Radio antenna

Hi folks! My '98 Riviera has the automatic radio antenna that the last 1 1/2" sticks up after shutoff. Isn't it supposed to go all the way down? And so, how do I fix it? It also only goes up about a foot and a half upon turning the radio on. Ha, but what do I know, I just got the car a few days ago. It ain't broke. Just thought maybe ....

Try cleaning it. If you are familiar with power antennas, you could disassemble it, clean it, lube it and reassemble and then it should work fine.

Just disconnect it, it outdates the car.

if you have the OE antenna, you can get a replacement shaft from rockauto.com, Delco # 88891023 . HOWEVER, probably the most cost effective thing to do is get a working power antenna from a junkyard, for instance moradpartscompany.com -- a bunch of 90s and 00s GM cars with those antennas are in yards, they are not hard to get nor very pricey. Dependig on the yard and the car I am thinking $10 to $30.

Albertj

Hey guys sorry to post here but i dint see the icon for a new topic in the forum.

My question is doesn't anyone know why when i turn my radio on i hear nothing but static? the radio works fine and everything but there is no signal. i looked at the antenna ground and it looks good. any suggestions?

JacobsRedRivi wrote:

Hey guys sorry to post here  but i dint see the icon for a new topic in the forum.

My question is doesn't anyone know why when i turn my radio on i hear nothing but static?  the radio works fine and everything but there is no signal.  i looked at the antenna ground and it looks good.   any suggestions?

Does the antenna operate?

Yes sir it gos up and down

JacobsRedRivi wrote:

Yes sir it gos up and down

OK.  My guess is you need to get a replacement radio from a wrecking yard or eBay or some such.  However maybe not, I am not that good a guesser; you should test to figure out the actual problem.

Do you have a VOM (electrical test meter)?

If you do, disconnect the antenna coax at the plug nearest/on (depending on your antenna) your antenna.  Check for continuity between the center conductor of the coax and the antenna mast, while the antenna is up.  If no continuity, stop here and check for breaks in the lead-in to the antenna, and for corrosion; if you don't find any breaks on inspection, you may have a damaged or broken antenna & you just need to either open and clean it, or replace it. To check this get the cheapest antenna you can and plug it in in place of the power antenna. You may need to jump the antenna base to ground. Radio work all of a sudden? Go replace your power antenna.

Continuing:  If continuity between center conductor of coax and antenna mast when antenna is up, then check the center conductor against the ground for continuity.  If continuity, stop here and figure out why your antenna is shorted to ground.  If no continuity,  then congratulations you are now at the point where you need to pull the dash so you can test the antenna lead to the radio for center conductor continuity and/or shorts. If the cable tests OK then you need to repair or replace the radio. Replacement factory radios don't cost that much any more. Call a junkyard or pick-n-pull for pricing and availability, and/or check eBay and your regional Craigslist.

If you do not have a VOM, you might/should get one. An adequate one can be purchased for less than $20 on line (for instance see LINK) or at a WalMart or similar store in the electrical or automotive section. Then do the checking above.

I haven't had a chance to pull out my vom to test my grounds and whatnot. i have noticed i will catch signals from radio stations around my city ut its very weak. would that rule out my Radio?

JacobsRedRivi wrote:

I haven't had a chance to pull out my vom to test my grounds and whatnot.  i have noticed i will catch signals from radio stations around my city ut its very weak.  would that rule out my Radio?

Would it rule out radio? No.

When you get a chance, pull out the VOM and check for antenna continuity. The point is to check the easily-checkable stuff first so that you dont spend cash on say a rebuilt radio when all you needed was to recrimp an antenna connector or some such.

I will check it out today while im at work and get back with the results.

JacobsRedRivi wrote:

I will check it out today while im at work and get back with the results.

OK, hope it's simple and inexpensive.

I disconnected the power so it would go down and tucked it in a corner. The hole was bondoglassed and deleted.

chitown_riv98 wrote:

I disconnected the power so it would go down and tucked it in a corner. The hole was bondoglassed and deleted.

As you know, an aerial (your typical power antenna is an aerial) won't work that consistently unless it's sticking out of a ground plane (car fender or roof) and extended a certain length. There are some radio stations strong enough that one can't help but receive them; most are not.

I was wondering what (if anything) you'll do instead, from among the many alternatives, for an antenna? What can you tell me?

I busted out my VOM and tested the coax at the antenna and couldn't get a good reading. I got .1 on the coax and .5 on the grounds that i re terminated where else should i be testing?

JacobsRedRivi wrote:

I busted out my VOM and tested the coax at the antenna and couldn't get a good reading. I got .1 on the coax and .5 on the grounds that i re terminated where else should i be testing?  

.1 volts? .1 ohms? and from what point to what other point? Please explain.

What you *might* want to do is get any inexpensive antenna, even a junkyard 31" whip, and plug it in to the radio to see if you get any signal reception at all. You may need to jumper the antenna base to a good ground on the car to make it work.

.1 ohm my bad. I was thinking of doing that today because I receive signals from radio stations but it depends on where I am at

I am stumped because I don't know from what point to what point you measured resistance. I don't know if you tested for leakage from conductor to ground either.