VW Polo Radio Dead: Troubleshooting Audio System Failure

Had the exact same problem with my 1998 VW Golf TDI last year. As someone with some hands-on experience maintaining older VW models, I can tell you antenna issues are quite common in these cars. The car radio showed similar symptoms, no signal and error messages. After checking the antenna ground and signal strength, the workshop found the antenna itself was defective, leading to poor signal reception across all frequencies. The repair included: Complete antenna diagnostics, Replacement of the main antenna unit, Testing the antenna booster, Full system calibration Total cost was 255€ and fixed the problem completely. The radio works perfectly now with clear reception. To help diagnose your specific case, could you share: Have you noticed any gradual decline in reception quality? Does the error message appear immediately when starting the car? Are you getting any reception at all or complete silence? Have you had any recent work done on the roof or antenna area? This information would help determine if your Polo has similar underlying issues to what I experienced with my Golf.

Thanks for the detailed input. Running at 24239km since new, with last service completed a month ago. After testing what you suggested, I found the error message appears instantly when starting the car, and there is absolutely no reception. Looking closer at the antenna connection, I noticed corrosion around the base mount. Think this confirms your suspicion about the antenna being the culprit. The radio interference seems worse than a simple signal issue though, complete system failure rather than just poor signal quality. Will check if the antenna booster is getting power, as that might explain the total signal loss rather than just weak reception. Called a few shops and antenna replacement quotes range from 180€ to 290€ including labor. Might tackle the diagnosis myself first before committing to the full repair. Would you happen to remember if your car radio showed any warning lights on the display before the complete failure?

Thanks for the additional details. Yes, my Golf actually showed similar symptoms with warning lights, a small antenna symbol flashing on the display about a week before total failure. The static noise came first, then the FM signal dropped completely. The corrosion you found is a classic sign. In my case, water had seeped in through the antenna base over time, affecting both the ground connection and the antenna booster circuit. The vehicle electronics were fine, but the corroded connection caused a complete signal failure. Smart move checking the antenna booster power supply. When mine failed, testing revealed: No voltage at the booster, Corroded ground points, Damaged cable insulation near the antenna base The 180€-290€ quote range sounds reasonable based on my repair costs. If you are doing initial diagnostics, checking continuity between the antenna ground and chassis is a good starting point. A basic multimeter can identify if the ground connection is compromised. Be careful working around the antenna base though, the surrounding trim pieces can be brittle on these older VWs. I cracked one during my inspection and had to replace it, adding unnecessary cost to the repair.

The corrosion issue definitely seems like the main problem here. Static noise and poor signal reception appear to be common with these older VW models, but your detailed explanation really helped pinpoint the likely cause. After inspecting further, I found additional corrosion extending into the wiring harness near the antenna ground connection. This explains the complete signal failure rather than just weak reception. The antenna booster is also showing signs of water damage, which matches your experience exactly. Given the similarities to your case, I will proceed with: 1. Thorough cleaning of all ground points 2. Testing the antenna booster circuit 3. Getting quotes for a complete antenna replacement if needed The price range seems fair considering the work involved. Since discovering the extent of corrosion, I am leaning towards professional repair to ensure proper waterproofing during reinstallation. The signal amplifier likely needs replacement too, given the water infiltration. Will start with the basic electrical testing you suggested using my multimeter. Really appreciate your firsthand experience with this issue, saved me lots of troubleshooting time. Thanks for confirming my suspicions about the antenna system being the root cause.