Car antenna won't retract, any ideas on what the repair might cost or if there are cheaper alternatives?
I bought a used car about 9 months ago and it has one of those antennas that automatically retracts when you turn off the radio or turn off the car, and then comes back out again whenever the radio is turned back on. The problem is that a few months back, I switched from CD to radio and then when I got out of the car, the antenna had not gone down. So I turned the car on and off again, and I could hear the antenna motor trying to pull the antenna back down but it was not going anywhere. I assume that what I need to do is replace the motor, but if there is a cheaper alternative that would be great (I don't want to damage or remove the antenna because even though I usually listen to Ipod/CDs, I do occasionally use the radio). Any idea on cost of replacing the motor or any alternatives?
2007-03-18 15:03:05 · 9 answers · asked by Kate 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
There is a toothed plastic cable running along the length of the antenna which winds around a shell inside the body of the antenna mechanism. Chances are this has snapped hence no more antenna movement even if the motor is running. Don't know if this cable is available. If not just change the antenna-you probably can get it cheap in junk shops.
2007-03-18 23:10:36 · answer #1 · answered by Rene B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are alternatives. In order to save yourself time and money, take the vehicle to a professional repair facility and have them perform electrical testing on the circuit. There are a number of things that can cause this problem. The radio may be faulty internally, the fuse to the motor may be blown, there may be an open circuit in the wire, and there is even a possibility that the Body Control Module is not activating it (if the BCM controls it). There is also the possibility that the motor has failed or that the antenna is seized, which caused the motor to work too hard and seize or blow the fuse. I would hate to see you spend money on a motor and then still have the problem. I recommend going to ASE.com to find a Blue Seal rated facility, which is an elite certification that only 3-4% of shops in the nation have. They will be able to give you the solution along with the cost and when they can repair it for you, or you can take it after the evaluation to perform the repair yourself.
2007-03-18 15:11:05 · answer #2 · answered by Mtech 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you hear the motor running, it's probably not the part that requires replacement; and if it's running at the right times it's not likely to be an electrical problem either. It sounds like the linkage between the mast and the motor is broken. In many cases a new mast can be installed into the power antenna base, which is cheaper than replacing the whole antenna; check with a dealer service department.
2007-03-18 16:46:22 · answer #3 · answered by KaeZoo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to "Google" and type in your vehicle make and problem. Example, "BMW Antenna Problem", this is what I did a few years ago when I had the same problem and it took me to a site that sold just the antenna with nylon strip. The cost was around $30.00 instead of $180.00 for the motor with antenna. Chances are, if you hear the motor working it isn't the motor, it is probably the strip which is bad. Mine had bad teeth and wouldn't fully retract. It was quite easy to install. The site you find may even explain step by step how to feed the new strip with antenna. If you don't have any luck with that route, I would call a few salvage yards in your area and purchase a used one that is in fairly decent shape.
2007-03-18 15:15:17 · answer #4 · answered by Homer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rene is correct. There is a plastic tape at the base of the antenna that engages the motor. This is either stripped or broken. It's a five minute process to replace it. You can get a new mast at any place that specializes in auto sound systems.
2007-03-19 03:09:37 · answer #5 · answered by anywherebuttexas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
best and cheapest alternative is to take that antenna off and go to radio shack or even walmart and just buy a regular telescoping antenna that you can pull up or put down by hand, they work great.
2007-03-19 14:45:12 · answer #6 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One alternative would be to let it stay out. What would be wrong with not worrying about whether it retracts or not? Not all cars have that luxury. :)
2007-03-18 15:12:12 · answer #7 · answered by Krista B 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really don't have an idea. You could call a local car dealership and get a estimate from them. Best of luck to you.
2007-03-18 15:09:17 · answer #8 · answered by cajunrescuemedic 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I want to know it too.
2007-03-20 06:26:24 · answer #9 · answered by xgnr2x c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋