Mercury E6VY-18A886-A Rod Assy - Replacement - Aerial

On 1997 and later models, the antenna is a grid bonded to the rear window and cannot be replaced conventionally. To check the antenna, perform a resistance check between the cable and mast. If correct, the antenna is okay; otherwise, inspect the cable and base. Replace the cable or antenna if the resistance exceeds five ohms. Disconnect the cable from the negative battery terminal and remove the antenna for replacement. For a rear-mounted antenna, remove the trim panel, unscrew the mounting screws, and disconnect electrical connectors to remove the antenna assembly. To replace the antenna mast and drive cable, remove the retaining nut, pull out the mast, and replace the cable. Verify proper operation by activating the antenna through radio on/off cycles.

To test antenna cables and mast on vehicles made before 1996, disconnect the cable from the radio, put your ohmmeter on it, and measure resistance; readings should be below five ohms. Your antenna is working when the reading shows it's correct. Look at the antenna cable and mast base when reading is wrong. First, measure the resistance between the antenna cable and the radio, then between the cable and the antenna. Resistance under five ohms on each connection is normal; replacing them if they don't measure correctly. Pull the antenna physically from the car to see if the measurement between the base and its center port is under five ohms; this means the antenna is working. Higher readings mean you need to replace it. Disconnect the cable from the negative battery first. Then to remove the front-mounted antenna, lower it down and take away the rear screws behind the right front fender to get to the antenna bolt below. Drop the antenna through the fender opening after removing the top nut from the stanchion and reinstall it by going backwards through this process. To reach the rear antenna, lift the car, then take out the lower antenna bolt after removing the trunk trim panel. Unscrew the antenna cap from the radio, undo the mounting screws, disconnect power connections, lift the antenna down into the trunk of the vehicle, while reversing these steps for correct installation. When the plastic antenna drive cable gets damaged or the mast becomes bent, you must replace both the cable and the mast which stays where it is attached to the motor. Take off the retaining nut. Gently pull the mast out of the motor until the drive cable has room to come off. Record how the drive teeth move as you pull. Detach the old mast with a hacksaw, slip the nut and tube away, insert the new cable into the motor drive, keep running the motor and holding the cable till 12 inches go inside, lower down the new tube and nut, secure the nut firmly, and verify operation by switching on and off the radio antenna a few times.

To test antenna cables and mast on vehicles made before 1996, disconnect the cable from the radio, put your ohmmeter on it, and measure resistance; readings should be below five ohms. Your antenna is working when the reading shows it's correct. Look at the antenna cable and mast base when reading is wrong. First, measure the resistance between the antenna cable and the radio, then between the cable and the antenna. Resistance under five ohms on each connection is normal; replacing them if they don't measure correctly. Pull the antenna physically from the car to see if the measurement between the base and its center port is under five ohms; this means the antenna is working. Higher readings mean you need to replace it. Disconnect the cable from the negative battery first. Then to remove the front-mounted antenna, lower it down and take away the rear screws behind the right front fender to get to the antenna bolt below. Drop the antenna through the fender opening after removing the top nut from the stanchion and reinstall it by going backwards through this process. To reach the rear antenna, lift the car, then take out the lower antenna bolt after removing the trunk trim panel. Unscrew the antenna cap from the radio, undo the mounting screws, disconnect power connections, lift the antenna down into the trunk of the vehicle, while reversing these steps for correct installation. When the plastic antenna drive cable gets damaged or the mast becomes bent, you must replace both the cable and the mast which stays where it is attached to the motor. Take off the retaining nut. Gently pull the mast out of the motor until the drive cable has room to come off. Record how the drive teeth move as you pull. Detach the old mast with a hacksaw, slip the nut and tube away, insert the new cable into the motor drive, keep running the motor and holding the cable till 12 inches go inside, lower down the new tube and nut, secure the nut firmly, and verify operation by switching on and off the radio antenna a few times.