Manually using your Antenna?

**AfterYou** · 12-07-2010, 03:54 PM

Is there a way to Manually put down a radio Antenna on the Firebird?
Its constantly on enzyte, and is always up

Is there a way I can manually put it down to about half way without breaking it? Ive taken everything out to see the motor "spare tire"
but I dont see any kind of crank to do so with...

Any suggestions?

**KMdef9** · 12-07-2010, 04:32 PM

It doesn't work I'm assuming. Hook a test light to it and see if your getting power back there.

If you aren't, you could try and put 12v to it and try to get it down.

**AfterYou** · 12-07-2010, 06:13 PM

Im getting power to it, because when i turn the power of the car "on" it makes the sound of the antenna moving, but doesnt. So im assuming its a stripped gear?

**jrpimp00** · 12-07-2010, 06:33 PM

Why dont you replace it? I just did mine with one off of ebay for about $13

**AfterYou** · 12-07-2010, 07:40 PM

What all did you replace? Im not much of a electrical kind of person, and how hard was the install? and did you replace it with another retractable one?

**jrpimp00** · 12-08-2010, 10:20 AM

the actual antenna wich has the cable already attached. IT was simple and it came with step by step instructions. Took me about 30 mins total. and thats with cleaning out 8 inches of water that was in my trunk.

Try a search on ebay for a replacement antenna

Here is a search I jsut did:
http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=fir...=p3286.c0.m359

**AfterYou** · 12-08-2010, 01:58 PM

so i dont suppose there is a way to force it down, and not be able to use it again? because i just use my ipod/phone and play music off that, so my radio is never on, just a biotchh to have to worry about people bending it all the dang time

**Blackbird WS6** · 12-08-2010, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by AfterYou

so i dont suppose there is a way to force it down, and not be able to use it again? because i just use my ipod/phone and play music off that, so my radio is never on, just a biotchh to have to worry about people bending it all the dang time

i dont really know BUT i think its gear driven...you might have to take the motor apart and take the insides out so it can drop the ant?? just an idea

OR delete it and send me all the parts so i can fix mine lol

**AfterYou** · 12-08-2010, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by Blackbird-WS6

i dont really know BUT i think its gear driven...you might have to take the motor apart and take the insides out so it can drop the ant?? just an idea

OR delete it and send me all the parts so i can fix mine lol

haha, ive seen somebody post a picture on here with his completely taken off, and shaved, looks really nice, but i dont think ill be doing that

**az gt eater** · 12-09-2010, 09:12 PM

I just ripped mine out, and there is a plastic cable that winds into the motor, and mine was snapped.

**98maro** · 12-09-2010, 09:19 PM

that happns on my ss.. i just put in down.. then it works fin for a while..
but mine doesnt make the sound it just stays up...

**jetaws6** · 12-10-2010, 04:57 AM

you can just push it down gently and eventually it will go all the way down. Thats what I did with mine and then just unplugged it because I only listen to cd's in that car

**Smittro** · 12-11-2010, 06:53 AM

Try some lubricant on a shop cloth and then wipe the shaft of the antenna when it's fully in the up position but don't soak it.. You only need a film of oil.. I used hoppes gun oil on my old Grand Prix with the same issue.. Worked like a charm..

However if the drive is damaged it may need to be replaced.. Or you can switch out to a Camaro non-retractable and never worry about it again..

**gnomee** · 12-11-2010, 05:20 PM

I also tried some lubricant on mine when it did not go all the way down. Usually worked fine for a couple months until it washed off. I tried several different kinds silicon based etc..

Over the years I have seen more fix themselves then get fixed by me