Help needed with power antenna (1 Viewer)

[l3n0x]

Hello!

So I've replaced the mast in my power antenna (was broken since buying the truck). For this I had to open up the motor and pull the broken nylon cable from it. (maybe I've assembled it incorrectly?)

After getting the new mast and feeding it into the motor (turning off radio), it pulls it straight in & relay clicks when done. All is fine.

However when I turn the radio back on, the antenna extends fully, and the motor keeps spinning & teeth are grinding for a good 10 seconds.
The "down" button on the dash doesn't do anything, the relay doesn't click, however the up button keeps the gear grinding.
If I disconnect the antenna motor, the up/down button will both click the relay properly.

It's almost like the car is not sensing when the antenna is fully extended.

Any ideas are much appreciated!

 

[l3n0x]

Okay, after reading about the issue on different forums (4runner), I think the problem is that this mast is a cheap ebay one and the thickness of the nylon string is different to the oem one.. So looks like I'll have to bite the bullet and buy an OEM one:/

 

[l3n0x]

Okay, so I've replaced it with a Toyota mast, and is working great now.. Well kind of..

There are still two issues:

1, The little black grommet that sits just under the silver nut is moving up and down a few mm's - I've tried to losen the whole motor assembly & play with it by raising it and retorqueing the bolt holding the assembly, but I can't really take out all the movement from that little black grommet. I don't see this behaviour on youtube videos, so not sure what's the issue here. Maybe I should use some needle nose pliers and torque the big silver plastic nut more? Now it's "only" torqued by my nails.

2, While the antenna now goes up and down perfectly by switching the radio on/off (and the motor stops at both limits), the down button is not working on the dash. Nothing happens when I press it. The up button does work though. The antenna is obviously fully erect when I'm pressing the buttons, and the up button clicks the relay, but the down does not. Both buttons click the relay if I leave the antenna assembly disconnected, so it is not an issue with the buttons or the relay I believe.

 

[l3n0x]

Okay, tightening the nut with pliers solved the first issue.. Now only to figure out what's causing the second.. That is the antenna not going down on the button.

 

[l3n0x]

Played around a little with the connector in the wheel well trying to bend the pins in case they didn't make good contact, and now it seem to workish.. It doesn't really remember where the antenna was set at, so it is pretty random if it pops out 6 inches or all the way when starting the car, but at least the down button now works.

 

[Phallen]

Thank you for keeping us updated on your progress. I was having the same issue w my antenna. When I purchased my LC the antenna was stuck at about three inches and would not go up or down. Once I replaced the antenna mast, My LC wont remember what position it was at and will continue to grind away when it extends when It turns over or when it detracts when I shut it off.

I removed the antenna until i can find a remedy. Have you fixed the issue?

 

[l3n0x]

Thank you for keeping us updated on your progress. I was having the same issue w my antenna. When I purchased my LC the antenna was stuck at about three inches and would not go up or down. Once I replaced the antenna mast, My LC wont remember what position it was at and will continue to grind away when it extends when It turns over or when it detracts when I shut it off.

I removed the antenna until i can find a remedy. Have you fixed the issue?

The fix was to buy a genuine mast. Once you have it beside of the aftermarket one, it's evident how the Toyota one is superior quality (the nylon part is more rigid - which it needs to be in order for the motor to stop)

Unfortunatelly I've broke the new Toyota mast since on a bush.. Lived about a month.

The other fix is (costs about the same as the motorised mast here where I live) is to buy a manual antenna, part number: 86300-60181

 

[ramangain]

When I replaced my antenna mast with an OEM unit, I decided to trim the nylon tail length such that it only stick up about 2" when it receives power (stereo turns on, I have an aftermarket head unit). I recommend doing this so that it has less of a chance to snag something when in the lowest position. Functionality has not changed.

 

[Phallen]

I took your advice and replaced my cheap, aftermarket antenna mast with an OEM from McGeorge Toyota Online Parts.

it works like a gem! Thank you, everyone.

 

[l3n0x]

I took your advice and replaced my cheap, aftermarket antenna mast with an OEM from McGeorge Toyota Online Parts.

it works like a gem! Thank you, everyone.

Sounds great, glad it works) Be careful not to bend/snap it, it’s easier to forget about it (and get it cought on something), than you’d think.