One day a couple of weeks ago the electric antenna in my 400e didn't go up. So I removed it took the cover off if I spun the belt by hand the antenna retracted and went up ( manually if you will).
By the time the week end came around the antenna started going up and down , just like it should. So I was happy!!!!. About 5 days later did the same thing, then the antenna extended and stayed extended. Couple of days later it went back down, at this point it hasn't reamerged. ( does this mean six more weeks of winter...lol).

I'm thinking the antennas ok?? But its not getting a signal, sometimes. Ideas for things to check, and where?

Thanks for your help

George

check to make sure the power antenna has good ground... then check to see if you get 12v constant power, and 12v turn on signal using a circuit tester.....

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95 M3 (US)
94 318is (EURO)
87 190E 2.6

Any luck sorting this out? I'm in the same boat. Also, I just got a used JVC tuner, and it doesn't have a lead marked 'antennae'. Just ground, accessory, battery, and the 8 speaker leads. Suggestions for making the antennae work automatically? Thanks!!

Ash

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Ash Peltier - tools, truck, tales
---------510-331-4118-----------
1982 240D - (272,000)
1998 Honda VTR1000F(RT) Superhawk Freeway (58,000) "Madrid"
1996 Toyota T100 4x4 (84,000) "Mary Kay"

I would pull out the antenna, open it, and lubricate everything, and change the mast if its dirty and old and can't be cleaned up and lubricated.

It could be a loose wire, so check all the connections.

Perhaps the wire at the antenna or back of the radio for the antenna is loose.

Alon.

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon - Sold
2006 E350 Wagon - 368 - Dead
2015 GL350 Bluetec - 197U

for the jvc radio, is there an remote wire, maybe a blue wire off the back of the radio? most radios have a remote wire to power an external amplifier, but it is also used for the antenna.

Alon

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'92 300CE - Sold
2004 C240 - 744 - C7 Wheels - Android Radio
2002 C320 - 816 - Sport Wagon - Sold
2006 E350 Wagon - 368 - Dead
2015 GL350 Bluetec - 197U

Ahh... that's what 'remote' means. Duh! Thanks, Ashman!

As it is, that head unit is getting assessed for repair, as the power flickers on and off REALLY fast, making it totally unuseable. Hope it's not an expensive repair.

-Ash

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Ash Peltier - tools, truck, tales
---------510-331-4118-----------
1982 240D - (272,000)
1998 Honda VTR1000F(RT) Superhawk Freeway (58,000) "Madrid"
1996 Toyota T100 4x4 (84,000) "Mary Kay"

Finally got around to taking the antenna apart, Looks fairly clean.
Whats good for a lubricant?

Checked voltages at the connector to the antenna, there are 3 sockets that have wire attached to them.
(1) has constant power with key turned on
(1) has power only when the radio is turned on
(1) appears to be at ground potential.

So everything is OK, up to the antenna?????

If I turn the belt that connects the motor to the gears, I can manually make the antenna go up and down. Everything seems
to move freely.

Any good ideas as to who might do repairs or have rebuilt
units? Checking prices its almost $200.00 to replace it with new.

Thanks
George

You might check www.antennaworld.com . They have some great units that will work like the factory and even look the part. I had the same problems of the antenna working when it wanted to on my 90 420sel and I finally replaced the unit with one of these units and it works perfectly now. The unit I bought plugs directly into the factory plug with no rewiring and the switch on the dash is like factory. The unit for my car was $100 and they sell anywhere from $150-$180 anywhere else.

You have checked that it works manually so I would agree this sounds like a connection problem. Listen for a motor noise when radio turned on or off. Or reopen case and see if it turns, see if connection fails somewhere. This could be caused by bind in mast or gears. You may have allready done this, if so check/ clean connections. A clean mast moves very freely. good luck.

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Delsman
92' 400E, 107k
BMW 535i, 165k

Power antenna's have what are called "limit switches". They are at the ends of the travel. They "sense" when the antenna is up, or down, and sometimes reverse the polarity of the current to the motor so as to change the direction of travel. Anyhow, look for the limit switches and check to see that they are working. Sometimes it is only necessary to clean the contacts.

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Resistance is Futile.