How do you switch your motorized antenna to a fixed one

[87grandnat]

my antenna has had it it wont go down and shut off, so i have to take the fuse out or disconnect my battery everytime i go some were for a long period of time, would like to switch it with a 8'in one from Kirban but have heard that changing it is a task, what other stuff would i need to do it besides the antenna?, thanks for any info

 

[azgn]

just unplug the power connector to the antenna (no need to pull a fuse or anything else)

to replace, you need to loosen the fender (at the pass side door) and pull it out far enough to get the motor out.....then install the fixed mast.....not a huge job, but not all that easy either (I had someone else do mine....)

 

[87grandnat]

thanks azgn, could you tell me were that power connector is the one that i thought it was wasnt it and i cant seem to find which one it is

 

[TType84]

near the fan motor, might be tucked down in the corner or even in the fender. black 3 wire connector, white green and grey wires coming out of it

 

[87grandnat]

will my cd player still work with this unplugged

 

[G McCall]

There is an option.
My windshield was replaced with a windshield that has an antenna in the glass. However, the connections are different and I have not gone to a radio shop for a "fix". My power antenna is broke also.
A side note : I was going to replace my 6X9 speakers with stock 4x10s I recently bought . Roll bar got in the way of my new 4x10s !
My radio listenig days are behind me in this car. Hell, the "drone" drowns out any sound from the radio anyway.

 

[azgn]

cd player will still work as will the radio....ant just won't go up & down

what ttype84 said about the connector...likely tucked down beside the heater box

 

[87grandnat]

cool thanks for the info, now i just gotta go find that thing

 

[BlackBeauty]

Originally posted by azgn
just unplug the power connector to the antenna (no need to pull a fuse or anything else)

That's what I did. Instant fixed mast antenna!
As for your CD player, I don't see why it wouldn't work. When you switch over to CD, it just cuts the power going to the power antenna.

 

[TType84]

Originally posted by ILBCNU6
Why not fix it? I bought a complete new OEM one for a $100 from GM. Usually the cable breaks and it can be replaced. Be careful pulling back the fender as it can be kinked. HTH Gene

the cables suck, its not worth it. ive put a new cable in, and a new cable/mast in. its broken twice and ive had the car since 1998. last time it broke i just gave up. like he said up there, unplug it = instant fixed mast antenna.

FWIW you really should have just bought the cable itself.. its like $15 from GM

it includes the POS weedwacker like cable and the top 14" of the antenna, you just have to take the old one out of the fender and feed the new wire into the motor assy. snap it back together and bolt it back in.. good as new. but i'm not takin that f'in fender off ever again.. ive done it twice on my car and like 5 times for friends..

 

[87grandnat]

well wednesday i ordered the 8in fixed black mast, and am having the place that installed my alarm put it in for me, the antenna was like 25 and its like 120 to put it in so i figured i would just let some proffesionals do it.

 

[TType84]

mine is always cleaned when i wash the car.

but lubing a piece of plastic cord?

thats ridiculous to think that GM would expect owners of 80's cars to lube the power antenna for it to keep functioning.

its a bad design, and the fact mine broke twice in four years of ownership proves that.

 

[nite-mare bob]

Hey G McCall i was thinking of doing that also let me know how it works. my car needs painting anyway so i could have the hole on the fender filled. in i never have liked external antenas anyway.
THANKS