Accident shark fin antenna.

[tode]

While I was reversing into the garage, Mrs Tode presses the button on the remote. Almost immediately, there's a loud bang.
A quick inspection shows that the shark fin has disappeared.
The situation now is:

Roof:


Bits recovered - the cover and the vertical antenna:



I can't see myself fixing it DIY, so it'll have to be back to MB

What I can't understand is what the vertical antenna actually does - has it any useful purpose ?
The navigation works fine, as does the radio (FM and long wave) and the telephone.

I'm tempted to just stick the cover back on and save myself £500.

Anyone know ?

 

[Blobcat]

The vertical bit is the antenna, I'd solder it back on and stick the cover and not spend £500...

 

[tode]

What I can't understand is how come everything (?) works without the antenna !

Any idea what it actually does ?

 

[Blobcat]

What I can't understand is how come everything (?) works without the antenna !

Any idea what it actually does ?

It works because you'll be in a decent signal area, the antenna helps when in poorer reception areas - the worse the signal the larger the antenna you need

 

[M80]

I am surprised the Sat Nav is still locking on though.

Is it possible that the FM is via a screen antenna,
and some one has installed a Chinese type GPS antenna due to the common failure of the one in the sharks fin?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

My COMAND has the TV option so it could be the antenna is for that

 

[lewyboy]

DAB?

 

[tode]

Thanks for the replies . . .

The antenna is definitely the original MB.

There should be no DAB installation ( I Purposely asked for the 'standard' radio when I ordered the car), but it's already crossed my mind that the DAB antenna may be installed in all W221of that era. As far as the radio is concerned, I always thought that the antenna was incorporated in the rear screen ( the fine wires in the glass).

I have a sneaky suspicion that the GPS antenna is the square block that remains in the base - the Navigation works perfectly. I asked the technician about this - he replied that the Satnav has retained the data of previous trips. I think that's tosh

And no, there's no TV installed in the car (just Splitview for DVDs).

 

[LostKiwi]

I suspect you're correct and the square section is the GPS antenna. The unit remembering previous trips is tosh. It needs to know where it is to start the navigation and know where it is and how fast it's going.