First of all, I did do a search and read through all of the previous posts. My problem is slightly different.
My power antenna is fully extended and stuck in the up position. The motor operates every time the key is turned on or off with no grinding whatsoever. The mast is fully lubed.

Question is this:

I would like to disconnect the antenna all together and use the one in the rear glass. How do I get the mast to retract? I tried gently forcing it down, but it won't budge. I believe the nylon cable is holding it up.

Anyone had this issue before? I am hoping not to have to pull the motor apart.

 

I repaired mine by taking the motor apart and rebuilding it. Your cable is stuck above the gears in the shaft if it won't go down. It is not rocket science to do it but an extra pair of hands help.

Although I won't do this, if you really don't want to pull the motor out to repair it just pull the antenna out all the way and cut the cable off then slide the antenna mast back in and it just won't rise anymore.

 

Thanks for the info. I got the antenna to go down by pushing a little harder. I think I will just disconnect it now and leave the antenna down.
The reception is bad now(obviously) so maybe I'll get a hide away antenna.

 

My antenna won't go down either, how did you guys (girl) access the motor? Seems like you have to pull a lot of plastic away to get to it.

 

Yes, You do need to pull the truck plastics back. No need to take them out all the way though. I won't lie it was a PITA but it was harder to get it out since I didn't know how to do it to begin with. If you have big arms or hands you will have a much harder time then I did if you can do it at all. It bolts into the fender. I did this last year so cannot really remember where the bolt was. Just remember to disconnect the antenna cable from it and when you re-install it be sure the drain tube get pulled to the outside so water does not collect in the fender.