SKooT1027

Does anyone know how difficult it is to replace the antenna and motor on pre-85.5 944s? Also.. whats the cost of all the equiptment, and can someone put a link to directions.. or would it have to be done at a shop?

Don 944 LA

I have seen all sorts of replacement antennas ( powered ) on ebay, and some parts vendors also carry them..

I believe you just remove a canister in the drivers side wheelwell, and the antenna unbolts. You also have to unscrew it from the body and there is the electrical and antenna signal wires also..

should be quite easy

KuHL 951

I looked into this on my N/A with a dead antenna. The original cases are very poorly sealed and moisture was what caused all the damage inside. The newer Harada's for sale on eBay are the way to go, especially for $35 or less...At that price you throw them away every 5 years. Mine works great and the fit was correct, even got one in black like the original.

SKooT1027

nice.. thx guys

SKooT1027

2Tight.. on ebay they seem to sell them car brand specific, but i dont see porsche ones anywhere. Can you tell me which one you got so I know what to look for? or an ebay link or something.

KuHL 951

I did a "Porsche 944 antenna" search and there are dozens of them. This is a good one to match OEM:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33639

Luis de Prat

The original Hirschmann units were not black, but chrome. Hirschmann USA still stocks similar units for use on Mercedes Benz cars, but they retail for around $250.

The aftermarket options are indeed pretty good, but whatever you end up with I suggest wrapping the motor housing in duct tape, to protect it from the moisture and road debris that will clobber it in its fender location.

FWIW, I tried three aftermarket Hirschmanns (all made in Orient) with terrible results (all three died after not much use) which resulted in Hirschmann USA comping me a real German unit (see value above) after a phone call to their auto antenna rep. YMMV.

KuHL 951

I'm not sure where my Auta eBay special was made but it's worked daily for the last 18 months. I glopped on some brush on electrical sealer (Glyptol) on all the case joints before installation. My original Hirshmann with the heavy metal case had an all black base and mast; maybe black was a US thing or the dealer had replaced it before I got the car. I always try to keep the mast clean and spray dry silicon spray near the joints. I guess in a colder climate with road salt the life span would be considerably shorter like Luis has experienced.

Luis de Prat

Smart man to seal yours. I didn't think to do it until I got the "real" Hirschmann. My 83 is actually U.S. spec and had an original Hirschmann chrome mast. Euro cars had the antenna inside the rear quarter panel. I guess they "color matched" yours to your car, since it's black.