Power Antenna Noise
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 3
From: San Diego, California
1998 E320 Wagon 253K miles
Power Antenna Noise
I have a 1992 300TE wagon.
The past couple days I had a constant noise from what I could only assume was the power antenna motor in the rear. Even after the ignition was turned off, the noise persisted. Next morning, same sound, before and after the ignition was turned on/off.
Today, with the sound still going, I finally opened up the rear compartment where the noise was coming from.
Now the antenna had already been in the UP position for the longest time. It does not retract by motor and I cannot push it down. The radio itself works fine though.
From reading a previous post, I only assumed that the plastic gear for the antenna motor had become loose or unlodged.
Before I went searching to give the gear a visual (not even sure where to find it) I decided to give a few taps around the area with my finger.
Sure enough, the noise stopped!
So now I am wondering if it WAS the plastic gear or not. I don't think the sound was related to the rear gate opening/closing, because with the sound still going, I opened/closed the back hatch just to make sure, and it gave the usual short buzzing sound and stopped.
Whether it was antenna-related or not, if the noise comes back, does anyone know if it is drawing on the battery or not?
The past couple days I had a constant noise from what I could only assume was the power antenna motor in the rear. Even after the ignition was turned off, the noise persisted. Next morning, same sound, before and after the ignition was turned on/off.
Today, with the sound still going, I finally opened up the rear compartment where the noise was coming from.
Now the antenna had already been in the UP position for the longest time. It does not retract by motor and I cannot push it down. The radio itself works fine though.
From reading a previous post, I only assumed that the plastic gear for the antenna motor had become loose or unlodged.
Before I went searching to give the gear a visual (not even sure where to find it) I decided to give a few taps around the area with my finger.
Sure enough, the noise stopped!
So now I am wondering if it WAS the plastic gear or not. I don't think the sound was related to the rear gate opening/closing, because with the sound still going, I opened/closed the back hatch just to make sure, and it gave the usual short buzzing sound and stopped.
Whether it was antenna-related or not, if the noise comes back, does anyone know if it is drawing on the battery or not?
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
Antenna Noise
If you put your antenna up/down switch in the always down position when/if the noise comes back and it stops after 12 seconds it is the gear/antenna plastic part that makes it go up and down. Mine was broken and would run up when I turned on the car and down after i shut it off. I thought it was the vacuum pump for the longest time untill I put the switch down and it stopped. then I put it in the up and it ran for the 12 seconds it takes to go to full extend.
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: OC SoCal
1989 300E
If you have the OEM antenna installed you can replace just the mast head and plastic drive in it for under $30. I did mine with an aftermarket for now ($2) until i can order enough parts to get free shipping.
Its pretty easy to replace.
Its pretty easy to replace.
