Power antenna issues
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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Power antenna issues
I have an interesting situation here that I've not heard of before. Earlier this Summer I installed a new Kenwood HU. This thing seems to enjoy running my power antenna up and down. If you get in the car and insert the key completely, the unit powers on, and the antenna goes up. For a minute, then it goes down. The Kenwood doesn't seem to be able to actually power down, only a standby mode. If you put my A4 car in neutral, you can only turn the key close to off, not quite all the way, which would enable the antenna/HU to power off. So far, the only way I can get the antenna to go down, and STAY down, is to pull the key out. Which can't be done in neutral. I looked in the underhood fuse box, but of course the fuse is located where it's hardest to get to, by the passengers feet. The only way around it I can figure is to wire in a switch to the power antenna contacts. Anyone have any better Idea? I don't want to wire into the radio power because.I think I'd lose my presets. Anyone?? Thanks guys......
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Vancouver
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I have found that around my town that I don't really need the antennae up to receive any of the stations that I listen to. And I too wanted the antennae to stay down, but didn't really want to put a switch in to disable it. So what I did was to just disconnect the power connector to it. Which is in the trunk. Just pull the liner away from the antennae area and you'll see it. Disconnect and your done. If you ever feel that you need or require the antennae plug it back in and put a switch in. line with this connector. I haven't missed it for about 5 years now. I hope this helps.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 3,399
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From: Havre de Grace Maryland
Here is what I did. Although I do not listen to the radio much, only the CD's in the changer, I did not like the antenna going up and down when I turned the CD's on.
Wireless switch for power antenna - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
Wireless switch for power antenna - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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Thank you to all who responded. I thought my Window Valet may be part of the problem, but when I unplugged it, it made no difference. I'll do as some here have suggested, just not sure which way I'll go. But this is sure weird. When I get in the car, I put the key in the ignition. Unless it's inserted all the way, its fine, nothing happens. Insert it fully, and the radio powers on, and the antenna goes up. About 15 seconds later, the radio goes off, and the antenna goes down. About 10 seconds later, it starts again and up goes the antenna!! If I open the door, the antenna goes down!! DOHHH!!! I've hardly ever listened to the radio or discs, preferring the V8 sound. But on long trips, that can be monotonous. My antenna was like new since it didn't get much use. But this Kenwood HU has put more wear on my damn antenna in 3 months than it got in the previous 23 years, and I'm not exaggerating!! Again, thank you guys......
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 469
Likes: 162
From: Port Birmingham AL
I installed a small rocker switch to break the normally blue wire (power antenna output). Normal antenna movement or No antenna movement.
Mounted it in the ash tray compartment. Could also mount in the console.
I normally listen to Phone BT or a USB drive, but when traveling, it is nice to have news and sports radio.
Mounted it in the ash tray compartment. Could also mount in the console.
I normally listen to Phone BT or a USB drive, but when traveling, it is nice to have news and sports radio.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 12,864
Likes: 4,667
I installed a small rocker switch to break the normally blue wire (power antenna output). Normal antenna movement or No antenna movement.
Mounted it in the ash tray compartment. Could also mount in the console.
I normally listen to Phone BT or a USB drive, but when traveling, it is nice to have news and sports radio.
Mounted it in the ash tray compartment. Could also mount in the console.
I normally listen to Phone BT or a USB drive, but when traveling, it is nice to have news and sports radio.
Last edited by grinder11; Aug 5, 2023 at 07:38 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 414
From: New Jersey
You must have used the XSVI 2004 for the radio harness adapter. It causes the behavior you are reporting. Some if it can be fixed with a small capacitor across the accessory wire. The antenna is connected in parallel with the Bose amp. You could break the connection between them and use the radios power antenna control wire to raise and lower the antenna. A search will find the wiring diagrams for the C5 radios wiring.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 469
Likes: 162
From: Port Birmingham AL
The blue wire is the trigger to raise the antenna. If there is no input, the antenna will stay down and if it is up, it will lower, automatically.
The power to the antenna motor is hot all the time. When you turn the ignition switch off with the radio on, you loose the blue wire input and the
antenna goes down.
The power to the antenna motor is hot all the time. When you turn the ignition switch off with the radio on, you loose the blue wire input and the
antenna goes down.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 469
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From: Port Birmingham AL
If you are using the Metra XSVI-2004, there are two wiring revisions, 2008 and 2011. The 2008, the Blue wire goes into the unit and the 2011, the Blue wire
does not. Using the 2011 wiring may correct the problem.
does not. Using the 2011 wiring may correct the problem.
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Iowa
I installed a small rocker switch to break the normally blue wire (power antenna output). Normal antenna movement or No antenna movement.
Mounted it in the ash tray compartment. Could also mount in the console.
I normally listen to Phone BT or a USB drive, but when traveling, it is nice to have news and sports radio.
Mounted it in the ash tray compartment. Could also mount in the console.
I normally listen to Phone BT or a USB drive, but when traveling, it is nice to have news and sports radio.