Antenna Issue

[Splitface2811]

I recently bought a 97 HZJ80 GLX, with what appears to be the factory radio. Everything works great with the radio except the antenna. From my research, it seems like its a moterized antenna, but I could be wrong about that.

As I understand it, the antenna is supposed to extend automatically when the radio is turned on. Currently it doesn't. I can't see anything in the manual about the antenna, other than an image of antenna up and down buttons that I don't have on my dash.

The radio itself works fine. I pulled the antenna up manually to get better reception, so it seems that the problem lies in the auto up system.

I've attached images of the dash, the radio and the manual for the radio.

Thanks.

 

[greentruck]

Splitface2811,
If I help you find an antenna UP/DOWN switch on your dash, will you help me find a subtank switch on mine? I'm jealous.

Joking aside - sure would like to have a subtank! -let me speculate a little on your situation. The radio antenna may have failed and the previous owner removed the switch, then closed the hole left with a blank cover, to make it seem like the antenna is manual?

Or possibly you have what we call here a "poverty package" trim level that actually only gave you a manual antenna with the radio/sound package?

 

[Splitface2811]

Splitface2811,
If I help you find an antenna UP/DOWN switch on your dash, will you help me find a subtank switch on mine? I'm jealous.

Joking aside - sure would like to have a subtank! -let me speculate a little on your situation. The radio antenna may have failed and the previous owner removed the switch, then closed the hole left with a blank cover, to make it seem like the antenna is manual?

Or possibly you have what we call here a "poverty package" trim level that actually only gave you a manual antenna with the radio/sound package?

Haha, the subtank should be good. Only picked her up 3 days ago, so haven't had a chance to use it yet.

It is a GLX and not the pov pack. Got the all the other GLX features and is registered as a GXL.

It's possible that someone did remove the switch, I'll have to have a look for a disconnected lead when I take the dash off to upgrade the head unit.

I had a chance to look have a quick look yesterday, and it does look like there's a motor in there. Looks similar to what I've seen online.

I plan to have a proper look this weekend. Hopefully it's something simple, like a dodgy connection or something.

 

[greentruck]

SNIP

It's possible that someone did remove the switch, I'll have to have a look for a disconnected lead when I take the dash off to upgrade the head unit.

SNIP

Yeah, there should be a plug or other way to hook-up the pigtail from an antenna switch to connect to the main harness.

The usual issue with the power antenna is that the antenna part that retracts is broken. You can get just the inner part and install that to reanimate things once you have the switch to control the antenna lift motor hooked up. Only rarely does the much more expensive motor unit fail.

Also note that if you do have to install a new motor unit that the coax is attached to it. As you remove the old unit from inside the fender attach a pull string to the end of the coax connected to the head unit so that you leave the pull string ready to pull the new coax back into the truck through a tiny, 90 degree turn at the inside top of the fender that is otherwise very difficult to rethread if you don't use the pull string method I'm outlining here.

 

[Splitface2811]

Yeah, there should be a plug or other way to hook-up the pigtail from an antenna switch to connect to the main harness.

The usual issue with the power antenna is that the antenna part that retracts is broken. You can get just the inner part and install that to reanimate things once you have the switch to control the antenna lift motor hooked up. Only rarely does the much more expensive motor unit fail.

Also note that if you do have to install a new motor unit that the coax is attached to it. As you remove the old unit from inside the fender attach a pull string to the end of the coax connected to the head unit so that you leave the pull string ready to pull the new coax back into the truck through a tiny, 90 degree turn at the inside top of the fender that is otherwise very difficult to rethread if you don't use the pull string method I'm outlining here.

Thanks for your help.

Do you know where the antenna switch normally is on the dash? I've seen closeup photos of the switch, but haven't been able to tell where the switch actually is. That'll probably help to narrow down the search area.

Cheers.

 

[DivByZero]

If you were able to pull the antenna up manually, I'd bet it's not an auto antenna. Can you take a picture of the antenna assembly?

 

[greentruck]

Thanks for your help.

Do you know where the antenna switch normally is on the dash? I've seen closeup photos of the switch, but haven't been able to tell where the switch actually is. That'll probably help to narrow down the search area.

Cheers.

Mine is in the top row of buttons in the left center of the dash. This row can be rearranged, depending on your needs. Of course, this is LH drive here in North America, in Australia it may be a mirror image?

Another commenter mentioned it could be a manual antenna. Could be, but you'd still have the wiring for the switch and the motor drive in the wiring harness for a power antenna if that's what you prefer..

 

[DivByZero]

The Australian models actually have different power antennas and different wiring. We have the auto antenna system like the late-model LX450's in the US.

 

[Splitface2811]

The Australian models actually have different power antennas and different wiring. We have the auto antenna system like the late-model LX450's in the US.

Thanks for your reply.

It was able to be pulled up manually with lots of force. It may have failed and been replaced by a manual one.

I'll see if I can get a photo of the antenna later today.

 

[Splitface2811]

Here is a photo of the antenna from inside. That looks to me like a motor, but I'm not too sure.

Appreciate the help.

 

[White Stripe]

View attachment 2915535

Here is a photo of the antenna from inside. That looks to me like a motor, but I'm not too sure.

Appreciate the help.

That could be a aftermarket power antenna. That bracket isn't factory. Maybe remove your radio and see what you have for power antenna wiring.