This past week, the power antenna on my 94 Integra LS started making clicking noises whenever it was done retracting or extending. The antenna would unfurl and retract perfectly fine, but it would make these annoying clicking sounds at the end of each process. Approximately 5-6 clicks every time.

So I listened to my esteemed colleagues, here on HT and purchased a new mast from Acura ($45) on Saturday.

Tonight I removed the old mast by pulling hard once it was fully extended, and threaded in the new one while my girlfriend turned off the radio. I was able to thread it in just fine and it dropped right in, completely flush like it's supposed to look. Things were starting to look good!

However, after trying it out a few times, the clicking is still happening at the end of each phase (extend or retract) -- Crap!!!

* This time, it only clicks 1-2 times, but there's GOT to be a way to completely get rid of the clicking altogether. Because many Integras don't have this problem.
------Any ideas???

I've tried cracking open the motor/gear assembly and looking for broken bits of plastic (none evident, and the original mast is not missing any "teeth").

Also, there are 2 little metal contacts which ride along the metal surface of the inner gears. I noticed that some of the lubricant (circa 1994 no doubt) had "gunked up" in there, so I used some Q-tip swabs to remove as much as possible from the contact area only (making sure to leave adequate lube for the gears to spin). I figured maybe the contacts weren't able to tell that the antenna was fully retracted or extended due to the gunk? This didn't seem to help though.

I've tried reinserting my antenna mast 3 times so far, each time trying to somehow align it into the magical sweet spot, but so far I've gotten nothing for my troubles but the usual 1-2 clicks. Sigh.


Argh, this antenna is royally pissing me off....I think I'm gonna go play some Unreal Tournament right now to blow off some steam. I'll be listening for replies to my post tonight (via beeps when I get email from HT)

Thanks for any help, and for letting me vent.
-tag


[Modified by TAG, 8:01 AM 1/29/2002]

 

I have never cracked open any power antenna so I am unfamiliar with what the insides look like. ...but I know of the clicking sound you are speaking of.

I doubt power antenna technology has changed so a noise, such as a clicking sound usually means the motor has some gears or sprockets that spin to help lower / raise the antenna. Perhaps the "teeth" of these sprockets are slipping and causing the sound that you hear.

 

i had that same problem cause my anttena was bent...me and a friend bent it back and the problems gone...but i dont know whats wrong with yours...goodluck

 

Thanks for the replies DesignBot and 98Teggsr.

--- Anybody else have any ideas? ---

The clicking is still there, and I have to drive my car today. I was hoping to figure it out this morning and put all the panels back on before I leave for work.

Thanks for any help!!


[Modified by TAG, 1:14 PM 1/29/2002]

 

i have the exact same issue.

i had it happen in my ford before, i put some grease on it and the problem went away, i might try that tomorrow

 

It's happening to mine as well! I sprayed some WD-40 on it this weekend when I cleaned my car, but it's still doing it. I've just learned to live with it since it still goes up and down and is still obviously functional.
FYI...mine just started doing this about two weeks ago when it got really cold here in Kentucky...so maybe that had something to do with it? Who knows! I'll be keeping my eye on this post for a while to see if anybody comes up with suggestions! Sorry I couldn't help. Take care...

 

I had the same problem when I first bought my car. I removed the antenna from the car, opened up the antenna motor, and played with the motor's calibration. If you open it up, you'll see exactly what's going wrong if you're mechanically inclined. Plug & unplug the motor so it goes up and down and watch the gears.

A quick solution to this (if you can suck in the $45 loss you would have) is to get an aftermarket non-motor antenna.

 

Thanks guys for the responses so far.

Dozed: I opened up the motor assembly last night and everything seemed to be aligned. I had the same idea that you suggested, namely remove the cover and watch it in action. However (stupid me) I didn't notice that the half of the plastic cover that I removed acted as a guide for one of the gear's axis! So it rotated maybe 1/10th of a rotation and then jammed up, making a wonderful thrashing noise, sigh!

I yanked the power to the motor, inspected the gearing and other mechanicals for damage (none) and promptly replaced the plastic cover. It still works fine, and the motor sounds perfectly smooth when operating, but it still does that damn click.

At this point, my own theory is that you have to insert the white plastic teeth on the mast at *just* the right spot, otherwise you get one click for each tooth that you're off.

Anyone else want to contribute?

Thanks again guys!
-tag

 

I thought the click was normal. On both my tegs, and an aftermarket antenna that I put on one of my old cars this happened. I admit some antennaes are louder or have faster clicks.

 

I believe it is merely a timing issue, as my old integra did it even after the antenna was fully retracted, hence how could there be a "sweet spot" if it is fully retracted, as there is no more of the toothed track to grab. I can't see the gears not grabing at the beginning of the track either, unless some slippage is involved here. So I'd venture that some masts may no be fully in spec.

Anyhow, I drove like this for a few years w/ no problem of functionality. Usually exacerbated by winter weather.

Also, you might make sure the mast is fully contracted before installation, in case this affects the timing issue. If it still does it, you might raise it a half inch and see if you get as many clicks after installation.

 

bps2799,
Vaccum Cleaner, AL???
Heh.

Thanks for your reply. I am thinking the same thing as you (sweet spot).
I had other things to deal with yesterday, so project 'Antenna from Hell' was put on hold, but I hope to hit it again tonight or tomorrow.

I'm considering asking the Acura service techs about advice on this one, but I don't know if they'll be too happy helping me out, since theoretically, I should be paying for this "advice" if they were to install it for me.

It's not so bad right now (the clicking). I drove the Integra into work this morning, and turned the radio on/off a few times. It only clicks one time, and isn't so obvious as before. Tonight I'm going to try reinserting the mast a few more times to see if I can nail the (hopefully) sweet spot. I'm also going to ask the Acura techs what kind of lubrication I should put into the gear assembly.

Thanks for the post!
-tag

 

unfortunately it's all about re-feeding that plastic line in until you get that sweet spot you mentioned.

Mine clicks, but I ignore it since it still works. Man, my car is falling apart.

 

Actually, it's Hoover, AL. But I guess you could say it's also a double entendre, since both Hoover and the eponymous vacuum brand both suck.

On the walk to lunch I thought about it for some strange reason and would seriously try extending the mast a tiny bit for this reason: the motor is fighting against a lack of travel when it is clicking. Therefore, if it clicks going down, that is because it is fighting against the fully retracted mast. Vice versa for a fully extended mast.

White lithium grease on gears. Oil the mast with machine oil or Marvel's mystery oil, as it's lighter and less likely to entrain dirt into the oil; silicone is good too. Clean w/ WD-40 before oiling.


[Modified by bps2799, 9:58 PM 1/30/2002]