Antenna - Inoperative, Rod Maintenance & Replacement
CLASSIFICATION: EL95-008REFERENCE: NTB95-074
DATE: August 2, 1995
POWER ANTENNA ROD MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT
This Bulletin contains revised Warranty information. Please discard NTB94-019 dated February 17, 1994.
APPLIED VEHICLE: All models equipped with power antennas
SERVICE INFORMATION
Power antenna incidents for no operation or improper retraction are almost always caused by the following:
^ The antenna rod is broken or bent due to misuse. Common examples of this include the antenna contacts the top of a garage door opening or a tree branch. Also, a customer may forget to lower the antenna before entering an automated car wash.
^ Dirt, road grime, and other foreign matter collects on the rod interrupting proper operational movement. This occurs most frequently during winter months in areas where road salt and other chemicals are splashed onto the antenna rod.
REPAIRS COMPLETED FOR THE TWO CAUSES DESCRIBED ABOVE ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. ONLY REPAIRS UNDERTAKEN DUE TO DEFECTS IN MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP WILL BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
In a large majority of cases, the antenna motor is fully operational and receiving proper power. Therefore, replacement of the entire power antenna assembly is not usually necessary to restore power antenna operation. Prior to removing any power antenna assembly, an attempt should be made to repair the power antenna by removing dirt, road grime, and other foreign matter, and then lubricating the antenna rod sections as appropriate. if still inoperative, replacement of the rod only should be made. A sample replacement procedure is provided on the following page. Check the EL section under Audio and Power Antenna in the Service Manual for specifics on your respective vehicle.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
REPLACING THE ANTENNA ROD
1. Remove antenna nut and base. (Figure 1)
2. Turn the radio to "ON" and the antenna rod will extend*. Assist the antenna rod to fully separate from the antenna base. Note the direction of the gear section on the antenna rope. [The new antenna rod must be installed in the same direction].
* If the antenna rod does not extend, always check the power supply to the power antenna before replacing the power antenna assembly.
3. Insert the replacement antenna rod with the radio in the "ON" position. Insert antenna rope with gear section facing the motor assembly [Figure 2].
4. Turn the radio "OFF" to retract the antenna rod. If the antenna motor stops before the antenna has fully retracted, turn the radio switch "ON" and immediately turn it "OFF" again. Guide the antenna rope and rod into the antenna assembly.
5. Reinstall the antenna nut and base. Check antenna operation by cycling the radio "ON" and "OFF".
Power Antenna Maintenance
Clean power antenna rods at every service opportunity by wiping with a damp cloth.
PRECAUTIONS
Please remind the customer to:
1. Always turn the radio "OFF" to prevent bending the antenna rod, whenever going through car washes or entering parking garages with low ceilings or low hanging garage doors.
2. The antenna rod should be cleaned regularly by wiping off any dirt build up which may cause the antenna to bind. Customers should verify that their car wash attendants do this regularly.
CLAIMS INFORMATION
NOTE:
The following Claims Information applies to antenna rod replacement for defects in materials and workmanship. Damaged (bent) rods are not included.
Claim Information
Parts Information: Antenna Rod