Can't get stations... Antenna help!!

[nat77]

Hi all,


I need help!! After installing a cd player in my 94 camry, I can hardly get any FM or AM stations in. It worked fine before. Also, the power antenna is broken. I don't see an antenna at all. Just the base I bought it that way. I think I may have wired the power antenna when I installed the stereo. Should I A)cut that wire and see if it's any better, B)replace the power antenna, or C) buy a manuel antenna? Also, will a manuel antenna fit exactly where the power anrenna sits?
I am on a budget, so probably can't afford to replace the power antenna. I heard that it will most likely go out again anyway. Anyway, I would appreciate any help/opinions. Thanks so much!!

Tasha

PS- As we all do, I like good looks on a car. But in this case, I am more concerned about better reception.

[TheMajesticking]

Did you put in the big plug in the back of the CD player?

BTW: Welcome to TN!

[skewe]

welcome to TN

i think you would need to replace the mast.
that is what it is called.

it is a metal piece that goes up and down.
you would have to DIY cos shops will replace the whole power antenna. Not sure if you can get it off eBay??

I have done it for my gen3 camry but I leave it up 1/3 of the way all the time. I just unplug the power cable that powers the antenna. Cos I might accidentally break it if i am not careful.

[TheMajesticking]

The fact that your sayin it was working fine before makes me think that you didnt plug up the antenna cable.

[95camguy]

if ur antenna is not sticking out of ur car then i would recheck the antenna connection on the back of the radio like themajesticking said. if thats good then i would suspect the power antenna is stuck. cheap replacements are easily available on ebay.

this past winter my power antenna on my 95 began sticking real bad and would often only come half-way up. on real cold days sometimes the damn thing wouldnt even work at all(good thing i had a good cd collection). but before i could get around to replacing it my girlfriend got me satellite radio so i hardly listen to regular radio anymore.

whatever it is its probably a relatively inexpensive or easy problem to trace down.

[nat77]

Ok, I went oustside and tried and tried to remove the antenna. I ended up removing all but the antenna!! I removed the whole outside part (rubber surrounding, metal surrounding, etc...)
I cannot get the antenna to come at all. I can hear the motor running now though. Before it wasn't making any noise at all. I tried taking the whole motor out from the inside, but I cannot get the screws/bolts off to do so. I took off a manual antenna from my non-running van and stuck it down the hole where the power antenna should be just to see if it made any difference reception wise. It makes the radio come in louder, but not any better reception wise. When the car is sitting still, reception is fine. When I drive, reception sucks if it even exists at all. So now I don't know what to do. I have a nice camry with a ghetto antenna (tissue paper is holding in place, though no one can see that) and all the surrounding area is broken off. Man, this is bad. Any suggestions?

[RningOnFumes]

dude,

i know you meantioned you are a bit straped for cash, but it sounds like you really can't go without the radio. Go get a generic antenna at the local auto store and put it in...worry about the looks later. I believe it's around 20 bucks?

My antenna is broken too, very recently in fact...but since it's stuck in the up position..what the hey?? eh?


dave.

[RningOnFumes]

um..sorry, ms Dude-tt

[nat77]

LOL!! Dudette is fine. I went to good ole WalMart and bought a rubber swivel antenna made by 'Rally'. It cost me $10. I haven't installed it yet though. I still have to somehow get the other antenna completely out, splice the antenna coax cable, connect it to the new antenna cable and hope for the best. If I mess up, I'm SOL I guess until I can afford to have another power antenna installed.

Thanks for the replys. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Tasha

[prnc_chrmng]

if you did it yourself, re-check all your wires (if you havnt already) make sure everythings in tight and proper. is your anttena moving at all? maybe just pull you anttena up and disconnect the mottor

[RningOnFumes]

wow, there's a Walmart in the bay area?