I am trying to find out how to pull the radio out of the dashboard to see if my antenna is disconnected...or where in the fender well I should look also?

Fender -Front Removal

1. Remove the radiator grille opening panel reinforcement (8A284).

1. If equipped, remove the front wheel opening moulding.
   1. Remove the pin-type retainer.
   1. Remove the screws.
   1. Remove the wheel opening moulding.

1. Remove the front fender splash shield (16103).
   1. Remove the screws.
   1. Remove the pin-type retainers.
   1. Remove the front fender splash shield.

1. Remove the cowl grille.

1. On RH front fender, remove the antenna mast.

1. On RH front fender, remove the antenna base.
   1. Remove the radio antenna base cap (18A927) by gently inserting a thin straight-edged screwdriver underneath the cap and carefully following inside the perimeter until both snaps are free.
   1. Remove the screws.
   1. Lift the antenna base.
   1. Disconnect the radio antenna lead-in cable (18812) and remove the antenna base.

1. Remove the fender stuffer.

1. Remove the stone guard.
   1. Remove the pin-type retainers.
   1. Remove the stone guard.

1. Remove the front fender.
   • Remove the bolts.

REMOVAL

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
2. Remove cup holder.
3. Remove trim panel above cupholder by pulling straight out.
4. Remove center instrument panel trim panel.
5. Remove screws holding radio to instrument panel.
6. Pull radio rearward to gain access to the back of radio (RADIO). CAUTION: Pulling the antenna cable straight out of the radio without pulling on the locking antenna connector could damage the cable or radio.
   
7. Disconnect the antenna cable by pulling the locking antenna connector away from the radio (ANTENNA TO RADIO).
8. Disconnect bolt holding ground strap to the radio (if equipped).
9. Disconnect the wire connectors from the back of the radio.

I just replaced the antenna on our 02 rodeo. No need to remove radio or anything in dash. This is how I did it.
First you will need access to back of fender, enough room for your hand. Open hood and remove 3 bolts running along top of fender, open passenger door and remove top bolt holding fender. Gently pry top of fender away from vehicle. Place object in gap to hold fender ( I used the head of a rubber mallet). Reach inside fender and disconnect old antenna, follow cable through wall into passenger compartment. Gently pull cable from behind carpet and unplug old antenna from coupler. Connect new antenna to fender ( replacement antenna I ordered was slightly smaller than opening so I had to add washer). Run new antenna cable through wall and plug into coupler. Re-attach fender

there is a threaded sleave on top of the base where the antenna goes into the fender-remove it (counter clockwise) and remove it from the mast. The antenna will then have to be dropped into the fender and moved around (disconnect the end that goes into the radio or cable extension) and remove the antenna.

If i remember correctly this cars ant is located on the pass/side fender, the best way without trying to pull the fuse because then you will loose other systems, look under the passenger side part of the dash, you will need to remove the cover if its still there, most older cars are missing this cover, there are a few screws holding the cover remove them and drop and pull cover out, next look under the dash you will see wires coming from the fender area towards the radio there are green and theres a plug there, look close to the right and just unplug the connector, have the key on so you can here when the ant motor stops running and this will take care of that problem. good day.

Disconnect the cable at the radio. Then unscrew the hardware holding the antenna to the fender. Then pull the antenna base out of the fender, disconnect the cable from the antenna base turning it back and forth with pliers or you can cut it. Do not let the cable fall back into the fender. Now take the cable from the new antenna and duct tape it to new antenna cable. Now inside the car pull on the old cable until the new cable reaches the radio. Plug cable into radio then hook up the hardware on the fender for the new antenna and you're done. Good luck.

It sounds as if the antenna has become disconnected from the radio. You will have to pull the radio out of the dash and make sure the antenna is still connected there, then check and make sure it is still connected to at the fender well and in between.

Is it possible it's up inside the fender well area? I've seen vehicles where you have to pull down the moulding above your tire to access the antenna

You need to pull the fuse for the antenna or just unplug it. It has a fairly ridgid plastic wire that pushes the antenna up and down. Works fine until the wire breaks then it rolls up (antenna down) but it never increases resistance because the antenna never comes down , it's like a fishing reel when the lure breaks off, so the motor thinks that the antenna is still coming down and it will run and run and run trying to do it's job. Your lucky it stuck up and not down. If you want your antenna to go up and down again you'll have to buy and install a new one.

You will have to disconnect the window antenna lead from the back of the radio and plug in a fender mounted antenna lead cable into the radio.