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82 power antenna ????? Help

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Old Apr 3, 2006 | 10:30 AM
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Default 82 power antenna ????? Help

Ok here it is. A prior owner installed a new power antenna and never connected it to the relay. However, I think it is an after market antenna. The wires are not the same color code as the shop manual shows. There is a red, white and black wire. I am assuming that the black is the ground and the other two (red and white) one is for upward movement and one is for downward movement. Also on the antenna there apears to be a relay. Hmmm. 1. How do I test this antenna/figure wiring nomenclature out without damaging the electrical system by touching two wrong wires together? 2. If there is as relay on the antenna itself, will the antenna relay installed in the car from the factory work in series with the relay on the antenna? If not, which relay should be bypassed?

Thanks

Kent
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Old Apr 3, 2006 | 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by bluesilver82
Ok here it is. A prior owner installed a new power antenna and never connected it to the relay. However, I think it is an after market antenna. The wires are not the same color code as the shop manual shows. There is a red, white and black wire. I am assuming that the black is the ground and the other two (red and white) one is for upward movement and one is for downward movement. Also on the antenna there apears to be a relay. Hmmm. 1. How do I test this antenna/figure wiring nomenclature out without damaging the electrical system by touching two wrong wires together? 2. If there is as relay on the antenna itself, will the antenna relay installed in the car from the factory work in series with the relay on the antenna? If not, which relay should be bypassed?

Thanks

Kent
Black = ground
Red=direct current (when key is in Accessory position)
White= Normal (key on)

That would be my guess - disconnect the red if you can and try it out with engine start and "Radio" on".
I don't think you have seperate connects for antenna up/down.
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Old Apr 3, 2006 | 11:48 AM
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Hi,
My 82 had a after-market antenna replacement when I bought it. The previous owner just had the antenna raise when the car was turned on and lower when the car was shut off. I tried to connect the wires to the antenna relay, but I could not get it to work. Good luck, let us know how you make out.
Tom
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Old Apr 3, 2006 | 12:18 PM
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The red and black are not for the power to the antenna.Your radio has to have a wire just for the antenna.Not all do.Mine had a blue wire that hooked to the power lead to the antenna.So the radio had power to it but the antenna only goes up if you turn the radio on.
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Old Apr 3, 2006 | 01:58 PM
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yes a modern radio has an antenna switching wire but not the old OEM stuff, it has a relay that controls the antenna.
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Old Apr 3, 2006 | 02:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
yes a modern radio has an antenna switching wire but not the old OEM stuff, it has a relay that controls the antenna.
Don't have the service manual in front of me - but will check when I get home - I just got a wireing harness adaptor from crutchfield for my 81 and on the harness that connects to the radio there is one lead marked "Power Antenna". Does this lead power the antenna directly or connect to a regulator? I always assumed the antenna was getting it's power direct from the radio connection. I know on some chryslers back in the 60's/early 70's you actually had a seperate power antenna switch that raised/lowered the antenna.
Reason I ask - got a new Kenwood I want to install and was hoping all the wires would match up to the existing wireing harness and I wouldn't have to figure anything extra out to make the modern radio work.
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Old Apr 3, 2006 | 02:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
yes a modern radio has an antenna switching wire but not the old OEM stuff, it has a relay that controls the antenna.
You need to use a relay anyway...that little blue wire isn't big enough to power the antenna.
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Old Apr 3, 2006 | 02:52 PM
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it depends on the radio, and it's in the manual. some give only about 5 or so volts to switch a relay, usually then the wire is also used for an amp switch, some however are capable of delivering the full 12V required to run the antenna without a relay.
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Old Apr 3, 2006 | 11:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
it depends on the radio, and it's in the manual. some give only about 5 or so volts to switch a relay, usually then the wire is also used for an amp switch, some however are capable of delivering the full 12V required to run the antenna without a relay.
Hmm...never seen one like that.
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Old Apr 4, 2006 | 01:18 AM
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I found this thread on the web:

http://iotech.no/corvette/technical/...%20antenna.htm

sounds like the older power antenna relay's alternates current direction for up/down. If you've got a newer replacement antenna, and the old relay, perhaps that is causing your problem.

According to the artical, you need to replace your original relay with a modern compatable one for your replacement antenna. This is the problem I think that I am having.

Anyone know where you can get a "standard 30/40 amp normally openautomotive relay"? that the author refers too?
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Old Apr 4, 2006 | 08:15 AM
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I wonder if a standard IEC ice cube relay would work. My problem is the wires on the replacement antenna have never connected and I am missing the wiring harness the goes from the origianl relay to the antenna. I just don't know which wires go to what and if the original relay will work in conjuntion with the relay that is on the replacement antenna.
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