Yea, yea . . . another antenna thread.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 54
From: Sparta New Jersey
Yea, yea . . . another antenna thread.
I'm wading my way through 479 posts after doing a search about my antenna problem so I figured I'd post a new thread now so it can percolate while I'm reading.
This is my first 'vette so I'm a newb, I don't know much. My antenna works . . . it goes up and down, and up and down, it goes up all the way but not all the way down. When it stops there is still about 12 to 14 " sticking up. The segments of the antenna move freely so that's not the problem. Is this indicative of damage to the track on the antenna? Is it likely that a new mast will fix the issue? I've been studying the manual but I haven't found anything that specifically describes this symptom. Since the motor is still working if a new mast will fix it I'll probably do that. If I'm looking at a new antenna unit then I may just go non-retractable and fix the power antenna at my leisure for later installation.
Thank you for reading this and for any input you might have.
This is my first 'vette so I'm a newb, I don't know much. My antenna works . . . it goes up and down, and up and down, it goes up all the way but not all the way down. When it stops there is still about 12 to 14 " sticking up. The segments of the antenna move freely so that's not the problem. Is this indicative of damage to the track on the antenna? Is it likely that a new mast will fix the issue? I've been studying the manual but I haven't found anything that specifically describes this symptom. Since the motor is still working if a new mast will fix it I'll probably do that. If I'm looking at a new antenna unit then I may just go non-retractable and fix the power antenna at my leisure for later installation.
Thank you for reading this and for any input you might have.
Last edited by rusty76; Jul 1, 2019 at 01:16 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 60
From: ft myers FL/Munising MI
welcome....a year would help with your problems when you post.....can't help you too much as I eliminated mine for a in-dash and sealed the antenna hole....but I do know that most work off a "ribbon" which is replaceable....sounds like that's your problem....
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 241
Likes: 77
From: Arlington VA
Yes, this sounds like the antenna mast ribbon has a problem. Not expensive and not too bad to fix. You'd have to take it out anyway to replace it with a fixed mast, so why not just fix it?
The ribbon breaking or otherwise not working was kinda a common problem with this mast for most GM cars. Fixed many back in the day. Good luck with the repair what ever you decide!
The ribbon breaking or otherwise not working was kinda a common problem with this mast for most GM cars. Fixed many back in the day. Good luck with the repair what ever you decide!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 54
From: Sparta New Jersey
Thanks for the reply.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 54
From: Sparta New Jersey
Yes, this sounds like the antenna mast ribbon has a problem. Not expensive and not too bad to fix. You'd have to take it out anyway to replace it with a fixed mast, so why not just fix it?
The ribbon breaking or otherwise not working was kinda a common problem with this mast for most GM cars. Fixed many back in the day. Good luck with the repair what ever you decide!
The ribbon breaking or otherwise not working was kinda a common problem with this mast for most GM cars. Fixed many back in the day. Good luck with the repair what ever you decide!
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,692
Likes: 490
From: Denver, NC
you have to take the motor out, open it up and replace the mast/ribbon assy. Some of the old ribbon is most likely broken off inside the motor. antennamastsrus.com is the best place to get it from in my experience. If the motor has plastic studs melted over to retain the antenna cover, you drill the tips off and use little screws to reassemble.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I recently replaced the entire antenna in my '88 and it was a freakin' night-mare. Considering the difficulty I just replaced the entire unit.
Fortunately for you it will be rather simple in your '93. Check out the utube vids on "how to".
Fortunately for you it will be rather simple in your '93. Check out the utube vids on "how to".
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 54
From: Sparta New Jersey
Thanks for the replies. I was checking out masts are us. I'll have a look on Youtube. I guess I'll wait till the summer is over before I tear into it. No sense having the car down during nice driving weather.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 54
From: Sparta New Jersey
Today I started messing with the antenna mast on my '93 so I figured I'd update this thread.
I started by pushing the antenna all the way down so I could easily get a pair of right angle needle points onto the nut to get it off. When I did this it was obvious that the ribbon teeth were engaged with the drive wheel on the motor because I could feel the resistance. I was then able to pop the mast out. I expected to see obvious evidence of damage to the tape but I didn't. I wiped off the ribbon pretty well and did a closer examination, there are no damaged teeth on the ribbon. I took a good look at the leading end of the tape and it had a factory end on it. It didn't appear to have been broken off.
I'm thinking one of two things is happening.
Before I decide to remove the motor assembly I think I might put the mast back in and mess with it to see if I can come to a conclusion about what's going on.
I started by pushing the antenna all the way down so I could easily get a pair of right angle needle points onto the nut to get it off. When I did this it was obvious that the ribbon teeth were engaged with the drive wheel on the motor because I could feel the resistance. I was then able to pop the mast out. I expected to see obvious evidence of damage to the tape but I didn't. I wiped off the ribbon pretty well and did a closer examination, there are no damaged teeth on the ribbon. I took a good look at the leading end of the tape and it had a factory end on it. It didn't appear to have been broken off.
I'm thinking one of two things is happening.
- Someone before me replaced the mast and didn't remove a broken section from the housing before installing the new mast and it's preventing the mast from fully retracting. Since I was able to easily push the mast all the way down I'm not sure that's what's happening.
- Someone replaced the mast but didn't get it correctly threaded into the housing so it never fully retracted. I'm wondering about this because I saw references to this happening while researching the antenna issue. I don't remember where I read about or watched it.
Before I decide to remove the motor assembly I think I might put the mast back in and mess with it to see if I can come to a conclusion about what's going on.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,274
Likes: 399
From: Tacoma WA
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
You are probably right on the call that someone try to replace it. Unfortunately some of the vendors make it sound like all you have to do is take the old one out and slip the new one in but too often there is the broken end remaining in the actual motor and this results in what you are experiencing. I had the same issue and once I removed the motor from the car, opened it up and removed the broken piece, the new one worked perfectly.
it is not a hard job, but can be a pain to accomplish since they did not make it easy to get in there.
it is not a hard job, but can be a pain to accomplish since they did not make it easy to get in there.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
After you get that under control, and want to get away from the incessant up-down-up-down-up-down-up-down, here's how I modified mine:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1600804607
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1600804607
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 54
From: Sparta New Jersey
After you get that under control, and want to get away from the incessant up-down-up-down-up-down-up-down, here's how I modified mine:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1600804607
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1600804607
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 54
From: Sparta New Jersey
You are probably right on the call that someone try to replace it. Unfortunately some of the vendors make it sound like all you have to do is take the old one out and slip the new one in but too often there is the broken end remaining in the actual motor and this results in what you are experiencing. I had the same issue and once I removed the motor from the car, opened it up and removed the broken piece, the new one worked perfectly.
it is not a hard job, but can be a pain to accomplish since they did not make it easy to get in there.
it is not a hard job, but can be a pain to accomplish since they did not make it easy to get in there.
Just sitting here thinking about it, I'm thinking I'd better spend some time with the mast and a heat gun to try to get the tape straight again. I doubt I'll be able to get the tape fed into the motor correctly with it curled up like it is right now.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
You say you only ran one wire and picked up power from an orange wire in the console. Did you just cap off the other end of the wire you cut to the relay in the bin?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 54
From: Sparta New Jersey
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 388
Likes: 54
From: Sparta New Jersey
I read your link last night before I replied. My issue was I couldn't remember which color the guy in the video spliced into until I found it again.
Let me make sure I understand.
Using the method in the video if you splice a switch into the pink line, when you throw the switch the mast will retract and stay retracted until you flipped the switch again.
Using the method you outlined when you flip the switch, spliced into the orange wire, the mast will stop wherever it is in it's cycle and stay there until you flip the switch again?
If I do understand correctly . . . maybe I need 2 switches??
Let me make sure I understand.
Using the method in the video if you splice a switch into the pink line, when you throw the switch the mast will retract and stay retracted until you flipped the switch again.
Using the method you outlined when you flip the switch, spliced into the orange wire, the mast will stop wherever it is in it's cycle and stay there until you flip the switch again?
If I do understand correctly . . . maybe I need 2 switches??
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 550
From: Mission Viejo CA
You don't need two switches.
With the switch in the PINK wire:
Switch ON . . . Fully up when the stereo is on; fully down when the stereo is off.
Switch OFF . . . Antenna goes fully down, and stays down at all times. No intermediate antenna positions are possible. Fully up or fully down only!
With the switch in the ORANGE wire:
Switch ON . . . Antenna goes fully up when you turn on the stereo. Antenna goes fully down when you turn off the stereo. You can "park" the antenna at any height by turning the switch OFF at your chosen height.
Switch OFF . . . Antenna stays where it is regardless of whether the stereo is on or off. If you want the antenna to stay down, turn the switch OFF before you turn on your stereo.
With the switch in the PINK wire:
Switch ON . . . Fully up when the stereo is on; fully down when the stereo is off.
Switch OFF . . . Antenna goes fully down, and stays down at all times. No intermediate antenna positions are possible. Fully up or fully down only!
With the switch in the ORANGE wire:
Switch ON . . . Antenna goes fully up when you turn on the stereo. Antenna goes fully down when you turn off the stereo. You can "park" the antenna at any height by turning the switch OFF at your chosen height.
Switch OFF . . . Antenna stays where it is regardless of whether the stereo is on or off. If you want the antenna to stay down, turn the switch OFF before you turn on your stereo.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 225
Likes: 81
From: Vancouver, WA