Alfa 159 Keyless Entry Failure: Antenna Problems Traced

Having faced similar symptoms with my Alfa 156 2.2 JTD from 2005, I can share my experience with moderate expertise in car electronics. The car antenna system issue you describe matches what I encountered. My car also stopped responding to the remote key, and keyless functions failed completely. The initial diagnosis pointed to the automotive antenna module, but it turned out to be a damaged wire connection in the antenna mount area. The workshop found that moisture had corroded the connector pins at the base of the car antenna, disrupting the radio signal reception. They replaced the wiring harness and cleaned the antenna mount contact points. Total repair cost was 95 Euro, including diagnostics. For a proper diagnosis, could you provide: Build year of your 159, Duration of the problem, Whether the issues started gradually or suddenly, If you notice the problem more in wet weather, Whether the central locking works with the physical key These details would help determine if your case matches the common antenna connector issue typical for this model range, or if other components need checking. Also worth checking the battery in your key fob first, as this can mimic antenna-related problems and is a much simpler fix.

Last serviced at 116792KM and experiencing this issue since then. Just wanted to add that the repair shop also tested voltage at the battery terminals, showing normal readings. I notice now that the center console radio display occasionally flickers too, which might be related to the vehicle antenna problems. Starting to wonder if its a broader electrical issue affecting multiple systems rather than just the keyless components.

Thanks for the additional details about the symptoms after your service. The flickering radio display combined with the keyless issues definitely suggests a broader electrical problem that could be affecting multiple antenna-related systems. On my Alfa 156, I initially thought the antenna repair would solve everything, but the radio display symptoms you mention mirror what I experienced. It turned out the main antenna wiring loom had multiple damaged points, affecting both the fm antenna reception and the keyless entry system. The repair shop found that during a previous service, some wiring near the main antenna mount got pinched, gradually deteriorating over time. The damaged wiring affected both the radio antenna signal and the keyless entry antenna functionality. The complete antenna replacement with new wiring harness cost 280 Euro. After fixing this, both the keyless system and radio display issues were resolved. The vehicle antenna system in these Alfas integrates multiple functions, so damage in one area can cascade to other systems. Suggest asking your shop to: 1. Check the complete antenna wiring path, not just the connector 2. Test signal strength at different points in the system 3. Inspect for any damaged insulation or pinched wires, especially near recent service areas The consistent problems since your last service strongly hint at accidental damage during maintenance work.

Thanks everyone for the detailed input. After reading through the responses, I'm convinced I need a thorough inspection of the entire antenna system, not just the keyless components. The flickering radio display combined with the keyless entry failures matches what others experienced with damaged antenna wiring. Will have my shop check the complete wiring path, especially around areas accessed during the last service at 116792KM. Based on the helpful feedback here, seems like the vehicle antenna issues could indeed stem from pinched or damaged wiring rather than just a faulty antenna module. Good to know the radio signal problems can be fixed without replacing every component. Will update once I get the proper diagnosis and repair cost estimate. Hoping its just wiring damage that can be fixed for around 280 Euro rather than needing a complete automotive antenna replacement.