Power antenna operation

[MH77280Z]

Hi Guys,

The car i bought has some custom work done on the stereo and OEM antenna. The 3 blue wires with a switch do not work.

How does the antenna normally work on the 280z? I mean the switch has two positions and I would expect it is an UP/DOWN operation and the antenna can be stopped at any position (i mean half up vs full extended) can someone confirm?

Currently it is connected to the stereo/radio and when i turn the unit on it just fully extends automatically. May be thats why the switch does not work.

[MH77280Z]

I traced the wires and there are only two wires GREEN/RED coming out of the antenna (also one thick signal cable).

Electric wiring diagram shows three blue wires at the antenna?

[jfa.series1]

This recent thread might help you with understanding the switch and antenna wiring:

 

[MH77280Z]

OK so seems like mine is not original as well. It is a replacement.

BTW where is the original antenna switch located where the 3 wires hook into?

[jfa.series1]

1 hour ago, MH77280Z said:

OK so seems like mine is not original as well. It is a replacement.

BTW where is the original antenna switch located where the 3 wires hook into?

I have a HItachi AM/FM unit from a 280Z and the antenna switch is located on the top right of the chassis with a toggle that protrudes thru the faceplate. Here's a pic of two radios I picked up some time ago - a 240Z AM radio on top and the 280Z AM/FM radio under it.

Edited May 31, 2022 by jfa.series1

[MH77280Z]

I know where the operating switch can be.

I am talking about where the original antennas 3 wires connect into? Is there some switch under the dash where the wires connects into from the antenna.

[jfa.series1]

Referring back to the link I provided, the OE antenna had two power wires - one to raise it, one to lower it. The antenna was self-grounded to the car body via the mounting bracket. The antenna switch had three wires - one is power into the switch from the dash harness. The other two were routed back to the antenna. There are no other switches or wires in a stock set-up. The up and down action of the antenna was controlled only by the switch, independent of the radio power on or off.

[Yarb]

The aftermarket radio you have has a blue wire on the harness that triggers the automatic antenna when you power the radio on. Chances are when you power the radio off the antenna goes down correct?

[MH77280Z]

22 minutes ago, Yarb said:

The aftermarket radio you have has a blue wire on the harness that triggers the automatic antenna when you power the radio on. Chances are when you power the radio off the antenna goes down correct?

Yes

[Yarb]

Thats the way it’s designed to operate. Is your antenna aftermarket as well?

[MH77280Z]

46 minutes ago, Yarb said:

Thats the way it’s designed to operate. Is your antenna aftermarket as well?

Yes, it seems to be an aftermarket antenna. I googled the original one and that has a 3 pin connector attached to it with a body mount bracket. One available on ebay for $3000 😇 (someone wants to take it with him to the grave).

My question was there has to be a 3-pin wire coming to the OEM antenna to connect to. Where in the dash that wires comes from. (i do have a 3-pin outlet where i can install a 3-pin toggle switch). Does it make sense? a picture would be useful.

[MH77280Z]

3 hours ago, jfa.series1 said:

I have a HItachi AM/FM unit from a 280Z and the antenna switch is located on the top right of the chassis with a toggle that protrudes thru the faceplate. Here's a pic of two radios I picked up some time ago - a 240Z AM radio on top and the 280Z AM/FM radio under it.

@jfa.series1 thanks for the pics they help. I have a toggle switch like the one top right in the lower radio. This connects to a 3-pin connector. My question as i mentioned above where does the wire from the OE antenna connects into. Yet to explore my under dash properly.