I recently installed an Alpine 9857 in my '97 4Runner Ltd, replacing the factory head unit. After installation, I had one wire left over, which looks sort of like a headphone mini-plug. I decided to leave it loose, and the result is poor FM reception, with intermittent bursts of static. Does anyone know what this plug is, whether it is related to antenna operation, and how it should be connected to an aftermarket head unit?
I believe the wire you have left over is the wire that controls the antenna, as in, raising it up and down? (not that it would do anything on your 4 runner) I installed a HU in my Camry tonight and there was one such wire as the one you are speaking of, and in the factory radio it plugged in right by the antenna. It didn't plug into my new Kenwood HU, but there was a wire on the harness that controlled the antenna's position. I'm not 100% sure, but I'd say a good 98%.
I believe the wire you have left over is the wire that controls the antenna, as in, raising it up and down? (not that it would do anything on your 4 runner) I installed a HU in my Camry tonight and there was one such wire as the one you are speaking of, and in the factory radio it plugged in right by the antenna. It didn't plug into my new Kenwood HU, but there was a wire on the harness that controlled the antenna's position. I'm not 100% sure, but I'd say a good 98%.
It sounds like we're talking about the same thing, it did plug in right next to the antenna connection. I doubt that it controls the antenna up/down though, since that is handled from withing the wiring harness. I wonder if maybe there is some sort of antenna amplifier that requires power? I can't imagine that alpine would be able to ship a unit that thas reception this poor. Stations that came in loud and clear on the stock HU are almost unlistenable.
I'll pull the thing out and take a picture of the cable once it stops snowing/sleeting/hailing here.
It sounds like we're talking about the same thing, it did plug in right next to the antenna connection. I doubt that it controls the antenna up/down though, since that is handled from withing the wiring harness. I wonder if maybe there is some sort of antenna amplifier that requires power? I can't imagine that alpine would be able to ship a unit that thas reception this poor. Stations that came in loud and clear on the stock HU are almost unlistenable.
I'll pull the thing out and take a picture of the cable once it stops snowing/sleeting/hailing here.
Thanks!
It's not plugged into my new HU and I have perfect reception, but, idk...
That connector looks like the second antenna wire for a diversity tuning system. CBS, I assume that you plugged in a simlar looking but larger connector into the head unit's annenta connector which is the main antenna. After-market head units do not have diversity tuners so just use the main antenna wire.
I'm having a similar problem on 1999 Solara. I've tried to 3 different alpine head units. All have perfect AM but FM full of statitic. I'd already hooked up the power anntena lead as I've seen suggested.
I'd really like to replace the factory HU so the FM reception problem is quite frustrating. Unfortunately, I haven't found an satisfactory answers yet.
That connector looks like the second antenna wire for a diversity tuning system. CBS, I assume that you plugged in a simlar looking but larger connector into the head unit's annenta connector which is the main antenna. After-market head units do not have diversity tuners so just use the main antenna wire.
Yes, in the stock unit this plugged in right next to the antenna wire. Don't worry guys, this is not the first HU i've installed, and the main antenna wire IS plugged in. It is much larger than the one pictured. Without the main one plugged in, i get no reception. However, I just get crappy reception as jayfitx describes. I hadn't considered the diversity antenna angle, as I thought that was only for in-glass antennas, and as this is a gen 3 4runner, it has a standard power antenna mast.
Thanks for all your help, any thoughts are appreciated!
Well, the term diversity antenna helped me direct my seach, and postings on the yotatech forum confirm that that IS exactly what this is, the antenna is located in the window over the left quarter panel.
This jogged my memory that my previous 4Runner, a '95 (gen 2) had this antenna as well, and the alpine head unit i had in there worked just fine. So, the question becomes: is it possible that there is something wrong with my head unit, or that the antenna has a grounding problem? It seems most people just ignore the secondary antenna wire when installing aftermaket systems, and presumably most of them get at least decent reception.
The second antenna is for the diversity function. You will get some signal from using only the larger antenna. Using an antenna y-splitter increases the signal strength but is inconsistant.
We are looking for an adapter that allows us to connect both antennas together. Does anyone know where to purchase one?
I am wondering about this as well. I am in the exact same position. Alpine HU and everything. I have seen "Y" adapters for nissan that retain diversity function but can't find any for toyota. I find this strange. Anyone know any more about this???
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