Anyone know how to replace the antennae/motor for a 98 4Runner? I can hear the engine trying to come up and go down, but it doesn't move on its own...

5/26/2012 9:20:35 AM

Antennae is plural. Antenna is singular.

I think that the Latin plural form (antennae) is more commonly use when talking about antennae on insects and stuff, whereas with radios, it's more common to use "antennas".

5/26/2012 10:31:09 AM

^agreed

wikianswer

Quote :

" If the antenna does not motor in and out, it can be the antenna mast OR the motor assembly. Usually you can hear the motor moving and if so, it may be ok. It is probably a broken or worn out or badly installed antenna cable. The antenna mast has a nylon sprocket cable that winds in the motor assembly and that sometimes break or wears out so you need to replace the integrated antenna mast-nylon cable assembly. To replace the antenna mast or to reinstall the mast, you must first remove the nut on top of the antenna by using needle nose pliers. Turn the radio on while pulling on the antenna, it should come off easily and the nylon cable protrudes at the bottom, pull on it and you should see about 1-2 feet of cable. If the cable is ok and not broken or worn out, perhaps it was badly installed (or it is actually broken and a piece of it is in the motor spool). The sprockets need to point in a particular direction (try front or side) to work properly. Reinstall and check for proper operation. To reinstall, turn the radio off and feed into the hole while the motor is winding, it should be caught and reeled right in. If problems continue, you need to replace the mast or perhaps the nylon cable is broken inside the spool in the motor assembly The mast is relatively cheap online and can be installed as described above. To get to the motor assembly you need to access it from the fender. Remove the cover of the wheel well (that prevents mud/water from entering the engine compartment) and the motor assembly will be accessible. Remove one screw to drop the assembly. If you need to change the assembly, this is it. If you are to change the antenna mast and there is some broken cable inside, continue by removing the plastic cover to uncover the assembly. There is a black plastic cover on top that you must then remove to access the wheel that winds the antenna nylon cable. Now you can remove the broken cable. Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_repair_or_replace_the_power_antenna_on_a_1998_Toyota_4_Runner#ixzz1vzJLOP8f"

[Edited on May 26, 2012 at 10:59 AM. Reason : ]

5/26/2012 10:55:58 AM

the antenna motor went out on my mom's avalon. it still picked up radio stations just fine.

5/26/2012 11:55:30 AM

IIRC to get to the motor you have to remove the big plastic shield/cover in the fender well which is basically held in by a lot of little screws and clips. Its much easier with the wheel removed before you do that. Once that's off its relatively straightforward nuts and bolts to remove the motor assembly.

^that would be the case with a stock head unit in that generation 4runner, there is a secondary antenna integrated into the rear cargo side windows that still picks up signals decently. An aftermarket head unit would require either only using the main antenna cable (with functioning motor ) or a y connector to connect both antennaes.

[Edited on May 26, 2012 at 2:21 PM. Reason : forgot]

5/26/2012 2:08:23 PM

is it possible to just rig the antenna up where it stays out all the time? a motorized antenna is downright stupid imo.

5/26/2012 7:19:48 PM

i had a 96 camry that the little plastic cable thing broke on.

i just unplugged the damn antenna motor. radio worked just fine (until some dumbass t-boned me).

5/28/2012 10:25:18 AM