Antenna Switch

[Dan Hansen]

I know this could be just another question about the antenna switch, but exploring the hidden corners of my new car(240Z, 1971), I discovered that the antenna was an aftermarket non electric..

I found a automatic, and hooked it up as described in another topic, but activating the switch, the antenna goes up but won´t stays up?

I have only 2 wires in the back for the antenna, so I had to connect a wire to the blue plus..

So, I might have a bad switch or the automatic antenna, does not work as it should?

Any suggestions? Or should I try looking for a new switch, NOS antenna?

 

[jfa.series1]

The OE antenna is grounded to the body by a bracket at the bottom of the antenna - the bracket usually attaches with a wingnut to a screw welded to the body down in the space below.  The two wires from the antenna are for the up/down power. If the antenna is out of the car, test it by attaching a ground to the body and then power to each lead one at a time.

[Dan Hansen]

1 minute ago, jfa.series1 said:

The OE antenna is grounded to the body by a bracket at the bottom of the antenna - the bracket usually attaches with a wingnut to a screw welded to the body down in the space below.  The two wires from the antenna are for the up/down power. If the antenna is out of the car, test it by attaching a ground to the body and then power to each lead one at a time.

Ok... I have 3 wires going to the switch, blue (power) blue/red and blue/white? I have only 2 wires going to the antenna, blue/red and blue/white.

So if I´m not mistaken, the blue (power) only powers the relay inside the switch?

At this point I used an aftermarket power antenna, but I tried to connect it as described in a earlier topic?

 

[jfa.series1]

Dan,

I'm not aware of a relay associated with the antenna switch, at least none on my car.  I presume you have a OE rocker-style antenna switch from your description of the wires.  You are correct on one wire (blue) providing power into the switch, the other two wires provide power out to the OE antenna for either the up or down action.  How this might work for an aftermarket antenna I can't say.  You might have to experiment with testing a variety of connections off the car with a battery and some clip-on leads.

Jim

[7tooZ]

Sounds like you have a series I radio and switch. The switch should have three wires. The center wire provides the power and the rocker switch sends the power to one of other two wires which go to the hatch area. The antenna goes up down depending on which wire the power goes to.

With the new antennas most have two wires and a ground. One should be a constant 12v one should be a switched power operated by a power source from the head unit. When the antenna gets switch power it will rise. When it loses power it will lower.

The antenna ground can be grounded to the body.

Here is photo of the series I antenna.

 

 

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You can bypass the rocker switch by connecting a constant power wire to one lead and an ignition switched power to the other. Then it will go up and down automatically when ignition is on or from the power antenna wire from the head unit or any other switch power source

 

[Dan Hansen]

Cool, I´ll try that...

[JSM]

16 hours ago, 7tooZ said:

Sounds like you have a series I radio and switch. The switch should have three wires. The center wire provides the power and the rocker switch sends the power to one of other two wires which go to the hatch area. The antenna goes up down depending on which wire the power goes to.

With the new antennas most have two wires and a ground. One should be a constant 12v one should be a switched power operated by a power source from the head unit. When the antenna gets switch power it will rise. When it loses power it will lower.

The antenna ground can be grounded to the body.

 

Good info 7tooZ.  I have issues with mine too and need to get it sorted.

Just for clarity as I don't ever remember having a stock functioning radio in any of my Z cars, the antenna goes up and down independent of the radio right?  Only the switch makes it go up and down and the radio itself doesn't have to be on or even installed? 

I know my antenna is good and I've tested it up and down jumping it. I need to check if I have positive juice on the center wire at the switch first.

[7tooZ]

JSM
Correct. Interesting thing is you can raise the stock antenna to any height you want. But it stays up until you lower it which is why so many get bent.

Newer antenna have an auto lower when they lose switched power.


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[jfa.series1]

8 hours ago, JSM said:

Good info 7tooZ.  I have issues with mine too and need to get it sorted.

Just for clarity as I don't ever remember having a stock functioning radio in any of my Z cars, the antenna goes up and down independent of the radio right?  Only the switch makes it go up and down and the radio itself doesn't have to be on or even installed? 

I know my antenna is good and I've tested it up and down jumping it. I need to check if I have positive juice on the center wire at the switch first.

Yep, the antenna switch power is independent of the radio being present.  If you get inconsistent results from the switch it may be that the contacts are fouled - that happened to me.  Its an easy disassembly and cleaning job to get fresh contacts for smooth operation.