Radio antenna replacement

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Introduction

Guide written by Delux.

I done this guide today on my 54 plate convertible but its the same procedure for hardtop and older versions.

Old antenna removal

First step is to disconnect the old aerial, or whats left of it. If your car has its original aerial you will find there is a small extension lead between the end of th aerial lead and the back of the stereo head unit. Its usually under the dash next to the centre console on the drivers side.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2c4QD2p][img][/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2c4QD2p]20181209_143949[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/159422664@N08/]deeelux deeelux[/url], on Flickr

Its the fat, black cylinder in the centre of the pic. Cut the cable tie off and give it a pull, aerial lead should unplug. I mention this because someone was asking about reception problems and their aerial was ok. If corrosion is in this plug your radio reception will be rubbish! Anyway, follow it along, this one runs along the under dash bar thru some reusable cable ties. Follow it along until it disappears into the roof pillar to make sure its free all the way along.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2dsw3vB][img][/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2dsw3vB]20181209_144318[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/159422664@N08/]deeelux deeelux[/url], on Flickr

Its hard to picture, it leads over the top of that black box into the pillar. Easier to feel than show! Next, tie a bit of string round it. You can tape a bit of wire to it but I prefer string as you can tie it and its harder to accidentally pull off!

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2aFX4FC][img][/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2aFX4FC]20181209_144556[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/159422664@N08/]deeelux deeelux[/url], on Flickr

Now you can unscrew the aerial base and carefully pull it out the pillar. As mine is a convertible the aerial base is on the pillar facing forward. On the hard top the base is kinda above the front corner of the door but the procedure is the same.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2aFX3KE][img][/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2aFX3KE]20181209_144721[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/159422664@N08/]deeelux deeelux[/url], on Flickr

Keep going, gently until

[url=https://flic.kr/p/PGpgHZ][img][/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/PGpgHZ]20181209_144739[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/159422664@N08/]deeelux deeelux[/url], on Flickr

I just pulled a bit off the end of a big ball of string. If you are just using a length of string make sure you have enough length!

New antenna installation

Anyway, my aerial (on the right) is off ebay (about £20) and the lead is much longer which makes it easier to refit.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/PGpfR8][img][/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/PGpfR8]20181209_144907[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/159422664@N08/]deeelux deeelux[/url], on Flickr

Feed the aerial plug in 1st gently pulling the string back thru. Dont pull too hard, some jiggling may be required. You may need to fish the new plug out the hole in the pillar. Once its thru bolt it back on. The one I bought was slightly thicker so I couldnt use the original screws, luckily it was supplied with new ones which were fine.

[url=https://flic.kr/p/2do2UNo][img][/img][/url][url=https://flic.kr/p/2do2UNo]20181209_145752[/url] by [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/159422664@N08/]deeelux deeelux[/url], on Flickr

As this aerial has a longer cable it will reach the head unit. I will remove the extension cable and run it straight into the head unit. Just not today as I forgot my radio pins!

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Page last edited on 26/12/2018 by user Delux