ANTENNA BODY AND CABLE



The following four tests are used to diagnose the antenna with an ohmmeter:

  • Test 1 - Mast to ground test
  • Test 2 - Tip-of-mast to tip-of-conductor test
  • Test 3 - Body ground to battery ground test
  • Test 4 - Body ground to antenna coaxial cable shield test.

WARNING: Disable the airbag system before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, seat belt tensioner, side airbag, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the airbag system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the airbag system. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment and possible personal injury.

The ohmmeter test lead connections for each test are shown in the illustration.

NOTE: This model has a two-piece antenna coaxial cable. Tests 2 and 4 must be conducted in two steps to isolate an antenna cable problem. First, test the primary antenna cable (integral to the antenna body and cable) from the coaxial cable connector behind the right side kick panel to the antenna body. Then, test the secondary antenna cable (instrument panel antenna cable) from the coaxial cable connector behind the right side kick panel to the coaxial cable connector at the radio.


TEST 1

Test 1 determines if the antenna mast is insulated from ground. Proceed as follows:





TEST 2

Test 2 checks the antenna conductor components for an open circuit. This test should be performed first on the entire antenna circuit, from the antenna mast to the center conductor of the coaxial cable connector at the radio. If an open circuit is detected, each of the three antenna conductor components (antenna mast, antenna body and cable, instrument panel antenna cable) should be isolated and tested individually to locate the exact component that is the source of the open circuit. To begin this test, proceed as follows:





TEST 3

Test 3 checks the condition of the vehicle body ground connection. To begin this test, proceed as follows:






TEST 4

Test 4 checks the condition of the connection between the antenna coaxial cable shield and the vehicle body ground as follows: