, however, I thought I'd seek a bit of feedback from a knowledgable and friendly community.

Cheers
Brian

2006 VW Jetta 2.0 TDi DSG

[mikinoz]

Hi and welcome Brian.

I remember this from older cards and replacing the condensor.

I think that there must be a fault, RF suppression related, not tint related, as the antenna is outside...

Get a second dealer to look into it for you is my idea.

Good luck.

[99gti]

If it has an external antenna then the window tint will not make one iota of difference.

[anarchycamp]

My GTI has the hidden antenna, they replaced them with B-sting from 2006 onwards didnt they? due to dodgy reception etc, ive never had any problem with mine picking up stations, however my Polo GTI with the B-Sting aerial completely sucks, it has shocking reception.

[mikinoz]

I revise my earlier, here is a thread from a while ago on another forum about this exact issue.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2664953

I forgot that you don not have a roof mount antenna...

[Bazzamon]

reception

radio reception has always been an issue with overseas designed radios. yes including the bloody japs ..... Your Vectra had an Aussie radio in it....... If your 96 Jetta has an issue with reception then its up to VW to fix it. Contact VW headoffice or the roadside assist direct with an email stating your problem with th radio & the stealer,telling them to fix it pronto. Bazz

[OzBoz]

Many thanks everybody for your interest.

In retrospect, I should have put it more clearly. The vehicle is fitted with the abortion called an inbuilt rear window antenna. It is also diesel with no HT spark plug leads or coil.

From the attitude of the dealer, and unanswered contacts with VW Australia, I have concluded that they don't care. The $44,000 sale has been completed, end of story. Tough titty.

The only thing I can see to do now, is have the tint removed from the rear window, and call the dealers bluff. It is definitely RF induced interference which is not going to go away with the tint removed.

@ Bazz
The Vectra was a German car, with components manufactured in Belgium. The only Australian input was the fingers that tightened the bolts when they put it together. Also, the radio was a German Blaupunkt unit.

Cheers

Brian

[Thomas]

Hi Brian,
it is disappointing to hear about the after sales experience....and even more surprised you got no response from VW Australia. I had a vectra with the Blaupunkt audio and also experienced no problems. I will let you know how I go when my Jetta arrives shortly.

Would be keen to know how other people have gone with after sales care from VolksWagen.

Regards

Tom

[OzBoz]

Hi Brian,
it is disappointing to hear about the after sales experience....and even more surprised you got no response from VW Australia. I had a vectra with the Blaupunkt audio and also experienced no problems. I will let you know how I go when my Jetta arrives shortly.

Would be keen to know how other people have gone with after sales care from VolksWagen.

Regards

Tom

Hi Tom,

First of all, VW vehicles are excellent, and value for money....when everything works properly. If you need anything looked at, then VW are the worst after sales service/support I have ever come across, and that includes MicroSoft.

My wife decided to buy a Polo 6 months ago, and it's been a horror story from day one. 3km from the dealers, the temp warning light came on, and we discovered the coolant chamber was empty. The cause was eventually traced to a missing bolt (as in never fitted) in the thermostat housing. I objected to the quality of the pre delivery service at $1,700 but my objection was ignored by the dealer, and backed up in similar fashion by VW Australia.

The card which should show the radio code was blank, and the dealer promised to "look into it" but 6 months later, we are still waiting.

In all honesty, I could not in clear conscience, recommend anyone purchase a VW in Australia. I'll never buy another one.

Cheers

Brian

[gregozedobe]

Would be keen to know how other people have gone with after sales care from VolksWagen.

Hello Thomas, I have had 3 minor problems with my T5 so far (purchased new in January 2007). In every instance my dealer (Lennock Motors, Canberra) has looked at the fault, ordered in the replacement parts and fixed the problem without even the slightest quibble (as I expected). I would prefer to avoid the extra rigmarole of two visits plus waiting to get the part in, but I don't think anyone keeps a big supply of spares in stock "just in case" these days.

I objected to the quality of the pre delivery service at $1,700 but my objection was ignored by the dealer

Hello Ozboz, would you care to "name and shame" the dealer who was so unhelpful ? (just keep it factual, not defamatory ) I think it is important for us VW customers to know who to buy from and who we shouldn't give our $$$ to, thus rewarding good service and punishing the bad. This way the dealers that don't look after their customers will find it hard to stay afloat.

[OzBoz]

Hello Ozboz, would you care to "name and shame" the dealer who was so unhelpful ?

At this stage no. I am still trying to convince them (yes, thats two different dealers) that I need some assistance in rectifying faults from new.

The problem with imported cars, is that dealerships are few and far between, and with the exception of capital cities, there is no competition.

Cheers

Brian

[Thomas]

Happy New Year Everyone! This year will be a big one for me as I get my new Jetta

As for the experiences with dealerships and after sales care, I think there are enough people on this forum now to be able to make some noise - enough to be heard and taken seriously.

Thanks all for your feedback. I will keep all of this in mind if I ever have to use the VW servicing / after sales care.

Regards

Tom

[Jettinabout]

I have an 06 Jetta with heaviest tint you can put on it and the radio reception is fantastic(TDI).....200km plus for some FM stations and over 300 for others, so that dealer is Be--eSSing you. Rip it up him...VW pride themselves on their service so ring Head Office(call their emergency help line to ensure it is recorded). I can only say good things about the one issue I have had ...turbo oil leak...replaced with full turbo and manifold, no problems....your problem is your dealer.

[BarneyBoy]

I admit not knowing a lot about these in-glass antennas, but logic would say that if the antenna's IN the glass, and the tint is UNDER the glass, then the antenna's not being 'covered' up? What effect would the tint have in masking the signal? Although if the tint is metallic, it may be altering the antennas specs.?

I dunno, as with your GP, seek a 2nd opinion. Surely you're not the only Jetta owner with a tinted window?

[blutopless2]

we have tint on our forester with window antenna and have never experienced a problem.
as for dealership problems... well... can't say we have had many issues but lets just say i dont take our cars to any dealership anymore... and our new jetta will not set foot in one for servicing either.
had trouble with our nb with the windows banging at the bottom.. with many trips back and forward to the dealership and finally phone calls to vwa the problem was fixed. but what a hassle.
our friend's nb had the check engine light come up and the airbag light intermittently come up... several trips to the dealership and they couldn't find any fault with it... car was really guzzling fuel too..
so i told her to take it where i go and they fixed the probs straight up.. cost a little but annoying that these probs weren't fixed by the dealer. just a pity she totalled it a coupla months ago...