I haven't been able to find much in the search function.

My problem resides with my '85TD. I took out the old power antenna (before I read that you don't have to). I cleaned it out and removed all the old pieces of the ribbed plastic.

After reassembling, I can't get the new plastic pig tail to bite. The motor functions well and seems to make a different noise based upon direction. Everything seems to work ok except I can't get it to take. I have started it at all depths (including cramming it down in there good).

I have rotated the plastic to all directions.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Perhaps its just making noise and the gears are shot.

Thanks

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

I worked on an Hirschman antenna motor last year because the antenna would not lift. I pulled out the antenna mast, and removed the 4 screws holding on the cover. There was a short piece of mast broken off near the bottom of the takeup spool so I removed it. I tried feeding the new mast in using the radio power. It would not go in more than 3/4 the length of the mast. I had to remove the motor from the housing, by removing 3 small screws, and on the inside of the spool I found about a foot of mast that had broken off. You could not see it just by removing the outer cover.
I reassembled the motor, lubed a couple bearings and the motor worked fine.

You might also want to adjust the clutch some too, I was having problems with mine not wanting to go all the way down. Now it will almost go all the way down, I think the clutch is still not tight enough.

How do you adjust the clutch?

On my antenna, it's a the large nut ontop of the spool. If the antenna goes up and down all the way, then it doesn't need to be tighten.

Why not just take it apart again and feed the new mast in manually? I realize it's not as much fun as watching it get pulled in by itself but at least you'll know it's in there properly.

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LRG
1987 300D Turbo 175K
2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul
1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold

Something I did with my strugles in getting my antenna to work, was taking the cover off, and hooking up the antenna and watch it while it was apart. Once everything was working, I put it back together, and reinstalled it on the car.

Thanks guys. I guess I'll have to tear it all apart again. Oh well, its my first battle with an antenna and I'm sure I'll have more. Good education

Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Does anyone know if the belt is sevicable? I took my antenna apart and the drive belt is broken. Thanks.

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Chris Muc

'87 300E 430,000 km

"You can fight without ever winning
But never ever win without a fight"

Neil Peart

I know Performance Products sells them, but you might also want to try FastLane or PartsShop for them too.