I used an OEM from a junked 740 on my 82 242 GLT. It dropped right in and has worked well for the last 7 years. I am on my third mast but where this car lives we see -30 several days a year and plastic does not like flexing at these temps.

On the OEM units, the tube between the motor and the fender-attaching end is a good bit longer. This allows the motor to be located lower in the spare tire bay, and it fits better. It also allows for a 3-segment antenna, not a five-er.

At the junkyard, have some wires handy to test the antenna you find. First be sure that the parts that screw on atop the fender are screwed on before testing.

There are three wires to connect. The ground, separate black wire. The other two work like this: One is to be hot all the time. Not sure which color, try it out. There other, when hot, will cause the antenna to extend.

So connect the ground. Then try it with both hot - assuming you got the thing in retracted position. Note that the motor starts with a surprising bit of torque, hold it tightly. If it goes out, hooray. If will stop extending by itself.

Next connect just one of the wires to your hot source. One at a time, you'll learn which one. It should retract, and stop by itself.

Good Hunting. BTDT Got two good ones this way.

Bob

:>)

I have a little experience with aftermarket power antenna's - not good. They seem to be poorly made. Our last one ($50 from Crutchfield) stuck in cold weather and its wiring melted and shorted out. The 8-amp fuse in the 240's circuit wasn't enough to protect the antenna's flimsy wiring.

I would suggest you either get an OE unit in a junkyard (try for a Hirschmann from a German car), or buy a unit with a warranty from an established business which will stand behind it. Unfortunately, by the time my son got back from college and we identified the failed antenna as the cause of his constantly blowing fuse (now that the wiring had melted/shorted), the 1-yr warranty had expired and Crutchfield were sympathetic, but that was all.
--
Bob (son's 81-244GL B21F, dtr's 83-244DL B23F, 'my' 94-944 B230FD; plus grocery-getter Dodge minivan, hobbycar MGB, and numerous old motorcycles)

I just pulled power antanna moter and mast from a a 1986 244Gl to intall in my 1988 244DL. I noticed that one that came from the GL was made in mexico, where as the one that I took out of my car was made in japan. The one that was in my car never worked right,depite replaceing the mast. It just always got stuck. The new one works great.

- I've seen several listings on eBay by this company trying to sell this type of antenna. They claim it fits the 240 ...

In other words, it's a universal kit.

If you must have powered, I'd opt for an OEM. The reason is that you can replace the antenna mast w/nylon belt on the OEM ones, while you might not on an aftermarket. One snap, and that's it - buy another new unit.

Personally, I've used the rubber ducky antenna's to replace all the powered ones here. 'tis just one less thing that could break. :)

-- Kane
--
Blossom II -'91 745Ti/M46 ... Bubbles -'74 144GL/BW35 ... Buttercup -'86 245GL/AW70
The Wayback Machine -'64 P220/M40 ... The ParaBox -'90 745GL/AW70