The antenna in my '91 VW Passat is broken. I’d like to replace it without messing with my headliner. Is there a way to splice the antenna cables together? Do I need special tools?
Some car radio antennas are not hardwired in, but have the connections made by screw terminals or a threaded connector of some kind. In the event yours is not like that, there are antenna cable splicers available. Check with a local autosound shop; they should have what you need for the job (including the antenna, possibly).
The antenna cable is a coaxial wire, a center conductor with insulator then a braided shield wire all covered with a vinyl covering. In my line of work, I have had many opportunities to splice coax cables and it is not something that is easily done. I used special crimpers for the center conductor and zap solder sleeve to connect the braided part. Anything less would seriously compromise the antenna’s ability to properly receive signals.
I changed an antenna on a VW Golf a few years ago and it should be quite similiar to your Passat. I unplugged the antenna and pulled it out till it disappeared under the dash next to the drivers door. I tied and taped a strong cord to the end of the antenna and using some help, was able to extract the antenna, cable and cord. I then tied and taped the cord to the new antenna and was able to almost pull in the new one. It hung up in the A pillar area, removing the trim revealed the problem, it was fixed and the new antenna was installed. Unplugging and plugging in the antenna to the back of the radio was the biggest problem I faced that day.
I have one on my car that I just fixed by buying a generic $10 aerial at Walmart and sliding it into the shell of the old stump. Sinc the stump wasn’t round but slightly flattened, it’s a tight fit. Otherwise I could have given it a squeeze with pliers. That’s all that counts. Not much to an aerial.