I've got a zx 1979 model and it seems to have a power antenna because the antenna would not go up or down manually. Is there any chance it's a power antenna? If yes, how should I operate it?

 

If it's working correctly, it will go up when you turn on the radio. There should also be a rectangular antenna button to make it go full or half mast (Nissan's old school idea of "catching all radio wavelengths").

 

there's not much of nothin on the raido in my area. so i just run the ipod on the head unit

 

Full or half? Both 280ZXs that I had that button would make it stay up or go all the way down in case you just didn't want to use it.

Even though a lot of 1979 models were base models, its possible to have a power antenna, power locks, ect.

Replacing the power unit from Nissan isn't cheap. Last I had checked they were a little over $100. The generic aftermarket units could work with some mounting and wiring modifications. (better for aftermarket players)

 

 

So did that work on yours? Mine closes up when that button is pressed.

 

Indeed. I have mine wired to the stock antenna relay w/ the signal coming from the aftermarket radio. I turn on the radio & the antenna goes right to the setting set on the button.

Sometimes I hit the button a couple times while sitting at a stoplight just to see if other drivers will look at me weird.

 

Seems that I have no botton for an autamatic adjustable antenna.

Could be that the aerial is jammed from age. Dunno

 

My bet would be your antenna is like mine, stationary. It's not supposed to move, it's solid stainless, and bends, and ALWAYS WORKS. No button on dash here either. Ford used some for years too.

 

Carfanatic, does your car still have the stock stereo installed? The models that came with the power antenna have a button (push-in or rocker-type) for the mast, which you should see mounted next to the stock stereo. Some people still keep the button after installing an aftermarket head unit, like in the pic. Nismo posted, but other people just do away with it.

The power antenna on my 82 280ZX would not go up or down either when I bought the car, but I knew it was supposed to because there were separated rods that formed the mast. I used WD-40 on it and got it working again, but the rust inside eventually took over and the mast broke off. So, I then bought another power antenna from JC Whitney for about $32. It was an easy install and lasted for about 7 years until the motor fried. At that point, I replaced it with a stationary rubber mast antenna from MSA because I liked the design better.

 

mine never worked in the first place. sadly before i shipped i have to break it off for the car cover. i hated to snap somthing on my car. i bet she won't start when i get back cause of it. it holds long grudges

 

my 79 has a replacment pwoer antenna, its a generic aftermarket and they installed it ghetto like, cut that support in the back and bent it out for some reason but of course it wobbles and you can see the cracks in the paint.

it worked when i had a stereo in the car, it came with an aftermarket stereo but the dumbasses at circuit citys road shop kinda ****ed the wiring up so if i left any thing on in the car, like the wipers or the radio it self, it would try to work. also the radio didnt shut off with the car which was pretty bad on thier part.

its all fixed now it just pisses me off how dumb some of these places are.
i'm still working on a mount for my newer radio though

 

the 79 actually had an up and down rocker, it was up to the operator to hold the button to make it go up all the way. in 82 they went to that in-out button. i just made my rocker button stay in the up position with glue so i would never have to push it. still went down with the ignition off. i now have a aftermarket stereo and antenna, you can still use all the stock wiring but modify it a little.

 

Is this the rocker switch for a power antenna ( the long up/down button) just above the radio)? Nothing seems to work as I push it either way.

 

hmm that looks like it but that radio is different than the stock one from my car which is a 79.

i know this is a JDM car but i think the 130s came out a modle year earlier for 1978 in japan, you sure its not a 78 instead?

 

Well the Y.O.M is 1979 on the log book (registration book).


It does say 130 in the middle of my vin number.

 

The radio says "DATSUN" right on it.

Yep, that rocker button is for the antenna. If you have the adjustable antenna, You might want to open up the interior panel, and do a electrical test @ the harness plug to see if the antenna responds to 12v. If so, check the relay (passenger side kick panel, inside the rocker panel).

 

yea its says datsun on it but its silver, mabe its because its a GL model