Power Antennae Problems on 79 Vette
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Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,551
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From: No link, No dupe
Power Antennae Problems on 79 Vette
Having a problem with my Power Antennae. When I turn the radio off, the antennae retracts, but the motor keeps running. Tried a couple of times to turn the radio back on and off to see if that would fix the problem, but the motor keeps running. I had to pull the fuse to shut it off. The bad thing about pulling the fuse is that my horn and lighter are on the same circuit.
Rather than try to fix this sytem, unless the fix is super easy, I am going to buy a newer updated unit, maybe from Eckler's. To remove it, do I have to jack the car up and go from the bottom? How long does it take? Are there any other things I need to know or buy? Thanks, everyone, for your comments or suggestions.
Bad Antennae:smash:
Rather than try to fix this sytem, unless the fix is super easy, I am going to buy a newer updated unit, maybe from Eckler's. To remove it, do I have to jack the car up and go from the bottom? How long does it take? Are there any other things I need to know or buy? Thanks, everyone, for your comments or suggestions.
Bad Antennae:smash:
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 534
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From: FL
Re: Power Antennae Problems on 79 Vette (shotgun_000)
The fix is not easy. The nylon strand that pulls the antenna down has most likely broken off. I had this problem and bought a NOS antenna assembly from GM, and the damned thing broke the same way again right away. Now I just leave the antenna up, and have since used the relay to power a subwoofer.
Go for the aftermarket replacement. I've heard (not personally experienced) that the bezel that shows around the antenna opening is different from stock. Perhaps others can confirm this.
-Noel
Go for the aftermarket replacement. I've heard (not personally experienced) that the bezel that shows around the antenna opening is different from stock. Perhaps others can confirm this.
-Noel
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: Power Antennae Problems on 79 Vette (shotgun_000)
Sounds like the cable inside the antenna broke, like Noel said. Rather than spend a bundle of money on the entire antenna, I bought the repair kit (new cable) for about $20 and installed it. I also bought the antenna heat sheild at the same time. That was almost 3 years ago and I haven't had a problem since. Either way, you have to remove and reinstall the new antenna. Since that's the hardest part of the job, you might as well just buy the new cable and heat shield and save some money.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 16
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Re: Power Antennae Problems on 79 Vette (shotgun_000)
I just installed a harada power antenna in my '79 two weeks ago. I had the same exact problem you did. I will tell you that if you go this route (which I highly recommend) you will find that the mount is different and the wiring is different. It won't look 100% like stock on the outside but to the untrained eye no one can tell. As far as the wiring goes, the harada antenna has two wires as well as the antenna itself. The old antenna has three wires plus the antenna. I connected the two of the three old wires and then took the relay out of the center councel and connected them directly to the old wires that ran from the stereo to the relay. If you don't by pass the relay it won't work. It was a very simple install and took about two hours (it took me a while to figure out the relay and to take it out). Hope that helps, the rebuild mentioned above sounds great too, I might have wished I looked into that. I did keep all my old pieces incase I want to restore it one day.
Racer
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 343
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From: Port Orchard Washington
Re: Power Antennae Problems on 79 Vette (shotgun_000)
if the antenna is retracting then the cable is probably ok - there is a contact that uses the torque of the the motor to break the curcuit once the antenna is up or down - it is likley that the contact is dirty or fried - you have to take it out to fix it so you may as well replace it while you are in there - if you loosen the exhaust hanger you can squeeze in enough to get it loose - unless you are ncrs crazy then go to napa and get a three wire waterproof connector to hook up the new wires - its alot easier that trying to fish a new wire down the tunnel - dave
