How to disconnect power antenna?

[rScotty]

I've got a 97 LC (40th Anniv. Ed) that has the power antenna with memory....same setup as the 450 Lexus. I've replaced the antenna before, and that time I just stuck the new nylon in the hole after removing the old one, , pushed the antenna down button, and it just installed itself.

But this time no joy. The geared piece of nylon only goes in about 2/3 of the way and then stops. Might be a piece of the old one is still stuck in there. Ugh...So I'm back to using the stub for radio reception and that works ok.

I'll probably fix the power antenna it someday, but unless someone knows a trick to get the old piece out - if that's really what is happening - then I'd like to disconnect or turn off that power antenna/motor circuit. Both to protect the motor and so I don't have to listen to that motor grind away for 10/15 seconds every time I turn the radio on/off.

Does anyone know how to turn off the power to the automatic antenna while still leaving the radio live? Everything is stock.
Thanks, rScotty

 

[george_tlc]

You can open the antenna motor assembly and pull out any broken bits of plastic inside the assy. Of course you need to remove the assy from inside the fender and fish it out into the open to do it. You'll need to do it in the vehicle engine bay, since the antenna coax can't be unplugged from the assy (another stupid Toyota design!).

cheers,
george.

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

IIRC there is a relay in the passenger side kick panel, but even easier would be disconnecting the power plug from the antenna motor.

 

[86tuning]

To fix it properly won't take that long.

First remove the new antenna mast

Then take the antenna body out of the fender and remove the spool side cover to take out the broken nylon cable.

Reassemble and re install. Then put the new mast in

Like George says you have to work in the engine bay but that's not too hard unless you're really short or the truck is really tall. I found it easier after I aired down the right front tire but I'm not very tall at all

 

[M987]

I just did that fix last week. It really only took about 1 hour to open the motor housing and remove the old cable. I tried the simple fix of just feeding in the new cable but the antenna would not go all the way in or out then it finally jammed the motor. There is a walk-through at:
Power Antenna Mast Replacement
With those instructions, it really was a walk in the park.

 

[rScotty]

I just did that fix last week. It really only took about 1 hour to open the motor housing and remove the old cable. I tried the simple fix of just feeding in the new cable but the antenna would not go all the way in or out then it finally jammed the motor. There is a walk-through at:
Power Antenna Mast Replacement
With those instructions, it really was a walk in the park.

Thanks. Great instructions. I'll be doing it next week.
rScotty