Stuck power antenna
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Stuck power antenna
I have an ‘89 c4 corvette. The battery had a switch on the negative side to to turn it on and off. I had the radio on and the antenna was up. I was told to turn off the battery and then antenna stayed up as expected… but when I went to turn the battery back on and turn the radio off the antenna didn’t move. There is no humming or clicking. I tried turning it on and of and nothing changed and I had a had it go up and down over the less than the month I have had it. What can I do. Thanks in advance
Last edited by DM89; Apr 16, 2021 at 11:11 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 986
Likes: 487
I have an ‘89 c4 corvette. The battery had a switch on the negative side to to turn it on and off. I had the radio on and the antenna was up. I was told to turn off the battery and then antenna stayed up as expected… but when I went to turn the battery back on and turn the radio off the antenna didn’t move. There is no humming or clicking. I tried turning it on and of and nothing changed and I had a had it go up and down over the less than the month I have had it. What can I do. Thanks in advance
The power antenna is more trouble than it's worth.
After you eliminate it, glue the bezel down and fill the hole the mast comes up through with a black rubber vacuum hose cap and then never worry about it again.
Last edited by PacerX; Apr 16, 2021 at 11:40 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,583
Likes: 504
From: Indianapolis IN
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
I have an ‘89 c4 corvette. The battery had a switch on the negative side to to turn it on and off. I had the radio on and the antenna was up. I was told to turn off the battery and then antenna stayed up as expected… but when I went to turn the battery back on and turn the radio off the antenna didn’t move. There is no humming or clicking. I tried turning it on and of and nothing changed and I had a had it go up and down over the less than the month I have had it. What can I do. Thanks in advance
Not everything has to be ripped out and redesigned or replaced when it fails.
Last edited by Red86Z51; Apr 17, 2021 at 08:56 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 986
Likes: 487
Let's see... Benefits of losing the power antenna...
1) Better reception: CHECK!
2) Lower weight: CHECK!
3) Virtually invisible mod: CHECK!
4) Less electrical load on the car: CHECK!
5) More reliable: CHECK!
6) Less expensive than replacement: CHECK!
Negatives... Well... You might not win a Bloomington Gold Award... Ummmm... Uhhhh...
That's it. That's all I got. No Bloomington Gold.
Last edited by PacerX; Apr 17, 2021 at 10:07 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Let's just rip out the crap that's non-value added.
Let's see... Benefits of losing the power antenna...
1) Better reception: CHECK!
2) Lower weight: CHECK!
3) Virtually invisible mod: CHECK!
4) Less electrical load on the car: CHECK!
5) More reliable: CHECK!
6) Less expensive than replacement: CHECK!
Negatives... Well... You might not win a Bloomington Gold Award... Ummmm... Uhhhh...
That's it. That's all I got. No Bloomington Gold.
Let's see... Benefits of losing the power antenna...
1) Better reception: CHECK!
2) Lower weight: CHECK!
3) Virtually invisible mod: CHECK!
4) Less electrical load on the car: CHECK!
5) More reliable: CHECK!
6) Less expensive than replacement: CHECK!
Negatives... Well... You might not win a Bloomington Gold Award... Ummmm... Uhhhh...
That's it. That's all I got. No Bloomington Gold.
Would probably not like what else you've done to your car
Last edited by Cruisinfanatic; Apr 17, 2021 at 11:04 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,583
Likes: 504
From: Indianapolis IN
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Let's just rip out the crap that's non-value added.
Let's see... Benefits of losing the power antenna...
1) Better reception: CHECK!
2) Lower weight: CHECK!
3) Virtually invisible mod: CHECK!
4) Less electrical load on the car: CHECK!
6) Less expensive than replacement: CHECK!
Negatives... Well... You might not win a Bloomington Gold Award... Ummmm... Uhhhh...
That's it. That's all I got. No Bloomington Gold.
Let's see... Benefits of losing the power antenna...
1) Better reception: CHECK!
2) Lower weight: CHECK!
3) Virtually invisible mod: CHECK!
4) Less electrical load on the car: CHECK!
6) Less expensive than replacement: CHECK!
Negatives... Well... You might not win a Bloomington Gold Award... Ummmm... Uhhhh...
That's it. That's all I got. No Bloomington Gold.
1) Better reception: CHECK! Have you actually compared the reception range to that of the stock antenna? What's the distance difference in miles?
2) Lower weight: CHECK! Oh yeah, right, because the stock antenna weighs SO much! Lose it and I can gain .0001 HP and be so much more aerodynamic.
3) Virtually invisible mod: CHECK! With the exception of a natural looking "black rubber vacuum hose cap" stuffed into the rear 1/4.
4) Less electrical load on the car: CHECK! Oh sure, because the stock antenna draws SO much power...my alternator will live forever!!
5) More reliable: CHECK! Maybe...if your that worried your antenna might fail once every 10 years or so.
6) Less expensive than replacement: CHECK! Who said the OP's antenna needed to be replaced?? Sounds like a lot MORE work than simple diagnosis and repair.
Now we both know where each of us stands. I repair what's failing and you rip stuff out and modify. To each his own.
The OP didn't ask for advice on gutting stock components and replacing with aftermarket parts. He asked for direction in diagnosing his problem. That's what I did.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Let's just rip out the crap that's non-value added.
Let's see... Benefits of losing the power antenna...
1) Better reception: CHECK!
2) Lower weight: CHECK!
3) Virtually invisible mod: CHECK!
4) Less electrical load on the car: CHECK!
5) More reliable: CHECK!
6) Less expensive than replacement: CHECK!
Negatives... Well... You might not win a Bloomington Gold Award... Ummmm... Uhhhh...
That's it. That's all I got. No Bloomington Gold.
Let's see... Benefits of losing the power antenna...
1) Better reception: CHECK!
2) Lower weight: CHECK!
3) Virtually invisible mod: CHECK!
4) Less electrical load on the car: CHECK!
5) More reliable: CHECK!
6) Less expensive than replacement: CHECK!
Negatives... Well... You might not win a Bloomington Gold Award... Ummmm... Uhhhh...
That's it. That's all I got. No Bloomington Gold.
Last edited by aklim; Apr 17, 2021 at 05:10 PM.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 508
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From: Bowie MD
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 986
Likes: 487
As far as what I've done with my car goes, it'll never need a power antenna replaced again, that's for sure!
Pic of antenna grommet:
Oh look... I also offended the Corvette Originality Crowd by getting rid of the incandescents and replacing them with brighter, lower current draw, more reliable LED's... Which are a perfect example of the same outlook... Keep it OEM if it makes sense relative to FUNCTION, replace it with newer, better tech when it doesn't:
Last edited by PacerX; Apr 18, 2021 at 08:29 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 986
Likes: 487
Well, since your reply was in response to my post to the OP, allow me to address your points:
1) Better reception: CHECK! Have you actually compared the reception range to that of the stock antenna? What's the distance difference in miles?
2) Lower weight: CHECK! Oh yeah, right, because the stock antenna weighs SO much! Lose it and I can gain .0001 HP and be so much more aerodynamic.
3) Virtually invisible mod: CHECK! With the exception of a natural looking "black rubber vacuum hose cap" stuffed into the rear 1/4.
4) Less electrical load on the car: CHECK! Oh sure, because the stock antenna draws SO much power...my alternator will live forever!!
5) More reliable: CHECK! Maybe...if your that worried your antenna might fail once every 10 years or so.
6) Less expensive than replacement: CHECK! Who said the OP's antenna needed to be replaced?? Sounds like a lot MORE work than simple diagnosis and repair.
Now we both know where each of us stands. I repair what's failing and you rip stuff out and modify. To each his own.
The OP didn't ask for advice on gutting stock components and replacing with aftermarket parts. He asked for direction in diagnosing his problem. That's what I did.
1) Better reception: CHECK! Have you actually compared the reception range to that of the stock antenna? What's the distance difference in miles?
2) Lower weight: CHECK! Oh yeah, right, because the stock antenna weighs SO much! Lose it and I can gain .0001 HP and be so much more aerodynamic.
3) Virtually invisible mod: CHECK! With the exception of a natural looking "black rubber vacuum hose cap" stuffed into the rear 1/4.
4) Less electrical load on the car: CHECK! Oh sure, because the stock antenna draws SO much power...my alternator will live forever!!
5) More reliable: CHECK! Maybe...if your that worried your antenna might fail once every 10 years or so.
6) Less expensive than replacement: CHECK! Who said the OP's antenna needed to be replaced?? Sounds like a lot MORE work than simple diagnosis and repair.
Now we both know where each of us stands. I repair what's failing and you rip stuff out and modify. To each his own.
The OP didn't ask for advice on gutting stock components and replacing with aftermarket parts. He asked for direction in diagnosing his problem. That's what I did.
I gave him an $8 solution.
Now... He can take the time to diagnose this... Check relays... Chase wiring... And maybe he'll find out the relay is bad... And if he does, you know what?
That power antenna is GOING TO fail. Likely sooner rather than later, and he'll be right back in the same spot.
OR...
He can do what I suggested and never worry about it ever again.
For $8.
Last edited by PacerX; Apr 18, 2021 at 09:53 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Where you stand is replacing an OEM part of bad design with aftermarket stuff (which is likely garbage... GM power antennas are bad, aftermarket service parts for them are EVEN WORSE) that LOOKS like it's OEM.
I gave him an $8 solution.
Now... He can take the time to diagnose this... Check relays... Chase wiring... And maybe he'll find out the relay is bad... And if he does, you know what?
That power antenna is GOING TO fail. Likely sooner rather than later, and he'll be right back in the same spot.
OR...
He can do what I suggested and never worry about it ever again.
For $8.
I gave him an $8 solution.
Now... He can take the time to diagnose this... Check relays... Chase wiring... And maybe he'll find out the relay is bad... And if he does, you know what?
That power antenna is GOING TO fail. Likely sooner rather than later, and he'll be right back in the same spot.
OR...
He can do what I suggested and never worry about it ever again.
For $8.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Thank you everyone I would like to keep the antenna in the car. The bumper is off so I can take it out and do any repairs to it but I will try the relay first. I would rather not add a bunch of aftermarket crap that I don’t have enough evidence is going to just brake and have to be replaced or tear up the car. I just have never heard anything about the power antenna messing with the car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,475
Likes: 3,291
From: Hartford WI
Thank you everyone I would like to keep the antenna in the car. The bumper is off so I can take it out and do any repairs to it but I will try the relay first. I would rather not add a bunch of aftermarket crap that I don’t have enough evidence is going to just brake and have to be replaced or tear up the car. I just have never heard anything about the power antenna messing with the car.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,583
Likes: 504
From: Indianapolis IN
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
C4 of Year Finalist (stock) 2019
Thank you everyone I would like to keep the antenna in the car. The bumper is off so I can take it out and do any repairs to it but I will try the relay first. I would rather not add a bunch of aftermarket crap that I don’t have enough evidence is going to just brake and have to be replaced or tear up the car. I just have never heard anything about the power antenna messing with the car.
To Raise
Green +
Grey -
To Lower
White +
Green -
You do not have to remove power as soon as the antenna raises or lowers as the switches inside the antenna will cut power when the mast reaches the end of travel on either end.
Melting Slicks
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Posts: 2,876
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From: Sligo PA
Race Director
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