Strange Antenna Problem

I replaced the stock MB antenna

bgoin - 1/29/2005 7:35 AM

About a week ago when entering my 92 190E, I noticed the motorized antenna in the up position! When I started the car I pushed the off switch of the radio and the antenna worked, also when I turned the car off the antenna would go down. But time and time again after turning off the car the antenna would go down, but when I returned to the car the antenna would be up. Now the antenna is in the up position and I cannot hear the motor. Has this happen to anyone. My only guess is that maybe water has accumulated in the rear left quarter panel and was causing the "up" problem and now has just shorted out the motor.

Click to expand...

I just replaced the stock Hirschmann MB antenna which cost $172.35 to $182.90 with one I got from Fry's Electronic for $49.99 (I noticed that JC Whitney also sales two automatic antenna kits for prices that range from $39.95 to $72.99, the $39.99 one looks very much like the one I got). The electronic part of the old Hirschmann was very badly burned out.

The mast is stainless steel and the length is 39". Kit comes with 6 mounting bases, but I just used the old one. The mast can be replaced from the top without removing antenna from car and you can operate the mast by hand both up and down. The motor is very silent. The original antenna cable fits the new antenna. All I had to do was hookup the blue and red wire from the car to the blue and red wire of the kit.
The company (importer) is Metra/AntennAworks Division, 460 Walker Street, Holly Hill, FL 32117-2699, the model number is 44-PW530. Gold, chrome and black mast are available.

The reception is a little better.

RE: I replaced the stock MB antenna

Pictures of antenna down and up: