Aerial motor failure?

[havoc]

Failed to avoid a (dead) deer on a D-C yesterday afternoon - n/s wheels went over the neck of the animal.

Luck was clearly on my side, as it looks like I managed to get away without any visible damage (front lip undamaged, tyres and wheels look OK, although I need to check for any slow puncture / inner-rim damage tonight / tomorrow).


...except the antenna retraction motor has coincidentally stopped working on that journey. And as it was a D-C I had the radio on, so the antenna is now stuck up, rather than down which I could live with...


Doing a little reading:-
- The fuse is linked elsewhere, so unlikely to be that;
- First thought is a connection has worked loose under the jolt through the wheels
- Second is that the motor itself may have failed.

...but what else should I check / look-out for?
...and how can I get the antenna retracted?

[goldnsx]

Antenna
Do you hear the antenna motor working when you set the radio ON/OFF?
In my case, the nylon of the antenna broke in the antenna motor. The motor was still working but didn't retract the antenna anymore. Do NOT make the fault of pushing the antenna down with force orelse more damage could result.

[WhyOne?]

Sorry to hear of your problems.

If all else fails, I have a spare (2nd hand, but defiantly working) aerial unit I don't need.

[havoc]

Motor sound - I didn't, but I couldn't say I was actually listening for it - will check again.

Ian - if it turns out to be the motor, I'll probably take you up on that, thanks!

[havoc]

OK, random update - went into the garage this morning, and the aerial was down! It was definitely up when i closed the door on Weds night, so I'm perplexed.

Checked it a few times - it seemed a little 'sticky' and I could hear the ratchet working one or two knocks right at the end of extension/retraction, so a quick spray with some WD40* and a few up-and-downs to get it lubricated, and I'll see what it's like tomorrow.

Ian - thanks for the offer, looks like it MAY be OK. I ought to take the boot liner out to double-check when I've a bit of time though...see what condition everything's in...



* Need to get some silicone grease, I know...

[NSX 2000]

I would recommend you do it on the Euro Tour when you have lots of people to give you a hand.

[WhyOne?]

Ian - thanks for the offer, looks like it MAY be OK. ...

Pleased to hear that all seems to be well once more Martin.

[goldnsx]

- it seemed a little 'sticky' and I could hear the ratchet working one or two knocks right at the end of extension/retraction...

That doesn't sound right. It only does knock if you install a new antenna and the unit is self-calibrating. My guess is that the nylon of the old antenna is worn as that is why you hear it knocking. Not to make you feel unsure but you might have to change the antenna in the future. But it won't end in a catastrophic failure, mine just stayed up when the nylon broke at the buttom.

[havoc]

If it's the same basic unit as was in my DC2s (looks like it), then the knocking is the ratchet 'skipping' to prevent motor damage when the aerial resistance is too great (i.e. dirty/stuck), or where it's already reached full-retraction before expected (as it didn't extend fully before as it was dirty). Give it a proper clean and it stops knocking as it can move easily through the full range again...

Usually abbreviated to "TADTS"

[Nick Graves]

TADT,S!

I found I had to keep re-lubricating mine as it would not retract fully.

A new mast fixed that.

Re-installing it, you have to be quick to run around the the back of the car to get the nylon tail to pick up! LHD would be easier...