Power Antenna Repair

[cmkelly]

Again, stole this from another poster, just thought I'd add pictures....

First pic is of the driver's-side truck area where the jack goes. I've already pulled the jack in this picture and have removed the antenna.

240sx power antenna repairBy: C-kwik

If you want to fix your power antenna, it is quite easy. Nissan power antennas are built so that you only have to replace the mast itself. They can be purchased for around $20 on ebay.

All you need to do is to remove the retaining nut on the top of the base of the antenna. I'm sure there is a tool for this, but I just used a pair of pliers. Then you should be able to remove the mast. The mast should have a long, thin piece of plastic hanging off of it, unless it broke. You can pull this out with a little bit of force. If it has broken, try making sure the radio is on, so the antenna would be in the up position. Hopefully you can get a hold of the piece of plastic. If not, you may be out of luck. I never had to take the motor out yet.

**If you are able to remove this long piece of plastic, all you do to install the new mast is slide the plastic piece from the new mast down the antenna shaft. When it gets to the bottom, have somone turn off the radio. It should begin puliing the plastic down. It may not go all the way in. Turn on the radio again, but then turn it back off right away. It will pull the rest down...hopefully. Screw the retaining nut back on, and you are set.

Remove the motor assembly

1) Remove retaining nut from mast assembly (to free the mast from the car)

2) Open hatch/trumk/whatever you have and remove the jack (mine was mounted with 3 silver-colored bolts. To access to bolts you need to pull back the interior trim to right of the jack access door.

3) Remove the two darker bolts (all bolts in this procedure are 10mm) to the right of the jack bolts. There should be a hole between the bolts with a metal prong sticking through (use this hole and prong to align the bolt holes when you put the car back together).

4) Put on your contortionist's hat and get the motor assembly out by wriggling it out through the jack access hole.

5) Remove the metal column that the mast rests in by unscrewing the single screw holding it to the motor assembly. See the cable? Pull it out if you can. If not, read on.

6) Remove the rubber hose and metal cage from the black plastic assembly (DO NOT REMOVE THE copper-colored MOTOR). You should now be able to see the copper-colored hex nut on the back of the black plastic assembly. Remove it carefully, not losing any parts on the inside. As you pull it apart the antenna cable should spring out. Remove it.

7) Go back to ** at the very top of these instructions and follow that step to install the new mast. It may take a few "on-off" cycles for the motor to take up all the slack in the mast and adjust itself correctly - Be patient. Cycle it 10-15 times.

8) If it all works THEN put the jack back. I strongly suggest re-mounting the jack because if you don't it just kinda floats around back there and gets annoying REALLY quickly

8) Happy listening!

[cmkelly]

Here's the unit in all its glory...

[cmkelly]

Here's the little nut he refers to...

[cmkelly]

Here's the unit open...

[cmkelly]

And here's many years of antenna getting bound in the assembly. It works great now and cost $23 shipping included on eBay.

[wmdavis007]

If you don't like your power antenna that retracts you can always go with a stationary one like this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...QrdZ1

I have this one on my car and it works great...and looks even better. Thought some would like it. Peace.

Here is there main website: http://www.locustom.com/antennas.htm

[kevinski]

How the hell do you remove the retainer nut? What does it look like?

[biggie]

How the hell do you remove the retainer nut? What does it look like?

Its on top of the rear quarter panel. It is where the antenna goes into, it has 2 slight holes that you can put a pair of needle nose plyers or something in and unscrew it.

[Loki]

WOW I wish I had this when I had to replace my mast. When I did so, I tried taking out the mast at first, but no matter what I tried it wouldn't come out until the whole thing got ripped apart and the plastic spool got stuck in the motor. All ended well eventually though.

While I'm here, I have a question: is it normal for an antenna to freeze up in -7C weather? Like, it won't go up, has trouble going down? Doesn't seem like that much a problem when it's around -1, 0, etc...

Also, despite my efforts, I can't seem to get the antenna to settle into a "normal" position. After a few up/down cycles, the antenna ends up going down with one tubing section left (sometimes even two). The antenna was broken when I bought the car, so I wouldn't know, but shouldn't the antenna go all the way down?

VERY tempted to go with that stationary antenna. Oh boy....

[biggie]

While I'm here, I have a question: is it normal for an antenna to freeze up in -7C weather? Like, it won't go up, has trouble going down? Doesn't seem like that much a problem when it's around -1, 0, etc...

Also, despite my efforts, I can't seem to get the antenna to settle into a "normal" position. After a few up/down cycles, the antenna ends up going down with one tubing section left (sometimes even two). The antenna was broken when I bought the car, so I wouldn't know, but shouldn't the antenna go all the way down?

Very possible and dew/moisture is actually freezing the antenna, try warm water(althought that will quickly refreeze), if that doesn't work you'll know its not just frozen by water.

Should got all the way down, after a while dirt/grime can build up on it and cause it not to retract/extend all the way. Should be able to take a rag and WD40 and spray/wipe it well while its extended. If doesn't retract after that, there's another issue.

[Loki]

Eh, I just put the new mast in like...not even two weeks ago, I don't know how it could've gotten that bad.

Damn I wish I had a garage. *hugs poor 240*

[biggie]

Eh, I just put the new mast in like...not even two weeks ago, I don't know how it could've gotten that bad.

Damn I wish I had a garage. *hugs poor 240*

Something may be blocking the mast from retracting all the way in. Mine when I got it had the track broke off into it, so had to buy new motor and mast.

[cmkelly]

When you replaced the mast did you open the housing and remove all the little bits of the previous broken plastic teeth?

At first I tried just feeding the new mast into the hole but it did just like you described. I had to remove the power part in the trunk and take it apart and remove all the old broken teeth.

Good luck!

cmk

[ishkabibble]

http://www.locustom.com/shark2_kit.htm

Lighter, better looking, easier to install, and more reliable than the stock unit. Only a slight loss of reception if you power the built-in antenna amplifier.

[94_240sx]

http://www.locustom.com/shark2_kit.htm

Lighter, better looking, easier to install, and more reliable than the stock unit. Only a slight loss of reception if you power the built-in antenna amplifier.

That's the kind that wirelessalpha has on his car. He said he got his on eBay.

Antenna was the very first thing that I fixed when I got my car. I was lucky, so took the old master out and feed the new one in. I needed someone's help to turn on and off the radio though.

[ishkabibble]

Yeah, Lo Custom sells them on Ebay and on their website. I liked wirelessalpha's antenna, so I copied him.

[Loki]

Yea, me and a mechanic I know took it all apart and put the new mast on. Highly doubt there are any old mast pieces left.

[jam1231]

i know this is an old thread but i had bought a new antenna and when i went to install it would not go all the wa down does that mean i might still have some of the old plastic inside?

[cmkelly]

More than likely yes. If you didn't take the cover off and clean out the bits of broken plastic you will need to. If you did and it's still not going all the way down then maybe the plastic lead is too long. Maybe?

[positron1]

How the hell do you remove the retainer nut? What does it look like?

Antenna Motor Install zerothread?id=256470

[Loki]

I got a new mast and had to install it the "hard" way, as just putting it down in wouldn't work. Then after a couple months it started acting up again, not retracting all the way and such. I found the perfect solution to this whole quagmire: I simply retracted the antenna into the down position, unplugged the motor, and listened to CDs.

Seriously, this thing is really crappy and far more trouble than it is worth. Get an S2000 antenna or some other fixed antenna if you can. Or use an FM Transmitter/CDs.

[jam1231]

okay i took it a part and there was about 12" of the old track left inside so i put it back together and it went down and here is where the problem started i could not get the 2" rod with the bushing on it to go into the retaing nut on top of the base of the antenna the seal on it would not fit or do i have to grease it or somthing because it seems like that is what keeps it from falling out when the antenna goes up.

[jam1231]

went to the junk yard to see it on another 240 all the antenna were gone so was everything else so i took an altima apart and when i took off the retaining nut the sleeve with the seal or rubber bushing was connected on mine it wasn't there so do i put it in a vise and tap it to the retaining nut?

[jam1231]

i give up

[ishkabibble]

i give up

Shoulda done that from the start. Get a stub and then forget about it.

[positron1]

Or just swap out the entire unit, it's a lot easier than trying to get that mast back into the unit.

[jam1231]

where did you get your stub at

[jam1231]

okaly i got it to stay in but it doesn't go down all the way stays up about four inches does the cord have to be trim down to adjust it so it's flush?

[jam1231]

cut it works just like new thanks for the help guys

[Malac0da13]

Mine doesnt go up or down...cant get any station or static...and it doesnt sound like the motor even does anything...even when i touch the power antenna wire to the twelve volt constant....any ideas?