stubborn antenna mast ...

[EA8]

So I finally got around to looking into why my antenna never worked since I purchased the car in November of last year. Come to find out that the PO had disconnected the power to the antenna, because it was stuck quarter of the way open. I removed the antenna/mast and have been applying a WD40 and PB blaster to get it loose and operational again but with no luck.

any pointers or tips???

I would just buy a new one but I already have enough stuff I need to work on, so I want to see if I can fix this on my own.


Cheers ....

[emi325i]

it will never work again. buy a new one.

[guibo09]

yeah it's probably toast. you only really need to buy a new mast, you can keep the original motor and stuff. bought one on ebay pretty cheap.

[joshuaaa]

not tryin to thread jack, but i think i might go try and figure out why my antenna is stuck in the up position and never goes down.

possibly same reason behind both our problems??

[kronus]

not tryin to thread jack, but i think i might go try and figure out why my antenna is stuck in the up position and never goes down.

possibly same reason behind both our problems??

Yours could be mechanical or electrical. Is the antenna control wire intact and still attached to your head unit?

[joshuaaa]

im not exactly sure if its connected to head unit. i bought the car with a aftermarket stereo in it. i dont have the keys to remove it cuz i left it i my ex gf's car and have been avoiding calling her to get em back. im guessing i need to check if its connected to determin the problem right?

[EA8]

not tryin to thread jack, but i think i might go try and figure out why my antenna is stuck in the up position and never goes down.

possibly same reason behind both our problems??

no worries ...

in my case I know the motor assembly itself works fine as I can hear it trying to raise and lower the mast when I connect it to power. I had also opened up the motor casing and found the little rubber belt inside almost torn (a small tear half way through it). Anyone know where I can get this little belt?

Cheers ...

[EA8]

im not exactly sure if its connected to head unit. i bought the car with a aftermarket stereo in it. i dont have the keys to remove it cuz i left it i my ex gf's car and have been avoiding calling her to get em back. im guessing i need to check if its connected to determin the problem right?

it should be apparent whether the motor works or not, just by simply listening for it to kick on once you turn on your radio/car. if you can't hear it then, I would try to get your stereo out and see if the white wire for the antenna is connected to power or not.

[joshuaaa]

sounds good, ill give that a shot sometime today or tommorow. might just end up buying a short stubby one since i dont listen to radio much anyways

[EA8]

talking about short stubby ones, I've been contemplating the idea for a while. Have you seen any good ones around, that could be used as an actually antenna (fit in the same area)??

[emi325i]

short stubby ones?!? pft.. i want mine 10 ft in the air. it's an awesomeness indicator... lol. awesomeness is directly proportional to height of antenna.

[emi325i]

bma has them for $16. just ordered mine.

[joshuaaa]

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=113653

i like josh andersons stubby in those pics. but i forget what one it is. i really like the short kinda fat versions not the short with the long thin peice that extends upward. ill try and find out and let you know if i figure out what kind it is.

[EA8]

bma has them for $16. just ordered mine.

thanks ... alot better than $44.50 at bavauto.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=113653

i like josh andersons stubby in those pics. but i forget what one it is. i really like the short kinda fat versions not the short with the long thin piece that extends upward. ill try and find out and let you know if i figure out what kind it is.

that's exactly what I have been looking for ... just shoot me a pm or something, if you do find out.

now regarding the motor for the antenna, there is a small belt inside that runs the gears to raise/lower the mast? i have a small tear in mine (but still functional). any idea if it can be replaced or would I need to buy a full motor assembly?

Thanks alot fellas ... much appreciated

Cheers:D

[wodcutr]

I,ve got a broken antenna that I can rob the belt out of if you want. I have two in fact that the circuit board is fried or something as I can get the motor to work if I put power to it directly, but nothing if it goes through the circuit board. I have also refurbished a corroded antenna before by soaking it in spray lube and hitting the top out with a cressant wrench and getting the motor to move a little at a time to give you some slack to be able to extend the rod. It was a PITA and I wondered if it was worth it in the end, but it works very well if you have more time than money!