Antenna Advice
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2
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From: Austin TX
Antenna Advice
Hi, everyone!
I've recently inherited one of my father's Vettes (1984) and have moved away from my family, friends, and, perhaps more importantly, my regular mechanic. This site looks fun and supportive, so I'll do my best not to post too many naïve questions.
That being said, I have a question about the problem I'm having with my antenna mast: the motor won't shut off even when the key is removed from the ignition, and the antenna won't lower. We've disconnected the battery, afraid that it would be drained overnight, but what can/should I do to fix the problem? Does the motor need to be replaced, or could I simply pull a fuse and repair it later? (If it needs a new motor, is that something I can do myself or does it need a pro?)
I've recently inherited one of my father's Vettes (1984) and have moved away from my family, friends, and, perhaps more importantly, my regular mechanic. This site looks fun and supportive, so I'll do my best not to post too many naïve questions.
That being said, I have a question about the problem I'm having with my antenna mast: the motor won't shut off even when the key is removed from the ignition, and the antenna won't lower. We've disconnected the battery, afraid that it would be drained overnight, but what can/should I do to fix the problem? Does the motor need to be replaced, or could I simply pull a fuse and repair it later? (If it needs a new motor, is that something I can do myself or does it need a pro?)
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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More than likely you need to replace your antenna mast with a new one. They are available from the dealer or online at Eckler's Corvettes, Mid-America Motorworks (MAM) etc...
However, if you have broken bits of antenna ribbon jammed inside your motor gears, you'll have to remove the entire motor assembly and either open it up and remove the offending bits of ribbon inside, or buy a new antenna motor/mast assembly.
Check the C4 Tech Tips section for the article on how to replace the antenna mast.
However, if you have broken bits of antenna ribbon jammed inside your motor gears, you'll have to remove the entire motor assembly and either open it up and remove the offending bits of ribbon inside, or buy a new antenna motor/mast assembly.
Check the C4 Tech Tips section for the article on how to replace the antenna mast.
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,651
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From: Atlantis
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I replaced the one on my '84 with the electric antenna from Advance AUto Parts.
It's been going strong for about 7~8 years.
Think it was about $29 when I bought it several years ago.
They still have them because I was in there Wednesday and saw one.
They've probably gone up on them since I got mine.
A $125 antenna isn't 'my thing'.
I just want it to work, go up/down and look mostly like 'fatry'.
I don't 'feel the need' for an original antenna and would do it this way again.
Think I may have used some of the original washers and chrome top washer to make it look good when I swapped the antenna.
It's been several years so I don't remember the details.
Think I'll go out, clean and oil it now.
BTW........ IIRC I had to go in behind the left rear speaker OR behind the rear cargo cover to get to the connector for the antenna AND the coax cable. It's back there and it runs down and to the antenna. It's a little bit of a PITA but not really bad to get to.
It's been going strong for about 7~8 years.
Think it was about $29 when I bought it several years ago.
They still have them because I was in there Wednesday and saw one.
They've probably gone up on them since I got mine.
A $125 antenna isn't 'my thing'.
I just want it to work, go up/down and look mostly like 'fatry'.
I don't 'feel the need' for an original antenna and would do it this way again.
Think I may have used some of the original washers and chrome top washer to make it look good when I swapped the antenna.
It's been several years so I don't remember the details.
Think I'll go out, clean and oil it now.
BTW........ IIRC I had to go in behind the left rear speaker OR behind the rear cargo cover to get to the connector for the antenna AND the coax cable. It's back there and it runs down and to the antenna. It's a little bit of a PITA but not really bad to get to.
Last edited by VetNutJim; Mar 9, 2007 at 12:25 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,297
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From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Welcome aboard 
Remove the trim around backside of cargo area. Beside the hatch latch, you will find the antenna relay. Unplug it and you power drain is gone. The mast repair kit is about $20 at GM. Remove the wheel and inner fender and you will have better access to remove the motor/mast.
http://members.shaw.ca/dankai/Power%20Antenna.pdf
Remove the trim around backside of cargo area. Beside the hatch latch, you will find the antenna relay. Unplug it and you power drain is gone. The mast repair kit is about $20 at GM. Remove the wheel and inner fender and you will have better access to remove the motor/mast.
http://members.shaw.ca/dankai/Power%20Antenna.pdf
Pro
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 602
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From: North Bay Ontario
Welcome aboard Longhorn...
I'd bet that the ribbon that wraps around the spool inside your antenna motor has broken. They get brittle after 20 or so years! The good news is it sounds like your motor is still working fine and as others have said, you only need to change the mast. The motor will only shut off when the antenna has reached the end of its travel - either opened or closed. Not a difficult job to change the mast - the worst part of the job is removing and reinstalling the rubber grommet where the wires go through the body near the location of your connector. You need to remove this grommet in order to get the motor out so you can work on it on the bench. To get inside the motor, you'll need to drill out the rivets and replace them with short bolts when you reassemble.
I'd bet that the ribbon that wraps around the spool inside your antenna motor has broken. They get brittle after 20 or so years! The good news is it sounds like your motor is still working fine and as others have said, you only need to change the mast. The motor will only shut off when the antenna has reached the end of its travel - either opened or closed. Not a difficult job to change the mast - the worst part of the job is removing and reinstalling the rubber grommet where the wires go through the body near the location of your connector. You need to remove this grommet in order to get the motor out so you can work on it on the bench. To get inside the motor, you'll need to drill out the rivets and replace them with short bolts when you reassemble.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 10,398
Likes: 4
From: McKinney Texas
I tore into mine a few months ago 
It was f'n fun.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1477118
It was f'n fun. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1477118
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From: Fort Knox, KY
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