Stuck Pwer Antenna

[redSHO96]

So I went to clean off my car after our ice and snow storm here in Utica and afterwards I tried turning on the radio. My antenna went up about 8 inches or so and then just stopped. It worked evertime since i got the car last week so I really dont know whats wrong with it. I tried pulling a bit and spraying de-icer on it, but i didnt want to tugg too hard. I can normally hear the motor making it go up and now the motor turns on for those first few inches and then stops. Just looking for some input before taking the car to Ford or something.

 

[luigisho]

There might be a cut off for how long the motor will run trying to push the antenna up. I would guess somethings jambed in there, gummed up and/or frozen, or most likely the plastic belt is stripped. I would wait until the thaw if reception is still ok. I would not let a dealer charge me to work on this. You will pay alot and can do anything they do yourself. There is a write up on the v8sho.com website. I bought a replacement antenna mast with belt attached and fixed mine myself. It's not that complicated.

 

[redSHO96]

okay, I dont mind fixing it myself at all as long as its not overly difficult. The reception is okay, but Im afraid to use the radio b/c i dont wanna hurt the motor if it is still trying to push up the antenna. I hate how I cant use the cd player or the tape deck without the antenna going up as well. is there a way to cut off power to the antenna until i fix it?

 

[wuzzzer]

The power antenna motor doesn't keep running if the antenna doesn't go all the way up or all the way down.
My antenna sticks it if its really cold and some moisture gets down into the antenna. It goes back up and down fine once it warms up a little.
Its nothing to worry about.

 

[redSHO96]

okay so if the motor shuts off where the antenna gets stuck then I can turn on the radio and not worry about burning out the antenna motor? I just want to double check so I dont run into problems later on.

 

[wuzzzer]

Absolutely. I've owned my car for 6 years and every winter the antenna gets stuck and I've never experienced any problems once it warmed up a little.

 

[redSHO96]

so that "absolutely" means Im fine to let the antenna go up and get stuck, it wont **** the motor, and its a common occurence? that makes me feel better.

 

[JVANBUREN]

If your really worried i would just unplug it, pull the carpet and reach in behind with a screw driver and pop the plug out.

 

[redSHO96]

can i do that and still use the cd player and stuff? we dont have any radio stations here so Im not worried about that. I was reading on V8SHO.com about taking it out, but it didnt specify what the plug went to.

 

[wuzzzer]

Don't worry about it. Nothing will burn out or be damaged in any way.

 

[redSHO96]

great, then ill just let go until its warm enough to really look at. Im hoping that its just water frozen up in there, but with my luck its gonna be dirt or some object jamming it (always ends up that way, nothing is easy)