Connecting antenna to afternmarket head unit

[osuchasenuts]

Ok, I've seen this brought up multiple times, but no answer.

I have a 3rd gen 4Runner, and have installed an aftermarket head unit. They have one antenna connection. 4runners were designed for the diversity antenna.

I want my radio, I like radio. What wire do I need to connect to make the power antenna go up? Which antenna jack is connected to the hood antenna?

In one sentence, I want a working radio with good signal on my aftermarket head unit.

I haven't gotten a clear answer from searching, so maybe this thread can be the one that shows a clear answer.

Thanks in advance to those that have advice.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

One wire goes to the hood one and one goes to the one in the rear glass. I heard that the one in the rear glass is for AM, not sure about that though.

Just plug the bigger one in. I'm not sure what color wire the hood one is, but it might be noticable. If you can test it before you install it completely.

 

[KellyJ]

One wire goes to the hood one and one goes to the one in the rear glass. I heard that the one in the rear glass is for AM, not sure about that though.

Just plug the bigger one in. I'm not sure what color wire the hood one is, but it might be noticable. If you can test it before you install it completely.

You're right, the antenna in the cargo glass (atleast on mine) is for better AM reception.

One thing I don't like about my install of my flip up dvd player is that every time the system is powered on, the antenna goes up. It's not set just to extend when AM/FM is selected. It only bothers me because I always use the iPod hookup to listen to music and have rarely used the radio lately, unless my iPod dies:bash:

 

[osuchasenuts]

Thanks so far, lets dig deeper, if you guys know.

There are two wires, ones big, ones little, for the antenna. If you follow these, they go to a little box, probably an amp. Has anyone tried removing this box from the line? I wish I had a wiring schematic for the setup.

Also, my antenna doesn't currently go up at all, which wire is the antenna turn on lead? This will probably help reception too.

 

[bootown]

If I remember correctly you can take the box out if you want. Is there only one antenna cord going INTO the box? (I think there is) I really think it is a simple as plugging the big wire into the aftermarket...don't need to screw around with the box.

As for your antenna not going all the way up. You could try pulling on the antenna while it is going up to extend it all the way. If that works clean the antenna really good. My camry only goes up a third of the way but the radio works fine so I haven't bothered messing with it.

To find the antenna wire...I would think you bought a wiring harness specific to your car. That should have come with a list of the (aftermarket) harnesses colored wires they used and what they go to (actually the wires are likely labeled themselves). Probably the blue/white wire or solid blue. Find what that corresponds to on the factory harness. That's your wire.

Hopefully this helps...

 

[Clemsonfan15]

You're right, the antenna in the cargo glass (atleast on mine) is for better AM reception.

One thing I don't like about my install of my flip up dvd player is that every time the system is powered on, the antenna goes up. It's not set just to extend when AM/FM is selected. It only bothers me because I always use the iPod hookup to listen to music and have rarely used the radio lately, unless my iPod dies:bash:

That's werid. If I have mine on Ipod and then I turn it off, when I turn it on again it will come up in Ipod mode. The antenna only comes up for radio. Maybe something is wrong with your wiring?

 

[osuchasenuts]

First, it depends on the head unit that is used. Some will bring the antenna down if not on radio, some are just a constant on while head unit is on.

And second I am thinking I didn't connect my antenna turn on lead to the head unit, so the antenna isn't getting a signal to go up when head unit turned on.

I will pull apart the wiring soon and figure it out.

 

[Elton H]

some head unit's have a blue wire that's for the power antenna and only works in am/fm mode .......and the blue/white one turns on the amp in cd mode or the antenna if that's the only wire your cd player has .....if you dont have just a blue wire than just connect the blue/white wire to the corresponding wire on the wiring harness