Power antenna switch

94_SDV · #1 (**permalink**) 11-26-08, 07:35 PM

Would anyone happen to know the best way to clean the power antenna mast? I have a 94 DeVille and the mast sticks in three places going up and down. I wiped it down with mineral spirits but it still sticks. Also, when I gently help it down, the motor keeps running even though it's down fully.

On another note, I wired a switch in the ashtray on my Aurora so I could raise and lower the antenna on demand (which was good when we had freezing rain, as the antenna would try to rise but couldn't, so I hit the switch to stop the motor from trying to raise it.) If I remember correctly, it was easy to install and I used on if the wires going from the radio, but I can't remember which one. Has another tried this and, if so, which wire did you use?

Thanks a lot guys, this forum is a fountain of info, and it is much appreciated!

EMB1230 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-26-08, 07:53 PM

That's acually a great idea, Ford has done it for years. I always thought it was dumb for the antenna to go up if your using the tape deck/cd player.

But to answer your question, I think the pwr antenna lead is a blue wire, but i'm not 100%

**Ranger** · #3 (**permalink**) 11-26-08, 09:40 PM

With the antenna down, open the cover on the motor. DO NOT run the motor with the cover off. Grease the coiled cable and gears real good with white lithium grease (pack it in there). Replace the cover and I'll bet it will operate normally.

94_SDV · #4 (**permalink**) 11-26-08, 09:48 PM

Thank again, Ranger. I will try that.

dirt_cheap_fleetwood · #5 (**permalink**) 11-27-08, 03:24 AM

You can wire the antenna to go up and down, its real easy. I did it on my '88 for the exact same reason, I don't want it going up in bad weather when I can just use my mp3 player. I can check in my FSM for 1995 DeVilles but on my '88 the wire was pink. What radio do you have in your car?

The install is simple. Just cut the wire that controls the antenna and install an 2 position on/off switch. The antenna goes up when it receives voltage from the radio on the signal wire. If you turn the switch off (open the circuit) then the antenna never gets the voltage and it stays down.

94_SDV · #6 (**permalink**) 11-27-08, 11:57 AM

Thanks DCF, that's exactly what I did in my Aurora, it was very easy, I just don't know which wire to cut on this car. It's the factory Delco am/fm/cassette. I also have a Sony 10 disc changer hooked up but this shouldn't affect it. Mine is a 94 Sedan DeVille (base not Concours).

dirt_cheap_fleetwood · #7 (**permalink**) 11-27-08, 09:05 PM

Okay, just went through the wiring diagrams for the radio and it looks like no matter what radio you have the antenna signal wire is dark green in color. To be safe though make sure you test it with a 12 volt test light and see if the light goes on and off when you turn the radio on and off respectively.

94_SDV · #8 (**permalink**) 11-27-08, 09:14 PM

Dark green, gotcha. I will do as you recommended. Thanks again.

94_SDV · #9 (**permalink**) 11-28-08, 04:26 PM

Well, I packed the antenna coil and gears full of white lithium grease and it didn't work. The antenna still sticks in 3-4 places going up and down. Anyone have any other suggestions?

**Ranger** · #10 (**permalink**) 11-28-08, 05:51 PM

Remove the bezel on the fender at the base of the mast and try to get some grease down in there with the antenna up. When it retracts, it may pull some down and hopefully to the point where it is sticking. The mast isn't bent, is it?

94_SDV · #11 (**permalink**) 11-28-08, 06:13 PM

No, the mast is not bent. I didn't spray the mast itself, only the gears and cord inside the bottom of the power antenna motor. I heard you should only use mineral spirits on the mast itself, which I did use to clean. Should I have sprayed the white lithium grease closer to the top of the motor, near the mast?

**Ranger** · #12 (**permalink**) 11-28-08, 07:13 PM

Yeah, the cable is attached to the bottom of the thinest part of the mast and is likely binding somewhere inside. Try removing the finial at the top of the mast while it is extended. It screws on. Then slide the 2 lower portions of the mast off and grease the cable. Take note whether the two lower portions slide off easily.

dirt_cheap_fleetwood · #13 (**permalink**) 11-29-08, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94_SDV

Well, I packed the antenna coil and gears full of white lithium grease and it didn't work. The antenna still sticks in 3-4 places going up and down. Anyone have any other suggestions?

I actually lubricate the antenna mast about 3 times a year. Take a clean cloth/paper towel with some Simple Green on it and clean off the antenna mast very well while it is in the up position. Then take another rag/paper towel and soak it with WD40 or PB Blaster and re-lubricate the antenna. Make the antenna retract and extend a few times and then apply more lube. You will be amazed at how much dirt comes off that thing and it is no wonder it starts to stick after awhile. Using WD40 or PB Blaster will also help keep it from freezing down in the winter.

94_SDV · #14 (**permalink**) 11-30-08, 05:05 PM

I wired a switch for the power antenna, and it is the dark green wire that gets hooked up to the switch. There are actually two dark green wires, and it's the wire going to the black connector, not the white one. I put the switch in the glove box below the lock out switch (see pic below, sorry it's blurry). It works like a charm. I also took the antenna apart from the mast down and sprayed white lithium grease down the shaft. Unfortunately, it still sticks! Not sure how it went from working fine one day, so being so sticky the next, but that's the way it is. Anyone know a good place to get a new power antenna?

**Ranger** · #15 (**permalink**) 11-30-08, 05:39 PM

http://www.antennamastsrus.com