jeff79'

It went up and down as it should when the radio was turned on and off, then it stopped working,then worked again, and now it just clicks at the relay.......I took it back off and bench tested it and it worked like it was on Viagra.....My question to the brain trust is:[U]Can the relay go bad and have to be replaced?[/U]

69Vett

check your gnd at the antenna if it works on the bench, and not in the car.
If you hear the relay clicking it most likely is working (clicking noise)
it could have a bad contact, but my bet is on the lack of Gnd. at the antenna.
69VETT

jeff79'

Do you mean the braided ground from the antenna bracket to the frame.?..I sanded that puppy clean at the frame, the screws and washers, and at the mast bracket as well....It's weird....Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.......I'm perplexed.

7T1vette

There are micro limit-switches inside the antenna mechanism for stopping and reversing it at each end of travel. Those can go bad or get worn. It may be that there is some additional resistance in the mechanism when it is installed compared to when it is laying on the bench. If you take it back out, use your hand to present some resistance to motion when you activate it and see what happens. You might need to disassemble and clean those switch contacts; or you may just need to replace them. A burned/worn contact may or may not pass the current necessary to operate the antenna.

69Vett

Yes that was gnd. I was referring to, with the additional info.
it does sound like a high resistance contact possible on the relay.
you should be able to jumper across the relay contact,
if it then works properly it is a bad relay.

jeff79'

Well, at least i can get it out in 10 minutes now....What a PITA !!!..I just want to use the CB and listen to the radio in peace already.:

jeff79'

How do I jump it ?...I have the console rugs off already, so.....Do tell....please!...BTW, the relay is behind the emergency brake under the center arm rest pad.....What a joke!

KapsSA

Hey Jeff. That braided ground has nothing to do with the antenna operation, that's for radio reception. If it bench tests OK, most likely the relay.
Mike(mkapp)

jeff79'

Ya Mike,
For $12.99 at Eckler's , I might as well get a new relay and use it as a tester....If it's still not working after that, then the switch contacts are bad......BTW, The relay clicks when I turn the radio off but NOT when I turn it on, if that has anything to do with a diagnosis.....Thanks all!!!!

69Vett

you will have to determine /find which wire is 12 volts,
then connect to the 12 volts for the power to antenna.
I don't kow the pinout of your remote power antenna relay.
Some others might have power antenna and fill in the blanks from here.

your antenna motor power must also have good solid gnd,
you can pickup gnd from the frame anywhere.
one of these should be the problem.

1.Verify solid antenna power (jumper across the Normally open contact of the relay)

2. and verify solid gnd. for the antenna motor.