Radio antenna, wanna fix Options

[Goonter]

hi everyone.. i just bought a car about a week ago and i just noticed that my radio antenna is not working. when i turn on the car i dont hear any motor-like sound that might be the antenna's. i was wondering how i can fix it. i kind of wanna see how the car looks like with the antenna up. and the car also came with an aftermarket deck. does that make any difference? or if at all possible be the cause of it not working anymore?

[96stgreendemon]

our cars do not have power antenas, you have to manually pull it up and down

[SwissFerdi]

^ Wrong, I'm not sure if it's year-specific or what, but mine does. Actually, I'm pretty sure every 6GC came with a motorized antenna.

If the head unit was installed correctly (and it has a separate antenna connector), then the antenna should only go up when you turn the radio on, not with CD or using the AUX input (or USB). But if you don't hear a sound, then your motor might be broken. The motor is in the left of the trunk, behind the left plastic panel...pretty much over the rear wheel. Check to see if the antenna is connected to power (connector is at the bottom of the motor, IIRC), and if it is, check the wiring to see if anything's fried. I'm sure somebody else can point you to the fuse for the antenna, or you can search for it on the site.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Nov 30, 2009 - 9:28 AM

[playr158]

^yup they all come with a power antenna. Likely your motor died and you need a new one, you should look for someone parting out and pick it up cheaper than new

[Goonter]

thanks for the info guys . one thing though. im guessing i have to take off the plastic panel on the left side of the trunk right?.. iirc there no openings or anything to get to the antena motor

[playr158]

yes plastic off

[SwissFerdi]

It's not hard at all. The plastic at the very rear (parallel to the bumper) is held on with about 10 retaining clips, just take off a few on the left side, just so the plastic gives enough way for you to piece close to the antenna away. Simple.

[pyeatts]

Having replaced four of these there's a play by play. You have to remove the back panel first as the side panels are attached behind it. You'll break the tabs off the side panel if you try to pull it from behind the back panel! The back panel has to be lifted straight up when you remove it as it has tabs that go straight down into the body lip along the top. ALL OF THIS IS EASIER THAN IT SOUNDS! Be careful when you pull out the side panel because your trunk light connector it attached and will snap off. After you get the side panel off before you remove the antenna you can test it with any 12v battery or power supply to see if it's really your antenna or something not sending power to the antenna. There's just one power connector to the antenna motor you'll see it after you remove the panel. If you're lucky it may not be hooked up and needs to be plugged in. If you have to take the antenna out, before you remove the nut on the antenna motor you need to remove the top nut on the antenna mast first. You'll see the chrome circle nut on top of the rubber sealer. To do it easy you'll need a spanner wrench or a very wide blade screw driver to put into the slots. Take it easy and slow as it's real easy to jump out and scratch the car! It's far easier to take this top nut off first before removing the holder nut below so the antenna doesn't move around while trying to remove it! Now the antenna will just pull out the side. If you couldn't test it before now you can. If the antenna fires up when you put power on it then you have to move to the incoming line. A good two dollar 12v test light is all you need. Turn on your stereo and see if there power on the antenna line when you turn on the stereo. If the light doesn't come on you have another whole can of worms to open. Tracing the problem then moves behind your stereo and that's more tricky. I have all the factory diagrams that show every connection in you dash and would be more than happy to send you anything you need to trouble shoot the problem. Here's a look at your power antenna along with what a new one costs! http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...amp;catalogid=2 You can buy after market replacement for around $30. Let me know if you need anything else!

[captb]

let me know if you cant find a replacement. i am planning to remove mine and ill sell it to you if you need it. the motor works fine but the mast has to be replaced. bought a $10 mast from ebay and it broke in less than a week. not sure if its my luck or just the quality of the mast i bought but i can still hear the motor when i plug in the power(unplugged it because the motor sound is irritating). i always listen to my ipod so im going to delete it when i paint my car. wasnt planning to remove it till i actually do the bodywork but i dont mind removing it now if you need it. if you want i can buy another mast and install it(not that difficult), so when it gets to you all you have to do is plug it in. let me know if your interested.

[Goonter]

Wow thanks alot for the detailed walk-through pyeat. and cap i'll let you know if ill need that motor thanks alot for letting me know.. thanks alot for all the help guys