E-Class (W124) 1984-1995: E 260, E 300, E 320, E 420, E 500 (Includes CE, T, TD models)

Antenna replace help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old May 7, 2008 | 08:51 AM
  #1  
Andy_M's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Northwest NJ
'90 300E Blk/Tan
Antenna replace help

I have a '90 300E and plan to replace the antenna, which is totally dead and stuck in the up position. I could not go for the $200+ for the Hirschmann direct replacement. Instead, I bought a Hirschmann HIT AUTA 2040 replacement. Seems pretty straight forward to install with radio power up/down control, but not sure how the antenna up/down switch ties in.

Has anyone put one of these in their W124 before that can give me a heads up as to any wiring issues, etc. ?

Also, anyone have a wiring diagram for the antenna connection circuits on the W124 ?
Reply
Old May 7, 2008 | 10:01 AM
  #2  
GEDaggett's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 844
Likes: 1
From: Orland Park, Illinois
1994 E320 (current)
Originally Posted by Andy_M
I have a '90 300E and plan to replace the antenna, which is totally dead and stuck in the up position. I could not go for the $200+ for the Hirschmann direct replacement. Instead, I bought a Hirschmann HIT AUTA 2040 replacement. Seems pretty straight forward to install with radio power up/down control, but not sure how the antenna up/down switch ties in.

Has anyone put one of these in their W124 before that can give me a heads up as to any wiring issues, etc. ?

Also, anyone have a wiring diagram for the antenna connection circuits on the W124 ?
Does the motor still actuate. for instance when the radio is turned on and off can you hear the motor trying to move the antena or is it dead also. If the motor is still trying to go up and down you may be able to replace just the antena itself. That is easy and only takes a couple of minutes and could save you some cash.
Reply
Old May 7, 2008 | 10:30 AM
  #3  
ZedStyle's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 8
Youngtimer
yeah, mine was stuck 'up' as well... pulled it apart and it looked like the circuit board was fried when some water got in it. I wound the antenna down manually and left enough sticking up so i have a home-made 'stubby' one now...!
Reply
Old May 7, 2008 | 11:22 AM
  #4  
Andy_M's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Northwest NJ
'90 300E Blk/Tan
No, all appears to be dead. I hear no motor noise. Guy I bought the car from said it was working fine, then one day about a week prior, he noticed it didn't go down when he shut the car off. Been stuck fully extended ever since.

I have checked for blown fuses, switch in wrong position, etc..wanted the black chrome one anyway....

I just want to make sure the switch still will work, etc.
Reply
Old May 8, 2008 | 12:59 PM
  #5  
bjsetti's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
1993 300E
Originally Posted by GEDaggett
Does the motor still actuate. for instance when the radio is turned on and off can you hear the motor trying to move the antena or is it dead also. If the motor is still trying to go up and down you may be able to replace just the antena itself. That is easy and only takes a couple of minutes and could save you some cash.
I have the same problem. I can hear the motor but no action on the antena. The antena can be moved in and out very easily. What do I need to do to replace just the antena. I tried looking in the trunk for the location of the motor but it seems to be just inside the body panel and the fender well.

Apprecaite any assistance.
Reply
Old May 8, 2008 | 01:24 PM
  #6  
berti_00's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,406
Likes: 140
From: Clearwater Beach, Florida
2016 Cls63s AMG
mine works
Reply
Old May 8, 2008 | 01:32 PM
  #7  
Saijin_Naib's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
1990 300ce 24v I6
BJ, if the motor is still working, you might only have to replace the plastic gear and the plastic strip that the motor uses to raise/lower the antenna. I had to do that on my 300ce because the antenna refused to go back up after it was lowered.
Reply
Old May 11, 2011 | 04:27 AM
  #8  
zhandax's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
300SL
I realize this post is ancient but I just took mine apart and am dealing with a similar issue and found this post while looking for a schematic. It seems some half-wit stereo installer in Brooklyn took my antenna housing apart, removed the circuit board, and taped every wire inside but the power connections. Since there was no mast inside the antenna and a spare mast in original wrap in the trunk when i bought it, I guess that did not work. What ocured to me after taking it apart was to install the Hirschmann 2040 inside the factory power antenna housing and just connect the power leads and let the original factory circuit board control the replacement. This should insure that the dash switch also works. That was before I realized I did not have the original factory circuit board. I may try this as if the antenna which may still be in the 95 320E I just discovered at the local junkyard doesn't work.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:45 AM.

story-0
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes-AMG's new electric GT 4-Door Coupe trades combustion for software, synthetic noise, and more than 1,100 horsepower.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 20:08:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-2
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-5
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-6
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-9
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE