Poor radio reception

[mattc200d]

Hi all,
I have a 14 plate A200 CDI AMG sport that is suffering with poor tadio reception, I have removed the stereo and checked all connections at that end and all seems ok. The car is still under warranty but I fear putting it into Merc's will be a waste of time as the radio does get reception when stationary unless on AM, say radio 5 live or talk sport. On FM I can get a reception but it is very slow to retune as the station you are listening to needs to change frequency. I only listen to national stations so these should retune without any issues, I have checked the " station fix " box is un- ticked but is there anything else I can check before I do throw it back at the dealer.
Any help greatfully recieved.
Matt

 

[kid-jensen]

Most likely there is an amplified ariel somewhere near the "real" ariel.

If this is not powered-up (blown fuse, broken wire or just a hardware failure) you will still get some sort of radio reception but the signal will be weak.

 

[Ted]

Do you have a phone charger plugged in?
Try removing it and see if things improve.

 

[mattc200d]

Thanks for the replies, no phone charger or anything third party plugged in.
As for the aireal can you tell me where it is, I read somewhere it's built in to the tailgate spoiler?? I don't want to start removing rear trim panels trying to find any connections. I'll check the fuses in the main fuse box however I suspect the aireal amplifier fuse will be located elsewhere.
Thanks again,
Matt

 

[richard]

You have a warranty. Make use of it. At least by raising the issue before it expires you can force them to sort it out. If you start trying to repair it and break something they may not want to.

Antenna amp is at top of rear windscreen. This could well be a windscreen failure (does it get worse with rear windscreen defroster on) or an amp failure (part about £60) - so you want them to fix it for you

Cheers
Richard

 

[mattc200d]

Thanks Richard for your reply. I was just trying to look at anything obvious before I booked it into Merc for them to say they can't fault it. I see you show command online in your sig. They fitted a reverse camera in my car when I first bought it and I have to say it's since then that myself and my wife have noticed the poor radio reception. I did have a brief conversation with Mark via email who asked me to check a couple of things which I did and all checked out and as he said that nothing would have been disturbed during the fitting of said camera I was at a bit of a dead end.
Thanks again,
Matt

 

[Tones]

Hi Matt the amplified aerial wire is connected to the windscreen or rear window with a double type popper button the same as a PP3 battery. Mercedes have a common fault of the popper on the glass breaking off or the popper has been pulled off its connection only when the fitter was pulling the wires through which could be easily done.so just needs pushing back on.
In the glass you will see the 2 thin brass coloured wires which is the aerial and where you see them coming together either the top or bottom of the glass then the popper connections are at that point.
My 2009 Vito has the popper connection buttons just above the rear view mirror on the windscreen in the head lining.
Hope that's helpful.

 

[mattc200d]

Thanks for your reply, that would make sense as any local radio station is fine so it would seem to be the amplifier could be the culprit. It looks as though it's a tailgate trim off job to have a look so once the weather improves I shall have a look.
Thanks again,
Matt