I tried the search function without much luck. The power antenna on my 2000 convertible is not lowering all the way. It started out that it would stay up about an inch... I'd just push it down. Now it stays up like 6 inches... is this common? Any fixes?

 

Hi, yes this is somewhat common. You most likely need a new mast assembly. You can get them from some of the c5 vendors, and on ebay.
Below is a link for a Mast Repair Kit with installation instructions. About $20.00 incl S&H
Good Luck
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts...m370061474326&

 

Sounds like the mast ribbon strip is wearing out. Simple to replace. Remove the antenna retaining nuts on the outside of the antenna. Have someone turn on the radio, and as the antenna is raising, gently pull on it to remove. Make sure you determine how the strip is orientated to the motor. This step is important.
Now, measure the new mast against the old one. If the ribbons are the same length, all you have to do is install the new one. If the old one is shorter, then you have a broken piece inside the motor. You will have to remove the motor, open it up, and remove the broken piece. Easy to do.
Now, to insert the new mast, push the ribbon into the motor(with the teeth of the ribbon facing the same way as the old ribbons teeth were)as far as it will go. Have someone turn the radio off, while gently pushing down on the ribbon, so that the motor grabs the new ribbon and pulls it into the motor. You may have to do this step more than once to get it to grab. As the motor is pulling the ribbon in, feed the ribbon and new mast into position. Replace the retaining nuts, and you're all done.
Simple DIY job that saves you a bunch of cash.
P.S. I think DEEGEE did a write up with pics on this. Search his threads if you need pics.

 

Here ya go

How To Replace a Defective Telescopic Antenna

Now this is a simple mod and the OEM assembly with motor is $130+. You'll know you have the problem because the antenna won't fully retract



Parts:
Adjustable wrench
GM OEM Power Antenna Replacement ($13 E Bay).




Make sure the antenna is fully retracted and that the radio is off

Remove the antenna mounting nut located on the base of the mast on the outside of the car. If the mast is bent it may be necessary to cut off the old mast). If you can't all of the plastic cable out as one piece, (sometimes the plastic gets really hard and breaks into pieces then falls down into the motor), you can just pull the motor after you have pulled the mast out and get all of the pieces out. To do that you'll need to take out the outer right turn signal housing.




Turn on the radio and pull out the old mast and serrated cable completely out of the antenna motor. (Note which way the serrations on the cable are facing)

Feed the serrated cable of the new mast into the antenna hole and stop when resistance is felt. (about 12”). Make sure the cable is fed in with the teeth the same way the old cable came out.



Turn the radio off to lower the antenna until the serrated cable catches.. You may have to cycle the antenna a few times until the cable catches the gear mechanism and retracts into the antenna motor.



Replace and tighten the antenna nut into the mast base.



Turn on and make sure that the mast fully extends without binding. Clean the surface of the antenna to remove any adhesive etc.

10 minute job.

 

Wow! Thanks! Any online sources for the new mast?

 

Okay... missed this post... I am buying it now. Thanks!

 

Mine does the same thing once or twice a year and I correct the problem by cleaning the mast with mineral spirits. There's a section in the owners manual about Power Antenna Mast Care, for my 1999 vert it's on page 3-31. Give it a try before buying a replacement antenna.

 

This is not working for me... As I write, I have the new mast in hand, the retaining nut removed from my car... but the old mast will not budge. It is as if there is something else holding it tightly in place...just as if the retaining nut were still there. I pulled up on it pretty hard and it didn't even begin to move. If I pull any harder, I am afraid I will break the fender... possibly pull the motor up through the mast hole. Am I missing something?? I read and reread these instructions and I still cannot remove the old mast. Any help?

 

Once you remove the nut and turn the radio on the mast should extend as normal. Without the nut it should come out. If not, you have a more serious problem and the unit is probably beyond help.

 

i don't remember ever seeing a c5 with an antenna . my wife has a 2000 and i'm going out in the garage and look at it . it has a radio but i've never played it so have never missed the antenna .

 

On the coupe its built into the windscreen

 

Gotta dumb question....

How do you get the nut out?

Do you pry it out with a screwdriver?

Does it unscrew from the base?

 

If you look closely at the nut, it has 2 flat sides. The eBay seller I purchased my replacement mast from included a special wrench for the job... but I just used a medium-sized crescent wrench on those 2 flat edges... that's the easy part.

 

There's a great DIY sticky in Tech with your issue being one of the many topics.

 

I emailed the eBay seller and asked his advice. He replied very quickly with the steps indicated below and it worked perfectly. This should be added to DEE GEE's write up for people who encounter a stuck mast.

His instructions are below:

Hi, Sure do : You see the new "Retaining Sleeve" (silver, 2 inches or so, with slots) on the shaft of the new antenna mast, the original one is most likely a little corroded/frozen into the shaft of your antenna No problem : You are in need of what I refer to as the "snap and tap" technique of mast removal

# 1 Turn radio on and let cycle to as much extension as is currently possible

# 2 Take hold of the thickest metal mast section (closest to fender) with you thumb and forefinger about 2-3 inches above the top of the antenna shaft hole

# 3 Push the thickest mast section into the shaft (as much as it will go within that 2-3 inches)

# 4 Hold tightly with thumb and forefinger and Snap your Wrist upward.....you will here the mast bottom "tap" the bottom of the frozen in place retaining sleeve (what this is all about) Repeat this over and over again In-Snap-Tap-Repeat Short Firm Bursts of Energy Focusing the energy blow to the point of the tap This will free the retaining sleeve little by little till it comes out completely

Keep me posted!

Gary

 

If you're looking for a replacement mast.. this seller on ebay is first rate. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...AQ:MOTORS:1123

 

I'll edit my How To in C5 Tech to include that advice Gary

I guess I was one of the lucky ones. The mast just came straight out without a problem

 

Gary is the ebay seller... I am George... Glad to help!

 

Sorry George:o

Fixed

 

There is aTSB out for this problem affects only 00 covettes happened to me. Fix get a new cap with rubber bushing as apart of it. Cost was about $6 takes 10 minutes.