My 90 Camry power antenna spit out

[jaansu]

My antenna spit out last night. The motor still runs fine if I believe my ears and the nylon toothed strip looks robust but I'm not clear if this can go back in or if I need a new mast. What do I do? If I feed the cable back in, I don't see anything that would keep it from jumping back out again when it expands out. Is something missing that I would see on a new mast + cable that would keep the mast secure under the nut? Thanks!

[JMSports]

Be lucky you have a powered antenna. Mine is all manual hand power baby.

[jaansu]

I took out the motor last night and it looks expensive. The dealer quoted ~$350 for a new unit without labor. Perhaps I'm best off picking up an aftermarket manual antenna at PepBoys?

[WannaBButch]

You can buy just the mast and nylon strip on the net. I see them all the time on ebay.

[new echo owner]

If the upper retaining nut is still there, sounds like someone snap your mast off. As long as the cord/cable is not broken, you can replaced the mast and cable. Probably have to purchase it from a dealer.

N.E.O.

[jaansu]

I'm not having much luck finding an aftermarket antenna that will subsitute for the old unit. Even with manual antennas, I didn't see any at Pepboys that would retract 100%. I called the Toyota dealer to buy a replacement mast and housing but it's pricey. I asked what a manual replacement would cost and they said it can't be done! For the 90 Camry, the manual antenna was placed at a different part of the car! This seem likely?

[atobe]

time to hit the junk yard... yes the power ant is on the trunk while the manual is on the driver's A pillar.. but anyways i'm sure you can get what you need at the junk yard

[WannaBButch]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/88-89...Q5fAccessories

[jaansu]

Thanks for the ebay link. The dealer isn't answering my emails. How likely do you think it is that this generic replacement would:

Match the electrical connection plug in the car? Or would I need to figure out somehow what the 5-6 lines coming to the motor do?

Match the existing mounting brachet? This already has all the right screws to hold it exactly right.

The replacement doesn't look the same as what I have in there.

[WannaBButch]

Email the seller and ask.

[jaansu]

Yeah, tried that - he claims the manusfacturer says 'it will fit perfectly.' The picture he put in ebay certainly doesn't suggest that. I'm picking up what the Toyota dealer claims is the updated mast and spline. I'm bringing in the opened motor and will give him a chance to show me how a smooth spline can possibly work on a toothed drive, otherwise no sale and I keep looking.

None of the non-power antennas at Pep Boys really fit well in the existing hole. A used parts dealer offerred to ship a used antenna to me for $80. Could try a junk yard but the $80 would be a better use of my time.

[toyomoho]

Did you do a Google search, you should be able to find a replacement mask.

Replacing the mast or the antenna is a straight forward DIY job. Of have the dealer do it, should take 10 minutes. You need not remove the antenna motor from the car or take it apart.