Power Antenna Mast/Motor Replacement - 1994 3000GT VR-4

These instructions apply to a 1994 Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4, but are easily transferable to any model/year of 3000GT or Dodge Stealth.



The Procedure

Remove Locking Nut
 
  There is a locking nut that is screwed onto the top of the antenna mast guide. Using soft-jawed pliers or pliers wrapped in a terry towel, turn the nut counter clockwise to loosen it. Picture shown with nut removed.

 

Fully Extend Antenna
  Turn the radio on to FM or AM and allow the antenna to extend. Be careful to catch the antenna as it is fully extended and comes out of the hole completely.

 

[Motor Removal/Disassembly Only] Remove Antenna Motor
 
  It's located here and just has a few screws/bolts holding it in.

 

[Motor Removal/Disassembly Only] Antenna Motor Removed
 
  Here's a picture of the assembly when removed.

 

[Motor Removal/Disassembly Only] Take Motor Apart
 
  Here's the fun part - if you suspect that part of the old mast cable is broken off inside, you'll need to remove that. You can also check out the worm gear on the motor to see if anything's stripped. Picture shows it pretty much fully disassembled

 

[Motor Removal/Disassembly Only] Reassemble Antenna Motor
 
  Test your engineering skills by putting it back together. Parts left over weren't needed in the first place and are a testament to your finely-honed engineering efficiency. :-)

 

[Motor Removal/Disassembly Only] Reinstall Motor Assembly
 
  Bolt the motor back up the way it was before and reconnect all the wiring harnesses.

 

Fully Extend New Antenna Mast
  Pull the end to allow it to reach its full length and straighten the end of the cable if it is at all bent.

 

Insert Antenna Cable
 
  Insert the antenna cable into the hole (with the mast extended) such that the teeth face the interior of the car (toward the trunk). Using light to moderate force, push the end of the cable into the motor assembly.

 

Rotate Antenna Cable
 
  Rotate the antenna cable 90 degrees clockwise so that the teeth face the rear of the car. This should cause the teeth to mesh with the gear in the motor assembly. Now, lightly pull on the antenna cable to see if you can remove it from the hole. If it comes out without any resistance, then the gear and the teeth have not meshed - you'll need to pull out the cable and reinsert it. If there is resistance to pulling the cable out, then it's probably in there correctly.

 

Retract Antenna Mast
  [You may want a friend to help you at this point]
While holding the antenna mast upright above the hole, turn the radio off and allow the motor to retract the antenna. It should stop on its own. If it doesn't, remove the mast and try again.

 

Install Locking Nut
 
  If the mast has fully retracted, install the locking nut on the mast guide.

 

Turn Radio On/Off
  Check the operation of the antenna motor/mast by turning the radio on and off several times.

 

Special thanks to Brian Geddes for helping with some of the photography and allowing the use of his car for this web page!



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Last Modified Thu Jun 19 2003 17:25:53 PDT