1982 Power Antenna
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
1982 Power Antenna
My antenna is constantly running even with the key out. I had to disconnect the battery to stop it.
How can I disconncet the antenna with the battery connected so I can drive the car until I replace the antenna?
Also, how do you replace a power antenna?
Where is the best place to buy one?
Thanks for your help...
How can I disconncet the antenna with the battery connected so I can drive the car until I replace the antenna?
Also, how do you replace a power antenna?
Where is the best place to buy one?
Thanks for your help...
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 1
From: aurora
My antenna is constantly running even with the key out. I had to disconnect the battery to stop it.
How can I disconncet the antenna with the battery connected so I can drive the car until I replace the antenna?
Also, how do you replace a power antenna?
Where is the best place to buy one?
Thanks for your help...
How can I disconncet the antenna with the battery connected so I can drive the car until I replace the antenna?
Also, how do you replace a power antenna?
Where is the best place to buy one?
Thanks for your help...
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,694
Likes: 833
From: WI
For the short term, just reach under the car behind the rear tire and unplug the thing.
Your antenna mast cable is probably broken. Probably just the end of the cable actually. The nylon cable get's brittle with time. It's a common failure. The good news is your motor is still operating. It's an easy fix.
Remove the antenna nut (Harbor freight sells an antenna nut wrench tool to do this for $5, or use a pliers, but the pliers will probably scratch the nut), then remove the screws/bolts that hold the antenna assembly back by the drivers rear tire. Remove it from the car. On a bench, drill out the rivets on the perimeter of the housing, and the case will split open. Remember how things go before you take it further apart, particularly how the cable wraps around the spool. If the cable, or cable end is broken, you can buy a new one for $27 at Ecklers #29285 (w/o CB). I bought one for my 93 Caddy from Zip cause I think they were cheaper. Anyway, if that turns out to be the issue and you fix it, when you put it back together, put some RTV sealer on the peremeter of the case before you put it back together to keep water out. Use some small stove bolts and nuts in place of the rivets to hold the case together. Good luck,
Mark G
Your antenna mast cable is probably broken. Probably just the end of the cable actually. The nylon cable get's brittle with time. It's a common failure. The good news is your motor is still operating. It's an easy fix.
Remove the antenna nut (Harbor freight sells an antenna nut wrench tool to do this for $5, or use a pliers, but the pliers will probably scratch the nut), then remove the screws/bolts that hold the antenna assembly back by the drivers rear tire. Remove it from the car. On a bench, drill out the rivets on the perimeter of the housing, and the case will split open. Remember how things go before you take it further apart, particularly how the cable wraps around the spool. If the cable, or cable end is broken, you can buy a new one for $27 at Ecklers #29285 (w/o CB). I bought one for my 93 Caddy from Zip cause I think they were cheaper. Anyway, if that turns out to be the issue and you fix it, when you put it back together, put some RTV sealer on the peremeter of the case before you put it back together to keep water out. Use some small stove bolts and nuts in place of the rivets to hold the case together. Good luck,
Mark G
Last edited by Mark G; Nov 9, 2008 at 08:12 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 157
Likes: 1
Mark,
Great help and adice.. However, I tried to unplug it underneath but could not see or find the plug the antenna was running so I had to disconnect the battery. The muffler makes it hard to see much under there and I could not unplug it.
Do I need to take the muffler off to replace/fix the antenna?
Great help and adice.. However, I tried to unplug it underneath but could not see or find the plug the antenna was running so I had to disconnect the battery. The muffler makes it hard to see much under there and I could not unplug it.
Do I need to take the muffler off to replace/fix the antenna?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,371
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
No, on the late79-82s it's just the bezel at the fender and one bolt to a bracket at the bottom of the antenna. Should be able to get it out OK.
A needle nose pliers should get that slotted bezel off as it shouldn't be real tight, just snug, since it's against the paint.
A needle nose pliers should get that slotted bezel off as it shouldn't be real tight, just snug, since it's against the paint.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Also, how do you replace a power antenna?
Where is the best place to buy one?
Once you get it disconnected, take some time to research the best solution for you to get the unit back online.
I'll poke around and see if I can get you some links. Hope this helps!
Here's a recent link to the forum here that addresses the 82 unit:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-antenna.html
Another recent post that describes how to remove the unit from under the fender:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...na-wiring.html
Last edited by hunt4cleanair; Dec 29, 2023 at 04:04 AM. Reason: add links
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,477
Likes: 1,495
From: Little Rock AR
On my '80 you need to pull back the loose carpet over the drivers side rear wheel well to find the electrical harness plug. Disconnect the plug and the power is off. Push the harness rubber bulkhead plug and harness out the rear corner of the back compartment.
The antenna mast has a white plastic drive cable inside the mast that has snapped. You can take the antenna off and rebuild it yourself with the replacement drive cable kit. Not hard if you are careful.
The antenna mast has a white plastic drive cable inside the mast that has snapped. You can take the antenna off and rebuild it yourself with the replacement drive cable kit. Not hard if you are careful.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,477
Likes: 1,495
From: Little Rock AR
Yes. I also put blue tape around the bezel and pad over that to protect the paint.
