Audi S5 Radio Dead: Electronics & Error Codes Alert

I faced an identical issue with my 2020 Audi A6 diesel. The car radio system completely failed, showing multiple error codes related to the antenna ground connection. The root cause was a damaged antenna booster module combined with corroded antenna ground points. Initially, the FM signal would cut out intermittently, then the system started displaying various errors before failing completely. The repair required: 1. Replacing the antenna booster unit 2. Cleaning and resealing all antenna ground connections 3. Updating the vehicle electronics firmware This was a serious repair requiring specialized diagnostic equipment. The antenna ground points are located in a hard-to-reach area behind the headliner, making it a complex job. After the repair, all infotainment functions were restored and the error codes cleared permanently. For an S5, the procedure would be nearly identical since both models share similar antenna systems. Given your previous experience with repair issues, recommend having this done at a certified shop with proper diagnostic tools. The antenna booster failure is a known issue in this model range.

Thanks for sharing your experience, good to know Im not alone with this radio interference problem. That explanation about the antenna booster makes perfect sense given my symptoms. Poor signal was also the first sign I noticed before everything went dead. Quick question, do you remember roughly what you paid for the complete repair? Also wondering if youve had any signal strength issues since getting it fixed? Really appreciate the detailed breakdown about the ground points and vehicle electronics. Will definitely look for a certified shop this time around.

As mentioned previously with my A6, I went ahead and had it properly fixed at a certified shop. The total repair cost came to 255 Euro, which covered the new antenna booster, labor for accessing those tricky ground points, and the system update. Since the repair, the FM signal has been absolutely perfect, no more poor signal issues or interference. The radio reception is actually better than when the car was new. The antenna booster they installed seems to be an upgraded version that provides stronger signal performance. The car radio system has been working flawlessly for over 8 months now. No error codes or antenna ground problems have returned. It was definitely worth having it done properly by specialists who knew exactly what they were dealing with. The vehicle electronics are all functioning normally, and the repair has proven to be a permanent solution rather than a temporary fix. Given the similar antenna system in your S5, you should expect equally good results once repaired.

I finally took my S5 to a certified Audi specialist after getting such helpful advice here. The diagnosis confirmed exactly what was suspected, a faulty antenna booster and corroded ground connections causing the radio interference issues. The repair took about 4 hours total. They replaced the antenna booster, cleaned all ground points, and updated the vehicle electronics system. Total cost came to 290 Euro, which seems fair given the complexity of accessing those components behind the headliner. The car radio works perfectly now, crystal clear reception with no poor signal issues. All the error codes are gone and the infotainment system is fully functional again. Really glad I didnt go back to my previous mechanic who probably would have made things worse. Definitely learned my lesson about using certified shops for complex electronic repairs. The antenna ground connections were in much worse shape than I expected, but everything is sorted now. Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction with this fix.