need to replace power antenna
- Thread starter tsmwon
- Start date
First remove the mast by turning on the radio to extend the mast as far as possible. Then loosen the locking nut. Firmly pull on the mast and the plastic cable are free from the guide. That is the instructions in the Bantley manual. Inside the trunk you will have to remove the side panel. To do this you should remove the rear of the tail light assemby from inside the trunk and carefully remove the side panel. The radio antenna lead is attached to the antenna motor with a locking nut. Do not rotate the antenna motor to get a better look because the wire will break. Mine did and a replacement cable is $76 from BMW. Loosen the ground screws and the 2 attachment screws. Loosen the antenna wire where it attaches to the antenna motor assemby. The grommet is the only thing holding the assemby in. Remove the motor and the mast stub from the grommet or pull the grommet the rest of the way into the trunk and remove. It is a snug fit. The grommet is a $1+item at the dealer so you may want to replace it anyway and that is it. The antenna lead from the head unit I found to be quite brittle after many years in the heat of the trunk, be careful. If you break it you have to purchase the harness with the antenna cable from BMW. I have not found anyone else that has it including Crutchfield. I made a replacement using a universal cable and making an adapter but hopefully you won't have to. If your motor still runs but does not move the antenna mast open up the motor housing. You will probably find that the plastic post inside is broken. You can open up the hole and insert a screw and nut to serve as a new post. I had to file down the screw head somewhat for clearance. Put a short length of plastic tubing over the new screw post and reassemble. I did this with mine back in March and it is still working. Good luck, I hope this helps. I cannot emphasize enough for you to be careful when detaching the antenna lead. If the motor does not make any sound when it is actuated then forget about fixing it and buy a new one, the motor is burned out in all probability. If you do not know how to replace the mast after all is reassembled this is what you do. Slide the plastic tip of the new antenna mast into the guide sleeve until it is felt to contact the motor guide roller. Turn off the radio so that the plastic cable is retracted by the motor, and guide the mast into the sleeve at the same time. Tighten the clamping nut when finished. Again good luck and let me know if you need added help. Two different replacement masts are used depending on which type power antenna assembly you have. Power antennas with a plastic housing use mast pn 88 88 0 825 948. This is the one I have in my '89. Antennas with a metal housing and a plastic cover use pn 88 88 0 882 090. Usually the masts are defined as having or not having teeth on the plastic lead.
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