I Know this post probably should go in the audio forum, but I posted there and have not received much traffic. so I thought I might get help here.

Ok so aI have read about 30 Hershmann antenna posts and can't find and answer to my troubles.

Symptoms are as follows: With key on and radio on antenna can be controlled via dash switch. When antenna is down and radio is turned on antenna comes up half way on it's own per spec. However, when radio or car is turned off antenna doesn't retract on it's own.

What I have tried: swapped out both radio and switch from my parts car, no change.

SO what do the hershmann experts here think I should look at next?

BTW 1983 300D turbo stock radio stock antenna and power unit.

Thanks for any help. Bill

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1972 280SE 4.5

im not at all a hershmann expert but i recently did some work on my power antenna setup. turns out there is a nylon cord inside the box that coils up as the motor retracts the antenna, over time this nylon cord is worn into the shape of a V belt and doesn't contact the retract wheel and will leave the antenna hanging, motor buzzing. if the motor is still trying to pull it in (audibly check for that) then that is most likely the problem. i installed a firmer spring on the guide wheel and fixed that, should'a replaced the nylon though. if that doesn't fix you try turning your radio on to raise the antenna up and unplug the radio, then turn the radio off leave the key on and plug the radio back in, something about this "resets" the antenna. worked for me when mine did the same thing you described. hope this helps

-nick

I have replaced the nylon antenna on several 132s, you describe exactly what happened to mine, especially if the motor is still running. Bill' reply was correct, I presume you know how to take the antenna out?
ron

Nick & Ron,

Thanks for the replies. The clutch and cord seem to be adjusted and working fine. I can raise or lower the antenna using the dash switch without any trouble. The problem I have is the antenna isn't automatically retracting when the ignition is turned off. I can retract it by pressing the dash switch into the down position as long as the ignition and radio are both on.

I tried to"reset" the radio / antenna as one of you described but no change. Any further ideas?

Bill

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1972 280SE 4.5

This is JUST a guess. Maybe the antenna dash board switch in its normal position is malfunctioning. I don't have the schematic in front of me, but what you just described seems to say that the switch works in the down position and the up position, but in the normal position when turning the ignition switch off --- nothing happens.

I repeat....JUST a guess.

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more