03 forester can i replace window antena with a mast.. and if so how

Clean and lube the antenna mast with WD40, that should do it.

The mast screws in if that is what you are asking, this would not apply to a power antenna.

There is no power antenna switch. It is lowered and raised automatically when you turn the radio on and off. If it doesn't raise or lower itself, either the fuse is blown or the antenna motor or mast is bad and needs replacing.

The plastic mast that runs inside of the metal mast has snapped & its trying to reel it in. You have two solutions to this. First disconect the plug to the antena or pull the fuse or Relay. GM sells a replacement part for this, its a small metal shaft conectes to a plastic tail. Its not that hard to do but it takes patience. The mechanism housing is riveted together so you have to drill out the rivets, replace the plastic ribbon & replace the rivets with srews & nuts. Or if you preffer, You can get a whole new antena but they are a bit pricey unless you find a Universal aftermarket unit that fits...

You can unscrew the mast from the mount. The mount is right on top of the fender. http://www.aliexpress.com/product-gs/234605996-Car-antenna-mast-wholesalers.html
That site shows the antenna mast, and the lower left portion of the picture shows the end that screws into the antenna mount.

If I had a choice on where an antenna got stuck, it definitely would be in the up position. There may be a relay in the line that has failed but most often the problem is inside the mast motor itself.
There are aftermarket "universal" replacements available but most are a real pain to install and you wind up "inventing" brackets etc.
New ones are fairly expensive. If you can find a good one in a scrapyard that would be a good option. To be honest though, on an older vehicle, I'd likely just unplug the motor and leave it like that, or install a fixed type mast (far cheaper and works just as well).

try ebay or used i would just replace the one downstream one frist

If you are trying to change the mast turn it to the left to remove and to the right to install.

If you are trying to replace the base - drop headliner and unbolt. Pull up to remove.

likely two seperate problems: the display inside the radio is one, (is it digital?) if not, you can take the bulb out and replace it. Second is the antenna mast: There is a nylon "cord" inside the mast that connects to a spool in the motor...for some reason it has become disconnected from the spool or the spool driving gear has failed.Sometimes if you take it apart, you can fix it but in most cases it's easier to just replace it.

Len-
The replacement only costs about $20. The dealer can also provide a replacement but it can cost upwards of $50+. Part number is 5035944.

The hardest part is removing the metal sleeve from the mast pole. Once you get this out, refit the new mast with the teeth so the motor will pull the new mast down when you turn the radio off. refit the 17mm nut on top of the mast and then turn the radio back on. It will click a few times and then be properly set.

Justin
Strictly Saab
Melbourne, FL