Antenna replacement problem.

[dgerst]

I just replaced the antenna mast on my '97 LX as per the excellent instructrions provided here. It went well except I have no up/down adjustment. The antenna extends and retracts fully but the adjustment switch does nothing. Something with the postition sensor maybe? Wait a minute. As I type this I remembered that I'm missing a small magnet that I put on the tip of my screwdriver to hold the screws. Is that sensor magnetic? If so I may have to take it apart again and look for it. Is that possible or could it be something else?
Thanks!

 

[greentruck]

I only know 80s, but my understanding is that the LX450 antenna switch is the same as on the 97 FZJ80 likes ours. This should give you both manual control and memory to return to a set position when the truck is restarted. If you've hooked all the plugs back up properly, the antenna should work, except:

Your antenna switch may have suddenly quit working at the same time (least likely)

Or you may have not got the wiring replugged properly when buttoning things back up.

It's a real PITA to dig around in there to get the coax back through the firewall. My guess is maybe you dislodged something to do with where the switch plugs into the harness?

 

[dgerst]

Sorry for the misunderstanding. Mine is an 80. '97 LX450. I didn't unplug anything when I replaced the mast. I just pulled the assembly out through the inner fender, removed the old mast cable, put it back together, and installed the new mast/cable.

 

[greentruck]

Dave,
On yeah, there are differences between the LC 80 and the LX450. I know the temptation is to assume that it's mostly about trim, but there are some mechanical and electrical differences, too.

I know that you think you just did an antenna R&R. But consider that you may have pulled something else loose back there by mistake. It might be worth taking the center dash off to double-check that you didn't accidentally do more than you intended, unintentionally.

Also, something else came to mind. Maybe the PO attempted a repair and accidentally left a plug off? I only have an 80 FSM, so can't double-check this, but it does sound like maybe a plug was left off in a previous attempt at repair?

 

[dgerst]

The thing is the up/down was working before the replacement. Obviously the cable was broken so the antenna didn't move but the switch would operate the motor. When I replaced the mast the only cable that had any strain at all put on it was the antenna signal cable and that wasn't much, and the radio signal is fine (actually better than ever with the new antenna). Here's how I did the replacement: http://www.spokanister.net/vehicles_antenna.htm
The two plugs to the motor were never removed and I checked them afterwards as well. I'm thinking I either pinched/damaged the position sensor wire when I put a new zip tie on the motor housing or I did leave that magnet near the sensor (if it is a reed or other type of magnetic switch.) I'm not too worried about it though as the antenna extends and retracts fine. From what I've read I'll be doing this again in a few years at best so I can always look into it then.
Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[francis03]

Trying to replace my antenna on a 96 LX450. The link to spokanister is no longer active. Does anyone still have the instructions?