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For the short term, just reach under the car behind the rear tire and unplug the thing.
Your antenna mast cable is probably broken. Probably just the end of the cable actually. The nylon cable get's brittle with time. It's a common failure. The good news is your motor is still operating. It's an easy fix.
Remove the antenna nut (Harbor freight sells an antenna nut wrench tool to do this for $5, or use a pliers, but the pliers will probably scratch the nut), then remove the screws/bolts that hold the antenna assembly back by the drivers rear tire. Remove it from the car. On a bench, drill out the rivets on the perimeter of the housing, and the case will split open. Remember how things go before you take it further apart, particularly how the cable wraps around the spool. If the cable, or cable end is broken, you can buy a new one for $27 at Ecklers #29285 (w/o CB). I bought one for my 93 Caddy from Zip cause I think they were cheaper. Anyway, if that turns out to be the issue and you fix it, when you put it back together, put some RTV sealer on the peremeter of the case before you put it back together to keep water out. Use some small stove bolts and nuts in place of the rivets to hold the case together. Good luck,
Great help and adice.. However, I tried to unplug it underneath but could not see or find the plug the antenna was running so I had to disconnect the battery. The muffler makes it hard to see much under there and I could not unplug it.
Do I need to take the muffler off to replace/fix the antenna?
Do I need to take the muffler off to replace/fix the antenna?
No, on the late79-82s it's just the bezel at the fender and one bolt to a bracket at the bottom of the antenna. Should be able to get it out OK.
A needle nose pliers should get that slotted bezel off as it shouldn't be real tight, just snug, since it's against the paint.
How can I disconncet the antenna with the battery connected so I can drive the car until I replace the antenna?
Members have posted several suggestions above to disconnect the antenna.
Also, how do you replace a power antenna?
This is a common topic on the forum...do a search here to thoroughly see how others have tackled this common problem. You can other rebuild your original unit, as others have posted, or just replace the unit. If you wish to rebuild, you'll need the cable kit.
Where is the best place to buy one?
What I have learned from reading posts on this topic, is an aftermarket unit that includes an antenna mast nut that differs from your original. Also, it may also come with its own power relay. An 82 AIM (Assembly Instruction Manual) provides schematics and part numbers that you may need to hunt down a replacement unit.
Once you get it disconnected, take some time to research the best solution for you to get the unit back online.
I'll poke around and see if I can get you some links. Hope this helps!
On my '80 you need to pull back the loose carpet over the drivers side rear wheel well to find the electrical harness plug. Disconnect the plug and the power is off. Push the harness rubber bulkhead plug and harness out the rear corner of the back compartment.
The antenna mast has a white plastic drive cable inside the mast that has snapped. You can take the antenna off and rebuild it yourself with the replacement drive cable kit. Not hard if you are careful.
That Pin Spanner picture I posted above is NOT the tool. The pins are too fat. That is for a grinder wheel.
This is the correct $5 tool from Harbor Freight:
That Pin Spanner picture I posted above is NOT the tool. The pins are too fat. That is for a grinder wheel.
This is the correct $5 tool from Harbor Freight:
The 90 degree configuration works perfectly.
Yes. I also put blue tape around the bezel and pad over that to protect the paint.
11-09-2008, 07:11 PM
1982 Power Antenna
