Power Antenna

[timotheous]

Started the car yesterday, turned on the radio, antenna went up but won't go down. The antenna motor runs but the antenna mast will not retract. I suspect the cable snapped when the motor tried to retract the mast.

Does anybody have good instructions on replacing the mast, and/or the motor?

Also, does anybody know whether the 1988-92 ACDelco Power Antenna Repair Kit from Ecklers will work on a 1992 coupe? I ask because they say that GM used both Harada and ACDelco antennas between 1988 and 1992. Without taking it apart, I was wondering if anyone would know for sure. Thanks.

 

[safety_match]

To replace the antenna motor...


Remove the left rear wheel and plastic inner fender well. Reach up from underneath and you can access it while on your back. It is tight, but not impossibly so. I am not particularly mechanically talented but was able to change it fairly easily.

Price was about $150 Canadian if I remember correctly.

 

[maxwellgood]

Thanks for the antenna install info. I have to replace mine too and didn't have a clue how to get to it! Yeah!

 

[Vettefan87]

Yeah mine went out, so I went the lazy route and just clipped the wire so the motor wouldn't constantly run :L . I need to do that this spring though so next winter I can put a cover on it. Thanks for the instructions

 

[WhalePirot]

To replace the antenna motor... Remove the left rear wheel and plastic inner fender well. Reach up from underneath and you can access it while on your back.

I did not remove either; only dropped the muffler a bit. The kit comes with fairly adequate instructions. Expect to drill out the rivets and have screws/nuts for replacements, which is neither explained in the instructions that came with mine, nor are the screws/nuts included.

It is a confined workspace, but not a real tough job.

 

[boblx2a]

To replace the antenna motor...


Remove the left rear wheel and plastic inner fender well. Reach up from underneath and you can access it while on your back. It is tight, but not impossibly so. I am not particularly mechanically talented but was able to change it fairly easily.

Price was about $150 Canadian if I remember correctly.

I had bought the repair kit but after removing the antenna I learned that I actually will be needing the whole unit.
Anyone know where I can get a direct replacement for a 1985? Ecklers has one but it appears to be a "universal" type and I would prefer a direct replacement if possible.

Thanks............

 

[Jim McCombe]

Antenna Problem

I had the same problem on my 87 and replaced it with a brand new AC Delco unit that I bought on E-Bay. It lasted just 1 day.
Ordered a replacement from Ecklers and no problems since. Most of the problems can be traced to a broken ribbon which is common with this particular type antenna.

 

[DougSilver]

I replaced the mast on my 95 yesterday. Symptoms were it would go up but not down (I had to manually push it down). The replacement mast was $9.95 from someone on Ebay and it works as good as new. You remove the old mast by removing the mast nut (tool comes with the mast), turn radio on, pull old antenna out. To install new mast is it basically the reverse.

 

[John 2003 Vette]

I have a 2003 C5 convertible and need to know if there is an antenna mast repair kit for the power antenna, or will I need to replace the complete unit.

John

 

[electricbanjoman]

My antenna won`t go down even when I try to push it down

I have an 85 vette as well my antenna stays up al the tme you can`t push it down. Could the wire be broken?
Dan