I have been reading some of the posts regarding power antenna replacement, and while that procedure seems pretty straight forward (according to Clarence's step-by-step instructions), I am wondering how difficult would it be to install a new power antenna setup in an '86 Regal that originally came from the factory with a fixed-mast antenna.
My basic questions are these:
-Are wiring harnesses, etc., already installed on the car even though the car came with a fixed-mast antenna? (I'm assuming that the wiring is present since I have heard that a car with standard door locks, for example, can be easily upgraded to power because the factory ran the harness but did not install the power setup...can anyone confirm this as well?...I understand that by looking for unused harnesses in the area of the antenna [pass fenderwell/underhood] may answer my question, but I figured that if someone has the knowledge already, why waste my time searching for the wiring, especially since it's freezing up here in New York...no I don't have a garage at my disposal)
-I would like to install a factory Delco CD deck (circa '92/3, if I can find it!) in place of the original Delco cassette deck. Are there any additional hookups that need to be addressed, such as power antenna deployment at "ignition-on", or do most Delco radios, especially newer models, enable power antenna use?
-Has anyone attempted this upgrade? If so, please contribute your experience.
-Use a GM (more expensive, yet correct) or aftermarket-compatible (cheaper, fitment problems) power antenna???
Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated.
These cars do not have harnesses for uninstalled components in general. I have a non-turbo Regal and with few options and it does not have any wiring in the doors or the power antenna harness. I've had a non-Turbo Regal with an AM radio and it did not have rear speaker wiring.
GM makes an adapter harness to install newer radios into older cars. I obtained one from http://www.jaysgn.com/ when I purchased a newer ('92?) GM CD radio from them.
Scott,
I appreciate your wealth of knowledge about these cars, especially wiring harnesses, etc. I guess I'll look at a replacement antenna that manually compacts into about a 6 inch high mast, in order to properly place a cover on the car when the car becomes a "weekender" after this winter (I don't want to poke any holes in a cover or get one with a hole already in it, because water and such can easily creap into the hole, and my main concern is keeping the car "relatively" moisture free...yeah, I know, good luck trying here on LI). Well, thanks anyway for the message.
By the way, what model car did you pick the circa '92/3 Delco CD deck from? I'm guessing either a Park Avenue or LeSabre.
Don't let the absence of a harness dissuade you from installing a power antenna. I don't think yanking a few wires from the radio to the fender is too tough. The factory harness might even be obtained from a donor car.
Not sure what my radio was intended to be in. I'd defer to Jay's GN at the above link for more details.
Scott,
I did see a car at the used and abused yard that had the power antenna wiring, but a regular mast. At some point, they may have yanked a broken power unit and went the cheapey route though. As for the power window wiring. The wires aren't in the doors, but you are supposed to be able to just add them. The dash wiring harness is supposed to have the necessary plugs for them. At least this is what was written in Dennis Kirban's news letter years ago, when he was heavily into doing the window adjustments, and converting to the older style power windows.
Brian
Hello,
The information regarding the replacement of the power antenna has been very useful, however to purchase a new unit now costs $167 instead of $103.
Does anyone know if a non-OEM power antenna will work instead. For example, one from JC WHitney??
Thanks
Hello,
I have an 84 T-Type with a power antenna, but the factory antenna hasnt worked since ive bought the car. I was told that they were all prone to bad power antennas. So i bought a non OEM power antenna from Autozone. Its a universal antenna so it comes with all the hardware needed for placement of it at certain angles. Couldnt use the antenna wiring harness cause i couldnt figure out how the wires would go. Tried playing with it to figure the combination, but with no luck. I just ran the wires thru the fender into the grommet where the other wiring is. It comes out behind the glove box and from there directly to the radio. Not sure how you would hook it up to a factory radio unless you use an aftermarket wire harness. I have an aftermarket radio so hooking up the power,remote for antenna, and ground were easy. Hope that can help a little.
Later
Ron
Just spend the money unless your car is a real heap and you just want to drive it around.
Save your old parts. Some are no longer available from GM and I have done a lot of conversions from power to fixed. The factory fixed gives better reception and less problems.
Cars, Inc. have the following products to fix power antennas (http://www.oldbuickparts.com/)
AC829 - $ 19.50
Power Antenna Cable
Factory replacement repair cable. If you antenna does not go up or down and hums, then a broken cable is likely the cause
1982-1987 Grand National, Regal, T-Type, G
AM829 - $ 54.50
Power Antenna Mast
Three mast sections plus a replacement cable and tube. If your antenna is bent or dented then this is the most probable part you need. Includes cable (AC829-3)
1983-1987
Have repaired quite a few antennas with these parts.
Used an aftermarket antenna once, got the constant power source from the underhood light, and triggered the antenna up through the original antenna plug. With a voltmeter looked for the terminal with 12 volts with the radio on. Ran the constant power wire under the rubber strip that runs across the cowl to protect/hide it. It went out in about six months to a year and then fixed the original antenna with the mast above. Has worked great for 3 years since then.
Hope this helps - and no you do not have to take the fender off to remove/replace the antenna
Put in a new GM power antenna but got tired of it running up and down anytime I turned the ignition on/off or the radio on/off. Ran the antenna power thru one of the five rocker switches in the Poston unit in the ash tray space. Now it only runs when I want it to.
Dave Walker
Hannibal's Lone GN
Hey Loyd if ya need any help stop by my shop, I am also on L.I. (Baldwin) I can help with the aftermarket attenna hook ups if you go that route. Id say the hardest part is trying to work thru the small space that you will have when you take some of the fender well bolts off to get to the old unit and installing the new one. And even thats not that bad. I sell the aftermarket ones for like 50.00 they are not lifetime units but they are cheap and will last a bit. I also carry factory and aftermarket plugs for original radios.
Sorry last message was for Louis not Loyd....