I replaced my original antenna on my 300d with an after market. I had to adapt the mounting a little bit but got it to work. Also the switch on the dash is 3 position but the new one only has wiring for 2 positions. I think it was my Volvo that I was able to replace the mast. The cable that pushes the mast up and down is plastic and they will break. I saw that e350 in your garage. I'd like it if you showed us that in a video. It looks nice from what little I could see of it. Have a great weekend Ralph!
Interestingly enough I have not yet opened one where the plastic cable was the problem. Yup, that is a W212 and there are two videos on the channel. So far this is the best Benz I have owned to date. Well, make that a tie with my W124 400E I used to have.
Great video! Had a question. Ive a '91 300e. My antenna doesn't do anything when I switch radio on. Judging by the electrics on the rest of the car (everything works including wiper + sun roof + interior lights + rear roller blinds (although broken)), I'm thinking it can't be the car's electrics but something internal on the antenna itself. Where do I begin my diagnosis in your opinion?
Thanks! In their infinite wisdom the design engineers place the antenna's controls on top of the main body. That is unfortunately right in the path of rain/ car wash water the moment the mast seal starts to fail (which will happen). Many controls will eventually fail and very often cause the elusive battery drain issue as the antenna is always powered up. You can diagnose this by opening the main antenna body and applying 12VDC to only the main motor. If it works then it is the controls section. Make sure to also test the car's power plug just to make sure that the wiring is not the issue. Unfortunately, I have not found a good source to just buy the controls module. Good luck.
Something is up with my Hirschmann too. It will extend all the way and stop but when it retracts the motor won't shut off and the torque limiter in the antenna reel makes a horrible clicking banging noise until the controller times out. I'm not exactly sure how these controllers work. I think they look for a spike in current to know when the antenna has reached it's limit.
Those can be frustrating and I have struggled with those on my W140s. If the mast works and motor is broken I just take the big drive gear out and it allows me to pull the mast up manually and push it down if need be.
Great help. Thanks. Fixed the original Hirschmann and replaced the mast. Works like new on my C126. It opens when I turn on the key and closes when I turn off. I was wondering if you know any other way of operation? I can imagine situations like car wash or just passing through some branches or low parkings that I would like it to stay closed. You think it's possible to control it, or at least it opens only when the radio is switched on and not the whole car? Ps: what's that very small grey lever/switch attached to the Hirschmann motor and near the belt doing? Thanks
You must have a later version C126 or a non US model as there appears to not be an antenna switch in your center console close to the 4 way emergency flasher switch. That switch usually lets you retract the antenna even with ignition and radio on. You can off course retrofit your center console with such a switch, but I am not sure if that is worth your while. Good luck! I am not sure what you are referring to with your question about a gray lever near the belt area.
Yes sir. Its indeed a late European car and I don't have that switch, which I have ordered and see if I can fit it nicely and connect it right. Heard that operation of the antenna depends on the radio brand too. Some radios gives the order when they open instead. Changing my radio soon, so let's see. Usually in late cars they take things out when they find more easy and clever solutions... but couldn't find it yet! I think it's a legit problem going around all the time with an antenna open:-) Ps: Next time you open a Hirschmann (1990 one I guess) take a closer look. I'm sure you will find out what this lever does:-) Have a great year
I replaced the antenna on my 1986 560SL. RED GREEN BLACK from the antenna. The car has blue/white wire, blue/green, brown, red. Red to red, black to brown and then....no idea which one the green should connect to. Touch green to connected reds and antenna goes up, remove it, antenna hoes down. Need to know which wire(s) is the trigger. Tried rocker switch in all positions. Prepping car for sale....need to figure this one out.
HI there. If you are trying to install an aftermarket antenna then most have a red, green, and black wire. On the car there are more wires than you need. Red goes with red, Green of the antenna goes with black, and Black from the antenna goes with brown. Here is a video that should help. ua-cam.com/video/ZSmqG-_lAYw/v-deo.html Where are you located and how much will the 560 go for?
@@straybenzes I'm a fan of your videos and watched the references video. Problem is I don't have a black wire in the car harness. Red, brown, 3 blue wires with stripe. I haven't had my car appraised, but I'm thinking $26K. 150K miles, never seen winter, major engine work, that started with timing chains. Over $5,000 in work. New tires. Comes with hard and soft top.
Red to red black to brown. If I touch green on red antenna goes up, remove it, it goes down. Need a trigger so that it's not permanently in the up position.
@@karenkarenv7532 I found a wiring diagram page that shows which wire you will need to connect to the green wire. If you want for the console switch to work then use the blue with green stripe wire. If you just want for the antenna to go up and down with the radio connect the green antenna wire to blue with white stripe wire. Good luck! www.benzworld.org/attachments/88-560sl-radio-wiring-jpg.394070/
@@straybenzes green to either blue striped wire doesn't work. Green to red works great. Is fuse #12 the only fuse for the antenna? Radio works, new antenna works mechanically, green to red. This is very frustrating. I hear the antenna customary beeping sound....just an FYI. Thanks for your time...
That can have multiple reasons. The most common issue is that people try to lubricate the mast which you really do not have to do. This stuff can gum up and the antenna can get stuck in places. Remedy is pulling out the mechanism to completely clean the whole antenna mast pieces. What can get a little lube is the antenna "cable" (the while plastic) and its gearing. Good luck.
I replaced my original antenna on my 300d with an after market. I had to adapt the mounting a little bit but got it to work. Also the switch on the dash is 3 position but the new one only has wiring for 2 positions. I think it was my Volvo that I was able to replace the mast. The cable that pushes the mast up and down is plastic and they will break.
I saw that e350 in your garage. I'd like it if you showed us that in a video. It looks nice from what little I could see of it. Have a great weekend Ralph!
Interestingly enough I have not yet opened one where the plastic cable was the problem.
Yup, that is a W212 and there are two videos on the channel. So far this is the best Benz I have owned to date. Well, make that a tie with my W124 400E I used to have.
Great video! Had a question. Ive a '91 300e. My antenna doesn't do anything when I switch radio on. Judging by the electrics on the rest of the car (everything works including wiper + sun roof + interior lights + rear roller blinds (although broken)), I'm thinking it can't be the car's electrics but something internal on the antenna itself. Where do I begin my diagnosis in your opinion?
Thanks! In their infinite wisdom the design engineers place the antenna's controls on top of the main body. That is unfortunately right in the path of rain/ car wash water the moment the mast seal starts to fail (which will happen). Many controls will eventually fail and very often cause the elusive battery drain issue as the antenna is always powered up.
You can diagnose this by opening the main antenna body and applying 12VDC to only the main motor. If it works then it is the controls section. Make sure to also test the car's power plug just to make sure that the wiring is not the issue. Unfortunately, I have not found a good source to just buy the controls module. Good luck.
Something is up with my Hirschmann too. It will extend all the way and stop but when it retracts the motor won't shut off and the torque limiter in the antenna reel makes a horrible clicking banging noise until the controller times out. I'm not exactly sure how these controllers work. I think they look for a spike in current to know when the antenna has reached it's limit.
Hi Steven. I believe your hunch is correct. I believe your controller is toast.
Those can be frustrating and I have struggled with those on my W140s. If the mast works and motor is broken I just take the big drive gear out and it allows me to pull the mast up manually and push it down if need be.
Now that is creative!
Great help. Thanks. Fixed the original Hirschmann and replaced the mast. Works like new on my C126. It opens when I turn on the key and closes when I turn off. I was wondering if you know any other way of operation? I can imagine situations like car wash or just passing through some branches or low parkings that I would like it to stay closed. You think it's possible to control it, or at least it opens only when the radio is switched on and not the whole car?
Ps: what's that very small grey lever/switch attached to the Hirschmann motor and near the belt doing?
Thanks
You must have a later version C126 or a non US model as there appears to not be an antenna switch in your center console close to the 4 way emergency flasher switch. That switch usually lets you retract the antenna even with ignition and radio on. You can off course retrofit your center console with such a switch, but I am not sure if that is worth your while. Good luck!
I am not sure what you are referring to with your question about a gray lever near the belt area.
Yes sir. Its indeed a late European car and I don't have that switch, which I have ordered and see if I can fit it nicely and connect it right. Heard that operation of the antenna depends on the radio brand too. Some radios gives the order when they open instead. Changing my radio soon, so let's see.
Usually in late cars they take things out when they find more easy and clever solutions... but couldn't find it yet!
I think it's a legit problem going around all the time with an antenna open:-)
Ps: Next time you open a Hirschmann (1990 one I guess) take a closer look. I'm sure you will find out what this lever does:-)
Have a great year
@@grvasilakis1980 Good luck. Most radios have an antenna power output that would allow you to control yours without installing the extra switch.
This video saved my ass today!! Thank you man!
Glad it helped!
I replaced the antenna on my 1986 560SL. RED GREEN BLACK from the antenna. The car has blue/white wire, blue/green, brown, red. Red to red, black to brown and then....no idea which one the green should connect to. Touch green to connected reds and antenna goes up, remove it, antenna hoes down. Need to know which wire(s) is the trigger. Tried rocker switch in all positions. Prepping car for sale....need to figure this one out.
HI there. If you are trying to install an aftermarket antenna then most have a red, green, and black wire. On the car there are more wires than you need. Red goes with red, Green of the antenna goes with black, and Black from the antenna goes with brown. Here is a video that should help. ua-cam.com/video/ZSmqG-_lAYw/v-deo.html
Where are you located and how much will the 560 go for?
@@straybenzes I'm a fan of your videos and watched the references video. Problem is I don't have a black wire in the car harness. Red, brown, 3 blue wires with stripe. I haven't had my car appraised, but I'm thinking $26K. 150K miles, never seen winter, major engine work, that started with timing chains. Over $5,000 in work. New tires. Comes with hard and soft top.
Red to red black to brown. If I touch green on red antenna goes up, remove it, it goes down. Need a trigger so that it's not permanently in the up position.
@@karenkarenv7532 I found a wiring diagram page that shows which wire you will need to connect to the green wire. If you want for the console switch to work then use the blue with green stripe wire. If you just want for the antenna to go up and down with the radio connect the green antenna wire to blue with white stripe wire. Good luck! www.benzworld.org/attachments/88-560sl-radio-wiring-jpg.394070/
@@straybenzes green to either blue striped wire doesn't work. Green to red works great. Is fuse #12 the only fuse for the antenna? Radio works, new antenna works mechanically, green to red. This is very frustrating. I hear the antenna customary beeping sound....just an FYI. Thanks for your time...
Why when chance the antena doesn't get inside complitly
That can have multiple reasons. The most common issue is that people try to lubricate the mast which you really do not have to do. This stuff can gum up and the antenna can get stuck in places. Remedy is pulling out the mechanism to completely clean the whole antenna mast pieces. What can get a little lube is the antenna "cable" (the while plastic) and its gearing. Good luck.
Thanks again.... just awesome. I am getting catch up on check my videos.
Thanks again!