97 sts: power antenna, read window questions

[97blacksts]

on my 97 sts the power antenna doesn't go back down. i can hear the motor working but the antenna is always fully extended, i can't even push it down into the car. i'm not too worried about it, but i'd rather have the antenna permanently down as opposed to up, because it looks better, and it isn't like i need the reception as i rarely listen to the radio. anyone know exactly how to get at the motor or how to get my antenna into the lowered position? i coudn't figure out how to get some of the side trunk liner out.

secondly, the child safety windows on the back that only allow the window to go down about halfway. i know on some vehicles its just a little piece of plastic or metal that stops the window from going any lower, and that some vehicles are very easy to remove this blocker. is that the case with my sts? i want to remove that so the back windows can go all the way down. how do i take off my rear door panels to check??

thanks

 

[kissedvfd]

Hopefully you have figured out how to remove the covers in your trunk by now and unplug the antenna. They do make a tool for removing the push in retainers that hold everything in place. It helps to keep from tearing up the panels. There are screws in the door panel too, at the door release handle and armrest. Look thoroughly, I don't remember if there are any more.

Sometimes you can twist the top most section of the antenna while bobbing it up and down until it goes down and then unplug the power connector so it doesn't go back up.

The nylon 'rack' and tip use to be available at any GM dealer if you want to disassemble and repair the antenna. I don't know if it still is.

I don't remember there being an option to make the rear window go down any further because of space restraint. If you figure it out, let us know!

 

[97blacksts]

thanks alot. i'm not worried about fixing the antenna so i'm going to go now and see if i can't play around with it to get it in the down position. and i think i'll take off the door panel this weekend when i have some time and see about those rear windows, i'll let you know when i find out.
thanks again.

 

[97blacksts]

i got the antenna almost all the way down just twisting it and playing around wiht it. i'm happy with it how it is.

i can't find a single screw in the rear door panel. if anyone has a diagram or knows exactly where the screws are and how to get this panel off in the 97 please let me know. i don't feel liek snapping all the clips off on the door panel trying to get it off. ahahah

 

[kissedvfd]

I'm not sure on the '97 where they are exactly, but in general they're going to be at the door pull handle/strap, the armrest (if separate), and the door release handle. I have not had the need to take mine off my 2000, but I just looked at it. There is a visible screw at the very bottom of the door, a hidden screw at the release handle under the cover. Main thing, be gentle! There is probably at lease one more screw in the armrest, pry the rear red clearance lamp out. There should be one there. You may have to pry up the edges of the door panel to see if there are any more. Sorry I can't be more precise as I am guessing at this point.

 

[97blacksts]

no problem, any help is always appreciated. thanks.