My 1991 3000GT's power antenna broke a couple days ago. It no longer goes up or down, but the motor runs when I turn the radio on and off. I pulled the antenna mast off by unscrewing the retaining nut on top. With the antenna fully extended, the nylon toothed rack cable extends about 4" past the bottom of the mast. Based on instructions in the service manual, with the antenna fully extended, I am supposed to be able to push the rack cable back into the motor and then turn it 90 degrees so that it will mesh with the motor gear and lock into place.
I can't seem to get it to lock properly and was wondering if the rack cable might have broken so that the end is still in the motor housing and the remaining portion is too short to use. It appears I will need to remove the inner trim panel to gain access to the antenna motor. Has anyone had this happen and if so was it the cable? Do I just need to purchase a new collapsible mast and rack cable assembly and try that before looking at the motor?
Advice and experience is much appreciated.
Bob