Power antenna help....please.

[t4rrandy49]

The cable or plastic in the spool broke yesterday and man! what a racket it makes now. Could someone possibly point me to a possible connection that I could disconnect for the time being, until I can get it repaired? Perhaps a fuse for just the antenna? Can iy be repaired or do you have to buy a complete unit? Also...the plastic inner fender panel has several plastic push-in fasteners. What's the trick to getting these off? It appears that when this panel is removed, you have access to the power antenna. Thanks ahead for any help.

 

[Stick Figure]

easiest will probably be to unplug it at the antenna, only other place i could think of would be behind the radio, but you would have to either unpin it at the connector, or cut the wire. another option would be to unscrew the outside and just remove the antenna mast for now. you will need to do this at some point anyway to see if it is the mast that is damaged, or the internal gear in the antenna assembly.


As for the plastic clips, if they have a screw head, they should unscrew, if not you can either pop the center up, or if the center is the same size as the hole its in, gently push it in just a little bit, and it will release the clip. i haven't looked in the wheel well to what style it has.

 

[t4rrandy49]

Thanks for the response and info. Looks like I'll be pulling that fender panel to access it. Just wondered if there may have been a relay or something under the hood to make it a bit quicker. As for those clips...from the fender well they are about 1/2" square with a small hole in the center. Under the hood you see the rest protruding with tiny lock tabs on opposing corners. Just gonna be a bit of a PIA to get off. Thanks again.

 

[RevengEngine]

you can also do what i did. follow this instructional writeup:

http://4runners.org/writeups/whip/index.html

up until step 2. then you're golden!

 

[t4rrandy49]

Revenge, Interesting article. Some helpful info, but, doesn't say just how to get those POS panel plugs off! I did get one off, then broke 2 more. Was able to get the power wires disconnected which is really all I wanted to do at this time until I can get a price on a new antenna. Looks though like it will be another PIA routing the new cable.