Antenna: Motor works & there's signal but not working?

[veg_burner]

I've been having issues with my antenna and i've been searching archives and ran the tests but i'm stumped!
i bench tested it - opened the cover & ran leads from a 12V battery to the motor itself and the mast raised, reversed the leads and the mast retracted as it should.
i am getting 12V to three of the five pins at the connector where it plugs to the antenna with the radio on but the antenna is not moving at all...

any thoughts??

[tangofox007]

Is your antenna switch in a position other than "OFF" ?

[veg_burner]

switch up switch down no workie...

[goldenbear]

Have you tried replacing the antenna mast with a new toothed one? This is a relatively cheap replacement, at ~$25. I've replaced mine a few times. It usually starts with the clicking, then gets stripped altogether. It seems as though your motor is working properly, but the nylon cord isn't engaging. They do strip out over time.

[veg_burner]

there is no sound either back there. if it were simply the mast wouldn't i still be hearing the motor working?

[soydrivermatt]

Broken circuit on the way to the motor? Can you get a friend to help you with a continuity check (long jumper wires and a meter)?

[veg_burner]

anyone know which pins are supposed to have 12V at the connector when the radio is on?

[rg2098]

There is a golden colored large knob like thing on the gear unit. Turn it a few turns each way and see if it makes a difference.

[CSchmidt]

Veg,

I just replace the antenna on my 87 SDL ... so all these answers would need confirmation at your end for your car. MB does tend to use similar solutions across years and cars, hope it helps.

My car has a rectangular connector from the radio to the antenna. It has 5 pins + 1 plastic alignment pin. Red is hot with ignition, blue is radio on signal. I did not use the ground - my unit had a ground strap to the body. The other 2 wires are used for partial up / down I believe.

I did a search in the radio/audio forum and found this when I started.

Chuck

[kolangi]

Hi, i was wondering if you ever figured out the problem with your antenna because i encounter the same problem after i replaced the old mass, the anntenae motor works but unit doesn't work, it wont go up or down

[veg_burner]

i heard it was probably the relay but i didn't want to get into messing with it, especially since i came across a good one at the wrecking yard for $15 so i just put that one in. do a search in the car audio forum on this site - just hit the link at the top of the page to 'technical information and support' and then hit the link to the audio forum. do a search on antennas there, apparently there are folks that rebuild antennas or have parts for cheaper than getting one new if you can't find one at the wreckers.
good luck!