123 Antenna Woes
 

If you have had it with the Hirschman electric antenna that never seems to go up or down. If it is broken what do you do?

There is another alternative for you. I found it when I was at my favorite pick and pull. Did you know that the 123 body also had a manual antenna option which is also located in the rear quarter? Yup!

I found a euro 240D with just such an option. Of course this got my attention... Wow - a way to solve the up / down / non functioning antenna problem. This is especially helpful for those of us who have after market radios without the automatic activation option.

While I did get the manual antenna out of the 240D Euro, I was not satisfied as it looked rather scummy. After looking around I found that there was a brand new MANUAL Hirschman antenna available which was a direct replacement for the original electronic one. It fits with the same grommet and it seals to the body without any problem. I did use the old 240D manual bracket which attaches to the wheel housing. You can probably reuse the electronic bracket, however you'll have to modifiy it to allow it to clamp to the base of the manual antenna. (Use liquid soap to get the head of the antenna through the body grommet. This will wash away and leave no residue.)

Here's where I got it: ************************ Here's the price...

82-385Hirschmann Antennas Manual Antenna $43.75 Shipping:$9.95 Total:$53.70

This 3 segment antenna works well and is an excellent solution to this problem. This would probably also work in a 126 or to replace other chassis (body styles) with Hirschman electric antennas.

Pete Williams
Hen's tooth, Halloween born, 1985 300D Turbo

Manual Antenna option
 

This is great alternative Pete. Thanks for turning us on this. One step better would be a flexible antenna. Mine just bent over for the third time backing under low tree branches that are invisible in the telescopic rear view mirror.

Thanks for tip.

Tips like this one is what makes this a great forum.

My Automatic antenna has BECOME a manual antenna.... :D

Nice alternative though.

A while back, someone posted all the part numbers needed to make the conversion to the manual antenna.

When mine got tired, I just ran it up to the top and unplugged it.

I love the manual antenna on my 240D
It even came with a little key to pop it up from the down position :D

Was it me? I did this swap about 3 years ago. Worked great, now I've got XM and don't even need the thing. :D

The automatics are fun to play with, I can't make it through a year without having at least one of mine apart for a little tune-up.

I think it was. I remember I printed that thread out to save those part numbers, but dang if I can find it now........