81 300SD antenna motor lost its mind

[tyl604]

Well, after bragging about my original Hirschman antenna motor, it has suddenly lost its mind. When I turn it off it does not retract - I have to use a key to short circuit two of the flat copper strips inside the motor to make it retract. Of course it works fine going up; if I forget and leave the radio on, it goes up when I start the car - then when I turn it off I have to do the short circuit thing again.

I have had this puppy out of the car and opened up before when it did not work at all. Think I messed it up myself by getting one or two sets of the points out of kilter - but I bent one of the flat copper switches so that the points gap looked about right and it worked again until this week.

Does anyone have any idea what to do? The motor is obviously good but something is out of adjustment. I am comfortable with taking it completely apart but am not sure what to look for.

Thanks again for the help. Oh yes, the inside switch has stopped too - related???