The power antenna in the '94 960 quit extending. The fuse is OK, but nothing happens when I turn the radio on/off. That is, I don't hear the motor trying to do anything. The FAQ doesn't address this, and neither my Alldata CD or the Mitchel's manual at the library gives any troubleshooting hints.

I know there's a relay somewhere, and I see occasional references to circuit boards needing resoldering. I'm thinking along these lines.

How do I methodically troubleshoot this problem to isolate the cause? Is there a common cause of failure? I'm assuming I can measure current into the relay somewhere and current to the antenna power connection, but don't know where it is or what to look for. Any ideas?

Thanks for all the replies. The problem was as Matt suggested: the override switch for the antenna. Makes me feel like such a dumb sh*t. Just don't tell the wife. She thinks I can fix anything.

That said, this was the easiest "fix" I've ever done on the car. No tools, jackstands, ramps, grease, or busted knuckles. Just flipped the switch. I wish they were all that easy.

I hope you at least stuck your hand in the engine well before you presented yourself to your wife. You gotta keep up this mystical power you have. (Gladto hear it was simple fix!)
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John Shatzer, '92 965 @100K; one of a few still in captivity.

If this is a wagon. remove the flooring at the drivers side between the wheel well and the lights access panel. You'll find the motor assembly there. There is a fuse there, too. At least this is what I spotted when I began hunting for the rear bubl failure light relay. I would definitely get back there and listen for the motor, but the plastic track on the antenna could be broken or worse broken off and fallen into the motor. I think it can be retrieved, but it will require pulling the motor.
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John Shatzer, '92 965 @100K; one of a few still in captivity.

If antenna is up and you can't hear anything at the antenna (get someone else to operate the antenna up/down or defeat switch with the radio turned on) it could be a fuse or seized motor. If you hear a motor (and you may have to put your ear right on the antenna) but no antenna movement the mast is most likely broken.

Remove antenna assembly and replace antenna mast.

I've never seen the electrics on the antenna go, but I guess it's possible. It wouldn't hurt to check the fuses on the back of the radio...I don't remember if there are any on volvo radios since I haven't taken out a 900 head unit or amplifier.

worst case is replace the entire assembly.

I don't mean to insult your intelligence, but is the antenna over-ride switch (left of the steering wheel) turned on?

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Matt L. -- Cary, NC -- '91 740 wagon

No insult taken. This line of inquiry looks promising, though. This is the first I've heard of an antenna over-ride switch. Is it on the turn signel stalk or on the dash board?

BTW, the antenna motor was replaced 30k miles ago, and the antenna is in the fully retracted position.

Check out this picture (that i swiped from an ebay auction):

http://members.aol.com/funallmine/volvo/19.jpg

See where you turn the headlights on? To the right of that is the dimmer, then fog light switch, then a couple other switches? The switch on the far right, just before the steering wheel is the antenna override switch. When it's turned off, the antenna ALWAYS stays down even if the radio is on. Useful for going through car washes, or to keep the antenna down when you're listening to a tape or CD.

Maybe some of the later 960's didn't have this switch but all 740/940/960 that I've seen do.

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Matt L. -- Cary, NC -- '91 740 wagon

Thanks for the info. Odds are that's all it is. It's the wife's car, and she sure has missed the radio for the past few weeks. I'll flip the switch and try to convince her that I had to go to great lengths to get her radio working again. She'll think I'm a genious and can fix anything. That ought to get me some brownie points!

Don't count on it. Any time I fix something for MY wife, she just kind of expected it. But hope springs eternal... Anyway, I think there is a relay for the antenna motor but I don't know where they are in a 960. There ought to be something in the FAQ's on relay sites.
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Bob Kraushaar '94 945T, '91 940T, '88 240, '94 F-150, '68 Shelby GT-500 KR