Poor AM reception..

[J Tinsby]

I have a '99 NB and have poor reception even after installing a new antenna base and mast and making sure all the grounds are good. I have NOT as yet added ground wires from the engine block to the frame and to the hood.

In my travels I found this article elsewhere that may help someone else. It checks the connections through the radio IF you have a factory radio installed.

The link is: WikiAnswers.com - Radio for 1999 VW beetle has poor reception although FM is ok Possible problems

Mine checked OK.. "FERN" was ON so now I can look else where. I do have AM reception but I also hear the wiper motor, the window motors and ignition when I am in a low signal strength area.

J T

[dmbluebeetle]

Originally Posted by J Tinsby

I have a '99 NB and have poor reception even after installing a new antenna base and mast and making sure all the grounds are good. I have NOT as yet added ground wires from the engine block to the frame and to the hood.



Mine checked OK.. "FERN" was ON so now I can look else where. I do have AM reception but I also hear the wiper motor, the window motors and ignition when I am in a low signal strength area.

J T

Did you get the parts from a dealer? I recall reading a TSB about poor reception that there were 2 different antennas and bases for the different radio types that were in transition during that time period. There was a Clarion Radio used in the NB up until 2000 and then a Delphi radio used in 2001 and after. If I recall the bulletin right the 2 antennas were not interchangeable.

Electrical noises on AM can also be a result of poor grounding contact of the antenna base and/or poor engine to body grounding.

[J Tinsby]

Originally Posted by dmbluebeetle

Did you get the parts from a dealer? I recall reading a TSB about poor reception that there were 2 different antennas and bases for the different radio types that were in transition during that time period. There was a Clarion Radio used in the NB up until 2000 and then a Delphi radio used in 2001 and after. If I recall the bulletin right the 2 antennas were not interchangeable.

Electrical noises on AM can also be a result of poor grounding contact of the antenna base and/or poor engine to body grounding.

All parts came from the stealer and the above link shows that the radio is setup for the amp in the antenna base. IE: FERN is ON

J T

[Audiomechanic]

Our 2000 Beetle has the same problem. I was thinking about doing the "big 3" and see what that does. Haven't checked anything else yet. My wife doesn't care as long as FM works (which it does fine) but I am a huge AM buff so it's bumming me out.

[J Tinsby]

Originally Posted by Audiomechanic

Our 2000 Beetle has the same problem. I was thinking about doing the "big 3" and see what that does. Haven't checked anything else yet. My wife doesn't care as long as FM works (which it does fine) but I am a huge AM buff so it's bumming me out.

I feel your pain! As long as the signal of the station is stronger than the ignition noise of the car, or the wiper motor, I hear AM Ok. This is called 'signal to noise ratio." When there is nothing stronger for the AM section of the radio to pick up it hears the ignition and all other noise generators in the car. The only thing I don't hear is alternator whine.

I am an amateur radio operator so you can imagine how this bugs me! I looked at the fuse holder that is on top of the battery and found the fuse to the far left, for the A/C fans was terribly burned and corroded. That whole assembly will have to be replaced before I overheat the engine with the A/C on and the fans not running.

Of course you can't see the ground for the negative battery terminal without taking out the bleeding battery. When I replace the fuse assembly I will make sure that it has a good connection, 'tho I doubt this will solve anything. I don't know if there is a VW inline filter for the power wire to the radio. But I did find a source of braided copper wire suitable for making ground straps to ground the engine block to the body and to the hood of the car. Using regular 'round wire' isn't the same as the braided stuff, you want something that has as much surface area as possible, this takes advantage of the 'skin effect' of RF frequencies.

I am convinced that the problem is not the radio but rather poor grounding and shielding to and from the radio.

The site for the braided copper wire is:Shielding Braid, Grounding Braid. Nylon Lacing Tape, Dacron Lacing Tape, Lacing Cord

You will have to solder on lugs to the ends of the wire to allow you to connect it where you want it. If it doesn't work, it's one less thing that no one has mentioned. If it makes you feel any better I have an SL500R that has terrible AM reception too! For one reason it has multiple antennas and amplifiers that are dependent on whether or not you have the top up or down. That doesn't excuse the poor reception on a $101,000.00 car however.

Good luck!!

J T