Power antenna problem - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mbdad · #1 07-09-2003, 09:11 PM

Today I replaced my oem radio with an exact replacement. Everything went smoothly except for the fact that I blew a fuse during installation - I know-I know - I should have disconnected the battery.
Radio and tape player work great. Only problem is the power antenna does not work. I replaced the blown fuse and checked all others.
I'm sure that I did not miss any connections and that the radio is wired up correctly.
Any help in diagnosing the problem would be much appreciated. How do I check to see if the antenna is getting power?
Is there a fuse at the antenna motor?
The car is a '93 190e

SCLJA · #2 07-10-2003, 01:52 AM

no, the is no fuse at the antenna. Are you shure you have the antenna trigger wire connected to the new radio? Whaat fuse did you blow?

Scott

mbdad · #3 07-10-2003, 09:23 AM

Scott-
Blew fuse #13 (at work right now - I'm sure it was #13).
Also checked fuse #19.
I believe that the antenna trigger wire is a plug in at the bottom of the radio (prong).
Appreciate the help!
John

SCLJA · #4 07-12-2003, 12:57 AM

get to the power plug on top of the power antenna motor and check for constant power (red wire) and trigger power (blue wire) and let me know what you find....

Scott

mbdad · #5 07-12-2003, 08:21 AM

Scott-
I will check it this morning.

mbdad · #6 07-12-2003, 08:53 AM

Scott-
Pulled the radio this morning. If I jump a wire from the red power source to the antenna trigger wire, the antenna operates just fine. So it's not the motor.
Trigger wire does not seem to be getting any power.
Can I wire the power jump wire back and leave it alone?

I can get the antenna to stay in the extended position by connecting the trigger wire to the power lead. Does not seem to have any power coming from the prong at the radio itself.

mbdad · #7 07-12-2003, 10:20 AM

By connecting to the radio power lead, the antenna would stay in extended position at all times.
I then tapped into the power lead to the cigar lighter. Now when the ignition is switched on the antenna will extend. When ignition is in the off position the antenna retracts.

Peter Guenther · #8 07-12-2003, 07:37 PM

You could have fried the antenna sense circuitry, but hooking up to the lighter is a novel idea, the antenna wont go down when the radio is turned off "so what"

mbdad · #9 07-12-2003, 08:04 PM

Until I can figure out why the antenna trip wire will not work from the radio itself my goal was simply to get the antenna to extend since I could only pull in only the strongest stations with the antenna retracted.
You are right, the antenna will not retract if I shut off the radio, but it will now retract when the ignition is shut off. I have never shut the radio off prior to turning off the ignition before.
Hopefully Scott can give me some feedback on this setup and the possible problem I'm dealing with.

Isn't the trigger wire simply power from the radio itself to the antenna motor?
Not sure which way you are going with your post. Are you saying that this setup could cause serious problems?
It would take me just a few minutes to disconnect this setup if necessary.
Any help appreciated.

After reviewing my post, I need to add that I look at this as only a temporary fix until I can find the problem.

SCLJA · #10 07-14-2003, 12:25 AM

Your radio seems to be missing its 12v trigger output and will need to visit a repair facility to fix it. Hooking to the acc power will work but it is not a good fix.

scott