1990 antenna
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
1990 antenna
Trying to help out a friend that needs a new power antenna for his 90 Vert. It seems like the 90-92 antenna is made of unobtanium, can you retrofit any other years easily ?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 168
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From: New York
When you turn the radio on do you hear the antenna motor run? If not, the antenna relay may be bad. 8A of the FSM has a schematic where you can troubleshoot the relay. If the motor does run when the radio is turned on but the antenna doesn't go up the nylon toothed strip attached to the antenna mast is probably broken. A common problem with these antenna motors. I had to replace both on my 90 at two different times.
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If its the the ribbon it is replaceable and can be found thru many of the corvette supply houses.
Stellabarbara
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 99
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From: Washington Michigan
2015 C4 of Year Finalist
Power antenna stopped working. No noise and antenna will not retract. Part is discontinued for both OEM part numbers. 10098488 and 10098475. Could it be my relay gone bad? It was working , stopped car, turned off and antenna would not go down. Is it easy to replace the relay and what do they cost now. I think I should start there first, because I can’t find a power antenna unless I want to pay $250 for a used one… Help please.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 168
Likes: 22
From: New York
You're responding/ asking a question on a thread that's almost 3 years old. Might have been better off starting a new thread.............. any way by what you described it sounds like the relay went bad. Almost all Corvette aftermarket sites sell them. Not sure where it's located on the coupe. On my vert it's located under the carpet driver's side all the way at the back. Antenna unit itself is hard to find in good working condition. I fixed mine with a mast repair kit from Zip Corvette.
Last edited by abuonagura; Sep 15, 2022 at 09:03 PM. Reason: Change answer
Stellabarbara
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 99
Likes: 11
From: Washington Michigan
2015 C4 of Year Finalist
Thank you. I noticed that after I posted it. I’m thinking it’s the relay also. Thank you for the up date. I will check the relay way first before I spend too much money. Again thank you. Lol. Been a while since I used the site. Sweetie runs like a champ and I want to keep her that way.. Stellabarbara
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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These instructions from 20+ years ago are pretty accurate for mast replacement of the '90 power antenna. Of course you do appropriate diagnostics first and then when it's mast and cable replacement time this is likely the easiest approach. Generally there's remnants of the old cable inside and having the antenna on a bench is a 'plus'!
These were posted originally I believe by @chuckster
-----------------------------------------------------
Power Antenna Removal and Removal of remaining broken mast ribbon
1. Open rear hatch and remove trim panel from rear edge of cargo area
2. Disconnect power antenna power lead from relay. This is along the rear edge inside the foam insulation. The lead has one green and 2 white wires
3. Remove the trim from the left side of the cargo area
4. Remove the Cargo shade track located just under the trim
5. Remove the speaker grill
6. Peel back the carpet.
7. You will now be able to see inside behind the cargo track. This is where the Antenna lead is..The connection is right there. Pull it apart
8. Remove left rear tire
9. Remove the wheel well liner
10. You can then see the 2 nuts mounting the Antenna unit to the inside of the fender.
11. Here is the tricky part… Reach up and follow your hand along the antenna wire starting from the unit. Follow it up to the point where it goes into the inside of the car. There is a big rubber grommet that is molded around the antenna/power wires. Pry it out of it’s mounting hole with your fingers. Once it is out the rest of the harness will slide of the hole.
12. Remove the antenna unit from the car
13. Lay unit on workbench and pull up the rubber skirt
14. You will see the circular spool where the ribbon winds up. Remove the cover. This has 3 screws and a small nut in the center.
15. Now remove the plastic spool. Here is where the remainder of the broken ribbon will be. Remove any remains and reassemble the unit.
16. Install new antenna mast and reinstall Unit
These were posted originally I believe by @chuckster
-----------------------------------------------------
Power Antenna Removal and Removal of remaining broken mast ribbon
1. Open rear hatch and remove trim panel from rear edge of cargo area
2. Disconnect power antenna power lead from relay. This is along the rear edge inside the foam insulation. The lead has one green and 2 white wires
3. Remove the trim from the left side of the cargo area
4. Remove the Cargo shade track located just under the trim
5. Remove the speaker grill
6. Peel back the carpet.
7. You will now be able to see inside behind the cargo track. This is where the Antenna lead is..The connection is right there. Pull it apart
8. Remove left rear tire
9. Remove the wheel well liner
10. You can then see the 2 nuts mounting the Antenna unit to the inside of the fender.
11. Here is the tricky part… Reach up and follow your hand along the antenna wire starting from the unit. Follow it up to the point where it goes into the inside of the car. There is a big rubber grommet that is molded around the antenna/power wires. Pry it out of it’s mounting hole with your fingers. Once it is out the rest of the harness will slide of the hole.
12. Remove the antenna unit from the car
13. Lay unit on workbench and pull up the rubber skirt
14. You will see the circular spool where the ribbon winds up. Remove the cover. This has 3 screws and a small nut in the center.
15. Now remove the plastic spool. Here is where the remainder of the broken ribbon will be. Remove any remains and reassemble the unit.
16. Install new antenna mast and reinstall Unit
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Stellabarbara
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 99
Likes: 11
From: Washington Michigan
2015 C4 of Year Finalist
it’s located in the rear bumper where the antenna is located. Car needs to be on a lift to replace it. Just my cable broke and i was able to fix it, of which took 10 min. Unfortunately , the grommet cost $25 to replace. Being in there for 35 years took a toll on the rubber. Good luck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: So Cal
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Earlier in the thread the relay location in a Convertible is cited correctly: "On my vert it's located under the carpet driver's side all the way at the back."
In a coupe the relay is under the rear trim panel. Open the hatch, remove the trim, relay on the RH side of car and latch.
In neither body is the relay located under the car, nor requires a lift to access.
Antenna Relay. 1992 Coupe.
1992 Coupe Antenna Relay. Convertible relay is similar, location is under carpet, driver side, high up near deck lid.
Last edited by IHBD; Jun 20, 2025 at 04:46 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 166
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From: Connecticut, USA
Power antenna stopped working. No noise and antenna will not retract. Part is discontinued for both OEM part numbers. 10098488 and 10098475. Could it be my relay gone bad? It was working , stopped car, turned off and antenna would not go down. Is it easy to replace the relay and what do they cost now. I think I should start there first, because I can’t find a power antenna unless I want to pay $250 for a used one… Help please.
I'm doing all that to my '89. I have a Retrofit Antenna from Ekler's, $69. I have a convertible, and some water must have dripped on the relay because it was completely corroded. I bought a known-good used relay off eBay. I couldn't find one anywhere else for the price I wanted to pay.