Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Antenna and cold weather

Hi,

Sorry about the bad english..

For the last few days, the weather has been quite cold up here, and my power antenna is not working as it should. When the car has been sitting outside for a few hours, it won't come up more than 10-12 inches. If I drive with the antenna out for an hour or so, then it won't come down fully either.

I have tried to lube the antenna mast with silicon, and with another industrial stuff (I can't remember the name) similar to LPS, but it really feels like it's the motor that is jamming because of the cold. Like if it was the motor's grease that was getting very sticky.

Is there a way to put some lube for the antenna motor, that would be a lighter lube than what's in there? I don't think it's the mast that is sticking... or am I due for a new antenna motor?

Thanks!

Lubrication rarely the solution to what is usually a bend in antenna mast that prevents smooth operation. Check when mast is fully extended for any bends, small ones can usually be corrected by carefully bending by hand.
If kinks are present mast replacement (available from Ford) is usually the only answer. It is also possible that a plastic tooth on mast drive belt has broken/worn, also requiring relacement of mast(which comes with new belt attached).

p.s. Please check my post in Eastern Canada forum re Windows 98, perhaps you can advise re French version.

The grease in the gearbox seperates into oil and the base complex eventually - and it means taking it apart, and some of them don't even come apart. If you can get it apart I would use a calcium sulfonate base grease. In the mean time, when it's up, go behind the fender skirt and unplug it so it stays up.

Originally posted by horseydug:

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Lubrication rarely the solution to what is usually a bend in antenna mast that prevents smooth operation. Check when mast is fully extended for any bends, small ones can usually be corrected by carefully bending by hand.

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There is no bend at all in the mast. I only have problems with it when the temperature is dropping below a certain point. When it's not so cold, it operates very smoothly, but it "jams" when it's getting colder. That's why I'm suspecting the grease in the motor housing...

Originally posted by Rogerm60:

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The grease in the gearbox seperates into oil and the base complex eventually - and it means taking it apart, and some of them don't even come apart. If you can get it apart I would use a calcium sulfonate base grease. In the mean time, when it's up, go behind the fender skirt and unplug it so it stays up.

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Thanks, I'll see if I can take it apart and replace the existing lube next weekend. If not, I'll install a switch to prevent the mast from going up at all. When I'm on the highway, I mostly listen to CDs, and in Montreal, radio stations are clear even with the antenna down.

As I recall, you may have to drill out some rivets to separate the housing. Reassembly will therefore require some small bolts/nuts to replace them. Disassembly will also allow inspection of nylon drive belt, gear teeth and the free movement of antenna's telescopic tubing.

If you want to spend some money, check out this new Ford antenna for sale on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1871843742

Copy the whole address to you web browser.