Dodge dakota 2002 Service Manual page 368

DR
ANTENNA BODY & CABLE (Continued)
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.
Fig. 2 Antenna Tests - Typical
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.
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 con-
nector 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 continuity.
(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 fol-
lows:
(1) This test must be performed with the battery
positive cable disconnected from the battery. Discon-
nect 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 resistance 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 vehi-
cle body for being loose or corroded. 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 con-
tinuity.
(3) There should be continuity. The ohmmeter
should register less than one ohm resistance. High or
infinite resistance 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
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