Question: 1995 Power Antennae Replacement

[JimBobC4]

Hello All ! Been a while since I have posted.

I finally found time to take the cover off my 1995 Convertable and noticed the power antenna no longer worked. The motor does make noise but it does not go up or down. I'm fairly certain a repair is needed.

My questions:

1. How hard is the antenna to replace ?

2. Do I remove it through the tag opening or the tailight ? or drop it out underneath ?

3. Has anyone just replaced the shaft portion ? I see it is about $ 100 less than the entire assembly.

4. What is the connector like on the unit ? Im sure I wont be able to see it when I remove the motor. I just don't want to break off any pins.

Thanks to everyone !

 

[tonylong]

I tried to remove/replace just the mast part but found it had broken off so I just replaced the whole unit. I took off the wheel, and fender liner, nuisance, and then it's easy to see. Make certain the ground is attached to a good ground (mine was swinging freely), use this opportunity to install a ground plane (improves reception). Disconnect the cable from inside the car first. Mines a softop and is behind/under the carpet. Your FSM has good info on this repair. Buy the replacement from a reliable source, there's lotsa junk out there that won't fit right.

 

[JimBobC4]

Thank you. Good advice I do appreciate it.

 

[JimBobC4]

Im going to order a new assembly today.

What is the good one ? I see a huge variety in prices and all seem to say " same as orginal or Original fit" :W

I see a Japanese ( ? ) version as well ?

The add says its the new and improved version ?

Any ideas would be appreciated, I will not be a happy vette owner if I spend 200 bucks on a sub standard part.

 

[tonylong]

I got mine from the dealer, but MAD also has them. I believe the correct replacement is actually japanese but I forget the mfr.

 

[jmccloud]

Antenna replace

When replacing the antenna, you will encounter several wires (4 I think) that go nowhere. These are the ground plane and should be distributed to their original locations in order for the new antenna to work well. The outer ends do not attach to anything but the housing must be well grounded as tonylong points out.

 

[JimBobC4]

Thanks everyone for the help and for the info.

The wires to no where are interesting. Good to know.