Shark Fin GPS Antenna Removal and Replacement / Repair on an Audi A6 C6 4F (2004 - 2011)

Dear viewer,
In this video I am showing how you can remove and replace or repair a broken shark fin GPS antenna in your Audi A6 (C6 Generation) built from 2004 to 2011. Although the video is specific to this model the process is also very similar for the Audi A4 B6, B7 and B8 generations.
In my case the issue I was having with the antenna was quite obvious - it was falling apart. However, other issues that pertain to a failing GPS antenna, can also be associated with inconsistent- or the complete absence of GPS signal when the navigation is being used.
As always, if you have any questions please leave a comment in the comment section below and I will do my best to answer them. If you liked the video and found it helpful please leave a like and consider subscribing. Thanks!
Regards,
Endless MotorWorks Team
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Credits:
Music: / fr. .

[@colin5064]

nice job and good camera work most appreciated

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

Thanks! I am glad you liked the video!

[@Andrjuha252]

thank you, I was just looking for what's inside the fin, it cracked just like you, there is interference on the radio and gps sometimes writes a disc unidentified

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

The interference in the radio can definitely be caused by moisture getting inside the antenna if the external housing is cracked. Once you remove the plastic, check the pcb for any kind of water traces on it. Concerning the GPS not reading the information on the disk, I believe this most probably has something to do with the disc itself being scratched up. It might not be a bad idea to burn another disc for the navigation and trying with it.

[@Andrjuha252]

@@EndlessMotorWorks It's not the first GPS disk I've been putting, from time to time glitches appear ,,,

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

@@Andrjuha252 I understand. In this case the lens inside the computer that is supposed to be reading the disc could have gotten dirty. Have you tried to open it up and manually clean it?

[@Andrjuha252]

@@EndlessMotorWorks No, I haven't opened it yet, I think to find another fin first, if my boards are damaged by water, then I won't have to disassemble it twice,

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

@@Andrjuha252 That sounds like a good idea. Also do stock up on high-temp silicone, as you will need it to glue the new shark fin to the roof and make a water-tight seal.

[@marstec100]

Thank for these Video, i replaced my antenna too with your instructions ;) unfortunately error still exists . wrong GPS position :(

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

I am happy to hear the video was helpful to you and that you managed to replace your antenna. Still, as the issue persist, maybe it's time to scan the car for codes with VCDS. There could be something else that is the underlying cause of the issue.

[@marstec100]

Tomorrow i will drive to my car dealer, hope there can read out a error. I think the K box / mmi Box is defect. i can handle that, but i think there must be software upload performed by audi to adjust your car config . if it will be to expensive i will use my smartphone for navigation. i think my car hates me XD

[@autodiagnosticmaze9112]

hi, I have an Audi A4 B8 with a gate caught the antenna on the roof and now I have suspicions that water is coming into the cabin I want to remove the fin and coat it with sealant how and what do I need to turn off

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

I am not supper familiar with the A4 B8, as I haven't worked on one of those, but the process should be very similar.

[@quattro4944]

Mate Is that few screws underneath the antenna once removed wikl let me easily take off antenna cover ? I will need to swap it from my car in to other with diffrent colour

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

Yes, exactly. These screws hold the painted plastic cover on top the actual pcb and inner components.

[@quattro4944]

@@EndlessMotorWorks Great , thx Mate 👍

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

@@quattro4944 Happy to help :)

[@andersborum9267]

I'm starting to get random wrong readings on the MMI display from the GPS antenna on an A6 Avant 3.0 from 2011 and am suspecting that it's been corroding over the past 10 years (seal appears to be allright, but we all know what tiny amounts of water can do). The MMI display usually follows the GPS signal as expected but over the past year it's become more evident that something's not working as expected (i.e. MMI display shows I'm in the middle of the ocean ..). I ponder if this requires a full replacement of the antenna?

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

Your described issue suggests indeed an issue with the GPS antenna. Knowing how the antenna itself is built, most probably you will need to replace the entire antenna assembly.

[@andersborum9267]

@@EndlessMotorWorks thanks for the quick reply. I already got a quote on a new original antenna so will likely replace it asap (cover isn't broken so should be fairly easy).

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

@@andersborum9267 Yup, as you can see from the video, the replacement itself isn't as hard as it may seem.

[@royjonnylys9315]

I get the SOS warning, and now my radio is also dead, can it also be the antenna? It startet with the sos warni g signal...then it was gone for a few days...and came back...was driving in heavy rainy weather..and the signal is now gone

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

Unlikely. Most probably there is a break in the fiber optic connection somewhere. I would recommend getting the vehicle scanned for errors with VCDS or VAGCOM in order to pinpoint where the issue is.

[@splintergam1ng]

Where did you order just antene cover? Can you send me the link its Audi a4 2016

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

I didn't buy a new antenna cover, just repaired mine. As far as I know, you can't buy just the cover. It sold as one piece.

[@A.Kroneberger]

Hallo ich fersuche auch die enliche antenne zu reparieren oder austauschen.Wei mein navi sagt immer wider das ich befinde mich auf nicht digitalisierte strase.Habe den audi a6 1.8t c5 s6 bj 2002

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

I haven't done an antenna replacement on a C5. Still, should be a similar process for the C5 if it is a wagon.

[@Rogerrrrr]

Can I find only the exterior plastic, I mean that cover you removed it first, without buying the entire antenna with cables as well? My exterior piece is broken as well very little but gps and radio is working fine

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

I don't believe that you can buy new just the plastic. The part number is for the entire antenna assembly so Audi will sell that. If you want to buy just the plastic, you should be able to get it somewhere on the used market. That being said, repairing the old plastic cover isn't that difficult. You can always glue it, sand it and have it painted.

[@daleward3077]

I'm trying to just re-clear my antenna. Can I remove the cover without taking the whole assembly out?

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

No, it is not possible. On mine it was, because it was completely broken. However, on a good antenna, there will be several screws going through the metal part where the pcb is into the plastic housing covering the antenna.

[@Varga_Land]

Not an Audi but the compass in our Kia is 180degrees out...so if car is facing north the digital compass on the instrument panel shows the car facing south...this throws out the inbuilt sat nav as it thinks the car is going backwards. Could this be a wiring issue in the fin? Software wipe made no difference and Kia are clueless. It seems like the system things the boot is the bonnet so I think there's an issue with the actual wiring being reversed. I'm not an expert though so would like to get ideas of what maybe creating this issue

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

This issue points out to the wiring or the antenna itself being bad.

[@FoxiferTheWhite]

Or installed backwards 🤔

[@Varga_Land]

@@FoxiferTheWhite at night it often is facing the right way (as in North is north) but the map will trip out, fly across suburbs etc.

[@FoxiferTheWhite]

@@Varga_Land sounds a lot like the stuff that all gps systems are doing do to the geomagnetic disturbances we're having ... Hope that sheds some light

[@supie5063]

Gotta do mine on my A8 😒

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

Good luck! :)

[@motorpoint621]

Hello sir I bought audi a6 2013 model and it get stolen can audi company track the stolen vehicle please let me know for my car recovery

[@motorpoint621]

Do reply on this sir it’s really helpful for me

[@EndlessMotorWorks]

Unless the car had some sort of additional GPS fitted in it, I don't believe that Audi can track it just by the antenna that is on the roof. That antenna is there to provide a GPS signal to the MMI. As far as I know it doesn't actually transmit back the location of the vehicle to a third party.

[@motorpoint621]

@@EndlessMotorWorks I read on google that once we do police complain and mail the complaint details with audi they are able to track the stolen car

[@motorpoint621]

Please do reply my a6 is 2013 model

[@A.Kroneberger]

По английски не могу ,Болгарский почти тоже.Здоровья тебе и твоим близким.