Power Antenna replace/repair question

[jsapp]

I pulled the radio and found there is power at the harness. I couldn't find a completely reliable wiring diagram, but the wire I'm pretty sure is the ground(black/lightgreen) is hot continuously..switched on or not. It doesn't seem that the ground should be hot. the other terminals seem to be normally powered or not,depending on switch position, although I can't identify the one in the"I" position..red/ yellow but it is hot when switched on, so is probably ok. What about the hot ground? I'm afraid to try my replacement radio.

 

[jsapp]

Power anyenna/ radio dead

I pulled the radio...checked power to the harness..IT WAS THERE. Using the unreliable wiring diagrams I was able to find on line, I checked out the harness and found that the ground wire was hot. Apparently it had shorted to a hot source somewhere. The other terminals appeared normal. Being extremely reluctant to try to trace the wire bundle through the vehicle looking for a short, I decided to cut the hot ground wire, tape it off and run a new ground wire to the nearest convenient spot. Lo and behold, that restored radio function. I was then able to feed in a new mast, and everything works, except the subwoofer seemed to be damaged, making loud static noises. I disconnected it til I can find a replacement in a salvage yard, which hasn't been easy.

I still have a little concern about the short in the original ground wire and still can't imagine how that occurred since I wasn't even in the vehicle at the time. It may have something to do with the damaged subwoofer. I'll watch and wait.
Thanks for the interest in my problem.

 

[CDW6212R]

Well done. You can replace the woofer for little cost, hunt on here to see what others have done. Stock is 8" IIRC(6" pre 95), but some have stuck 10" speakers in there.

 

[jsapp]

Thanks Don.
Since I have put everything back together I've started wondering that since the subwoofwr is making loud static noises that it might be working and the problem might be the signal it is receiving. I don't know exactly what drives the subwoofer but if it has an ampifier type thing it might have failed. I wish I hadn't closed it up, because I'm tired of working on it...the radio wasn't the only thing in trouble when I got it back from the loan to my son...replaced window regulator, turned rotors, waxed it. I'm surprised at the loss of sound quality without the subwoofer, but I do have radio function. If anyone knows how this works i'd appreciate a description. The subwoofer developed a rattle a long time ago and I found another one in a salvage yard and replaced the old and it has been fine 'til now...several years. That was very simple and it was clear what the problem was. Now I wonder.

If anyone has any thoughts on this I would love any suggestions.
Joe

 

[dcdyd]

I just completed reparing the power antenna on my 98EB. ABout three weeks ago, the anttena was pulled out and couldn't be pulled in when I turn off the engine. I hear the motor spins trying to pull the antenna in but antenna doesn't move at all.

After carefully reading many threads here, I decided to give it a go for replacing the mast. So I brought this on eBay for $28 shipped.

Firstthing is to remove the cover in black as shown below.

It has 4 J type clips under the four corner and those are easy to be broken. So be careful to push coners one by one to get the cover removed. I broken 2 of the four in the process.

And then under the cover, you can see a metal fastner with hex shaped top. Use wrench to remove that. YOu can now get the antenna out.

When I get my antenna out, I found that the plastic stripe which pulls and pushs the anttena is shorter than the new one. I immediately realized that there is part of the plastic stripe inside the antenne.

So I removed the tire, removed the cover for the tire well and take down the antenna. After unscrewing 7 small screws, I open the antenna and found broken stripe inside.

Take the broken stripe out. mount the antenna back and insert the new antenna in. The teeth of the plastic stripe of the new antenna should towards the passenger seat in order for it to get into the gear of the antenna motor.

My wife turned on the radio and then off so that the gear can pull the plastic stripe in. Doing this on/off several times and the antenna starts working perfect.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

I honestly did not think it was this easy to install a new mast, I was at the junk yard a few weeks ago trying get another one out, by taking off the fender, and well, lets just say it didn't go well. I might as well buy a new mast considering I am installing an all new stereo in my truck anyway.

 

[dcdyd]

The most time I took was to reove the tire, remove the fender and well. If the old mast doesn't have anything left inside the antenna motom gear, it should be fairly easy.

 

[Tinker60661]

My power antenna stopped working and then the car was vandalized. Antenna was broke off at the base. Just a stub now. I think the motor eventually failed as well so not interested in replacing the entire thing. Question is, can I mount a fixed antenna in its place? Perhaps a short antenna such as the following found at Ebay:

FORD 3 in/76 mm JDM 1Pc Black Carbon Fiber Universal Screw Type Short Antenna

Thanks in advance for any advice.