Replacing/Fixing/Modifying electric aerial Options

[LTom]

Hey guys,

My power aerial has not worked since i bought the car. I'va taken it out of the car and powered it and the motor runs but the shaft doesn't go up. I'm guessing that something inside has broken and stopped the wire being able to be pushed up.

Anyway when i took it out i noticed that the white connector wasn't even attached to it so i don't think it was getting any power, but it still worked as an antenna!?!?!? Anyway can someone god with electrics tell me how to attach it with an ignition only power supply...or better....a radio on only power supply???

I'm going to replace it to keep it electric (i don't know what everyone has against them...i like them)

[njccmd2002]

power aerial? does your car fly?

The antenna is an easy fix. youll have to open it and take out the borken plastic and replace new mast.

[Spider77]

Wow, few things first. I wish I lived in england so I can call things by cooler names, aerial, boot, etc.... Second I am an ELECTRIC GOD.....ok, not really. Um, is this the stock unit or an aftermarket head unit your running? If I remember (and its been awhile) mine used to want to go up when the key hit the acc postion. Which gives you power to all your stuff w/out turning anything on. On my aftermarket unit, it only wanted to go up when i flipped it to radio. Im sure there is some wire that runs around there...blue I think. As far as swapping it out, its not that hard.

[LTom]

Wow, few things first. I wish I lived in england so I can call things by cooler names, aerial, boot, etc.... Second I am an ELECTRIC GOD.....ok, not really. Um, is this the stock unit or an aftermarket head unit your running? If I remember (and its been awhile) mine used to want to go up when the key hit the acc postion. Which gives you power to all your stuff w/out turning anything on. On my aftermarket unit, it only wanted to go up when i flipped it to radio. Im sure there is some wire that runs around there...blue I think. As far as swapping it out, its not that hard.

Yeah it's the stock aerial (antenna), at the moment it's in my boot (or trunk i guess), i've been meaning to take it apart but i don't want to ruin it and i was a bit miffed as to why it wasn't even connected. Then again, having taken a look at the bodged wiring behind the stereo....i'm not that suprised.

As for the language thing, aerial means antenna (but is less geeky) and a power aerial is one that is powered (i.e. by electricity)...sorry if this is confusing...It's just what i've always called it.

Anyway I'll take it apart and if it's not obvious i'll take a picture and upload it so you can have a look...i kind of want to kep it so it goes up and down...not just sitting there like a vandal target!

[RickJamesBish]

Mine went up as well when I turned on the power, not only when I turned the radio on...but I never used it, so I just killed the antenna. I do remember a blue wire being back there, not sure if I wired it wrong or if my head unit doesn't have an option for that.

[Spider77]

Wiring behind the stereo that bad huh? Most likley it was unplugged cause it stopped working. Which seems to be a common problem w/ power aerials (that sounds way better than antenna). You can try to repair it, but you might find it easier to buy one that works.

[san0]

Best thing to do is to buy from breakers in UK - you can find many on Ebay - just email them for the complete ariel and motor unit - mine cost me £25.
Then swap out the broken original (the internal plastic strip that runs inside the mast broke).