The antenna in my W126 has developed a strange quirk. While listening to AM stations the radio acts as if the antenna had a poor connection (low volume and static sound). Then if I go over a bump, the sound returns to normal (as if the connection was once again OK). The radio will do this if I step hard on the brakes (causing the car to lurch).

If I stop and i jiggle the antenna, someitmes the sound returns to normal. Thinking the obvious (a bad connection someplace, most likely in the antenna mount and/or the motor) I pulled out the antenna, cleaned the white track and put the antenna back in. Still smae problem. Then I took the antenna motor off, opened it up, cleaned it inside, regreased the track/gears. Still the same problem.

The FM section works well, regardless of what the AM is doing. The radio is a year-old Alpine headunit. I don't think that there is anything wrogn with the headunit itself, because when I "jiggle" the antenna, the AM sounds fine.

Before I go farther inside the trunk (or replace the entire motor) I'd like to hear suggestions on possible fixes or areas to look at.

Thank you for your help

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Current Benzes

1989 300TE "Alice"
1990 300CE "Sam Spade"
1991 300CE "Beowulf" RIP (06.1991 - 10.10.2007)
1998 E320 "Orson"
2002 C320 Wagon "Molly Fox"

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