According to a Ford Cars brochure from 1982 my '82 Escort Ghia has an electrical aerial. When I bought the car the aerial was upright. The old Ford radio sadly does not work but had a lead to the rear labelled 'Antennae'.

I've since fitted a CD player but would like the electric aerial to still work even if its off a dash mounted switch.

So, does that cable send power to the aerial when the stereo is switched on to send it upwards? if it does why is the aerial still up when there's no power to it?

If someone could tell me how it works Id be grateful! cheers

 

The aerial may have snapped or stopped working in the past, and been replaced with a normal ie non electric one.
When wired correctly and working the electric aerial will be in the down position unless it has a live supply on the "trigger" wire, that is a output from the stereo that goes live only when the stereo is on, this can be a dedicated aerial feed, or a amp feed can also be used where amps are fitted, these usually have a remote turn on lead like the aerial.
I would firstly check that you actually have got a electric aerial, and that it has not been replaced.
If it is there and it has a permanent live to the aerial, as it should,when the radio is off, it should be down so could be broken, just to clarify the aerial will have a earth, a permanent live, AND the "trigger" live from the radio, the permanent live needs to be there so that when it loses the stereo live it has power to go down.
tabetha

 

Okey doke, bit of detective work now required, many thanks for your detailed reply

 

No probs matey, if you do need a new electric one, make sure you pay to get a decent one, a LUCAS AAB502 is an ace aerial, if you can still get them.
tabetha