Antenna retracted leaving 5 inches, now wont extend at all

[stockdad]

Last couple of times I turned off the radio, the antenna wouldn't retract all the way. The last time it did retract all the way, but then it wouldn't extend at all. Help!

[1985 300SD Sady]

Can you hear the motor trying to move the antenna?

if so, sounds like you need a new antenna mast.

Lucky for you, they are cheap and extreamly easy to install.

Originally Posted by 1985 300SD Sady

Can you hear the motor trying to move the antenna?

if so, sounds like you need a new antenna mast.

Lucky for you, they are cheap and extreamly easy to install.

Sorta cheap, they're close to $60 now.

[stockdad]

Originally Posted by 1985 300SD Sady

Can you hear the motor trying to move the antenna?

if so, sounds like you need a new antenna mast.

Lucky for you, they are cheap and extreamly easy to install.

Nope, no motor sound, dammit

[1985 300SD Sady]

Originally Posted by stockdad

Nope, no motor sound, dammit

Check the fuse... if the mast failed, the motor could draw too much current which would blow the fuse.

Unfortunately, this could also fry the circuit board.

If you have to replace it I would get one from ebay user name antenna_x

It includes instructions, and the price is right.

[stcbenz83]

THis is what someone on ebay wrote:
Antenna X sells cheap imitation stuff, which may be fine if you have a normal car. In my case I knew an RX7 had special wiring and corresponded prior to buying and was assured the antenna would work. It literally melted when installed, and the guarantee... well I think they disappeared off the planet the next day. and since they shipped 28 days after the order, the paypal guarnantee was also void. Pretty smart. So if you are sure you have a positive action power antenna - one that goes up or down when you apply power, then this stuff is cheap but should be fine. If you have any special requirements as Mazda and I assume Mercedes, Jag, and any unique Marque would have, stay away even if they guarantee you that it will work. The $11 isn't worth the damage you can do to the car or your blood pressure.

BUt anyways does anyone know how to get to the antena if it is mounted in the front which i assume was only on the grey market cars>????

[stockdad]

If the fuse did blow (checking this morning), could it be because the antenna needs lube? If so, how/what do you use for it?

[1985 300SD Sady]

Originally Posted by stockdad

If the fuse did blow (checking this morning), could it be because the antenna needs lube? If so, how/what do you use for it?

Possibly.

(after checking the fuse)

I would remove the mast if I were you. You should be able to move it up and down easily. If you can move it easily, it probably means that either your circuit board is toast or there is a bad connection somewhere.

Just recently (after replacing mine with a good used one) it quit working again. I feared I had burnt up the circuit board after seeing the fuse was good. Luckily one of the leads to the motor itself had come undone... I resoldered both of them and now it is very reliable.

Keep us up to date.