I just finished changing the antenna portion of the automatic radio antenna in my 1990 Maxima so I thought I would pass on the things I found as I did the job. The antenna control cable had about one foot broken off in the motor assembly so I had to do this more complicated process.
- The first thing I removed was a motor device of some sort up by the hinge. I have no idea what this thing is but it is easy to remove and reinstall.
- Now remove the mounting buttons that attach the side cover. I used a screwdriver to get them out a little and then a small channel locks to bull them out. There are four large ones and two small ones. Pull back the side panel to expose the car jack and the antenna motor assembly.
- Loosen and remove the car jack.
- Loosen the small nut that surrounds the antenna on the outside top of the right rear well. (I used a small long nose pliers) Pull out the antenna and the nylon drive cable.
- Unscrew the two Phillips screws on the inside of the trunk that hold the antenna motor assembly in place.
- Push the nylon connector support pin back into the motor area. Disconnect the small coaxial cable from the connector. (Pull out the end with the small knurled piece)
- Walk out the motor assembly. I walked it out with the lower electrical connectors attached but disconnected them before I reinstalled the motor assembly.
- Remove the nut from the backside of the nylon cable retainer. Be careful as this part has a long O ring seal that keeps water from leaking into the trunk. Remove the cable retainer cup and remove the broken piece of cable. Put a small amount of Vasoline into this cup and reinstall it. Also reinstall the back piece with the O ring. Reinstall the nut. Now the entire assembly is ready to be reinstalled. Walk it back into the opening with the connectors disconnected. When the top part is in the correct position, put in the two Phillips screws and tighten. Reconnect the three connectors. (The two at the bottom and the small coax)
- Take your new antenna with the nylon drive cable and coat the nylon cable with Vasoline. Turn the ignition on and turn of the radio. Install the nylon cable in the motor assemble hole with the teeth facing the rear of the car. Now turn off the radio. Quickly push the nylon cable into the hole and the motor will do the rest. (This step is easier with two people)
- Reinstall the nut at the top of the wheel well and tighten with the small long pliers..
- Reinstall the car jack.
- Push back the side cover and reinstall the mounting buttons.
- Reinstall the mystery motor device.
- Job is done.
Good luck, Don