My car radio, yet again sigh

[littlebrooklyn]

After my previous thread when I eventually worked out it was the sleeve of my new Winter jacket that was making the radio channels change, we thought everything was okay.
Last few days though we've been losing the signal for the radio, it doesn't change stations, just keeps saying no signal and it's been so annoying today that I resorted to plugging my phone in and using Apple Car Play instead, although I much prefer listening to the actual radio. When I was coming home from shopping this afternoon I took my phone out of the car. When I got back in the car as soon as I turned the engine on the radio came on really loud and no matter which volume control option I used I wasn't able to turn it down. I've now noticed the only time I seem able to control the media volume is when I plug my phone back in and connect to Apply Car Play and then the controls work. Obviously something not right there?
When we had the previous issue we did try phoning our Mercedes Indie but he wasn't able to help as they don't deal with audio problems and we did phone someone he suggested might be able to help. That person said it might just need a software patch, worst case scenario a new system would cost us 3k??? Seriously 3k just so we can listen to the radio? I'm beginning to wish we kept the old A Class as we never had any issues in the 6yrs we had it, but we've had numerous issues with this car which we've only had a year and a quarter.
I'm at a total loss as to what to do as I don't know what kind of specialist can sort this

 

[Chrishazle]

@richard comand.co.uk AKA Unique Car Sounds Lightwater if J3 M3 is close enough to you, if anyone can fix it I'd bet they can!

 

[littlebrooklyn]

@richard comand.co.uk AKA Unique Car Sounds Lightwater if J3 M3 is close enough to you, if anyone can fix it I'd bet they can!

Thanks Chris, much appreciated

 

[grayb]

Are you trying to use DAB? We find the signal where we drive is so patchy that we have given up with it and gone back to old FM.
(NB: this is in our newish Honda, all the other cars are far too old for DAB).

 

[littlebrooklyn]

Are you trying to use DAB? We find the signal where we drive is so patchy that we have given up with it and gone back to old FM.
(NB: this is in our newish Honda, all the other cars are far too old for DAB).

Not working with DAB, AM or anything at all. For now I give up as I have too many other things going on

 

[Srdl]

+1 for the guys at Comand. They are really helpful and trustworthy. The last time I was there, there was a decent little cafe across the road to spend time while they did the job.

 

[Chrishazle]

You can also walk a little way back up the road towards the M3 to the pub on the right, it's only about 300 yards up the road, where we had a decent light lunch and suitable liquid refreshment while we waited!

 

[sonic]

At a guess I would say your antenna amp has failed, I have no idea where it is on your car.
If you are handy pull the radio out remove the antenna cable, insert a wire about 3 ft long.
If its the amp you should now hear something. There might be 2 antenna inputs, if so try both.

 

[littlebrooklyn]

At a guess I would say your antenna amp has failed, I have no idea where it is on your car.
If you are handy pull the radio out remove the antenna cable, insert a wire about 3 ft long.
If its the amp you should now hear something. There might be 2 antenna inputs, if so try both.

Have no idea how we could remove the radio as it's all part of the MBUX system. I think he's going to try and find something in the boot. If he can't sort it then he will have to take it down to the place Chris recommended seeing as they come so highly recommended.

 

[EmilysDad]

How about this instead then?

 

[littlebrooklyn]

View attachment 97462
How about this instead then?

That reminds me of the portable radio I used to keep in the door pocket of my Mk1 Mini back in the day, you know the ones with the sliding windows that anyone could open? I went to the cinema once, came back to the car and someone had opened the window and stolen my beloved radio!

 

[littlebrooklyn]

Well it's weird but the radio is suddenly working again. Keith was messing about in the boot trying to find the DAB amp and whilst doing that he came across something else and he checked the wire connector, unplugged it, plugged it back in. Turned the car on, radio working. Now it might just be coincidence or maybe just a temporary fix, but whatever this piece is, for the moment it's making the radio work

 

[AndySlade]

View attachment 97462
How about this instead then?

Thought that was a crystal set when I first looked at photograph. Yes I am showing my age! Used to construct Crystal radio sets many, many years ago.