Replace non-power antenna with power one

I have a 1994 Firebird with a non-power radio antenna. I don't get very good radio reception though, and I think it has something to do with the GM service bulletin released back in 11/17/1993 regarding radio reception conditions due to older design antenna bracket assembly which provides insufficient staking.

I was going to take my car to GM to have it replaced with the new antenna bracket assembly part, but then I wondered if I should just get a power antenna instead. Some guy on ebay sells Hirschmann power antennas for 93-97 Camaro/Firebirds for $39.50, and claims the part to be at OEM specifications. Please take a look at

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Will this antenna work/install nicely on a Firebird which did not have a power antenna in the first place? Is it an easy procedure to replace the antenna, or do I have to run wires from the rear of the vehicle to the radio?

Thanks very much for your input!

Reply to
Dan
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Get a hold of the GM bulletin and have the fix done. Start there.

Non OEM antennas look and operate very hokey :(.

Joe--ASE Certified Parts Specialist & 10th Ann.Club Tech Director '80 Carousel Red Turbo T/A, 26k orig. '79 "Y89" 400/4 speed 10th Ann. T/A, 57k orig '84 Olds 88 Royale Bgm 2 dr, 307 "Rocket" (lol), 141k and still going.... '80 T/A project car...

Reply to
Bigjfig

It takes two wires to move the antenna motor. One is for power (hot all the time), the other for a signal from the radio (hot when radio is playing). So yes, you'll have to run wires to the antenna from the instrument panel.

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Reply to
Joe

You could install the power ant. with a power switch (power off when ignition is off) on the side of your consol (small nice looking rocket switch that blend in with your interior). I would turn it ON when I need it and shut it off when you are going to car wash or listening to your CD player. I have factory power ant. I hate it anything that stick up (interfere with car cover) and working for nothing when I am listening to my CD player. So I installed a switch on mine. Works great!

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Reply to
Paul

Agreed; traditional "automatic" power antennas are pretty stupid. Ford didn't use them, they used a switch like you have.

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Reply to
Joe

Actually, the Ford system is silly. With a GM car, the antenna is not up when it doesn't need to be.

With the Ford, you have to remember to lower it for a car wash. GM's antenna takes care of itself :). Joe--ASE Certified Parts Specialist & 10th Ann.Club Tech Director '80 Carousel Red Turbo T/A, 26k orig. '79 "Y89" 400/4 speed 10th Ann. T/A, 57k orig '84 Olds 88 Royale Bgm 2 dr, 307 "Rocket" (lol), 141k and still going.... '80 T/A project car...

Reply to
Bigjfig

Thanks everyone for all your feedback.

What I would really like to know is, does the 1994 AC/Delco factory CD player have this "second" wire output which provides the signal from the radio? Or do I have a "different" model of the radio because I didn't have a power antenna. In other words, if I wanted the power antenna to work exactly like it does in another Firebird/Camaro with stock power antenna (ie. when radio is on, antenna goes up automatically, etc), are we limited by the CD deck in the car? I would hate to try installing this antenna only to find that my CD/radio deck does not support it.

Reply to
Dan

I had a factory installed Power Antenna on my old 93 Grand Prix. I replaced it about 4 times. Everytime the weather was going to be bad I would have to remember to leave the radio off. The ice would build up around it, if I forgot to clean it off before I started it up, would strip the gears on the cheap nylon cord inside. Or if during my trip the weather was good at start and then got bad enough to cake my antenna in ice as I traveled, I would have to remember to clean the ice off before I let the antenna down. All of that was a pain in the butt, I say stick with what you have, unless you are in area that gets no snow or ice what so ever. If you were me I would say It's not worth the trouble running wires, building a relay, perhaps redrilling the fender, mounting on the inside of the fender, removing the rust coat from your paint job and a estimated $150 to have to work for 8 months until winter rolls around again next year, and have to replace it. But that's my 2Cents.

Alot of new gm cars have the antennas mounted in the glass, there is a reason for that. Whether it's money because of cheaper install, or people like me begging for warranty work on their power antenna, who knows. My factory replacement unit cost me usually around $150 everytime, after one of those I was able to find just the mast and the nylon cord for about $40.00

I am so glad my new 2004 Grand Prix has the antenna built into the rear glass, and the reception is good too.

Reply to
Sam

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