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As many SC430 know, the telescopic antenna has a tendency to break and/or fail.
The motor on my antenna just broke (again) on my 2002 model, and instead of fixing it, I simply paid $60 to have a mechanic permanently disable the "telescopic" function of the antenna.
The mechanic got the antenna all the way down, and then unplugged the power cable to it. It no longer extends when I turn on AM or FM radio.
I lost nearly all AM reception (which I didn't' need anyway), and my FM reception is reduced to about 60% of previous performance. The reality is that unless I'm trying to listen to non-local, distant FM stations, most of the time FM reception works good enough (albeit not perfect) with the antenna entirely collapsed. And it looks better too! Nothing says "retro" quite like a telescopic antenna!
There's another thread on here outlining with pictures how to disable the antenna from going up and down.
As many SC430 know, the telescopic antenna has a tendency to break and/or fail.
The motor on my antenna just broke (again) on my 2002 model, and instead of fixing it, I simply paid $60 to have a mechanic permanently disable the "telescopic" function of the antenna.
The mechanic got the antenna all the way down, and then unplugged the power cable to it. It no longer extends when I turn on AM or FM radio.
I lost nearly all AM reception (which I didn't' need anyway), and my FM reception is reduced to about 60% of previous performance. The reality is that unless I'm trying to listen to non-local, distant FM stations, most of the time FM reception works good enough (albeit not perfect) with the antenna entirely collapsed. And it looks better too! Nothing says "retro" quite like a telescopic antenna!
There's another thread on here outlining with pictures how to disable the antenna from going up and down.
Once mine failed to retract, I just removed the whole mast using a button combination on the radio (will link directions). Soon after I replaced with a fake antenna for style which did not require tearing down the trunk.
The other option if you don't feel like swapping to something more stylish is to to unplug from harness itself. This means removing only the right part of the trunk liner and disconnecting the power harness. You will only have to remove the trunk carpets, three plastic retainers on the trunk tool tray, three 10mm bolts, a few retainer clips, and one T40 torx bolt under the rubber grommet. Then you can bend the carpeted wall out of the way to access the trunk motor. Unplug the harness and you're good to go.
Another option that I just thought about, would be possibly to just remove the Antenna fuse? Haven't tried that route, but should work also to keep the antenna in the down position at all time. Of course, this is all based on the fact that your antenna can go all the way down (which was not the case with mine). Check out the two links and file I've attached.
are you saying to disconnect this cable i circled in yellow?
i disconnected and started the car and it xapped the battery some how. Recommected and jumped the car and it went back to normal but wanted to ask before trying it again, thinking it was a fluke.
Antenna Failure? Just Disable It!
that's great info to know!
