How the HELL does antenna wire go bad?

[K2e2vin]

So about a week ago we had a tornado and around the same time, the radio in my car started getting crappy reception. I thought it was just the storm but the next day it barely worked(radio part); I was thinking it was because my antenna was broken (just the base was there; replaced/broken by previous owner).

Anyways, the replaced the base/antenna last night with a Scosche $5 unit from Walmart, but due to a seized screw, it cost me a busted lip and bent quarter panel around antenna area. Radio still didn't work. I'm thinking it's the head unit itself. Plugged the stereo into my brother's Civic, works. OK, not the head unit. Plugged in the old antenna(just the base), still no go. Plug in just the base directly to the HU, works!

Ripped out the antenna extension wire and it looks in decent condition; but with an antenna plugged into it the reception is barely better than no antenna. Does anyone know what would cause the antenna wire to go bad? The connectors are not rusted, etc. either. Just out of the blue, stopped working.

 

[RHDism]

Dayam kevin, all that blood and sweat and still nada.

Sounds like maybe the wiring internally has deteriorated ...

What does your ohm resistance look like from one end to the other?

I would just run a separate antenna with a walmart booster.

 

[K2e2vin]

That's what it seems happened. Maybe rapid heating/cooling caused a break somewhere(hot days and cool nights)? My older Civic still works fine and my brother's car still has the stock wire too; though his connector fell apart(it was like that when he bought it).

There's infinite resistance; as in no connection. I ended up buying a $6 12' extension from Advance Auto to replace it and works very well now.

 

[RHDism]

Wah Lah.

 

[Dual-500]

That's what it seems happened. Maybe rapid heating/cooling caused a break somewhere(hot days and cool nights)? My older Civic still works fine and my brother's car still has the stock wire too; though his connector fell apart(it was like that when he bought it).

There's infinite resistance; as in no connection. I ended up buying a $6 12' extension from Advance Auto to replace it and works very well now.

Broke from heating and cooling cycles. Probably stressed during installation at the factory.

Uncommon, but it happens.