Hello Bloody Volvo Drivers,

I did an exhaustive Search for anything relating to Electric Antenna, to no avail.

I found a nice Power Antenna, from a later model 240GL at the wrecker. My ol' 1981 244DL has a manual antenna, mounted on the left rear fender.

The fellow gave it to me, said that it will only go up or down half way. I took it apart and gave it a good clean and straightened the concentric rods. It works beautifully, outside the car.

I have a Standard Issue Volvo AM/FM Radio, with a red Antenna Wire, plus others.

The wire loom that came out of the newer car were Blue/White Stripe (Down Antenna) and Blue/Red Stripe (Up Antenna).

Connecting this directly to the car's battery, the motor will continue to run after the antenna is fully extended or retracted.

I have a Lucas Relay, that came out of a Jag, but the Power Antenna was very similar, suspect a Hirschmann, under the Volvo or Jag Badge.

The Jag Antenna had the same colored wires.

I was told by Jag Dealership that the 5 Spade Connectors, numbered 1 thru 5 should be wired like so:

#1 Ignition Key On 12V
#2 Ground (Black)
#3 Radio Antenna Signal 12V (Red)
#4 Antenna Down (Blue/White)
#5 Antenna Up (Blue/Red)

I wired it all up, but the motor will continue to run after the antenna is fully extended or retracted, as if it was connected directly to the battery.

Is there a limit switch that should shut the motor off when fully extended or retracted? Or, does Volvo simply employ a switch to interrupt power to the Antenna, which seems contrary to Swedish Engineering philosophy . . . a distraction from driving.

I surely would appreciate any insight to wire the antenna to the radio, either directly or via the Lucas Relay and make it shutoff after the antenna is up or down.

Thanks, in advance.

RLC

On the power antennas I have had, the limit switch is integral in the antenna.

The non-coax connections are:

#1 - Ground, #2 - always hot, #3 - hot with radio on. That last one is from the red wire on the 9-place radio connector.

When #2 only is hot, the antenna retracts. You will need to test to learn which wire.

When #2 and #3 wires are hot, the antenna extends.

Color codes you have are newer than my Volvo wiring diagram books.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

I think that I would try to grab the harness from the gl car. Not sure if it would work with your radio though. If so, this would be the easiet way to go.
Good Luck and happy bricking.

Thanks, for the advice. I did that. I even got the extra long Antenna Coaxial Cable. Unfortunately, the three wires, Blue/White, Blue/Red, and the Antenna Coax, while they were attached to the antenna, in the left fender well, they were laying loose on the floor, footwell area. I did not even consider checking to see if there was an in-dash Volvo Up/Down Switch. I assumed it would be automatic, shutoff, once the antenna was extended or retracted. Would Volvo Engineers want you to take your eyes off the road, even momentarily, to fiddle with a switch?