Power Antenna Motor Runs Too Long

[claycolton]

Hello,
I am in the process of replacing the antenna on my 2001 4Runner. I have already accessed and opened the motor to remove the broken pieces of the previous antenna. Everything seems to be going as planned. When I turn the radio off, the motor grabs hold of the antenna and pulls it down; however, once the mast is down the motor continues to pull and grind the gears for about 4 additional seconds. The same thing occurs when I turn it on, it pushes the antenna mast up and up until it pops out and then continues for the 4 additional seconds.
It seems like this might be an electrical problem or perhaps there is a clutch on the motor that isn't working? Any solution to this problem would be greatly appreciated.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Tacoma. Whip. Mod

 

[BrazilianT4R]

Tacoma. Whip. Mod

Something I would love to see is a CB antenna mounted on the motor antenna location. As for the FM antenna you can use a strip antenna on the window.

 

[TheDurk]

Hello,
I am in the process of replacing the antenna on my 2001 4Runner. I have already accessed and opened the motor to remove the broken pieces of the previous antenna. Everything seems to be going as planned. When I turn the radio off, the motor grabs hold of the antenna and pulls it down; however, once the mast is down the motor continues to pull and grind the gears for about 4 additional seconds. The same thing occurs when I turn it on, it pushes the antenna mast up and up until it pops out and then continues for the 4 additional seconds.
It seems like this might be an electrical problem or perhaps there is a clutch on the motor that isn't working? Any solution to this problem would be greatly appreciated.

I am in the exact same situation on my '99. I bought an eBay aftermarket mast. Is yours a cheapie like mine or an OEM? I'm wondering if maybe the cheapie doesn't have enough grab for the clutch to slip. Anyway, I'm working on this, too. Keep posting.

For now, I'm just using the old one with the nylon pusher thingy clipped off and the remote antenna wire disconnected at the H/U. No grinding that way! It's just like the first five or six cars I owned, no big deal. I don't use the radio for anything but news and baseball. If I go offroad, I'll just put it down.

 

[SkidPalace]

I am replacing mine with a cheapie ebay antenna today. Worst case it will remain a manual retractable antenna.

 

[claycolton]

Yep, it's a cheapie I bought off the net. Perhaps that's the problem...but I've compared the teeth of the two nylon cords, and they appear to be close to the same. Anyway, I guess worst case, I trim the cord and cut power to the motor. I'll wait a few days before doing this, so if anyone has another solution, I'm all ears.

 

[ameining]

Tacoma. Whip. Mod

x2

 

[DogtorM]

Just a heads up, I bought the cheap version off of ebay, and it worked well at first, but then the plastic tail started pulling off of the base of the antenna. I ended up having to take it apart and try several different ways to keep the tail on. Eventually, crimping it on with a pair of pliers worked best. It goes down fine, but when it goes it, it makes a terrible grinding sound for several seconds. I think that the motor stops based on resistance, and I think that after grinding a few times, the teeth on the wheel get stripped. To me, it's not worth the PIA of getting back into the motor to find out.... getting ready for the Taco Whip Mod. :reddance:

 

[ouki]

I am facing the exact same problem as you guys. The antenna retracts fine but when it extended all the way up, the motor keeps grinding for a few seconds. Very annoying! I was wondering if any of you guys has figured out the solution? If it was caused by cheap ebay mast, I don't mind buying an OEM?

 

[DogtorM]

I am facing the exact same problem as you guys. The antenna retracts fine but when it extended all the way up, the motor keeps grinding for a few seconds. Very annoying! I was wondering if any of you guys has figured out the solution? If it was caused by cheap ebay mast, I don't mind buying an OEM?

I think you would have to buy the whole antenna assembly to get a permanent fix. It seems like the plastic teeth on the gears that drive the antenna upward also get rounded off when this happens. I did the Taco Whip Mod and was very happy with it.

 

[ouki]

I think you would have to buy the whole antenna assembly to get a permanent fix. It seems like the plastic teeth on the gears that drive the antenna upward also get rounded off when this happens. I did the Taco Whip Mod and was very happy with it.

I felt the motor is putting too much force to the antenna. Is it adjustable that the motor stops when certain amount of resistance is detected?

 

[DogtorM]

I felt the motor is putting too much force to the antenna. Is it adjustable that the motor stops when certain amount of resistance is detected?

The motor is supposed to stop when it reaches a certain amount of resistance, the problem is, as the "teeth" get rounded, the resistance is lost. I don't know of any way to make adjustments to the motor itself. That's above my DIY know-how :shrug:

 

[ouki]

The motor is supposed to stop when it reaches a certain amount of resistance, the problem is, as the "teeth" get rounded, the resistance is lost. I don't know of any way to make adjustments to the motor itself. That's above my DIY know-how :shrug:

The motor stops perfectly when antenna is retracted. The grinding only happens when the antenna is extended.... Are the teeth bi-directional? :shrug:

 

[TheDurk]

The motor stops perfectly when antenna is retracted. The grinding only happens when the antenna is extended.... Are the teeth bi-directional? :shrug:

This is a very good question. It's warm, now, and I'm on the case. I pulled the antenna today and found a good 18" of broken off tail from the original antenna in there. It was really brittle; I'm amazed it lasted as long as it did.

Buttoned it back up and put it in the truck, and it does the same thing. Grinds when going up, perfect going the other way.

For the record, teeth have to face forward for them to engage the gear.

I'm scratching my head at this point. I have just begun to tinker...

 

[TheDurk]

Back on the case. I decided to review the FSM for sh... and giggles.

INSTALL ANTENNA ROD
(a) Insert the cable of the rod until it reaches the bottom.
HINT:

When inserting the cable, the teeth on the cable must face
toward the rear of the vehicle.

Insert the antenna by approx. 300 mm (11.8 in.).
(b) Wind the cable to retract the rod by turning the ignition
switch to ”LOCK” position.
HINT:

If the ignition switch is already in ”LOCK” position, do step
1 (c) first, then turn the ignition switch to ”ACC” position.

In case the cable is not wound, twist it, as shown in the
illustration.

Even if the rod has not retracted fully, install the antenna
nut and inspect the antenna rod operation. It will finally retract
fully.

Huh? Teeth pointing backwards?? OK, so I tried it...no way I could get it to go in with teeth pointing backwards. The original piece in there has the teeth wound to the inside, and the entry is such that it had to come in with the teeth pointing forward. {Note: I have the the paper FSM for my 1999 MY, the on-line 2002 FSM is identical.}

Scratching my head some more....

 

[ouki]

Huh? Teeth pointing backwards?? OK, so I tried it...no way I could get it to go in with teeth pointing backwards.

In my case I could only feed the plastic tail with teeth facing FORWARD. I have 99 SR5. I think it differs by year. I did see some instructions online saying face forward instead of backward.

My problem remains. Grinds when going up. No issue retracts.

 

[TheDurk]

In my case I could only feed the plastic tail with teeth facing FORWARD. I have 99 SR5. I think it differs by year. I did see some instructions online saying face forward instead of backward.

My problem remains. Grinds when going up. No issue retracts.

Mine is the same as yours in all respects. I too have a '99 SR5. But the '99 FSM definitely says backward, as does the 2002. I agree that has to be wrong, at least for our '99's..

I ain't done, yet.

 

[Benski]

My antenna broke several years ago and I had to replace it on my 96 SR5. I bought a replacement at a dealership. When compatable parts need to be replaced buy genuine Toyota OEM. I had to remove the motor cover and remove the broken pieces of the old one. The install of the new one was no problem. I just love how many smart features Toyota puts on their vehicles. The retractable antenna is great for loading and straping long items on the roof rack, washing the vehicle windshield and replacing wiper blades and avoiding tree branches while offroading on narrow trails. A lot of thought went into their engineering!

 

[ouki]

Guys, I'm happy to report that my issue has been resolved. I can confirm that make sure you buy the real OEM antenna mast. Not all the aftermarket product work!. Check my post here.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/110684-power-antenna-fixed-but-new-issue.html#post1019785

Hope it'll help.

 

[HARP]

I realize this is a really old thread, but . . .
I can't get my antenna to stay in. I've bought both a cheap Ebay one and a OEM part. I'm going with the OEM. It reels down just right and the motor stops, but when the radio is turned on, it runs the antenna up and out, and the motor runs for several seconds after. I applied a little resistance when it got to full height to see if that was the problem, but the motor just cranked it on out and kept turning for a few seconds. It seems in my case there either needs to be some real resistance stopping it (which isn't there) or the motor is just turning too long.
Has anyone experinced the same thing?
Better yet - Does anyone know the fix?
I want the power antenna to work. I'm not interested in the taco whip mod.