3rd & 4th Generation (1992–1996 & 1997–2001)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 1992-1996 & 1997-2001
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My antenna doesn't go up and down anymore.... age.
I can hear the motor working...
Do you have any idea what happened?
Do those short antenna's work at all?
Which is cheaper to fix, the stock one or put a shorty on?
Thanks...
p.s. I AM BROKE, I CAN'T GAMBLE... IF ANYONE CAN FLOAT ME A LOAN I'LL PUT YOU IN MY WILL, THANKS
I think there is a plastic rod inside the mast with teeth on one side. The motor turns a gear which drives the antenna up or down. A replacement mast is probably $20-$30. If memory serves correctly I believe you can grasp the antenna and pull it up and out as the motor attempts to raise it. If it only stripped the rod or broke off a small piece at the end you can feed the new one in as it is retracting. I have no experience with the stubby antennas. I did pull back the trunk liner and removed/disassembled my antenna to fix it. I then found the wire that drove the antenna down and spliced in a toggle switch which I mounted in the closest upper liner retainer hole. This was so I could disable the down function during the worst winter weather as it seemed to be the frozen ice preventing the antenna from retracting that caused most of the problems.
Replacing the mast is probably cheaper, and certainly easier. They can be found on eBay for about $10. Here's a post with detailed instructions on how to replace it. If a chunk of the whip is broken off down inside, it's a bit more difficult.
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1992 Camry LE, V6 (3VZ-FE), ABS brakes, 330k miles, dark emerald pearl, owned since new.
1996 Avalon XLS, ABS brakes, moonroof, white, acquired w/ 139k miles, now at 261k.
2001 Yamaha FZ1, Ivan's jet kit, resprung all around, Ohlins in the rear, Race Tech cartridge emulators in the forks, 45k miles.
The Following User Says Thank You to BMR For This Useful Post:
The procedure is actually relatively simple and easy, and it can be kept at under 20$. Here is a good procedure I found for an LS400. The specifics are a little different obviously, but the general theme of the steps is the same.
It's a relatively common issue in power antennas on these cars. Call it bad design if like Make sure you put A LOT of grease in the antenna assemble, and that you grease the mast itself every so often. Any PTFE grease will do, I buy it from ACE Hardware. The other option would be an S2K antenna conversion.
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1995 Toyota Camry V6 LE-6M1 250K Miles, Fun Car
1997 Acura RL-Gone
2007 Acura RL SH-AWD, Technology Package, Opulent Blue Pearl- Fun Car/Daily Driver
The procedure is actually relatively simple and easy, and it can be kept at under 20$. Here is a good procedure I found for an LS400. The specifics are a little different obviously, but the general theme of the steps is the same.
It's a relatively common issue in power antennas on these cars. Call it bad design if like Make sure you put A LOT of grease in the antenna assemble, and that you grease the mast itself every so often. Any PTFE grease will do, I buy it from ACE Hardware. The other option would be an S2K antenna conversion.
I do listen to AM radio... how will this pick it up?
I do listen to AM radio... how will this pick it up?
In reference to the S2K antenna? I'm not really sure, I stuck to the original design and just replaced the mast. It works fine for AM IMO, granted I don't listen to much AM
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1995 Toyota Camry V6 LE-6M1 250K Miles, Fun Car
1997 Acura RL-Gone
2007 Acura RL SH-AWD, Technology Package, Opulent Blue Pearl- Fun Car/Daily Driver
When I turn the radio on or off, especially off, I can hear the motor running to lower/raise it and then a lot of clicking about when I figure the antenna would have just finished lowering.
I can turn the key off but that noise will continue for a little while.
Maybe that will give you a better idea what went haywire inside.
That sounds like what was happening when mine went bad. If you are in doubt, you could simply take the motor apart and see if the white plastic cable is, in fact, broken.
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1995 Toyota Camry V6 LE-6M1 250K Miles, Fun Car
1997 Acura RL-Gone
2007 Acura RL SH-AWD, Technology Package, Opulent Blue Pearl- Fun Car/Daily Driver
The AM reception on an S2K antenna is very weak to nothing, at least on mind it is. So since you still listen to AM, I'd just replace the mast if I were you. Good Luck.
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96 Camry Coupe LE V6
98 Honda CRV
08 GMC Crew
11 Kia Sportage EX AWD
When I turn the radio on or off, especially off, I can hear the motor running to lower/raise it and then a lot of clicking about when I figure the antenna would have just finished lowering.
I can turn the key off but that noise will continue for a little while.
Maybe that will give you a better idea what went haywire inside.
The clicking after the antenna is fully down is probably because the gear teeth are stripped on the antenna's whip. The motor should stall. Replacing the mast will probably fix it.
__________________
1992 Camry LE, V6 (3VZ-FE), ABS brakes, 330k miles, dark emerald pearl, owned since new.
1996 Avalon XLS, ABS brakes, moonroof, white, acquired w/ 139k miles, now at 261k.
2001 Yamaha FZ1, Ivan's jet kit, resprung all around, Ohlins in the rear, Race Tech cartridge emulators in the forks, 45k miles.
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