100% Free

No Scanner Needed

Carly logo

martin_mond46

RS6 Key Fob & Antenna Issues Need Urgent Fix

My RS6 seems to have antenna issues, the key fob barely works anymore and I need to use the physical key to start the engine. Getting error codes too. Pretty sure its the automotive antenna in the bumper acting up. Car runs fine otherwise. Anyone dealt with similar antenna repair problems on their Audi? Its a 2020 model with 31069km on the clock. After a bad experience with my last mechanic, Id appreciate recommendations on how to handle this and what repair costs to expect. Mainly concerned about potential signal interference affecting other systems.

4 comment(s)

charleszimmermann7

Faced similar antenna issues on my 2017 Audi S6. The symptoms matched exactly, key fob range dropped significantly and engine start became problematic due to signal interference. The main culprit was a damaged antenna module in the rear bumper area. The antenna repair involved replacing the entire antenna assembly, not just the visible fm antenna portion. The system handles multiple signals including key fob communication, satellite radio, and vehicle security functions. When these components start failing, they often trigger cascading error codes. The root cause was water intrusion that corroded the antenna connections. Left unaddressed, this can spread to other electronic systems. The fix required removing the bumper trim to access the antenna module and replacing the complete unit with new wiring harness. This is considered a moderate repair that needs proper diagnostic equipment to verify signal strength after installation. Getting it fixed at a certified shop is crucial since improper antenna replacement can cause ongoing signal interference issues with keyless systems and radio reception. Testing the new antenna module required specialized equipment to confirm proper communication with all vehicle systems. Once properly installed, all error codes cleared and key fob functionality returned to normal range.

martin_mond46 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience. That sounds really similar to what Im going through with my RS6s antenna system right now. The signal interference and key fob issues match up exactly. Just wondering, do you remember what the final cost was for the antenna repair job? Also, has everything stayed working properly since the antenna replacement or have you noticed any new issues pop up with the radio reception or key fob?

charleszimmermann7

Had the car antenna repair done last week actually. The total came to 95 Euro which was just for fixing a faulty cable connection in the antenna mount, much simpler than initially feared. No complete replacement needed. The signal interference issues cleared up immediately after the repair. Key fob works perfectly now at normal range and all error codes are gone. Radio reception is crystal clear too with no antenna-related problems. The certified shop diagnosed it correctly, this kind of automotive antenna issue often stems from basic connection problems rather than requiring full module replacement. Really glad I didnt jump straight to replacing the entire antenna assembly. Been driving it daily since the fix with zero issues. The bumper-mounted antenna system is working exactly as intended now. If your symptoms match what I experienced, might be worth checking the connections first before considering more extensive repairs.

martin_mond46 (Author)

Taking it to the shop yesterday was such a relief. The antenna repair only cost 780 Euro total, less than I expected for my RS6. The mechanic found extensive water damage affecting the entire antenna assembly in the bumper, just like you described. The vehicle antenna replacement took about 4 hours. They had to remove the rear bumper trim to access everything, but their diagnostic equipment confirmed all signals were working perfectly after installation. No more signal interference with the key fob or other systems. Test drove it this morning and everything works like new, key fob range is back to normal, error codes are gone, and even the radio signal is clearer. Really glad I got this fixed before it caused problems with other electronic systems. Still keeping an eye on it, but so far the antenna repair seems to have completely resolved the issues. Thanks for helping me understand what I was dealing with. Would have been lost without the detailed info about the antenna system setup.

Join the discussion now: