antenna not fully retracting
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 138
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From: Round Rock texas
antenna not fully retracting
On my 94 the power antenna will only retract down to about 8 inches. I can push it completely down and it will extend fully when the radio is turned on. But on shutoff it only retracts down so there are about 8 inches still extended.
Any suggestions?
Any suggestions?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,793
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From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
touch base with Hogan. His Ruby has the same problem that I believe he found a work around for... and he knows where to buy a quality but cheap replacement.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 898
Likes: 1
From: Pearland Texas
replaceable mast
The gearing on that peticular area is probally worn out. I found a replacement on ebay. Most Corvette part suppliers have them. Simple to replace, even have the tools included. The trick is to turn the mast the right way so the motors gearing will catch and feed it down into the housing . It will self adjust once it is inplace. Be careful not to scratch the paint around the rubber grommett when removing. Good luck
Last edited by Dads90; Oct 6, 2006 at 01:08 AM.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 443
Likes: 1
From: Sault Ste. Marie MI
I have a '94 as well and had the same problem. I tried the replacement mast with the new toothed strip on it and had no luck.
I bought a replacement on ebay. It was an aftermarket and not an exact fit. To work in that area, you jack up the rear drivers side, take off the tire and peel back or remove the wheel housing inside wheel well. It's not that hard as it is molded plastic and just goes on with a few screws. then you can reach up and deal with the antenna. May be a good time to run a switch so it only goes up when you want it, not every time you pop in a cd. I ran wire from the pink wire through the cab, under the sill and up to the dash and put a switch sort of under the dash.
More than likely, you have a bit of a project on your hands, but it's not terrible and it' s nice once it's working again like it should.
I bought a replacement on ebay. It was an aftermarket and not an exact fit. To work in that area, you jack up the rear drivers side, take off the tire and peel back or remove the wheel housing inside wheel well. It's not that hard as it is molded plastic and just goes on with a few screws. then you can reach up and deal with the antenna. May be a good time to run a switch so it only goes up when you want it, not every time you pop in a cd. I ran wire from the pink wire through the cab, under the sill and up to the dash and put a switch sort of under the dash.
More than likely, you have a bit of a project on your hands, but it's not terrible and it' s nice once it's working again like it should.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,143
Likes: 488
From: Leonardtown Maryland
My '94 does the same thing and leaves about four inches sticking up. Problem is it is intermittent and doesn't do it all the time. I tried cleaning it but maybe I'll try soaking it more to see if there is some grime inside the mast.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,891
Likes: 2
From: Baltimore MD
Originally Posted by shacky
I have a '94 as well and had the same problem. I tried the replacement mast with the new toothed strip on it and had no luck.
I bought a replacement on ebay. It was an aftermarket and not an exact fit. To work in that area, you jack up the rear drivers side, take off the tire and peel back or remove the wheel housing inside wheel well. It's not that hard as it is molded plastic and just goes on with a few screws. then you can reach up and deal with the antenna. May be a good time to run a switch so it only goes up when you want it, not every time you pop in a cd. I ran wire from the pink wire through the cab, under the sill and up to the dash and put a switch sort of under the dash.
More than likely, you have a bit of a project on your hands, but it's not terrible and it' s nice once it's working again like it should.
I bought a replacement on ebay. It was an aftermarket and not an exact fit. To work in that area, you jack up the rear drivers side, take off the tire and peel back or remove the wheel housing inside wheel well. It's not that hard as it is molded plastic and just goes on with a few screws. then you can reach up and deal with the antenna. May be a good time to run a switch so it only goes up when you want it, not every time you pop in a cd. I ran wire from the pink wire through the cab, under the sill and up to the dash and put a switch sort of under the dash.
More than likely, you have a bit of a project on your hands, but it's not terrible and it' s nice once it's working again like it should.
Mast replacement is the first thing I would have checked if the antenna motor was still good - i.e. - it runs when power is applied.
The process is simple takes about 15 minutes, works best with two people, a person to turn on and off the radio and you doing the work catching the pushed up mast and replacing it with the new one.
There are many many threads on the subject here with exact instructions on how to accomplish this task.
Normally the gears in the motor don't give way that often unless someone has tried to force the old mast down manually. This could shear off a few teeth I guess and cause erratic operation.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,966
Likes: 709
From: WI
Mine did that a few times, what I did was push the antenna all the way down, then disconnect the battery. This fixed it the few times it's happened. It's like it had to clear the radio's memory of how long the antenna motor should run. I don't know a lot about the system but that is what worked for me.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Check the C4 TechTips section for the write-up on how to remove the broken sections of antenna ribbon that are clogging up your motor.
That's where your problem lies.
That's where your problem lies.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 215
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From: Conway AR
Gee, I guess I'm kinda dumb. I've got the same problem with my 94, the mast doesn't go down the last 4 or 5 inches. I've looked in the shop manual and it says to have 1 person turn the radio on and off while the other person guides the mast out. Then you just guide the new mast (with plastic wire with gear facing the correct direction) back in.
Well, the GM replacement mast I got, has a nice little sliding bushing with a shoulder on it that prevents the mast from coming out until the bushing is removed. Only thing is, it's between the mast and the body of the antenna housing.
What do you do? Cut the old mast off and use needle nose pliers to get the bushing out? Take the complete antenna housing out and take it apart and then replace the mast?
Boy, I sure wish someone would educate me on this supposedly simple repair.
Well, the GM replacement mast I got, has a nice little sliding bushing with a shoulder on it that prevents the mast from coming out until the bushing is removed. Only thing is, it's between the mast and the body of the antenna housing.
What do you do? Cut the old mast off and use needle nose pliers to get the bushing out? Take the complete antenna housing out and take it apart and then replace the mast?
Boy, I sure wish someone would educate me on this supposedly simple repair.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Originally Posted by Arkybill
Gee, I guess I'm kinda dumb. I've got the same problem with my 94, the mast doesn't go down the last 4 or 5 inches. I've looked in the shop manual and it says to have 1 person turn the radio on and off while the other person guides the mast out. Then you just guide the new mast (with plastic wire with gear facing the correct direction) back in.
Well, the GM replacement mast I got, has a nice little sliding bushing with a shoulder on it that prevents the mast from coming out until the bushing is removed. Only thing is, it's between the mast and the body of the antenna housing.
What do you do? Cut the old mast off and use needle nose pliers to get the bushing out? Take the complete antenna housing out and take it apart and then replace the mast?
Boy, I sure wish someone would educate me on this supposedly simple repair.
Well, the GM replacement mast I got, has a nice little sliding bushing with a shoulder on it that prevents the mast from coming out until the bushing is removed. Only thing is, it's between the mast and the body of the antenna housing.
What do you do? Cut the old mast off and use needle nose pliers to get the bushing out? Take the complete antenna housing out and take it apart and then replace the mast?
Boy, I sure wish someone would educate me on this supposedly simple repair.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 73
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From: NY
Mine did the same thing for about a month. I was ready to order a new mast but then it just started working again. It's been about six weeks since I've had a problem.
I don't really believe that it's fixed for good, but I've got my fingers crossed.
Good luck with yours!
I don't really believe that it's fixed for good, but I've got my fingers crossed.
Good luck with yours!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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Originally Posted by Bill L
Mine did the same thing for about a month. I was ready to order a new mast but then it just started working again. It's been about six weeks since I've had a problem.
I don't really believe that it's fixed for good, but I've got my fingers crossed.
Good luck with yours!
I don't really believe that it's fixed for good, but I've got my fingers crossed.
Good luck with yours!
The fix is to remove the antenna motor, open it up, take out the broken bits of ribbon clogging the gears, re-install the motor, then insert the replacement mast down the hole.
Last edited by onedef92; Oct 11, 2006 at 07:52 AM.