'96 Camry Antenna Replacement

[LE Camry]

Hi all, new to the forums here. Thought you guys might be the best to help answer my question accurately. I have a 1996 Camry LE, and the antenna has stopped going up and down, and is generally in bad repair. It's the metal telescoping type, and it seems to be broken beyond repair. My question is: we got it quoted for >$100 to fix, and to me that just seems ridiculous. I looked online and found that the entire stainless steel antenna mast system can be bought for ~$75. However, I also found a cheap plastic ~$5 antenna that says is compatible with any 1996 Camry subtype. Seeing as how funds are low, I'd be doing the installation myself, and I don't care if it's plastic or not; I just want my radio to work. Anyone know if the plastic model is compatible with my car, even if I have a stainless steel type already? And would I be able to install it with no (repeat: no) car saavy?

Also, where would be the best, most honest online parts shop to consider buying from? There're a lot of different online auto-parts stores, but I have no idea who is more honest and who is the best to go through, esp. with Toyota parts. Thanks

[ghettosled]

i dont know specifically of the plastic one you are referring to, but i bought my replacement mast from pep-boys and it has worked like a charm. i believe it was about $25ish.

[TOYOPARTSMAN]

I personally haven't found any aftermarkets that work well. But that is me personally. As far as your antenna goes, if the motor is still working chances are the cord inside is broken, you'll have to disassemble the antena, get all the old cord out and reinstall with a new one. A new OEM one is $73.78 MSRP.

As far as Honest Parts places goes, I like to think of myself as one. Ask around in here about me. I give TN members in here 30% off MSRP so if you decide to go OEM, I am here for you.

I wish you the best of luck with your situation and if I can be of any help, don't hesitate to contact me.

[hill8570]

If you just want radio, then just extend the antenna all the way up (or just part way up) and pull the plug from the motor.

I don't think I'd trust a $5 plastic antenna, but the $25 generics work OK for a while.

In addition to the options of using an OEM replacement or a generic from the local parts store, you could look into the S2000 Antenna Conversion -- it's a mite spendy up front, unless you're lucky at the junkyard, but you don't have to mess with the power antenna any more. After my second (OEM both times) antenna bit the dust, I got tired of replacing it and did the conversion. Never regretted it.

[71Corolla]

You can get a new antenna mast on Ebay for about $10-12, I bought one for $10 a few months ago and the shipping was free. The thing works fine, no complaints.

Just do a search for Camry Antenna Mast.

[jnb0111]

Mine has a non power mast, a la 1997 Camry CE. It works fine, especially since my radio doesn't work, anyway. Stupid Pep Boys pos no brand thing.

[LE Camry]

Well what I'm not completely sure about is what exactly I'd need to make everything work. When I start my car (and turn it off), it makes the whirring noise of the motor, yet it doesn't retract my antenna. This leads me to believe I might just need a new mast. However, my antenna mast is stuck in the always deployed position. My question is whether or not the reception on the radio will stop being spotty if I buy just a new mast, considering my antenna is already up all the time. And I'm not sure I'd need the whole thing replaced, because the motor still seems to be attempting its job.

[71Corolla]

First thing you should do is unplug the antenna power connector, or eventually the motor will burn out. Is the antenna up all the way? These cars have a really long antenna which gives great radio reception.

[LE Camry]

Yeah it's all the way up as I mentioned before. I wouldn't have the slightest clue on how to disconnect the antenna motor..... But the question still stands: is it worth replacing if my antenna is already fully deployed? Why am I not getting good radio reception whatsoever?