Tweet
My 85 antenna sometimes does not retract when turning the radio off. But, anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes later will retract, even with the car not running.
-
-
Re: C4 radio antenna
Ed,
The antenna relay feed is always energized, even with the key in the "off" position.
Joe -
Re: C4 radio antenna
Thanks Joe. Any idea why it sometimes takes so long to retract?
Perhaps the antenna is very slowly retracting until it eventually overcomes a film of corrosion build up. I live on a mile wide bay which is separated from the Atlantic ocean by a quarter mile strip of land. The prevailing winds off the ocean are constantly blowing salt air towards my garage, and at the antenna. Maybe salt is getting onto the closed antenna. I've parked the car in this salty air garage for 21 years. It would never get washed off since the antenna is retracted when washing the car. I'l try cleaning the extended mast with WD-40 and see if any difference occurs. Will also monitor the height dimension of the antenna when it sticks.Comment
-
Re: C4 radio antenna
Ed,
Could be a lot of things, but if the mast is so gummed up as to run 10 minutes until fully retracted, then that's one helluva drain on the battery, not to mention wear-and-tear on the antenna motor/transmission!
If that is the case, then I'd thoroughly clean the mast with penetrating oil to wash out all the dried lube and dirt, then re lube lightly with a machine oil, like "3-in-1".
I was thinking that you have a bad contact somewhere, possibly in the relay, that causes a delay in completing the circuit. That's more of a longshot, and sounds like it might be temperature dependant. The only reason for that speculation, is because of the approximately 10 minute delay.
You'll have to track it down by process of elimination. First thing to determine is whether it's a mechanical or electrical problem. If you need the wiring schematic, I should be able to email it to you, if you think you'll need it.
JoeComment
-
Re: C4 radio antenna
Hi
Before reading your last e-mail, I lightly coated the extended antenna with WD-40 (sprayed on a rag than wiped antenna with rag rather than WD-4 spray the car). Initially got a screeching noise (thought I blew something) but then it cleared up and antenna and radio now working fine. But it still could be a temperature dependant problem - I'll give it some time.
Regarding the electrical schematic, I can get that from All-Data, the on-line shop manual. (I'm not a mechanic but a friend subscribes to All Data) but thanks anyway. I'll let you know in time if the issue was caused by a dirty antenna.
Do you have a C4 or were you just cruising through the NCRS site?Comment
-
Re: C4 radio antenna
Ed,
That's good news, but I would still saturate the mast with machine oil, and cycle it up/down, wiping after each cycle to clean out any debris, and then leave a thin film of fresh lube.
I own a 1985, which I've had since new. It's a great car. Take a look at my profile.
JoeComment
-
Re: C4 radio antenna
I thought I had posted a response to your last reply, actually quite a long response, but do not see it. Had you received anything yesterday - 6/27. Does this site take lengthy periods of time to post responses? I had posted it approx 23 hours ago.Comment
-
Re: C4 radio antenna
OK, since my last post was immediately displayed, I believe my response sent yesterday is lost in cyber space.
I definitely will try the light coating of machine oil. One concern I have is the "screeching" sound which occurred following coating the antenna with WD-40. I was wondering if the WD-40 could be shorting out my radio signal. At the time I turned off the radio, being kind of ticked off that now I had another problem. A few days later, again turned it on and the screech was gone. So, assummed that the WD-40 dried up and now radio and antenna were OK. Will try again. Will not be able to start the car for a few days (long story)but will try again soon.
It's interesting that your a mechanical engineer. I'm a 63 year old Industrial Designer with my own 3 man consultantcy office on Long Island. There was a time when ID and ME did not get along because the ME folks felt that ID solutions were not manufacturable, and the ID guys felt ME were restricting them. So, I focused on learning to make my designs manufacturable - and cost effective. Guess I'm doing OK - still in business. I think today both ME and ID have learned to co-exist and support one another, which typically leads to successful design solutions from both marketing and manufacturing aspects.Comment
-
Re: C4 radio antenna
Ed,
Was the screeching noise coming thru the radio as interferance, or was it generated mechanically from within the antenna transmission? I suspect the latter. Probably a newly freed rust/dirt particle or dry surfaces causing undue friction and noise. Additional lube will obviously cure that situation. If the screech was radio noise, then your guess is as good as mine. Could it have been alternator whine coming thru the radio. Many 85s had that problem, and there was a recall campaign to change-out faulty alternators causing this phenomenon.
I read the post that you refer to, but I did not recieve notification of it.........I just happened to see it during perusal. However, I can no longer find it. Also read a reply from Jack Humphrey, which I can no longer find, either. Frequently, threads become fragmented as they become older. Usually, if you click on "view all", you can regroup the fragments, but it's not working in this case. Try sending an email to John Waggoner, the site administrator. He's very good about finding any problem, and getting back to you about it.
I am a degreed mechanical engineer, but only worked in that capacity for a relatively short time. I have the requisite grounding in theory, with a healthy dose of practicality mixed in. I'm a results oriented, "cost-is-no-object" perfectionist with little patience for "bean counters" and compromisers. Probably much better off not having stayed in the field.
JoeComment
Comment