new antenna, most likely... Options

[saleeka]

i came home today from work and pulled into my garage, and turned my car off. all of a sudden I hear this loud somewhat grinding-like sound coming from my power antenna... anybody else have this problem happen to them- my antenna dosent raise or lower anymore so i unplugged it untill i figure out whats wrong. id like to keep the power deal- but if i need a new motor i assume it will be pricey. Anybody have suggestions?

[orvillescelica]

This exact thing happened to me and on my mom's old camry. My mom jsut lived with it stuck half way up. I on the other hand took a hacksaw and pliers to it and yanked it out and replaced it with an s2000 antenna, $14 from ebay.

[blkGT]

I took a hacksaw and some glue and put on an s2k antenna. altho i stole mine.

[macavely]

yea me too but i got something kinda like the s2000 one.. it' just half the size really can't notice it... i love it but i had to splice some of the wires to make it work right and had to custom fits.. but hey it was only 3 bucks at autozone..

[Jussimple]

If it still works, use mineral water when its fully extended. This will break down the grime then dry it off thoroughly. Afterwards spray a light coat of WD, this will improve operation as well as protect from any further inoperability. If its to much of a hasle for you to maintain it then just replace it with a rubber sport antenna, which is what I did. My two cents, hope it helps.

J

[runriot95]

There is a long piece of plastic with teeth that wraps around a gear that is attached to the motor of the antenna. This is what actually raises or lowers the antenna. Sometimes this breaks after several years of wear. This is PROBABLY what has happened but I would try what Jussimple has suggested first.

I haven't tried to get to my antenna yet so I don't know how much of a hassle it is but a replacement antenna can run you 50 - 100 bucks at an auto parts store. Don't even think of going to a Toyota dealer unless you want to spend a few hundred bucks. Try going to a junkyard and you can probably get one for under 20.

[saleeka]

yeah, well me wanting a car with nothing broke on it went to an autoparts store and bought a replacement motor- only to find that the electrical hookups to be totally different... so then i went to toyota to have them tell me 240 bucks for the motor and mast, 150 for the labor later that i could have my power antenna back... Disgusting... looks like s2000 antenna here i come

[saleeka]

ohh yeah, how do you get the motor and antenna off. mine is stuck up- and i cant figure out how to get it out from the fender- please help!

[Akimbo]

I suck and only watched this be done. But remove some panels in your trunk and the motor will be exposed on the left I believe. A friend disconnected mine. I never use my radio anyway.

[FallenHero]

do you guys still get a goot reception with the s2k antenna?

[blkGT]

i get just as good reception with my s2k. u just gotta install it right. follow the install and u'll be set

[FallenHero]

as in the how-to insturctions right?

[blkGT]

correct.. in the 6gc how-to

[slipgun]

has anyone installed the s2000 antenna on a white celica? Im always wondering how it will look on my car....

[FallenHero]

here you go

http://www.6gc.net/images/member_photos/1422_7.jpg

[Guest_Matthew_*]

pointer


he said on a white celica

[popke03]

I have done a few of these for friends.

First of all you should decide if you need it to motorized, they all have a life that is fairly short especially if you live in climates where freezing is likely. After my motorized one broke I put in a manual and since I rarely use my radio anyway I just leave it down and pull over when I want to use the radio.

ok $400 for a motorized antenna is ridiculous. Go to the junk yard, you should be able to pick one up for less than $60. Like was said pull away the panels in trunk remove the wires and the tube near the bottom. On the outside where it goes into the body is a silver ring with four notches in it this really a nut. Just take a flathead screwdriver and spin it off, it takes a while and is a pain in the ass. Be carefull not to slip and scratch the paint or toque so hard that you damage the ring because it will look like crap. then just reverse the process with the new antenna.

But like I said, I would put in a manual one, they're like$60 at the dealer and less than $20 at the yard. Unless you are EXTEREMELY lazy or switch back and forth between wanting your mast up and down I would just go with the manual.

[FallenHero]

haha, he could always put the picture of the black car in negative format

[blkGT]

[slipgun]

thanks but ive seen one on black celicas alot... im just curious how a black antenna would look on a white celica doesnt sound that pretty to me....