Power Antenna Relay

[mikejpss]

Where is the power antenna relay located? Repaired the antenna by installing a new mast, antenna will function up and down (on the bench) . Would like to check the relay before I reinstall the unit. thanx,mike j

 

[Tifton81]

Mike, I replaced my power antenna on my 81 back in December. If you are asking where the connection is, mine was located on the inside driver rear compartment behind the carpet. It runs along the driver side of the car and was behind my rear speaker box.

I hope this helps...

Wiley

 

[mikejpss]

power antenna relay

Tifton81- thanks...
but i'm told there is a relay that operates the power antenna- it gives the signal to go "up" and the signal to go "down". By switching the wires on my antenna while its on the bench, i can make mine do the up and down thing. HOWEVER, I am told there is a relay between the radio and the antenna that operates the antenna.
If this is the case, i wanted to inspect/repair/replace the relay while i have the carpet out and the antenna unit off.
I suspect it is under the shift console, or in back of the pass. seat in the jack storage comp.(under the tray).
Thanks to anyone that can help- hope everyone enjoys the Labor Day weekend. Mike J.

 

[stu]

They say there's no such thing as a stupid question so...

Since you know which wires are supposed to do what couldn't you just use a voltmeter on the wires on the car?

 

[mikejpss]

Hey stu- i aint got no voltmeter !!!!!!!!!!

 

[greydbj]

Now that we are talking 'antennae', mine went on the blink a few weeks ago, the motor would not stop running even with the key off.....had to disconnect and now the mast is 3/4's of the way up.....question is, are these units repairable.....I see Mike repaired his, but there must be something in the motor assembly that is giving me problems....are these units sealed and can they be repaired.....I'll buy another one if I have to, but would like to try the 'fix-it' route first.....dbj

 

[mikejpss]

to greydbj- yep , they are repairable. They are a sealed unit and have 3 or 4 rivets that must be drilled out (simple task) . Once inside, follow the instructions from the repair kit and it'll do just fine. The repair kit can be had for ~$25 or less from just about any Corvette restor. site- think I got mine from "The Last Detail".

Mine had the same symptoms as did yours- running all the time- and the previous owner "disconnected" the unit (yea Tony, right- you simply CUT the #*!#@@* wires).

I am told , by only one 81 owner, that there is a relay for the antenna- was just looking for the truth before i spend 8 hours on a wild goose chase.

As for putting yours back together- just put silicone on the 2 plates to make a new seal. The instructions are good, and simple.
If I can help you, shoot me an email. Mike J.

 

[LannyL81]

If memory serves me correctly, the antenna relay is behind the passenger seat compartment (where the jack is). There are several relays there; one for the antenna, another for the anti-thieft system. The antenna relay is next tohte pulse wiper module.

Later,
Lanny

 

[stu]

Now I'm really confused. I have always tested relays by energizing the inputs and measuring the voltages at the outputs to see if the correct leads are being energized for whatever input I give the thing.

I was figuring that you didn't need to find the relay as long as you had the wire ends that eventually connected to the relay outputs.

Without a voltmeter how do you test the things?

 

[greydbj]

Mike: thanks for the note and the info....do you have a part # ir catalog #....checked out the site and they only list the entire assembly......I see they sell relays also and I wonder if that is what is shot......dbj

 

[mikejpss]

To greydbj:
Sorry, it wasn't Last Detail- I ordered it from Rik's Unlimited Corvette Parts. It is on thier website- go to the "online catalog parts" section in the middle of the home page. It is in the RADIO/SPEAKER/ANTENNA category..
Part number ANT145 and sells for $16.95 +shipping /handling. Minimum ship/handlin I think is $8.00, so ur lookin at $25.
I bought one from them and it installed in a lil less than 2 hours, seems to work fine now on the bench, but I have yet to reinstall on the car as i'm in the middle of a new paint job..
I would like some feedback from others as to the symptoms of a broken mast- is this the reason the antenna motor continues to run, or is it a bad relay? Perhaps I'm lookin for a problem(relay) that doesn't exist??
Good luck greydbj, let me know how you come out.
mike j.

 

[shark81]

power antenna

I just got my vette this past week. On Friday, when I turned off the ignition, the power antenna motor continued to run and the antenna didn’t go down. I pulled the antenna fuse and the radio fuse. The only way I can get it to stop is to disconnect the neg battery cable. Could it be the relay everyone is referring to? Help a Rookie!

 

[sac001]

Mike,

If you want to test the antenna on the car without installing it, connect a jumper wire from the leads on the car to the antenna. (Use an alligator clip and temporarily splice a wire the lenght that you need) Lay the antenna on the ground or somewhere convenient and turn on the key, turn the key then radio on and off and see what happens.

Steve

 

[mikejpss]

hey sac001- Now there's an idea, and a simple way to check it. Will do first thing tomorrow and let everyone know the outcome. Thanks.mike j.

 

[mikejpss]

(Drum roll, please)
Temporarily connected my power antenna (actually on the concrete shop floor) and tested the unit- IT WORKS !!!!!!

THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM:Antenna motor stays running-antenna does not go up or down.

The previous owner "disconnected" the wires to the antenna (actually, he cut them at the unit-with a butter knife nonethe less) because the antenna motor would not quit running.
I bought a power antenna repair kit from Riks Unlimited for under $25 shipping included.
It took apporx. 2 hours to remove from the car, drill out the 3 rivets in the casing of the unit-then install the new mast assembly. This new assembly seems fragile, but was an easy task.
Resealed the unit covers using silicone and 3 new screws/nuts in the place of the rivets.
Made a temporary connection back to the wiring harness , and as stated earlier- IT WORKS.
Man , what a good feeling knowing the original unit is still with the car ,and a sense of accomplishment.
The relay for this unit is located behind the passanger seat, under the plastic tray -jack side of the storage compartment.The relay seems fine to me as the antenna worked no less than 50 times during the trial.
I know this is a lot of information, but i hope it can help someone else. If anyone has questions- shoot me an email and I'll help out whith what I know.
Thanks for all the help guys.
Mike J.

 

[GerryLP]

I was successful in using a 9-volt battery to make the antenna motor rotate (or antena extend/retract). Obviously it does not last as long as a 12 volt, but it works!

If the motor continues to operate, then chances are that the metal hook on the antenna cord is broken. The motor turns until a load is placed on the breaker switch inside the assembly, and the relay is waiting for that switch to close (or open..I forget...:L).

Lanny pointed to the location of the relay. Pull the tool tray to locate the relay.

 

[sac001]

Mike,

Congrats on a good fix. Now maybe I'll take a crack at mine!

Steve