Power antenna

[gordyzx9r]

So...of course, when you're trying to show someone how something works, it fucking breaks.  I replaced the power antenna in '99 after I first bought the car and I'd be willing to bet that I've only used it a dozen times since then.

I have an AC Delco CD Player (part # 16085434) with wiring harness adapters, and the Kirban's Power Antenna cut off switch that I run to the switch panel in my ash tray.  I have an open switch on that panel and I'm going to use it for my pre-luber. 

So I'm showing him what the other two switched do, and sure enough, the damn power antenna decides to take a crap right there.  The motor won't stop turning with the battery connected (regardless of whether the key is in it or not) and the mast sticks out about 3 inches and won't go down any further than that (but you can pull it all the way out freely without any resistance). 

We disconnected the wiring harness (see pic). 

Do I have to replace the power antenna?

Can I fix the one I have?  Can I just jam the SOB back down into the sleeve/motor?

If I have to replace the power antenna, does the passenger fender have to come off?

Is there an alternative to the antenna?  Is there some kind of flush mounted dome thing I can attach there?  I really don't want a fixed mast since I cover the car and don't want to have to screw it on and off all the time.

[Just a Six?]

www.gnttype.org has a complete step by step to R/R the antenna & you can get a rebuild kit from www.gbodyparts.com Mine went this summer as well. I decided on a complete unit & not the rebuild kit. I'm having the body shop do mine because they are a PITA & I have no patience for that kinda stuff anymore.

[gordyzx9r]

NOS4GN has a replacement mast:

http://www.nos4gn.com/servlet/the-376/Buick-Grand-National-22048583/Detail

And bracket:

http://www.nos4gn.com/servlet/the-618/Buick-Grand-National-22038589/Detail

Kirbans is out of the power antenna motor.  And gbodyparts has them for $200.  And Old Buick Parts has them for $165.  But if the motor is still working all I should need is the mast/rebuild kit from NOS4GN?

[gordyzx9r]

www.gnttype.org has a complete step by step to R/R the antenna & you can get a rebuild kit from www.gbodyparts.com Mine went this summer as well. I decided on a complete unit & not the rebuild kit. I'm having the body shop do mine because they are a PITA & I have no patience for that kinda stuff anymore.

Is it posted under their technical articles?  I don't see it and the search function isn't working.  I keep getting an error message when I use search that says:

Not Found

The requested URL /cgi-bin/zoom.go was not found on this server.

[daveismissing]

http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/bodygauges/antenna.html

Can you get a windshield with embedded antenna? (marginal IIRC)

[Scoobum]

Put gauges where the radio was...problem solved.

[gordyzx9r]

http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/bodygauges/antenna.html

Can you get a windshield with embedded antenna? (marginal IIRC)

There is a thread on tb.com where someone posted having that done. 

IIRC, someone once posted something about having the antenna underneath the car.

At any rate, I'll probably just get the mast and bracket from NOS4GN.  That should suffice I think since the motor isn't actually dead.

[gordyzx9r]

So, following the gnttype instructions, we're not actually removing the fender from the car...we're just wedging a block in there to give us enough room to get to the antenna motor/mast?
   

[Charlief1]

http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/bodygauges/antenna.html

Can you get a windshield with embedded antenna? (marginal IIRC)

Than you sooo much Dave. I've been looking for that for a while.

[Steve Wood]

So, following the gnttype instructions, we're not actually removing the fender from the car...we're just wedging a block in there to give us enough room to get to the antenna motor/mast?
   

Yep, no need to remove the fender...just pull the bottom out and block it...be careful and don't nick yourself on a sheet metal edge.

I always loosen the bolts along the top of the fender so the fender will swivel a bit...takes the tension off the fender trying to pop back.

[turbojd]

My power antenna has been broke awhile now, I finally decided to fix it, like Steve said the fender does not have to come off, just take out the 5 bolts along the door and pull out the bottom carefully and block it with a piece of wood. Be careful as Steve said also the metal is sharp. I took my power antenna out and replaced mine with a fixed mast. Some minor modifications but everything worked out with the fixed mast.

[gordyzx9r]

http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/bodygauges/antenna.html

Can you get a windshield with embedded antenna? (marginal IIRC)

Than you sooo much Dave. I've been looking for that for a while.

Yeah, thanks Dave.  BTW...how did you find it?  I can't get the gnttype search feature to work.

[SuperSix]

http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/bodygauges/antenna.html

Can you get a windshield with embedded antenna? (marginal IIRC)

Than you sooo much Dave. I've been looking for that for a while.

Yeah, thanks Dave.  BTW...how did you find it?  I can't get the gnttype search feature to work.

Google this:

site: gnttype.org power antenna

[Steve Wood]

Or click on technical resources and go thru the menus

[gordyzx9r]

Well, I ordered the mast, bracket, and a new spacer from NOS4GN.  I don't think I'll need the bracket because I had the entire assembly replaced in '99 so it should be bolted in and not spot welded...but I didn't want to take any chances.  Once we yank it out, and I find out that a new mast/cable won't fix it I'll probably just yank it out altogether and go a different route with the antenna.

For example, maybe this:  http://www.antennax.com/p-2016-hidden-power-antenna-1984-1985-1986-1987-buick-grand-national.aspx