Power antenna making alot of noise, going no where

[sjgYFZ200]

Hey guys, I searched and I could not find a clear explination. Basically, all of a sudden, my power antenna grinds and makes alot of noise, but goes no where. I couldnt find a clear explination of what needs to be done to fix it. Looks like I'm going to have to take off the spoiler, and get to the goodies down there. I need a fix kind of quick because I cant be jumping out of the car and pushing the antenna down every time I turn on/off the radio :laugh:

 

[steve]

It's likely the gears in the lift finally wore out. If that;s the case it's time for a new antenna.
Mine lasted about 10 years and four or five masts before the motor wore out the helical gear.

Steve

 

[97TSIAWD]

I had this same problem on my 92. It is an easy fix does not require a new motor. Simply buy the nylon cord that hooks to the bottom of the antenna. You turn the car off with the radio on, start the car and turn off the radio and it will grab the new cord. You might have to remove a few plastic parts to get the antenna out in the trunk. I don't know if this is up on the vfaq or not, but check there too.

 

[steve]

The toothed nylon is part of the mast. I've never seen them seperate. It is possible that it's broken and replacing the mast will fix the problem is't also possible that the grars are gone like I said. Pull the mast out and see if 's broken. The end is normally rounded to aid in installing. If yours looks like it's broken off between the teeth, replace it.

Steve

 

[97TSIAWD]

The toothed nylon is part of the mast. I've never seen them seperate. It is possible that it's broken and replacing the mast will fix the problem is't also possible that the grars are gone like I said. Pull the mast out and see if 's broken. The end is normally rounded to aid in installing. If yours looks like it's broken off between the teeth, replace it.

Steve

It might have been the whole thing, I did this over 5 years ago. Either way it was easier and less expensive then buying a new motor or having it rebuilt. And from my understanding that is the problem 99% of the time.

 

[CornerHard]

How much hassle was this to fix and what was involved in replacing it? My antenna's been broken like this since I got the car almost three years ago, but I've never been motivated enough to really push for a fix. I've had the plastic panels out in the trunk, and couldn't really tell what was what on the antenna motor.

 

[steve]

How much hassle was this to fix and what was involved in replacing it? My antenna's been broken like this since I got the car almost three years ago, but I've never been motivated enough to really push for a fix. I've had the plastic panels out in the trunk, and couldn't really tell what was what on the antenna motor.

Replacing the mast is pretty easy once you have the socket to remove the retaining nut on the top of the mast housing. These are available at most autoparts stores. The one I got was marked for Chrysler antennas.
Once the nut is off cycle the antenna and pull the rest of the mast and cable out.
The trick for installing is to find out which way to engage the cable in the gear and then turn the radio off so that it retracts the cable and mast (I have to look in the manual each time since the various anennas are different). Seat the mast into the housing and reinstall the nut.

If you have to replace the whole unit because the motor died or the gears stripped. You remove the nut and grommit from the fender. In the hatch remove any wiring connectors for power and signal, remove the nuts holding the unit to the chassis, remove the drain and pull the unit out.

Steve