Need to replace ariel.. Rewire required?

Post Sat May 14, 2005 9:56 pm

Need to replace my ariel as the on that was on the car when I got it is broken, snapped off.

If I get a new ariel, do I have to chase the new wire all the way upto the head unit or is there usually a plug at the bottom of the ariel post I can just plug the new ariel into without having to pull out the old wire and wire in the new one and pulling up the carpets n' all?

Post Sun May 15, 2005 7:01 am

If it's already electrical then it's just a straight replacement, all the work taking place in the boot

Post Sun May 15, 2005 8:12 am

Red = +12V
Black = GND
Yellow (or Blue) = remote to head unit

Cut the wires at the base of the faulty unit,
you can solder the new one on,
or use chock block.

All in all it's an easy job.

Post Sun May 15, 2005 11:34 am

cheers fella, only it's not an electrical one. Looks like it was one of those stubby rubber ones, I may even be able to get just the new mast for it to screw straight on top of the existing thread.

Post Sun May 15, 2005 11:58 am

Both my e30 saloons have electric aerials, they both have a screw on connector on the aerial itself for signal lead, so swapping them shouldn't be an issue.

F69 has a black wire (constant 12v) and a red wire (switched 12v) and the ground goes straight to the body.

F50 has white wire (constant) and a red (switched) and is grounded to the body.

I swapped them over as F50's was broken, took about 10 minutes as both aerials had connectors.

Allow about an hour if you need to run power wires etc as you need to get the back seat out and the sill trim panels and footwell kickplate/bonnet release.