Troubleshooting Volkswagen-VW Radio Problems

I almost wasted $350 for a new VW Shark FIn radio antenna for my 2006 Jetta. You see, my Jetta has satellite radio capability, though I do not subscribe. So, naturally, when my radio played FM stations fine but AM stations were all just static, and because by shark fin antenna was partially cracked, I thought THAT was the reason. Totally logical. The thing that did not make sense was why was FM fine? If the antenna was bad, it would all be static.

The answer is on many VW models that are satellite capable and their radios have a SAT button, the shark fin antenna on top is for satellite reception only. It does not receive AM\FM. On these models equipped with them, the AM and FM antenna's are embedded in the the rear glass window. Each has a separate amplifier. The satellite received in attached in the rear trunk area. If you do not have this capability, your car will not have a shark fin antenna, but a whip type.

Some owners have this same problem and claim it is because of the tint on the window blocking the signal, which makes sense, since the AM antenna is there. In my case, there is no tint, thus, the static only all AM stations is something else, perhaps a faulty amp?

Stay tuned, the problem still exists, but at least you now know it has nothing to do with the shark fin antenna. BTW, even though the base is cracked, the reception is fine. If you had this same issue and have a fix, let us know!