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Replace or Repair

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Old Mar 17, 2007 | 10:50 PM
  #1  
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Default Replace or Repair

I have an 89 Vert and the power antenna has stopped raising. I haven't had the opportunity to check and see if the motor is running when I turn on the radio or not. The antenna is sticking up slightly, so I'm thinking may be the mast. If it's the mast, would you fix it or just replace the whole unit? It's 18 years old now, so i was thinking of just replacing the whole thing. I found an OEM unit on E-bay for 95.00. What do you guys think? Thanks.
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Old Mar 17, 2007 | 11:03 PM
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If it were me, I'd replace with new.
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Old Mar 18, 2007 | 01:17 AM
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On the 89 up I would relace rather than try to change the mask. I've had trouble getting them to work reliably, they tend to not go down all the way when you put the new mast in.
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Old Mar 18, 2007 | 09:10 AM
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pull it up and leave it up
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Old Mar 18, 2007 | 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by dobewillie
pull it up and leave it up


That is what I did.
Then I cut the power wire as it was always trying to retract.

It'll stay up until I buy a new unit this coming spring.
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Old Mar 18, 2007 | 10:04 AM
  #6  
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Originally Posted by Brtheez
It's 18 years old now, so i was thinking of just replacing the whole thing. I found an OEM unit on E-bay for 95.00. What do you guys think? Thanks.
having the same problem, i'm going to disconnect the power antenna motor as i don't listen to radio...cheapest fix...still haven't done it...a guy told me it will still pick up the strong signals as well, and i think the car looks better without the antenna retracted. if you like radio then $95 is probably worth it though.
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Old Mar 18, 2007 | 10:30 AM
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I'm cheap, bought the mast repair kit from GM for $25. Then installed an inline switch so I control when it's sees the light of day. Which is very rare because even when down, I still pick up good reception.
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Old Mar 18, 2007 | 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by dobewillie
pull it up and leave it up
I tried that, but it won't stay up. It slides back down in and I tried to push all the way down and it stil sticks up about an inch. I have to have a radio though.
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Old Mar 18, 2007 | 11:00 AM
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Same problem here on my 85. I just pulled the wire so the motor stops trying, then pull it up by hand if needed. I'm thinking of replaceing it with a fixed 31" thin black antenna for $10. They look so much better than the bulky multi section stock antenna. And you can always unscrew to go throgh a car wash or cover the car..I did this on my last car and it looked quite good. Just an idea.
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Old Mar 19, 2007 | 12:51 AM
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Gents: that lil old antenna mast is easy to fix for about $20, a few Bud Lites and some good bonding with the car. Take the assembly out of the car, remove the old ribbon crap, lub everything up and stick the new one in. I have replaced the masts on my 89 and a neighbors 91 and it ain't no big deal to have it working like new! It does take a few hours and the Bud Lite tastes good while you do it. I would like to know how the Agent installed a bypass switch to keep the mast down while you listen to Alabama on a cassette tape.
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Old Mar 19, 2007 | 01:01 AM
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Originally Posted by ChickMagnet
having the same problem, i'm going to disconnect the power antenna motor as i don't listen to radio...cheapest fix...still haven't done it...a guy told me it will still pick up the strong signals as well, and i think the car looks better without the antenna retracted. if you like radio then $95 is probably worth it though.
Same problem as well except reversed. It would go up and stay up. (Even if I replace it, it'll still stay disconnected because the thing going up and down drives me crazy because I typically listen to just CDs anyways.) Just pushed it down and disconnected it. Still gets stations in pretty good but then again, mine's a '93, could be a difference. Good luck!
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Old Mar 19, 2007 | 01:36 PM
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Retract the antenna to the down position and clip the wire. Then install a windshield antenna. That's what I did. Works great and only cost about $10.
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