replacement antenna
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,102
Good question....
My antenna is also broken....except the motor still works.
I have to position the antenna in a certain way that they motor doesn't make a lot of noise when it works.
So I would appreciate any advise also.
I have to position the antenna in a certain way that they motor doesn't make a lot of noise when it works.
So I would appreciate any advise also.
The motor doesn't usually go out, it's the plastic cable that runs the antenna up/down that wears out, or something else...
Anyway, don't try an aftermarket. I've had two Max's and both antennas broke. The one I've got on the '89 is two years old and still working, it's like they work for ten years then brake, so, buy new from Nissan. Note: the aftermarkets will not wire up directly to the harness in the back. Note: for the aftermarket, you have to find out which wires are what, then cut them to access a power source and remote wire to make it work. If you don't want to cut the wires, then a power wire has to be ran from front to rear plus the remote wire. Then, you have to decide which, of the many, adapter brackets work to replace the peice on the body that holds the antenna straight. GO TO NISSAN!
Anyway, don't try an aftermarket. I've had two Max's and both antennas broke. The one I've got on the '89 is two years old and still working, it's like they work for ten years then brake, so, buy new from Nissan. Note: the aftermarkets will not wire up directly to the harness in the back. Note: for the aftermarket, you have to find out which wires are what, then cut them to access a power source and remote wire to make it work. If you don't want to cut the wires, then a power wire has to be ran from front to rear plus the remote wire. Then, you have to decide which, of the many, adapter brackets work to replace the peice on the body that holds the antenna straight. GO TO NISSAN!
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 164
Block,
This is a weak point on these cars. Get good at fixing them... You'll get to do it more than once. Good news is that although they need to be repaired, they are pretty darn easy to work on.
Always buy the original Nissan parts.
My humble tips - buy yourself a small, bent tip needle nose pliers to remove the outer nut at the top of the antenna. Just unscrew the nut and the antenna mast and the attached nylon rope that the motor pushs up and down just pulls out. If you the nylon part is not broken off inside the motor, you can simply pull out the old one and insert a new antenna mast. Insert the new one by starting is slowly down the hole and have someone else turn on the radio. The motor should "grab" it and just pull it in the rest of the way. Screw on the collar and you're set.
If the nylon part broke off inside the motor - this is more work but still easy. Remove the mast as I described above. Then you have to remove the inside cover panels on the passenger side of the truck to get access to the motor. There are the quick screws - the nylon ones. I usually just pry them out with a flat blade screw driver. You will likely break 1 or 2 - You can get replacements at the dealer or I frankly just leave them out. The trunk liner is so stiff, it's no big deal. Anyway, once the liner is pulled out, you can access the motor. Disconnect xx things to remove it - one bolt (easily accessible from the trunk), the drain tube at the bottom (just pulls off), the antenna wire (just pulls off), and 2 wiring connectors. They all just pull off/push on.
Then the whole antenna motor assembly just should come out. Take the nut off on the black housing at the bottom. You should find the broken piece inside this housing. Just remove it - I also usually do a good WD-40 spray and wipe it out with paper towels. Then just put the cover back on and reinstall the assembly. You'll then have to put in the new antenna mast as I described in the first paragraph.
This whole process takes me about 30-40 minutes - working at an easy pace. My dealer wanted over $200.
Good luck and e-mail me if you have any questions.
This is a weak point on these cars. Get good at fixing them... You'll get to do it more than once. Good news is that although they need to be repaired, they are pretty darn easy to work on.
Always buy the original Nissan parts.
My humble tips - buy yourself a small, bent tip needle nose pliers to remove the outer nut at the top of the antenna. Just unscrew the nut and the antenna mast and the attached nylon rope that the motor pushs up and down just pulls out. If you the nylon part is not broken off inside the motor, you can simply pull out the old one and insert a new antenna mast. Insert the new one by starting is slowly down the hole and have someone else turn on the radio. The motor should "grab" it and just pull it in the rest of the way. Screw on the collar and you're set.
If the nylon part broke off inside the motor - this is more work but still easy. Remove the mast as I described above. Then you have to remove the inside cover panels on the passenger side of the truck to get access to the motor. There are the quick screws - the nylon ones. I usually just pry them out with a flat blade screw driver. You will likely break 1 or 2 - You can get replacements at the dealer or I frankly just leave them out. The trunk liner is so stiff, it's no big deal. Anyway, once the liner is pulled out, you can access the motor. Disconnect xx things to remove it - one bolt (easily accessible from the trunk), the drain tube at the bottom (just pulls off), the antenna wire (just pulls off), and 2 wiring connectors. They all just pull off/push on.
Then the whole antenna motor assembly just should come out. Take the nut off on the black housing at the bottom. You should find the broken piece inside this housing. Just remove it - I also usually do a good WD-40 spray and wipe it out with paper towels. Then just put the cover back on and reinstall the assembly. You'll then have to put in the new antenna mast as I described in the first paragraph.
This whole process takes me about 30-40 minutes - working at an easy pace. My dealer wanted over $200.
Good luck and e-mail me if you have any questions.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by Tick Tock
Block,
This is a weak point on these cars. Get good at fixing them... You'll get to do it more than once. Good news is that although they need to be repaired, they are pretty darn easy to work on.
Always buy the original Nissan parts.
My humble tips - buy yourself a small, bent tip needle nose pliers to remove the outer nut at the top of the antenna. Just unscrew the nut and the antenna mast and the attached nylon rope that the motor pushs up and down just pulls out. If you the nylon part is not broken off inside the motor, you can simply pull out the old one and insert a new antenna mast. Insert the new one by starting is slowly down the hole and have someone else turn on the radio. The motor should "grab" it and just pull it in the rest of the way. Screw on the collar and you're set.
If the nylon part broke off inside the motor - this is more work but still easy. Remove the mast as I described above. Then you have to remove the inside cover panels on the passenger side of the truck to get access to the motor. There are the quick screws - the nylon ones. I usually just pry them out with a flat blade screw driver. You will likely break 1 or 2 - You can get replacements at the dealer or I frankly just leave them out. The trunk liner is so stiff, it's no big deal. Anyway, once the liner is pulled out, you can access the motor. Disconnect xx things to remove it - one bolt (easily accessible from the trunk), the drain tube at the bottom (just pulls off), the antenna wire (just pulls off), and 2 wiring connectors. They all just pull off/push on.
Then the whole antenna motor assembly just should come out. Take the nut off on the black housing at the bottom. You should find the broken piece inside this housing. Just remove it - I also usually do a good WD-40 spray and wipe it out with paper towels. Then just put the cover back on and reinstall the assembly. You'll then have to put in the new antenna mast as I described in the first paragraph.
This whole process takes me about 30-40 minutes - working at an easy pace. My dealer wanted over $200.
Good luck and e-mail me if you have any questions.
This is a weak point on these cars. Get good at fixing them... You'll get to do it more than once. Good news is that although they need to be repaired, they are pretty darn easy to work on.
Always buy the original Nissan parts.
My humble tips - buy yourself a small, bent tip needle nose pliers to remove the outer nut at the top of the antenna. Just unscrew the nut and the antenna mast and the attached nylon rope that the motor pushs up and down just pulls out. If you the nylon part is not broken off inside the motor, you can simply pull out the old one and insert a new antenna mast. Insert the new one by starting is slowly down the hole and have someone else turn on the radio. The motor should "grab" it and just pull it in the rest of the way. Screw on the collar and you're set.
If the nylon part broke off inside the motor - this is more work but still easy. Remove the mast as I described above. Then you have to remove the inside cover panels on the passenger side of the truck to get access to the motor. There are the quick screws - the nylon ones. I usually just pry them out with a flat blade screw driver. You will likely break 1 or 2 - You can get replacements at the dealer or I frankly just leave them out. The trunk liner is so stiff, it's no big deal. Anyway, once the liner is pulled out, you can access the motor. Disconnect xx things to remove it - one bolt (easily accessible from the trunk), the drain tube at the bottom (just pulls off), the antenna wire (just pulls off), and 2 wiring connectors. They all just pull off/push on.
Then the whole antenna motor assembly just should come out. Take the nut off on the black housing at the bottom. You should find the broken piece inside this housing. Just remove it - I also usually do a good WD-40 spray and wipe it out with paper towels. Then just put the cover back on and reinstall the assembly. You'll then have to put in the new antenna mast as I described in the first paragraph.
This whole process takes me about 30-40 minutes - working at an easy pace. My dealer wanted over $200.
Good luck and e-mail me if you have any questions.
Also beofre that it didn't used to work but I used to hear the motor for a few miutes after tunring on/off the radio. Please advise.
Thanks, Saad
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 253
Try www.locustom.com
Lots of different styles of aftermarket antennas that fit the 3rd gen. I put on a 350z style amplified antenna. If you have to take out your old motor anyway, this is a pretty simple, one step above - plug and play. The only real problem I had was that the instructions weren't too clear regarding the bracket and you have to have a volt meter or continuity tester to fugure out which jack in the harness the power is coming from. I sold the 3rd gen, but I think I still have pictures I can email if anyones interested.
Lots of different styles of aftermarket antennas that fit the 3rd gen. I put on a 350z style amplified antenna. If you have to take out your old motor anyway, this is a pretty simple, one step above - plug and play. The only real problem I had was that the instructions weren't too clear regarding the bracket and you have to have a volt meter or continuity tester to fugure out which jack in the harness the power is coming from. I sold the 3rd gen, but I think I still have pictures I can email if anyones interested.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by Evil_Twin
So what does it mean when I turn the radio on and off, but I dont hear the motor turn?... I have a Jensen head unit hopefully getting it replaced...
=->Evil Twin<-=
=->Evil Twin<-=
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5
Originally Posted by 808SE
Try www.locustom.com
Lots of different styles of aftermarket antennas that fit the 3rd gen. I put on a 350z style amplified antenna. If you have to take out your old motor anyway, this is a pretty simple, one step above - plug and play. The only real problem I had was that the instructions weren't too clear regarding the bracket and you have to have a volt meter or continuity tester to fugure out which jack in the harness the power is coming from. I sold the 3rd gen, but I think I still have pictures I can email if anyones interested.
Lots of different styles of aftermarket antennas that fit the 3rd gen. I put on a 350z style amplified antenna. If you have to take out your old motor anyway, this is a pretty simple, one step above - plug and play. The only real problem I had was that the instructions weren't too clear regarding the bracket and you have to have a volt meter or continuity tester to fugure out which jack in the harness the power is coming from. I sold the 3rd gen, but I think I still have pictures I can email if anyones interested.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9
I just replaced mine with a stubby rubber black one $10. That way if I aquire any enimies, my antenna will survive
It looks cool and gives the neighbourhood cats something to play with while they are walking on my car with their freakin muddy paws. I pulled out the motor because, "why not". I did the same when my antenna went on my 90 Stanza GXE.
Cheers
It looks cool and gives the neighbourhood cats something to play with while they are walking on my car with their freakin muddy paws. I pulled out the motor because, "why not". I did the same when my antenna went on my 90 Stanza GXE.Cheers
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 253
Originally Posted by P-DuB
I was never a real fan of those stubby antennas. That 350z antenna looks just right for my car. Now if only 808SE would email me pics of his install I would order it.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5
Originally Posted by 808SE
Sorry about that, the pics are on my laptop, which doesn't have a PC card right now. I found the pics, but there aren't any direct shots of the antenna. One from the back and a couple from the side. The pics are huge files, as I took them, with a 3.2 MP camera. You still want em? I may be able to call the guy who bought my car and take some better pics.
Yes please!! I really wanna order this antenna and any pics to help me out would be appreciated.
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