Antenna Do I remove the antenna for a drive through car wash?

Ive done that a few times over the years when I forgot to push the antenna down when going through the car wash. Depending on where the antenna is, you have to get behind the panel it is mounted on. IE/ The guard, roof, windscreen frame. This will mean removal of whatever panel is behind to get to it.

if you can secure an exact replacement part/antenna, you can go ahead and study the actual setup of previous antenna and start tearing it down from the inside , or go to dealer to have it replaced at a fee.

You will have to replace all of the antenna.

If it's an electric antenna, it should retract when you turn the radio off. If not either the relay or the drive motor has failed. if its a "fixed" antenna, you don't do anything and just leave it in place.

if part is still left where antenna was take a pair of pliers and turn counterclockwise(left) to remove old piece left. go to most auto parts stores and they should have an original equipment replacement antenna

The wire that goes from the antenna to the dash should be accessible after removing the radio.

maybe its broken internally,its unusual

Remove right side trunk panel inner liner,remove outside mast jamb nut with needle nose or lock ring pliers. Remove motor mounting bolts,remove drain and electrical connector.If you are just servicing the cable mast kit,open/split the motor drive housing and remove a small section of broken cable which will cause the antenna not to go all the way down if left there.

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Automatic Electric Antenna
Removal

1. Lower electric antenna (18850) .

1. Remove rear retaining screws of RH front wheel splash shield for access to antenna lower retaining bolt.

1. Remove lower retaining bolt.

1. Remove radio antenna nut (18865) from top of motor tube and remove electric antenna through fender/splash shield access.

1. Disconnect signal cable and motor wire connector(s).

Installation

1. To install, reverse Removal procedure.

1. Tighten top radio antenna nut to 6-8 Nm (54-70 lb-in).

1. Tighten lower electric antenna retaining bolt to 5.8-7.8 Nm (51-69 lb-in).

1. Check operation of electric antenna and radio chassis .
   
   Automatic Electric Antenna
   
   
   

mast
Mast, Power NOTE: A power antenna mast which is bent or broken can be replaced without replacing the motor and tube assembly.
Removal

1. Remove radio antenna nut (18865) and radio antenna stanchion (18919) .
   
   
   
   

1. Loosen retaining nut inside tube using 14 mm (9/16 inch) socket, and slide nut part-way up mast.

1. Raise antenna to run plastic drive wire at bottom of mast out of motor. Note direction of teeth on plastic drive wire.

1. Saw off damaged portion of antenna mast. Remove burrs from mast and slide nut and contact tube off stationary tube.

Installation

1. With the teeth on the plastic drive wire facing toward motor on antenna, push end of plastic drive wire of replacement mast assembly down into tube. Push it around curve at bottom of tube until end enters drive mechanism.

1. Run motor down while pushing on plastic drive wire until about 305 mm (12 inch) of wire has been drawn into the tube. Stop motor and insert bottom of antenna mast into tube. Lower mast.

1. Slide contact tube and radio antenna nut down antenna mast. Tighten nut to 0.45 Nm (4 lb-in).
   
   
2. Raise and lower antenna several times to ensure proper operation.

you want the antenna in the up position then you open the trunk, remove the side wall covering and pull out the power connector to the antenna.  Remember that you cant go through a car wash after it's up.
You can also buy a replacement cartridge to repair the bent sections of the power antenna at the dealer.