A few of us were discussing this yesterday and Thursday. One of the things that was discussed was that the AM interference was coming from the Haldex unit not being ground properly. Even though I have a complete anftermarket stereo, I still am using the TT's own radio antenae that is embedded in the rear window. I decided to give this a shot before trying something else.

You can view all of the pictures <a href="http://public.fotki.com/larrytt/audi_tt_mods/radio_reception/">here</a>.

What I basically did was run a heavy gauge copper wire from the Haldex unit to a bolt connected to the fram of the car itself. The Haldex is completely isolated from the car via rubber isolators, so the unit itself is not ground, or at least is not ground enough. It is causing some sort of interference with radio reception.

<img src="http://images.fotki.com/photos/2/23131/49354/P0003413-vi.jpg?1004213916">

I used this bolt that is holding the fuel tank in place for one end of the grounding wire.

<img src="http://images.fotki.com/photos/2/23131/49354/P0003417-vi.jpg?1004214165">

And this bolt from the Haldex unit.

The results are a little mixed. The first thing I did was listen to various AM and FM radio stations. Some I never have trouble with and others I can barely listen to because of the static and interference. To give everyone an idea of where I live, I am on the south shore of Long Island. My house is approxoimately 25 miles from Manhattan as the crow flies. I can see the NYC skyline from a few blocks away from my house. Other radio stations I am trying to get in are from various parts of Long Island. I live about 5 blocks from the Atlantic Ocean to my south and a bay 1.5 blocks to my north. I am actually on an island off the south shore of Long Island.

For those that live in the NY area, I am trying to clean up mostly the following stations: WBAB 102.3 FM, WLIR 92.7 FM, WFAN 660 AM, WABC 770 AM, WCBS 880 and WINS 1010. These stations all come and go depending on where I am driving and the weather and the time of the day.

I tried all of them and others out before connecting the ground wire. None of them came in clearly. Everyone had sort level of static interference.

After I connected the ground my results are mixed. I can now hear ALL of the stations and make out everything that is being said or played on each and every station. I still need to drive around and try them out, but I am very happy with the results.

Am I completley satisfied? No, not even close. Would I do this again or recommend it? It would all depend on how much you want to clean up a radio station you want to listen to. I am going to see if my dealer will give me the adapter harness 8N0 035 550A that is supposed to help clean up the alternator whine. I will try and get that at my next appointment.

For those with the CD whine, I don't have any idea if this will help or not. I don't have that sort of problem, my cd's are quiet as can be.

I hope this helps someone. It is a very simple procedure to connect the wire, you just need to have the tools, jack and jack stands. Do NOT use the jack that comes with the car, it is a piece of garbage and should be repalced by Audi. It can barely keep the car in the air.

 

Install a steel whip antenna inbetween the headliner....From what various installers have told me this will greatly enhance reception..

Marcus

 

I am going to see what the VW angled antenae costs and what the shortest version of that antenae is out there and try it. I want to try and either eliminate the rear window antenae or use it along with a roof mounted one.

How do you find your radio reception?

I have not begun that research as of yet.

 

marcus's suggestion of the whip antenna in the roof bypassing the rear window antenna altogether.

 

I didn't know if I wanted to put a huge metal whip antennae between the headliner and the roof. It might rattle like crazy up there! The Fuba is an amplified antennae that can also be bought with a cell phone option! I might that instead.

 

What's AM? Isn't that early in the morning?

 

Thanks Larry - I'm more inclined to try a new antenna. I will see if Audi will do this for me.

 

but will it fit?

 

the only hesitation I have is the length of the antennae, it might look a little funny.

 

which is what i meant -- will the hatch bang into the fuba antenna when opened?