Hi guys, I've just bought a 1995 right hand drive, UK reg N, ex-police 850 T5 saloon and I'm new to the boards. The car has no handbooks and I can seem to find the info on the net.

The aerial is motorised and in three parts however when the radio is switched off only the first two parts retract leaving the aerial sticking out of the body of the car about 25cm(PICTURE - Link). I'm worried it will get snapped off as soon as I take it though a car wash or when the local neds decide to vandalise my car.

Is the aerial stuck and if so does anyone have any ideas on how to fix it, or is it only supposed to retract the top two parts?

(For information I've been told the stereo is top of the range and has a tape player in the dash and a 6 disc autochanger in the boot.)



Also the trip computer seems to give some very strange data, for instance the mpg readout usually reads about 60mpg however the average reads about 30mpg (fairly accurate)., the average speed sometimes reads about 80mph. Has anyone got an idea why it would be doing this, it's not a major problem but it's slightly annoying.

Many many thanks
Iain
In Scotland

 

The aerial should retract all the way. Try a little squirt of WD-40 at the bottom of the section still sticking up and give the aerial a very gentle tap on the top to see if you can persuade it to go down. Switch the radio back on and off and see what happens. This is a common problem on all electric aerials that are not cleaned regularly.

The trip computer is probably correct. I have had mine show 98.9 mpg when I was in 5th gear coasting downhill. It depends on when you look at it. The average speed seems to be optimistic but do you really need it?

Bill.

Just over the Border.

 

Cheers for the info - I knew the bl**dy aerial should retract. The volvo dealer (had to order a key as I've only got the service key) told me it doesn't fully retract.
Grr!

I've already tried scraping round the joint with a needle, WD40 and a light tap however I'll leave the WD40 to penetrate and see what happens in the morning.

Is there any resources about on the net showing how to strip it - I looked in the haynes and it's no help at all.

As for the trip - it doesn't matter at all.


Many thanks
Iain

 

Put a light coat of lithium grease on the antenna (aerial over there). You should not use WD40 cause it will dry out the rubber.

 

I prefer silicon spray. Also, I use silicon spray on all rubber moldings around doors and trunk.

 

Anthenna should go down completel-here is the fix: http://www.volvospeed.com/Repair/antmast.php

 

Brilliant - The aerial is sorted.

I used a block of wood and a wrench to knock it back in - works fine now.


Many thanks guys
Iain