How to Install a Power Antenna on a 1996 Acura Integra

A broken or damaged antenna mast or antenna motor won't receive any of the reception needed to listen to the radio, as the antenna mast will stop extending. Usually you will hear the antenna motor running even though the antenna mast may be broken. If the antenna motor is not running, you will need to replace the motor and mast assembly. An assistant is useful in this task to turn the radio off and on when guiding the antenna mast in and out of the fender hole.

Things You'll Need

• Tape
• Snap-ring pliers
• Socket set

Instructions

1. Tape the surface surrounding the antenna on top of the fender to prevent scratches.

2. Remove the antenna retaining nut with snap-ring pliers. If snap-ring pliers aren't available, a small screwdriver can be placed in the small recess on the retainer and tapped with a hammer to turn it. Below the retaining nut is a spacer and bushing which will need to be saved for installation. If you are replacing the entire motor and antenna mast, skip to Step 7. Steps 3 through 6 are for replacing the antenna mast only.

3. Remove the antenna mast if you are replacing the mast and not the antenna motor. Turn the vehicle on and turn on the radio function to extend the antenna through the fender. Guide the antenna until it stops extending, then pull it up to dislodge the lower portion of the antenna mast teeth from the gear inside the motor.

4. Compare the old antenna mast with the replacement mast to ensure they are the same. The replacement mast will not function properly if it is different in size or length.

5. Guide the lower portion of the replacement antenna mast through the antenna hole in the fender until a few of the teeth are engaged with the gear in the antenna motor. The teeth on the lower part of the mast should be facing the rear of the vehicle.

6. Turn the radio off and guide the mast through the antenna hole. If teeth are still showing on the lower portion of the mast, keep lowering the antenna mast until no teeth are visible.

7. Remove the trim panel covering the antenna motor. On sedan models, the trim panel is on the driver's side in the trunk. On hatchback models, the trim panel is in the interior near the rear of the vehicle on the driver side. On both models, the panels can be pulled by hand to dislodge the retaining clips.

8. Detach the two electrical connections to the antenna motor. Both connections, the power electrical connector and antenna lead, can by disconnected by hand.

9. Remove the motor mounting nut, located near the bottom of the motor, with a socket wrench to detach the motor from the vehicle. Guide the antenna mast out of the bottom of the hole in the fender and remove the motor and mast from the vehicle.

10. Guide the antenna mast through the opening in the fender and position the replacement motor against the vehicle. Finger-tighten the mounting nut to hold the motor in place. Tighten the nut with a socket wrench.

11. Attach the electrical connection and antenna lead to the replacement motor. They can both be connected by hand.

12. Place the bushing, spacer and retaining nut over the top of the antenna. Tighten the retaining nut with snap-ring pliers. If snap-ring pliers aren't available, a small screwdriver can be placed in the small recess on the retainer and tapped with a hammer to turn it.

13. Remove the tape on the outside of the fender.

References

• "Haynes Repair Manual: Acura Integra 1994 thru 2000"; Alan Ahlstrand, John H Haynes and Larry Warren; 2005