AlanBDahl

Ok, so here's the deal. Yesterday I took my '95 Quattro into the shop to get the brakes fixed. When I picked it up the shop said that the battery had gone flat overnight. When I got in I noticed that the antenna was up. Entered the radio code fine but now the antenna doesn't go up/down. I figure that either a) the antenna failed and somehow caused the battery to go dead or b) the dead battery and/or the radio lockout caused the antenna or fuse to fail.

Any ideas? Is my antenna toast? Anyone know if the power antenna is fused and where the fuse is? None of the fuses in the fuse block say they are for the power antenna.

9490s33990

My power antenna was very "tempermental" at times. Work a few days, then die, then work again. I got sick of it, so just got a regular mast antenna. The OEM part is expensive, and aftermarket units are not very well made, and usually wont last that long either... So you gotta make a chioce there I think...

Audi-90sGuy

I think the antenna might have a keeper. In otherwords when the car got power again the antenna got confused so "locked" its self out. Try disconnecting the plug to the antenna, and then reconnect it with the radio on, then turn the radio off.. if that doesnt work try doing same steps with the radio off. You could also have a short and makes the antenna think it is always on. There are some ideas for you

AlanBDahl

Well I went and did some testing by running power directly to the antenna and all I get is a "click" and some bad smells, nothing moves. Checked with Audi and a new antenna is $270, ouch! Guess I'll check wrecking yards and eBay to see if I can find one there, *sigh*.

9490s33990

I got a Fuba base and mast for mine. Fit well, and looks OK.<ul><li><a href="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/52171/picture_049.jpg">New antenna</a></li></ul>

AlanBDahl

How's the performance?

9490s33990

Slight improvement over the old one, but I put a a new cable in that goes right into the Fuba mast. The connector is different than that power antenna your going to take out. Best bet is if you go to the boneyard, yank the whole mast base, and cable that goes the the HU. If you dont gat the cable, youll have to plice and solder the cable.

9490s33990

so I got a tube of Permatex, black silicone/sealant and but a very small amount on the ring of the base to seal it tight. If you dont, theres about a 1/32in gap on the top half of the base, so you dont want water getting in there. I drove all winter in the snow and salt we use in New England Roads, and its still not leaking...