Charley B

Can someone point me to a section in the WSM that will help me diagnose if the motor is good or bad? I have 12 volts at the motor but I don't know which contacts are responsible for raising and lowering.

SharkSkin

I *think* it has fused power and a ground -- then power applied to the third wire extends the mast.

Mrmerlin

black, red, and white
Black should OHM to ground. with everything off
Red is 12 volts from battery , key off ( so the mast will lower once the key/ radio is turned off)
White wire should be switched from the radio being turned on , or connected to the blue wire from the aftermarket radio, Blue wire also signals the amp to turn on ( aftermarket radio)

Charley B

It appears to be a three wire system. The antenae is now stuck in the up position with 12 volts at two of the contacts at the motor. Previously it was stuck in the down postion for the last few months. Ignition is off.

Would you suggest that I apply 12 volts to the third contact as a test? I know just enough about electrics to fry the motor if there's a way.

Charley B

With ignition off and mast up I have 12 volts at the two contacts on the right. If I short the contact on the left to the rotating disc underneath the motor runs and the disc begins to rotate haltingly, but the mast does not move.

SharkSkin

Mast may be jammed. Try helping it along, see if you can work it back and forth with a little WD40.

Charley B

Tried lubricating but it but it won't budge. I was hoping for a definitive test to determine if I just need to order another motor. I guess I should pull it and see if I can get it to work on the bench.

SharkSkin

There is a clutch in there that goes "clunk-clunk-clunk" when the antenna has reached its limit of travel. Does that seem to be activating, or when you say "haltingly" are you referring to more of a weak motor/bad connection kind of thing?

Charley B

The motor sounds normal. The disc under the three contacts moves haltingly in a CW direction for about 3/4 of a turn. I have no idea what the behaviour of the disc should be. I assume when activated it's designed to move to a different position. There is no clunk clunk clunk sound but I can assume that is because the motor is positioned to lower the mast, not raise it.

SharkSkin

OK, that piece may be geared to the main spool, and if the main spool is turning without moving the mast, you may have a broken cable. See if you can remove the mast -- topmost nut around the mast, shouldn't require removing the whole assembly from the car.

Mrmerlin

OK pull the motor,.......... you can unscrew the top securing cap and pull the mast out, then drop the motor from under the quarter after disconnecting the antenna lead and the power wires

Charley B

Having removed the cap nut the mast does not want to pull out of the motor.

Charley B

OK, the motors out with the mast still attached. the mast does not want to budge. Guess I'll apply some persuasion to it. Pretty tough to do without tweaking the mast shape. Round is important.

SharkSkin

Back from washing the shark -- Sounds like your mast is crudded/corroded into place. WD-40 is probably safe for the plastics inside, PB or Kroil may or may not be. Your choice, but I think some form of chemical persuasion may be called for.

Charley B

OK, bench testing it resulted in the motor extending the antenae if I pushed it in by hand first, but it would only click when applying power with the mast extended. Pushing the mast in by hand resulted in some nasty sounds coming from the winding area. Also at extension it doesnt make the clunking sounds that indicate it is setting up to reverse direction. Guess I'll just order a new one.