Truly weird antenna problem...

[erik the red]

I checked the archives and couldn't find any references to this...

I'll be driving along with the radio playing normally, and without warning the antenna retracts. Sometimes it will come back up on its own, other times not. It's intermittent--I can go for miles with it up, then down it goes. I then turn off the radio, wait a few seconds, turn it back on again and the antenna will go back up--for anywhere from a few seconds to a few hours. The antenna functions perfectly--fully extends and fully retracts--it is just a little too eager to function.

Pulled the trunk liner back, checked the antenna ground wires and tightened 'em; didn't help. I've unplugged the power leads at the antenna with it up for now....anyone have any idea as to what's causing this?

And if not, does anyone have a source for a manual antenna that can be retracted into the trunk--like the electric one, only by hand? I'm sure Hirshmann (and probably others) made one that will work on an E30...

TIA
mike

[phenobarb1]

Have you checked to see if the wire that triggers the antenna to retract, on the back of the headunit, is loose? I would imagine that if it was just crimped on or had the wires twisted together, that this could happen. I think the wire to trigger the antenna is the white one, but can't really remember.

[AndrewBird]

If you have the stock stereo, the antenna power wire is white. If it is aftermarket, it will be either blue or blue with a white stripe.