Reading questions and answers about antenna issues prompted me to consider addressing a problem with my car.

The antenna raises and lowers appropriately when the audio system is switched on and off.

But, the antenna motor continues to operate for about 5 seconds each time it raises and when it lowers the mast. One can clearly hear the toothed cable ratcheting as the motor gear continues to whirl.

Since the motor runs for a specific amount of time (I guess) does my problem indicate an issue with the motor, or can changing the mast & flexible nylon tail end the issue?

Thanks in advance

 

The motor is timed to run for 12 seconds (appx). Unless someone has shortened the nylon toothed rod that is about how long it takes to raise or lower the antenna. Not being in perfect time is not unusual and you wouldn't want the motor to stop before the mast was fully retracted. You could replace the antenna to ensure that you had the full length available but otherwise it is what it is.

 

The teeth on the Nylon strip are easily damaged, and can be misaligned fairly easily. Are you certain the Antenna is deploying to it's full length? That sucker is like 30' tall when fully extended.

If it were me, I would lubricate the Mast when fully extended, and inspect it for crimps in the tubing at any section, and then run it up and down a few times. Then have someone turn the radio on, while I was standing next to the antenna, and when it gets to the point where it stops extending, but the motor is still running, check quickly to see that all individual sections are completely extended, and then pull up sharply on the top of the Antenna Mast to ensure it is extended completely and realigned to the Nylon strip.

Not much to lose if you have to replace the Mast anyway, and the mast insertion instructions have you thread it in while the motor retracts and picks up the Nylon gear strip, this may have been done incorrectly, and the nut needs to be removed from the outside, and the Mast removed and re-inserted correctly.