1980 power antenna
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 365
From: The Motor City
There is a dedicated power/switch signal connector wire at your radio. Check your shop manual or do a Google search for the color (may be different color than my '82 so easy homework will get you there. There is also a power antenna power connection at the left (driver's side) located directly next to or behind the left rear speaker. Suggest that you disconnect your battery and use a small brass wire brush (Dollar store or Home Depot) and brush off the corrosion at the connections. While you are there, do the same to every (100% of) every connector you can access while you are there, especially when behind the dash console - and, you definitely won't regret adding a dab of anti-oxidant (or silicone grease) to every cleaned connection to avoid future such issues.
That said, if you have an aftermarket antenna, unfortunately you're on your own, there. If you have the original (far superior design and worth the relatively minimal effort to replace the nylon lift strap if it ever fails), it could be the Mercury switch inside of the antenna assembly.
Those are the three places with the highest likelihood of a clean, long lasting repair. Face it, sometimes you've gotta have clear FM tunes in a (the mother of) class act like a C3!!
That said, if you have an aftermarket antenna, unfortunately you're on your own, there. If you have the original (far superior design and worth the relatively minimal effort to replace the nylon lift strap if it ever fails), it could be the Mercury switch inside of the antenna assembly.
Those are the three places with the highest likelihood of a clean, long lasting repair. Face it, sometimes you've gotta have clear FM tunes in a (the mother of) class act like a C3!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 22
From: Crystal Lake IL
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
well could be the antenna is being finicky to whats being played on the radio. other than that, make sure all the connections are tight and you have good clean ground surface.
