RS4 Key and Locking Issues Linked to Faulty Antenna

Having some experience with car electronics, I encountered a very similar issue with my 2016 RS5. The symptoms you describe match exactly what I dealt with, central locking failures and key recognition problems. The root cause in my case was indeed a faulty vehicle antenna connection. The antenna repair involved checking the cable connections and replacing a damaged plug connection in the bumper antenna system. After the fm antenna components were properly reconnected, all systems returned to normal operation. The fix cost 95 Euro and took about an hour at the workshop. They diagnosed it using specialized equipment to verify the antenna signal strength and found the connection issue quite quickly. To help provide more specific guidance for your situation, could you confirm: Are you getting any specific error codes? Did these issues start suddenly or develop gradually? Have you noticed any radio reception problems alongside these issues? Has the car been involved in any recent minor bumper impacts? This information would help determine if your antenna replacement needs are similar to what I experienced, as antenna systems can fail in different ways depending on the specific damage point.

Thanks for sharing those details. Just had my 74866 KM service last month, and your description perfectly aligns with what I experienced. The issues started quite abruptly after a car wash. Yes, getting error code 03247 related to signal interference. The radio signal has been notably weaker lately, which seems to confirm the antenna system theory. No recent bumper impacts or visible damage to report, but the diagnostics point to the vehicle antenna as the likely culprit. Will have the workshop check the antenna connections first before proceeding with a full antenna replacement. The gradual decline in radio reception quality definitely adds weight to the antenna repair being the right solution path.

Thanks for the additional details. When I had my RS5 serviced after similar symptoms, the car wash connection you mentioned rings a bell. In my case, moisture had penetrated the antenna mount seal, causing signal interference and generating the same 03247 error code. The weak radio signal combined with the keyless system issues strongly suggests antenna problems, just like in my repair case. The workshop confirmed that car washes can sometimes compromise antenna seals if they were already slightly degraded. Since your symptoms mirror my experience so closely, you might want to have them specifically check the antenna mount seals and connections before replacing the entire unit. In my repair, they found that water intrusion had corroded some connector pins, causing the signal interference. The service should include: Testing the vehicle antenna signal strength, Inspecting connector seals, Checking for moisture damage, Verifying all antenna mount points The declining radio reception quality was also my first indicator before the keyless system started acting up. Getting this addressed promptly helped prevent more extensive electrical system issues in my case.

Thanks for the detailed feedback. You're right, the similarities between our cases are quite striking. After checking today, the radio reception has gotten even worse, which really supports the antenna theory. I scheduled a workshop appointment for next week. Given the obvious signal interference and the fact it started right after that car wash, I feel pretty confident about the diagnosis now. The car radio issues combined with the keyless system problems match the pattern you described perfectly. The workshop confirmed they will check all antenna mount points and seals before deciding if a complete antenna replacement is needed. They mentioned the 03247 error code is a common indicator of water-related antenna problems, so your experience helps confirm we are on the right track. Will update once they complete the antenna repair and confirm whether it was indeed moisture damage to the connectors causing all these issues. Really helpful to know this fixed similar problems on your vehicle, gives me confidence we are pursuing the right solution.