I just got a power antenna for free from the junk yard! Its great being a cop in my own town! Anyways, I didn't bench test it yet. If for some crazy reason that it actually works, how can I prevent it from breaking? Any way to take it apart and lube up the motor and mast as preventive maintenance?? Thanks
Not to discourage you but I bought a used power antenna from a salvage yard and installed it in place of the broken one, it worked great for a couple of months till it broke again. Needless to say, I purchased a new unit with no problems since. One thing that you can do is keep the mast clean with a rag and WD-40, and dont turn on radio unless you have to (just kidding) but it does help prevent pre-mature wear. Good luck.
I am a little confused here. I have a problem with my power antenna. Okay here goes the antenna has been stuck for about a week I figured the power motor was broken. About a week all of a sudden it the antenna went down. Now the antenna is stuck open again. What could be causing this.
I had a similar problem with the power antenna being "stuck". For a temporary fix, once the antenna goes down, you could disconnect the harness that connects to it to prevent the battery from being draned. The harness is near the other connections (ESC, the boost pressure sensor/sender, etc) on the pass side fender. This way you don't have to worry about a dead battery until you replace the antenna (if it really needs it?).
These power antennas are really pretty simple. There is a motor that either pushes the antenna up or pulls the antenna down. The direction of the motor is determined by a "snap" switch that reverses the power to the motor whereby reversing the direction of travel. As far as replacable parts... there are replacement cables which includes the upper most section of the antenna, but not the finial tip. Then there is a replacement mast , cable and tube which is the outer most tube of the antenna, two sections of mast and the cable and upper most section of the antenna. Then finally the tip. The motors are not available as well as the "snap" switch.
The repair is pretty easy. You have to drill out the rivets that hold the case together and take the case apart. Sometimes it is a bit of a chore to get it all back together, but is can be done.
If you have any questions, you can call me.
Hope this helps
Jeff
CARS, Inc.
(908) 369-3666
Thanks for the posts guys. Guess what happened today the antenna went down by itself I did nothing to it. Now you talk about a mind of it's own.
Fred you had a similar problem did you replace your antenna. I am thinking there might be a short somewhere. How will I know if I really need to replace the antenna. I guess I will disconect for now.
Jeff so what's wrong with it. Is it a short or could it be the computer. I am totally confused because it does come down just not when it suppose to.
Thanks again
Marcus,
Actually, I haven't yet replaced it, so I can't really tell you too much about the procedure. I didn't want to spend the $$$ on a new one, or open up the fender to get to it. No good radio stations = no motivation to fix it
For more info, the Buick service manual has wiring diagrams for all the components, and the GN/T-Type technical pages may also have some information.
Fred,
Thanks for your help. Quick question yesterday the antenna went up again and got stuck I need to disconnect the harness but not sure which one it is. Is the antenna suppose to go down when you disconnect.
Thanks
I'm not sure that it will go down when you disconnect the harness; I'd wait until it actually is down before disconnecting it.
I'm trying to remember what the plug looks like. Its tucked down along the wheel well. I think it has 4 wires going to/from it. There are 2 or 3 connectors down there in all. I'll try to look tonight. Another idea - if the motor for the antenna is running, or if you hear the relay clicking (which mine was doing), just disconnect harnesses until you hear it stop.
Antenna won't go down unless pluged in. Sounds like you may have dirty or worn brushes. The plug you are looking for is a three wire connector. Wires are green, white and black. Located on passenger side fender by firewall.
Thanks Phil,
I pluged in the connector but can't get the antenna to go down. How can I find out if I got dirty or worn brushes.
Thanks