Hello. . .

The power antenna on my 80 hasn't ever worked since I bought the car this spring. . .obviously not a high priority item!!! However, I would like some ideas on the problem and the cure. One wire is cut going to the antenna (someone's idea of a quick/inexpensive fix) and with the radio on and reattaching the two ends the antenna motor is working but nothing is happening. Suggestions??? Thankx!!

Doug French

You may need  new motor and probably wiring. I'd go for the whole thing since someone has already messed with it.

Follow the wires up to the relay under the center console.  You should have a green, white & black wire from the unit to plug and up to relay. See where the wires take you from relay forward.   I think there is an orange wire coming off the relay to under the dash, and may be power.

It has been a while since I had my head in these antennas.    Check your ground from the bottom of the antenna unit, make sure it is clean, rust cleaned up. 

Boatman

If your motor comes on when you connect the wires, you probably have a break in the mast assembly, this is the typical failure of these antennas. Most of the big part suppliers have a kit to fix the mast. I think it is a plastic part that just breaks over time. FLA VETTE38663.7794097222

My clock works and shows the time but when I turn the knob to turn the radio on.  The whole unit like short curcuits out.  The clock doesn't work nor the radio/antenna goes on/up.   In about 10 minutes or if I turn the vette off and on.  The clock is back on/working but the radio/antannes again does not want to work.  Anyone have suggestions on this....  ????  

  The fuse that controls your antenna also controls your clock and interior light. If there is a load on the antenna, it will efect your clock. Get under the left rear fender and have someone activate the antenna, listen for the motor to run. If it sound like it's straining or under load, then you have a problem in the antenna. I would check the ground on the antenna first. This has always been a problem area. What I did was to remove the ground conection and clean it. I also added a secondary wire to ground from the antenna. I used a small amount of dielectric grease on the contact points where the wires connected and spray painted over that. It helps to keep those areas out of the eliments a little better. Good luck.

Jim  78SEvette

[QUOTE=78SEvette]

  The fuse that controls your antenna also controls your clock and interior light. If there is a load on the antenna, it will efect your clock. Get under the left rear fender and have someone activate the antenna, listen for the motor to run. If it sound like it's straining or under load, then you have a problem in the antenna. I would check the ground on the antenna first. This has always been a problem area. What I did was to remove the ground conection and clean it. I also added a secondary wire to ground from the antenna. I used a small amount of dielectric grease on the contact points where the wires connected and spray painted over that. It helps to keep those areas out of the eliments a little better. Good luck.

Jim  78SEvette

[/QUOTE]

Thanks Jim.   I'll look into this.   I know my ground is ok and will clean it more better.   Now to find the fuse for the radio/clock/interior...     I hate work....

I hope it's just the fuse and not the motor.  Then if it is the motor, I need to find an original radio/cassette/cb antenna for a 1982. 

Anyone know where I can find one?? 

Iron8238682.4430671296

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