New power antenna noise?

[LEGACY_GN]

Works fine but makes horrendous buzzing sound going up and down. Is this normal? Brand new unit from Gbody Parts.

 

[LEGACY_GN]

Well, it went up and down 4 times and quit, thankfully in the up position. $300 well spent.

 

[Heskahoka]

I know what you mean. My 'brand new' GBody Parts power antenna did pretty much the same thing. I have it permanently in the up position now also.
It was not worth the time/effort to pull it, try and get it replaced only to get one that lasts only days again.
Caveat Emptor.

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

Works fine but makes horrendous buzzing sound going up and down. Is this normal? Brand new unit from Gbody Parts.

Bag the power antenna and get fixed one. None of them work and save your self the torture of taking the fender off ever again. Brad

 

[LEGACY_GN]

I don't appreciate throwing away $200 (after core charge) though neither. I just had car painted and thats why i went with new antenna so i hate to take fender off again. I'd like to know how many people have had similar experiences with these antennas.

 

[BobbyBuick]

i REPAIR THEM FOR PEOPLE IF YOU SEND ME A CORE OR I
CAN JUST DO A MAST FOR YOU IN AVIATION CABLE
http://turbobuick.com/forums/threads/antenna-repair-service-steel-cable.396095/

 

[LEGACY_GN]

Ok, I called them and they said it's the relay. If it was broke it would just keep running, but the clicking noise I hear is the relay failing. To be continued.

 

[aminga]

The relay has a ground and if it's bad it can act like a bad relay.


FWIW I'm still rocking the stock Power antenna circa 1986.

 

[LEGACY_GN]

Does it ground on the firewall by the battery?

 

[LEGACY_GN]

It does make a clicking noise and did work intermittently yesterday. Where is this ground at?

 

[aminga]

Grounds to the metal frame inside the dash over to the right of the glovebox.

 

[LEGACY_GN]

Found it. Ground is solid. I can hear the relay click when I turn the radio on and off. Interestingly the radio does cut out and have no sound on occasion and the lighter pops the fuse everytime you try to use it for anything be it a lighter or charger, which all use same relay, so maybe it is bad?

 

[standupjskiguy]

On mine, the relay contacts got pitted from arcing caused by the antenna going up as I turned the key on and then trying to go down as I cranked the engine.
Then up again as the engine ran.
I learned to then leave my radio off until the engine was running and turn it off before I shut the engine off.
If you get the relay out you can get the cover off and clean the contacts with very fine 600 grit sandpaper and it will work again.
I later built a electronic timer circuit to aid this condition.
Now I leave the antenna disconnected because radio stations suck.

 

[LEGACY_GN]

Wow, that's awesome, thanks. I'll try it tonight.