Power antenna not going down 1999 S70

Post by **Eddystone** » 10 Feb 2019, 00:56

I've fed new masts into cars before with no trouble. I also removed the antenna and cleaned and lubed everything meticulously. When all is said and done, the antenna extends ALL the way out but always stops with about 13" still out when it retracts. It seems to me that what stops the antenna motion in either direction is a circuit that monitors current draw and stops the motor when it senses a larger current draw that would normally indicate that the antenna is either all the way up or all the way down.

So, it extends with no problem, but retraction hangs up. I have not yet tried lubricating the sections of the mast, but they felt free to move when I tried them before installing the mast.

Next, I'll try extending the mast all the way and lubing it with silicone or graphite, but i am not hopeful. My local pick and pull has been pretty well picked and pulled of S70 and V70 bits, and the inventory doesn't show many likely candidates.

As I sit here at 3 am typing this, I'm wishing there were other alternatives. Any luck with just lubing these things? And why would it easily drive the thing up and not be able to drag it down if there is resistance at some point?

Post by **abscate** » 10 Feb 2019, 05:18

Is this a new mast? If your thing is bent. It will hang up. There are new drugs for that, but a new MAST is $60 from FCP

crlande · Post by **crlande** » 10 Feb 2019, 05:49

I have routinely lubed the mast. The few times it would stop short, I would gently push the rest of the way in with no issues.

Post by **FlyingVolvo** » 10 Feb 2019, 06:07

crlande wrote: ↑10 Feb 2019, 05:49 I have routinely lubed the mast. The few times it would stop short, I would gently push the rest of the way in with no issues.

Sorry.

I'm not too familiar with the physical antennas but most of the time when I do see S70s, they're always just left in the up position. My guess it's a combo of the mast being gummed up a bit and the motor getting weak after age/use.

Post by **hausmeister** » 10 Feb 2019, 06:43

Mine also sometimes keeps getting stuck. I then clean the shit out of it with WD40 and also lube it up, but preferrably with something dry or wipe it down so the dirt doesn't stick to it. Oiling it alone only causes it to get much more dirty.
(I also have replaced the antenna stalk some years ago. But if you don't maintain it it's not a permanent fix)
The last months now it didn't have issues, goes up and doesn without issues, but thx for the reminder I need to clean it again.

Post by **GlennG2759** » 10 Feb 2019, 07:48

I don't know if their the same, but I replaced mine on my 850 2 weeks ago. I found that when I took the gear box apart their was some really nasty gritty grease along with small pieces of the plastic zipper cord. Cleaned it up real nice and used some white lithium grease, works beautiful now. Got mine from FCP for around $18.00. Shooting some WD 40 on the mast every couple mos. wouldn't hurt either. Good Luck!

Post by **scot850** » 10 Feb 2019, 09:08

Although a pain to do, I generally remove the whole motor from the car, and then open it up and clean all the dirt out of it. You would be amazed how much gets in there over the years. Also if there is too much crap in the motor area it can strip the plastic teeth trying to get it to drop back down.

New mast from FCP as mentioned from the likes of MTC are cheap. Maybe not of the Volvo quality but will work ok.

Neil.

Post by **Eddystone** » 10 Feb 2019, 11:02

scot850 wrote: ↑10 Feb 2019, 09:08 Although a pain to do, I generally remove the whole motor from the car, and then open it up and clean all the dirt out of it. You would be amazed how much gets in there over the years. Also if there is too much crap in the motor area it can strip the plastic teeth trying to get it to drop back down.

New mast from FCP as mentioned from the likes of MTC are cheap. Maybe not of the Volvo quality but will work ok.

Neil.

Been there. Done that. Clean as a whistle inside. Lubed with silicone grease that's safe for plastics. New mast from a supplier I have used in the past. Bottom line is that I will carefully lube the metal sections of the mast and see if that helps. If that doesn't work, I'll take the old mast, cut off the plastic tail, and put it up and down manually. The only time it needs to be down is at the car wash. These are things that can be dealt with when it isn't 35 degrees F outside.

Post by **scot850** » 10 Feb 2019, 13:54

Agreed or -35C as it is here just now! I might even have one in the 'stash' as well as an MTC mast that I won't be using as I have a wagon.

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 10 Feb 2019, 17:52

We were 35F and dry today, perfect driveway fixit temp for me. I prefer that to the summer

Wizechatmgr can testify how fast I melt at 80F