86 Antenna Motor Shot?

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Feb 10, 2007 | 01:21 PM

geezel

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Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 1,234

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From: Herriman UT

86 Antenna Motor Shot?

My antenna is stuck half way up. The antenna motor doesn't run when I turn on the radio. Is there an in line fuse near the radio to check before I replace the antenna / motor assembly?

Feb 10, 2007 | 04:07 PM

coupeguy2001

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From: Phoenix AZ

2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist

antenna

There is an antenna relay under the black plastic tray back in the back inside the car. It's where the catch is for the hatchback, forward of the fuel cap to the left. It is surrounded in insulation and foam so you can't hear it when it is clicking.
Have someone turn the radio on and off a few times to verify the relay is working while you stand at the back of the car. If it isn't, the coil voltage comes from the radio, and the power for the antenna motor comes from a fuse. (2 sources)
THen do the following:
First turn the car ignition switch to on, turn the radio on, but don't start the engine. go back to the antenna and see if you hear the antenna motor run.
If it's not running, you need to unplug the antenna, and check for 12 volts on the car side of the plug. If you don't have volts, it could be the radio, or the antenna fuse or the relay.
If you have volts, the relay is ok, and so is the radio. If the antenna isn't running, play with the mast, and see if it isn't stuck. usually, if you turn it not pull it, you can unstick a stuck antenna (say that 3 times)

If the antenna motor is running, and the mast is not moving, you probably have a bad mast. The mast is available from Mid America, or Eckler's.
just my 2c
Chris

Last edited by coupeguy2001; Feb 10, 2007 at 04:13 PM.

Feb 10, 2007 | 09:27 PM

AGENT 86

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From: Summerland B.C. Canada

http://members.shaw.ca/agent86/Power%20Antenna.pdf

Feb 11, 2007 | 11:55 AM

rick lambert

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2003

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From: seattle WA

worst thing I did when I replaced the mast was to stay with the OEM on my 87, I wish I would have up graded to a later model, with the later years you can replace the mast and ribbon easily from the top.

Dec 25, 2011 | 02:43 PM

Da Mail Man

Safety Car

Joined: Jul 2004

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**ran into this today after i found that my antenna is stuck in the almost fully extended position...Checked all associated fuses and then some....looked for schematic of 88 vette coup antenna (Bose) and could not find anything and, am currently out of town like a lot of other folks during the holidays w/out helms....Have replaced ribbon a few times over the years too...relay clicks but, need voltage measurements to the output of the relay to determine if relay is bad...ANYONE? (comments below on previous post);

There is an antenna relay under the black plastic tray back in the back inside the car.It's where the catch is for the hatchback, forward of the fuel cap to the left. It is surrounded in insulation and foam so you can't hear it when it is clicking.
**YUP

Have someone turn the radio on and off a few times to verify the relay is working while you stand at the back of the car.
**IT IS

If it isn't, the coil voltage comes from the radio, and the power for the antenna motor comes from a fuse. (2 sources)
**N/A

THen do the following:
First turn the car ignition switch to on, turn the radio on, but don't start the engine. go back to the antenna and see if you hear the antenna motor run.
**IT IS NOT

If it's not running, you need to unplug the antenna, and check for 12 volts on the car side of the plug.
**THERE IS BUT, FORGET WHAT "PINS".

If you don't have volts, it could be the radio, or the antenna fuse or the relay.
**N/A

If you have volts, the relay is ok, and so is the radio.
**NO NECESSARILY SO (RE: RELAY)...COULD BE THAT THE "PRIMARY" OF THE RELAY IS GOOD AND THE "OUTPUT/SECONDARY" IS BAD.

If the antenna isn't running, play with the mast, and see if it isn't stuck.
**DID THAT - DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL - SUSPECT MOTOR TOOK A DUMP OR, MAST RIBBON IS BINDING.

usually, if you turn it not pull it, you can unstick a stuck antenna (say that 3 times)
**HEAR NOTHING BUT, THE SURROUND ENVIRONMENT IS NOT QUIET ENOUGH TO PE POSITIVELY SURE...NOT BLOWING FUSES SO, COULD BE ISSUES BACK TO MOTOR OR BAD OUTPUT ON RELAY.

If the antenna motor is running, and the mast is not moving, you probably have a bad mast. The mast is available from Mid America, or Eckler's.