86 Power Attenna
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
The antenna motor/drive is bad. Take the fuse out so you won't have to worry about the battery and you can still drive the car. You will need to replace the power antenna motor. Easy fix. Take the drivers side plastic wheel well liner out and you will have complete access to the antenna motor. Try to find a direct replacement motor (easily done on the internet auction site). Don't buy a universal antenna motor. Too many problems with installation with those. Job takes about one hour.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,017
Likes: 492
From: Poughkeepsie New York
Is the fix for this the same? Replace the unit? Mine doesnt go up or down on its own but moves freely by hand.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,333
Likes: 262
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Check out Cliffs thread on repairing his antenna, info and pics.
Here is some info from my 86 service manual
http://dankai.shawwebspace.ca/asset/...er_antenna.pdf
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 229
From: Pennsylvania
I personally wouldn't bother trying to replace the drive belt inside the motor unit. Even if that's all that's wrong with it. You have to take it all apart to do this and you may break something else while you have it apart. The unit is 28 years old now and just patching in something to fix it may be a waste of time. It will be cheaper, sure, at first, but shortly afterwards, the motor itself may bite the dust causing you to have to remove the whole thing again. Might as well replace the whole motor drive belt as assembly at once and be done with it. Probably about $175.00 and priceless as far as a piece of mind you won't have to worry about it anymore.
Last edited by FOURSPEEDVETTE; Jan 29, 2014 at 11:59 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,017
Likes: 492
From: Poughkeepsie New York
If it can move by hand and the motor works, replacing the nylon rod with finial end, is the cure. I got my mast rebuild kit from GM about 8 years ago, it was $25. Check out Cliffs thread on repairing his antenna, info and pics. Here is some info from my 86 service manual http://dankai.shawwebspace.ca/asset/...er_antenna.pdf
Here is some info from my 86 service manual http://dankai.shawwebspace.ca/asset/...er_antenna.pdf
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,017
Likes: 492
From: Poughkeepsie New York
I personally wouldn't bother trying to replace the drive belt inside the motor unit. Even if that's all that's wrong with it. You have to take it all apart to do this and you may break something else while you have it apart. The unit is 28 years old now and just patching in something to fix it may be a waste of time. It will be cheaper, sure, at first, but shortly afterwards, the motor itself may bite the dust causing you to have to remove the whole thing again. Might as well replace the whole motor drive belt as assembly at once and be done with it. Probably about $175.00 and priceless as far as a piece of mind you won't have to worry about it anymore.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,333
Likes: 262
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,017
Likes: 492
From: Poughkeepsie New York
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Since somebody mentioned my antenna repair thread, here's a link:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...post1585811362
Even if you decide to replace the whole thing you're going to have to remove the old one. Once it's out you might as well take it apart to see what's going on inside. Then decide if you want to spend less than $20 (if you look hard enough) for a nylon cord or buy the whole unit (roughly $180).
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...post1585811362
Even if you decide to replace the whole thing you're going to have to remove the old one. Once it's out you might as well take it apart to see what's going on inside. Then decide if you want to spend less than $20 (if you look hard enough) for a nylon cord or buy the whole unit (roughly $180).
Last edited by Cliff Harris; Jan 30, 2014 at 01:08 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,017
Likes: 492
From: Poughkeepsie New York
Since somebody mentioned my antenna repair thread, here's a link: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...post1585811362 Even if you decide to replace the whole thing you're going to have to remove the old one. Once it's out you might as well take it apart to see what's going on inside. Then decide if you want to spend less than $20 (if you look hard enough) for a nylon cord or buy the whole unit (roughly $180).
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Southern Illinois Illinois
Mine moves easily by hand so when I go out to fire her up, I raise the antenna and when I bring her home into the garage, I simply lower it. These things are noted for going bad so I figure until I replace the factory system, I'll save a few bucks and leave it as is.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 4,017
Likes: 492
From: Poughkeepsie New York
I just leave mine raised about 6" and leave it there. No problems with reception at all. It is a relatively inexpensive repair though. Got the mast and will be starting it as soon as I get the car back from the garage.
