Can't get it up
 

I have an automatic antenna that only raises and lowers a couple inches. Also, it's far from flush to the fender when down (about 8 inches remain extended). The Bently mannual states that on 84-89 Carreras the antenna is in the windshield so it doesn't give me much help. Any ideas on how to R&R the electric antenna or why it's not raising or lowering all the way?

Thanks,
Dylan

ps- It could be an after-market piece of crap: I don't know

Try cleaning the antenna mast with wd40. If that doen't help the "cable" inside has probably moved around a bit. Most likely you'll have to remove the unit to open it up and free it.

Re: Can't get it up
 

Reading only the thread makes me think of Viagra.:D

Probably the wire inside are broken in thoose cases the antenna usually dont make it to the top. Open it up and check it.

/J

At my age
 

I'm not even going to try to explain why I read the thread.

Re: At my age
 

Try cleaning the mast with wd40. :)

Re: Can't get it up
 

Hmmm.

Clean the mast with wax paper, not wd-40.

Nevermind your choice in lube - isnt "cleaning the mast" the womans job?

It has been a while since i did this but the drive mech can be removed and rebuilt. Usually this is just a matter of removing the cover , clean out all the gunk and adjust the clutch if necessary.
Jerry

[QUOTE]Originally posted by PBH
Clean the mast with wax paper.....

If I clean my mast with wax paper, can I avoid buying Viagra?

Replacement Hirschmann antennas are like 65 bucks...

I'm with Moses on this one. Eight inches is plenty.

How many of you are over 30? If so double your viagra, and maybe you'll get results....

Ah, a new name for it. Hirschmann...

Well, my eight inches now grows to about two and a half feet: success!
However, I still can't get it down below eight inches and Viagra can't help.

I'm thinking that the mast is after-market because I hear the motor turning but it just won't lower any more. I lubed, cleaned, tugged and pushed but it didn't budge.

Will someone tell me if the mast is suppose to be flush with the fender when lowered or if it's always erect and protruding somewhat?

(and I'll admit, I'm a bit scared of the answers to come)

It is definitely supposed to be flush w/ the fender when not in use. And the Bentley manual, much as I like it, can drop the ball w/ dilineating model year differences sometimes. The 1984 Carrera still came w/ a fender antennae I believe, (can someone confirm?), the 'inside the windshield' one was maybe in 1985, definitely 1986. Worked at a dealer in those days, but it's been a looooong time. ;)

If the thing is just shot, maybe hold a dignified funeral for it and bury it in the back yard, a brand new one is reasonable and helps support the auto parts segment of our tired economy. :cool:

New Hirschmann's are $39. Search for another thread that shows you where. For that price it is not worth the trouble of trying to fix the existing one!

Correct...I own a late '84 and it is fender mounted. You can usually find these for cheap on ebay.

-BG

You may not need to change the entire antenna assembly. Often in these cases you can just change the mast. Unscrew the top nut on the mount and turn the radio on. The mast will go up and you can just pull it out at that point. Be careful to observe which direction the teeth on the nylon gear strip face. You can buy replacement masts for less than $20. Feed the new mast, with the nylon gear teeth facing the same direction as the one you removed, then turn off the radio. The motor will pull the new mast into the fender. Just replace the top nut and all should be fine.

Ray - How do you mean? I removed the whole unit, took apart and re-thread the nylon rope, etc. but couldn't remove the mast at all?

Fog - All I had to do was remove the top nut on the bezel outside the fender. This was all that held the mast and nylon gear strip in place. When I turned on the radio, the mast just came right out. The new one (Hirschman - with the logo of the H with a flag) pulled in just as easily.

This forum saves the day again!

My power antenna got a small bend in it, and no amount of bending, greasing,waxing would make it fully retract. Was about to pull the whole unit to service, when a quick search found this thread (5 years old , but still relevant!)

I had a new mast, so I simply undid the top nut, turned on the radio, which popped the old antenna and gear strip right out. Put the new one in, turned off the radio, and tightened up the nut. Set a new record for my shorted p-car project ever. 3 minutes.

Thanks Pelican community!

On the other hand, when I replaced mine, I cracked the case...the entire inside of the case was corroded--no amount of WD40 or wax paper on the mast would have resurrected that one.

I did use a cheap manual for a little while--nice in that you can raise it up just a little bit and leave it there (and in raising it up about three inches higher than the roof, it was my "early warning device" that I was about to slam in to the still-rising garage door). I then replaced it with a $39 anodized black eBay unit. Replaced the radio with a new Alpine at the same time and powered the antenna through the radio so it gave the added bonus of not having the mast go up when I'm listening to a CD or my iPod.

Just replace it...