2000 Jetta Radio

Help, the AM reception in my 2000 Jetta has deteriorated yet I still receive FM stations. Anyone have any suggestions as to a remedy for this?

is it all AM stations...maybe the one station you listen to is having transmission problems...

If all AM reception is failing & FM is worse, then it's most likely the amplified antenna. You have a very complicated powered (not in the up/down sense) antenna, which can go bad in two ways. One is when the ground connection gets some corrosion it will act in this way. Unfortunately getting to things to check it out is a pain. You need to remove the antenna & follow the grounding wire to check it out (not as easy as it sounds). The other is if the amplifier for the antenna has gone bad. Try a search on vwvortex.com "amplified antenna" or "am reception". If you decide to just replace it & go aftermarket be sure you get the proper amplified or powered antenna.

I am having the same problem... all of the FM stations are crystal clear, but all AM stations are very scratchy. It seems to be worse when the car is started.... would this still be the amplified antenna or another problem?

I am having the same problem... all of the FM stations are crystal clear, but all AM stations are very scratchy. It seems to be worse when the car is started.... would this still be the amplified antenna or another problem?

this is a known and well documented issue with VW. the germans apparently don't listen AM, at all, and therefore threw in a half-arse implementation for the countries that do. check out vwvortex.com

I had the same problem for about year until I tried a cheap fix that ended up working in my case. I put some dielectric grease on the male threads of the whip antenna and on the female threads of the antenna base. The AM reception is fine now. Worth a try. Dielectric grease can be found at your local auto parts store.