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Disable power antenna?

sattech2000

Active Member
Joined
December 12, 2010
Messages
79
Reaction score
13
Location
S.W. Mich
City, State
Stevensville
Year, Model & Trim Level
1999 Ford Explorer
What's the easiest way to disable the power antenna from going up and down?

Just boughtmght a 98 explorer limited that I'm in and out of several times a day. I'm noticing the motor making some bad sounds that seems to be getting worse. Hoping I can just disable it in the up position and leave it at that.
 






Should be two plugs going into your antenna assembly, a shielded coax cable, which is the actual antenna wire, and then a one or two wire plug that is the actual motor. Just need to unplug that while the radio is on, and it will stay up. Do note though, driving through an automatic car wash will absolutely destroy it. Might be more peace of mind to walk into a auto store and grab a universal non motorized antenna replacement, or go to a pick and pull and pop a solid one off a lower trim Explorer, or a Ranger. Then you'll never have to worry about it again.
 






I've never tried to open one of those but imagine that there's a way and it needs cleaned out and relubed, OR you could get a shark fin antenna for the rear and besides the hassle of running the lead to it, not have to worry about car wash damage as long as it's durably made.

How about splitting the difference, putting a switch in series on the existing power antenna motor lead so you can control when the vehicle can and can't energize it?

You can also wax the antenna mast itself to reduce friction, but I bet it's dried out lube in the motor gear box that's the primary problem.
 






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