Antenna Grommet discovery; new problem. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Solid Snake · #1 04-23-2010, 02:26 PM

Hey guys,

So, I had no idea the antenna grommet was such a PITA to put on; Gave me an excuse to investigate my rarely functioning antenna (i.e. once every 3 months.)

While taking my antenna out, I disconnected the ground (yellow wire?), which was also screwed to the unidentified BROKEN wire (Red question mark/ arrow).

As my antenna now no longer functions, would this wire affect it? Does anyone even know what the wire is? its really thin, if that even helps

Attached is my MS paint representation; no idea where my camera is...

Thanks a million,

Carlen

tinypanzer · #2 04-23-2010, 11:20 PM

There should be three wires not two. Check the connector plug and see if something has broken off or been disconnected. Perhaps somebody stuck one in there from a different model car and attempted some sort of conversion?

Solid Snake · #3 04-24-2010, 09:47 AM

Whoa three wires?

There's that gold braided one, the unidentified black one that snapped, and the 5 or 6 plug that snaps into the top of the unit; is there a way to check if it is a replacement unit?

It certainly didn't look like it...

Thanks,

Carlen

macdrone · #4 04-24-2010, 10:51 AM

You must have the external box that failed so they removed it and jerry rigged it. The block of wires is supposed to plug into a box that slide onto the 2 poles on the antenna. The control module changed voltage as appropriate to make antenna go up or down. If a phone system was install a blue wire would be spliced off that and go to an external amplifier. Ill try and take a picture of mine today if weather permits.

Solid Snake · #5 04-24-2010, 10:56 AM

That makes perfect sense; this car still has the phone cable under the trim in the front, the Escotel Wireless box bolted in the trunk, but no phone cradle or that box that clips on top of the antenna...

Would the lack of this box cause my super intermittent antenna issues?

Your future pictures are much appreciated!

I'll take some pictures soon as I found my camera this morning.

Thanks,

Carlen

macdrone · #6 04-25-2010, 02:35 AM

Your antenna will not really work at all except they ran some jerry rig set up to get movement, that box controls all function up and down.

Solid Snake · #7 04-25-2010, 09:19 PM

So basically you're saying I have just the mechanical portion of the unit and not the electrical control portion?

If that's the case, how do I go about getting a functioning antenna? It drives me crazy not having a radio...

macdrone · #8 04-25-2010, 09:21 PM

Ya well some had the unit inside but you said your plug had more wires by it. If you go to benzworld.org there are threads and threads on the subject. My wife hid the camera but im trying to get a pic up.

babymog · #9 04-25-2010, 09:44 PM

If I'm seeing your diagram correctly, you have a braided ground wire, a co-axial antenna wire, and the 6-pin connector. What the red wire leading from the ground is/was is un-known as Mercedes uses brown for ground (as is SOP for European autos), it was added.

The six-wire connector runs the antenna up and down. If it is not working, there are a couple of failure modes, mostly involving water getting into the assembly and doing damage, some of it is reversable and I keep a couple of parts antennas around for such repairs.

Your best bet IMO if all wires are there that I mentioned, is to pull the antenna and disassemble.

Solid Snake · #10 04-25-2010, 10:03 PM

So I have a mystery wire...

Sweet.

I wouldn't doubt (a lot) of water made its way into the unit; theres some oxidation at the six-plug and the grommet was pretty dried up.

I'll take it out sometime soon I suppose and pop her open, but what am I looking for once I'm inside the beast? Any obvious signs of water damage?

Thanks,

Carlen