It sems that the antenna motor on my 300 TD wagon has a battery-draining short. It also turns out that the antenna motor for thre 300D sedan is different, because the wagon antenna is close to parallel to the body. The 300TD antenna motor has a different part number.

There doesn't seem to be a cheap Hirschmann alternative to the antenna for my car. I really don;'t want to pay over $200 for such an item. Has anyone found a decent alternative, such as repairing the old motor, an alternative source for the antenna motor other than Hirschmann or even a manual antenna?

I have done a search, but haven't found any info.

Thanks for all your help in advance!

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Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)

I haven't seen too many on Ebay. Alternative is your local junkyard. If you think the problem is the antenna itself, you might try looking inside it. They're not too complicated. ******** Arizona has a replacement for $146 for the wagon.

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Der Panzermann und Fraulein Fahrvergnuegen

1991 420SEL 201K "The Big Blue One"
1985 300DT 205K chassis/285K engine nee California emissions "Goldbug"
1983 300TDT 255K "The Womble"
1983 300 DT 214K "Sea Sprite"-Rear-ended a truck
1983 300SD 285K "The Donor" Gave his life so that others can live
1980 500SL Euro 105K "Der Panzer"

IPS Parts has a new replacement for $168.
Can you hear the motor working when you start the car or turn the radio on and off? If it is working then you may just need a new mast with is much more affordable.

Mine doesn't work. I pulled it up about half way, and disconnected the power to it, so it doesn't try to go up and down, but it still get reception. Some day I will mess with it.

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If it helps... I opened my antenna motor a few weeks ago
to give it a thorough inspection.

It it easy to do and there are a few places where problems can
develope.

You may find your short and be able to repair it yourself.

Mine was shorting out and blowing the fuse (not just draining battery),
the circuit board inside was grounding. I moved it over a little and
the antenna works perfectly now.

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80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs
83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day
02 Z71 Suburban 117,000
15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles
00 Harley Sportster 24k
09 Yamaha R6
03 Ninja 250

Thanks. I will take it apart and see what can be done.
If not $168 is better than $226
If anyone knows of a cheaper solution, please let me know.

__________________
Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)

Why not just buy an aftermarket universal one? thats what i did cost $50 at kragen and looks original enough.

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Current:
05 E320 CDI
07 GL320 CDI
08 Sprinter
05 Dodge Cummins
01 Dodge Cummins

Previous
2004 E55 AMG
2002 C32 AMG (#2)
1995 E300
1978 300D
1987 300D
2002 C32 AMG(blown motor :[
1981 300SD
1983 300SD
1987 300SDL
2002 Jetta TDI
1996 S420
1995 S500
1993 190E 2.6
1992 190E 2.3
1985 190E 2.3 5-Speed

Is that on the 300TD wagon, the antenna pokes through the body at about a 75 degree angle, and the fittings on the universal models are only adaptable up to 30 degrees or so.

This is why the 300D sedan antenna won't fit.

It might be possible to use the old hardware with the new antenna. I will have to take it apart and look it over.

ThankS!

__________________
Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)