Dodge Ram Truck 1500-2500-3500. Manual — part 264

2. Install antenna mounting fasteners.

3. Install radio (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/AUDIO/RA-

DIO - INSTALLATION).

4. Install instrument panel top cover (Refer to 23 -

BODY/INSTRUMENT

PANEL/INSTRUMENT

PANEL TOP COVER - INSTALLATION).

5. Connect battery negative cable.

ANTENNA-SATELLITE

DESCRIPTION

The satellite radio antenna (1) is secured by a bolt
and two retainers that protrude through a hole in the
roof panel (2). Two connectors from the antenna are
connected to the satellite receiver cable.

OPERATION

The satellite radio antenna receives signals from orbiting satellites and sends these signals to the satellite receiver
module. The satellite radio antenna must have open space in which to operate. Items carried on the roof, parking
inside etc. can have an effect on the antenna’s ability to receive signals.

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REMOVAL

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.

2. Lower the rear portion of the headliner as neces-

sary to access underside of antenna (1) (Refer to
23 - BODY/INTERIOR/HEADLINER - REMOVAL).

3. Disconnect the antenna cables.

4. Remove retaining fastener.

5. From inside the vehicle, and using a flat bladed

tool, depress one of the retaining tabs on the
antenna. Push up the one side of the antenna con-
nector through the roof panel. Depress the other
side of the connector and remove the antenna.

INSTALLATION

1. Insert wire harness through hole in roof panel (2).

Press antenna (1) into position until both retainers
snap into place.

2. Install and tighten mounting fastener.

3. Connect antenna cables.

4. Install headliner (Refer to 23 - BODY/INTERIOR/

HEADLINER - INSTALLATION).

5. Connect battery negative cable.

ANTENNA BODY & CABLE

DESCRIPTION

The antenna body and cable is secured below the fender panel by the antenna cap nut through a mounting hole in
the right front fender. The primary coaxial antenna cable is then routed beneath the fender sheet metal and through
a entry hole in the right cowl side panel into the interior of the vehicle. Inside the vehicle, the primary coaxial cable
is connected to a secondary instrument panel antenna coaxial cable with an in-line connector that is located behind
the right kick panel. The secondary coaxial cable is then routed behind the instrument panel to the back of the
radio.

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OPERATION

The antenna body and cable connects the antenna mast to the radio. The radio antenna is an electromagnetic
circuit component used to capture radio frequency signals that are broadcast by local commercial radio stations in
both the Amplitude Modulating (AM) and Frequency Modulating (FM) frequency ranges. These electromagnetic radio
frequency signals induce small electrical modulations into the antenna as they move past the mast. The antenna
body transfers the weak electromagnetic radio waves induced into the rigid antenna mast into the center conductor
of the flexible primary antenna coaxial cable. The braided outer shield of the antenna coaxial cable is grounded
through both the antenna body and the radio chassis, effectively shielding the radio waves as they are conducted to
the radio. The radio then tunes and amplifies the weak radio signals into stronger electrical signals in order to oper-
ate the audio system speakers.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

ANTENNA BODY AND CABLE

The following four tests are used to diagnose the antenna with an ohmmeter:

•

Test 1 - Mast to ground test

•

Test 2 - Tip-of-mast to tip-of-conductor test

•

Test 3 - Body ground to battery ground test

•

Test 4 - Body ground to antenna coaxial cable shield test.

WARNING: DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, SIDE AIRBAG, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR
SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MIN-
UTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNO-
SIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE
THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.

The ohmmeter test lead connections for each test are shown in the illustration.

NOTE: This model has a two-piece antenna coaxial cable. Tests 2 and 4 must be conducted in two steps to
isolate an antenna cable problem. First, test the primary antenna cable (integral to the antenna body and
cable) from the coaxial cable connector behind the right side kick panel to the antenna body. Then, test the
secondary antenna cable (instrument panel antenna cable) from the coaxial cable connector behind the
right side kick panel to the coaxial cable connector at the radio.

TEST 1

Test 1 determines if the antenna mast is insulated
from ground. Proceed as follows:

1. Disconnect and isolate the antenna coaxial cable

connector behind the right side kick panel.

2. Touch one ohmmeter test lead to the tip of the

antenna mast. Touch the other test lead to known
ground. Check the ohmmeter reading for continuity.

3. There should be no continuity. If OK, go to Test 2.

If not OK, replace the faulty antenna body and
cable.

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TEST 2

Test 2 checks the antenna conductor components for an open circuit. This test should be performed first on the
entire antenna circuit, from the antenna mast to the center conductor of the coaxial cable connector at the radio. If
an open circuit is detected, each of the three antenna conductor components (antenna mast, antenna body and
cable, instrument panel antenna cable) should be isolated and tested individually to locate the exact component that
is the source of the open circuit. To begin this test, proceed as follows:

1. Disconnect the instrument panel antenna cable coaxial connector from the back of the radio.

2. Touch one ohmmeter test lead to the tip of the antenna mast. Touch the other test lead to the center conductor

pin of the instrument panel antenna cable coaxial connector for the radio. Check the ohmmeter reading for con-
tinuity.

3. There should be continuity. The ohmmeter should register only a fraction of an ohm resistance. High or infinite

resistance indicates a damaged or open antenna conductor. If OK, go to Test 3. If not OK, isolate and test each
of the individual antenna conductor components. Replace only the faulty antenna conductor component.

TEST 3

Test 3 checks the condition of the vehicle body ground connection. To begin this test, proceed as follows:

1. This test must be performed with the battery positive cable disconnected from the battery. Disconnect and isolate

both battery cables, negative cable first.

2. Reconnect the battery negative cable.

3. Touch one ohmmeter test lead to a good clean ground point on the vehicle fender. Touch the other test lead to

the battery negative terminal post. Check the ohmmeter reading for continuity.

4. There should be continuity. The ohmmeter should register less than one ohm resistance. High or infinite resis-

tance indicates a loose, corroded, or damaged connection between the battery negative terminal and the vehicle
body. If OK, go to Test 4. If not OK, check the battery negative cable connection to the vehicle body and the
radio noise suppression ground strap connections to the engine and the vehicle body for being loose or cor-
roded. Clean or tighten these connections as required.

TEST 4

Test 4 checks the condition of the connection between the antenna coaxial cable shield and the vehicle body ground
as follows:

1. Disconnect and isolate the antenna coaxial cable connector behind the right side kick panel.

2. Touch one ohmmeter test lead to a good clean ground point on the vehicle fender. Touch the other test lead to

the outer crimp on the antenna coaxial cable connector. Check the ohmmeter reading for continuity.

3. There should be continuity. The ohmmeter should register less than one ohm resistance. High or infinite resis-

tance indicates a loose, corroded, or damaged connection between the antenna body and the vehicle body or
between the antenna body and the antenna coaxial cable shield. If not OK, clean the antenna body to fender
mating surfaces and tighten the antenna cap nut to specifications.

4. Check the resistance again with an ohmmeter. If the resistance is still more then one ohm, replace the faulty

antenna body and cable.

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