Power Antenna problem
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,057
Likes: 5
From: Bay Shore, NY
Power Antenna problem
OK, the antenna was fully extended when I got the car and was told it didn't work. That was fine with me. When I looked underneath the car to see if it was a stock unit or aftermarket unit, I noticed the white wire was broken. I took a jumper wire and connected them and the antenna started to go down. Pretty cool I thought until I turned the radio on and it didn't go back up like it should. Now the antenna is in the down position and I haven't been able to get it to go back up again - I don't think Viagra will work for this.
Is the antenna completely shot or could it be the relay? Is there a way to jump the leads off the relay to be sure? Any help is appreciated.
Is the antenna completely shot or could it be the relay? Is there a way to jump the leads off the relay to be sure? Any help is appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,316
Likes: 246
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Muncie Indiana
Just Did Mine
Wow I just did this last week.
First you should do a search for power antenna tech tips. There is one posted by Julian Shipp on 6/8/01. An update to Julian's post by Strick on 3/16/05, and a post by MrRenoman on 3/18/05. All of these except Julian's should be found under tech/perf since they were written in the last 2 weeks.
I would strongly suggest you follow Julian's suggestion of takeing the unit out and get inside it to clean out the broken pieces of the plastic cable.
Pay particular attention to the location of the spacers and washers. I did'nt and had to pull the antenna motor two extra times until I got it right.
When it comes time to install the new mast go to someone you know that has done this before. Have them put the cable in motor as you turn the radio on and off.
If you know someone that works for a used car lot as their mechanic that fixes electical problems and other accessory problems he may be able to get the mast from GM at a reduced cost
Julian's article https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=17&TopicID=2
First you should do a search for power antenna tech tips. There is one posted by Julian Shipp on 6/8/01. An update to Julian's post by Strick on 3/16/05, and a post by MrRenoman on 3/18/05. All of these except Julian's should be found under tech/perf since they were written in the last 2 weeks.
I would strongly suggest you follow Julian's suggestion of takeing the unit out and get inside it to clean out the broken pieces of the plastic cable.
Pay particular attention to the location of the spacers and washers. I did'nt and had to pull the antenna motor two extra times until I got it right.
When it comes time to install the new mast go to someone you know that has done this before. Have them put the cable in motor as you turn the radio on and off.
If you know someone that works for a used car lot as their mechanic that fixes electical problems and other accessory problems he may be able to get the mast from GM at a reduced cost
Julian's article https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...D=17&TopicID=2
Last edited by John Robinson; Mar 23, 2005 at 04:07 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,057
Likes: 5
From: Bay Shore, NY
At this point, I'd actually replace the antenna with a new one. I just want to make sure there's power going to it from the radio to bring it up and down before I buy a replacement.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 1
From: OR
One wire should have 12v to it all the time. One should have 12v when the radio is switched on. Another is ground. 12v to those two wires at the same time will power it up. 12v to one only powers it down.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Hernando FL
god...just put a new mast in my 86 today...it would go down and up limited....upon taking the whole deal out..it had a broken cable in two places in motor! At about 20 years of going up and down..you wouldnt expest that palstice cable to last forever..lol..I broke off the rivets..replaced with nuts and bolts..works great. A new mast cost 60 bucks ..better than spending 140 or so on a whole antenna.. And by the way AGENT..thanks for your help on my climate control question a few days ago...its working..peace
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 323
Likes: 1
From: Muncie Indiana
The rest of the procedure
Here is the rest of the information needed to fix antenna. If you don't have them invest in 4 jack stands and a could floor jack. You will pay for them on the first job.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1040092
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1040092
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 94
From: Westfield MA
Newer Antenna Option?
I have an 86 and heard that the newer antenna style was adaptable to the older cars and worked better. Is this like the power window system where it may be better to just go with the new setup rather than repair the old one?
My antenna is about 3/4 of the way up which is where it was when I got the car. The girl I bought it from said that the previous owner cut the wire to it because it was continuously running. I am guessing with some surgery, I could probably just replace the mast, but if it is going to fail again, I don't mind springing for the newer unit.
My antenna is about 3/4 of the way up which is where it was when I got the car. The girl I bought it from said that the previous owner cut the wire to it because it was continuously running. I am guessing with some surgery, I could probably just replace the mast, but if it is going to fail again, I don't mind springing for the newer unit.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,057
Likes: 5
From: Bay Shore, NY
I suspected the wire on mine was cut for the same reason. I've looked up the retro-fit antenna on eBay and they're pretty reasonable. Once I am certain that power is being distributed the right way, I'll pick one up.
