Power Antennas on Notchbacks

Started by weitrhino · May 19, 2016 · 8postsSMF 2010–26

weitrhinoMay 19, 2016, 12:28 pm · #1

Nebuchernezzer on 01:19:09 AM / 15-May-16
I don't have anything to add except this is awesome information. I'll be using it to fix mine when i get the rest of the car sorted. I hope someone can do an equally good job helping me out if my oem headunit ever dies too!

I tried to self service a factory radio from a Chrysler (big mistake) I once had. I replaced a cracked up transistor and the radio worked again, but it would only receive one station no matter where the tuner was set and that was a Spanish language station.

So, I'm not sure I'd try to tackle the repair of an OEM head on my own again. Maybe ship here: http://www.factoryrepairservice.com

S12_LiferMay 19, 2016, 6:51 pm · #2

I turned in a factory Clarion receiver and equalizer to a local repair shop that specializes in older car stereos. He had all the parts for both units. The wifey always wanted everything original so, I took out the Alpine receiver, navigation and Radar/Laser Detector and installed the Clarion. Cassette player works great to include auto-reverse! I hooked up both antennas (hatch only) to the receiver. AM/FM sounds great! I will post a picture soon. Here is the website to radioman:

http://www.radiomanrepair.com/

BOSSMANMay 19, 2016, 10:52 pm · #3

I can tell you that many years ago (when internet just started) I did a search for Clarion din pin out and it is the same as Alpine. Does that help?

weitrhinoMay 19, 2016, 11:10 pm · #4

BOSSMAN on 10:52:09 PM / 19-May-16
I can tell you that many years ago (when internet just started) I did a search for Clarion din pin out and it is the same as Alpine. Does that help?

Well it might. This isn't exactly an area of active research of mine. It's more of passing fancy to tie in an iPod output.

weitrhinoMay 21, 2016, 10:31 am · #5

rednucleus on 05:43:52 PM / 12-May-16
If it's like my ecu you may have some failed soldering on the board. It would be interesting to hit the old solder joints with a hot iron and see if the board works again.

I have an electronics genius friend from another forum dissecting this board right now. He's also working on drawing up a schematic for it as he figures out how it's supposed to work. In an update he sent he found a bad diode but isn't yet sure if this is the sole issue, still it's good to know progress is being made.

weitrhinoJun 23, 2021, 7:31 pm · #6

Today I shut off my radio and the antenna retracted only a few inches, judging by what I heard over my shoulder. Then I shut off the key and several seconds later the antenna retracted fully. It was a long delay between the key being in the "off" position and the action of the antenna....strangely long.

Later on I turned on the radio and the antenna mast rose to full hight just as the FM diversity switch was set. This time when I powered off the radio the antenna didn't move. I shut the key off but it still didn't move. Now I have the car totally shut off and the antenna was at full mast, so I hit the lower side of the FM diversity switch and it dropped to half mast. And there it sits.

I've been using an antenna timer module a buddy of mine repaired several years ago and it looks like it's had the same failure that afflicts just about ALL of them over time. Fortunately I pulled a working module from a parts yard last winter but I'm going to have to figure out the antenna's internal multi-relay system again so I can set the rotating switch in the proper position to restore correct function.

I love this old car.

weitrhinoJun 25, 2021, 5:41 pm · #7

Even more weird.......the next morning I walked outside and my antenna is fully retracted.

That time module is telling me it's on its last legs.

weitrhinoJun 27, 2021, 4:44 pm · #8

So the antenna timer module absolutely failed and allows the antenna to be powered for longer than it should be. When that happens the rotary switch ends up out of place making the next time power is applied a fruitless exercise. With the rotary switch out of place the relays are left in the wrong position. This is why so many notchbacks have failed antennas.

I took pictures of the correct position the rotary switch should be in for full hight, full retract, and half hight. If your timer module fails you'll either have to replace it of figure out how to fix the electronics, then you'll likely need to reset the rotary switch inside the antenna to the following position(s):

The antenna at full mast

posted image

Antenna at full retract

Antenna at half mast

You can see I numbered the relays 1 through 3 (although #1 rubbed off, it's between 3 and 2) and another as 'delta' as they correspond to the factory service manual. "Delta" works for both UP and DOWN depending on the FM diversity switch.

Below when I refer to "pins" I mean the pins on the antenna's power plug. Refer to the factory manual for details.

With your antenna removed apply 12VDC to pin #1 and ground to pin #4. This will move your mast to full hight. Adjust the green rotary switch to the "full mast" position. Now apply 12VDC to pin #3 and the antenna should fully retract. Check the green rotary switch is in the "full retract" position. If you wish further testing, apply 12VDC to pin #2 for "half mast" and check the position of the green rotary switch. Fully retract the antenna and reinstall.