I did all the wiring for the power antenna. Previously I had drilled the quarter panel hole and mounted the antenna. For the wiring I ran a 10 gauge wire from the horn relay to a 30 amp breaker mounted up under the dash. I plan to use this breaker for the power antenna and power locks, possibly the power vents as well. From there I ran a 10 gauge wire up to a pair of relays, one for "up" and one for "down". I do this because I don't like the full amperage for the antenna pulled through the switch. I've seen too many switches over the years that got hot. From the relays I ran a pair of 14 gauge wires to the antenna.
When I mounted the antenna a few months ago, I put a battery in the trunk and ran jumper wires to the up down wires. It works perfect.
Today when I finished all the wiring, I tested the antenna. It won't move up or down but sounds like it's trying to move either direction as I try it on the switch. Put a battery in the trunk, run jumper wires to it, works perfect. Volt meter shows full voltage at the back when I try the switch but I must be losing amperage. I just can't figure out why or how. After lunch and a nap I guess it's time to start doing a bunch more testing. Weird. I thought maybe it was a bad ground because when I tested with the battery in the trunk of course I grounded the antenna right to the negative post on the battery. Ran a jumper cable from the nice steel bumper to the antenna body but no change.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Are the up/down relays close to the antenna motor?
If no, I'd continue a 10 gauge power wire back to the trunk, mount the relays hidden there, and use the 14 gauge wires in place right now as the relay triggers.
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
I walk twice a day, about 4 km's each walk. I do some very good thinking when I walk. I just got back. I was only about 3 blocks from home on my way out for my walk and I did one of those DUH forehead-smacks.....
I wired the relays for a new style power antenna that uses two wires and the polarity reverses for up or down. This 1966 antenna is grounded, you power one wire for up, other wire for down. I haven't even gone into the garage to check but I know that's the problem!
What a rookie mistake.....
All I need to do is snip or remove one wire on each relay and it will work perfect.
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
Seemed strange that a 14 gauge feed wasn't able to power it. It would have had to be a motor or drive issue.
Isn't it great when it comes to you!
I know, that is what was bothering me so much. If it worked for GM for years and years, why didn't it work now? And of course the antenna worked perfect when I unplugged the harness in the trunk and ran jumpers from a battery because I knew to ground the antenna and power one wire for up or the other wire for down. When I tested it I knew it wasn't reverse polarity but when I wired the relays my brain was stuck on reverse polarity. I guess the joys of senior moments?
Anyway, nap time is over, it's off to the garage to right my wrong!
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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles
1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars
