Power Antenna Sometimes Wont Go Down

[SWM]

Lately, well, the last couple days, sometimes when i shut the car off, the antenna doesnt go down. if i put the key in and fuss with radio power on off and such, it sounds like its trying to go down (motor working), but it goes 1/2 inch and stops. then, if i shut car off and manuipulate the antenna a bit by turning it slightly back and forth, and try again, it will work. any ideas here, seems to be the mast has something up with it, and is prevented form going down sometimes...thoughts on adjustments?

I searched, but only found references to peopl with entirely broken antenna switches.

[AlvinL]

Clean the antenna before the dirt causes it to seize. It should be cleaned once ina while, maybe monthly. Use something like Wd40 or similar to soak down the antenna, run it up/down seeral times and wiping it off. Repeat several times and your antenna should operate much better.

[SWM]

i figured something like this would do. is it harmful if WD40 runs down the mast into the base or do you suggest just soaking a cloth and wiping it and operating it up and down?

[AlvinL]

There's nothing wrong with letting it run ino the base. Soaking a rag and wiping only cleans the part you see. You need to let the WD40 get into where the sun don't shine to loosen up the trapped dirt. Manually push the fully extended antenna down halfway and slide the antenna by hand to clean. That saves you from running in and out of the car to run the antenna.

[bam]

If the above doesn't fix the problem, the plastic toothed thing inside the mast is probably broken. You can purchase an aftermarket mast from FCP Groton for $16 and it comes with clear instructions. Other than turning on & off the radio when you are trying to get the new one to engage, it is a one person job.

Oh yes, and if you do replace it, be sure to follow the clean & lube directions above as not doing so will cause failure again within a couple of years

Brenda

[Jippi 855 GLT]

like bam saids u need a new mast. can u push it down?what usually happens is when its cold and there is ice on the antennae then it wont go down, but the motor is still pulling the plastic tooth cable, the cold makes it a little more brittle.

[SWM]

thanks gang, some wd40 on the mast and putting it up and down many times and it looks good to go, havent had the issue since. i just held a rag to the mast and squirted the wd40 into the joints and powered on and off the radio to let it work into the mast. did the squirt up/down bit 4-5 times and things look good... now to fix the pesky back seat door pin that is not operating.