Terrible radio reception

[Kez]

Is this a common fault? I'm on my 2nd van of the same year and model (2012) now and they both did it. Its like the aerial isn't connected. I struggle to pick up local radio stations

[manuk]

Is this a common fault? I'm on my 2nd van of the same year and model (2012) now and they both did it. Its like the aerial isn't connected. I struggle to pick up local radio stations

Hi Kez

I'll kick off the thread ..... exactly same here on a 2010 saloon model, lets see what the rest of the forum say

cheers

[nicko]

Do you have a USB adaptor plugged into the 12 volt cigarette socket ?  If so, try removing it.
Some of these adaptors are poorly designed and radiate hash all over radio spectrum, giving exactly your symptoms.

[Oi69]

or do as i do never switch it on ;-)

[Collapsedsuspension]

I have a 98 M49 and the reception was awful on the original head unit. When I got round to replacing the HU I also looked at the aerial connection above the shelf and was surprised to find that the car had two aerial cables - one wasn't connected to the antenna! At the head unit end the two wires had the different aerial standard connectors (one ISO banana, the other DIN) and the one I was using was not the one attached to the aerial.
Obviously a lot has changed from 98 to the B9 but the French are still French. Maybe check at the antenna connection in the roof?

[NANO_Vigo]

The original radio RD4 or similar is regular, not very good, but the problem is the speakers. They are very bad and with year after year the sound is worst.

The best option is upgrade the speakers before the unit radio. This is a big gap.

[Kez]

Oh I'm going to change the speakers.. but this problem is signal related. I do have a usb converter, so will give that a try

[iscom]

I have a Myway Rneg radio and the reception is also poor in fact I think the RD4 was better plus is has more pre-sets. I agree with ”Nicko”  a USB connection can cause problems I have two Dash Cams one with no problem the other I do,  so I have ordered some small clip on RFI Noise Ferrite filters hoping this will resolve the problem plus fitting a VW aerial amplifier

[Kez]

Do you have a USB adaptor plugged into the 12 volt cigarette socket ?  If so, try removing it.
Some of these adaptors are poorly designed and radiate hash all over radio spectrum, giving exactly your symptoms.

Brilliant advice, thank you. Thats exactly what the problem was

[nicko]

Yay.. Glad its sorted

Nick.