Xm "check antenna"

[Tengu]

I bought my 2010 trail back in November certified pre owned. About a month later I decide to look into the xm. "Check antenna" crap, oh well I'll deal with it when I get my oil changed, they shouldn't have a problem with that, it's certified right? Silly me.

So I go in today to have them look into it. After a few minutes arguing with the dolt about the fact that the radio antenna is not the shark fin on the roof but the little knubby by the hood. This inspires confidence in my service department dude. He calls over the make ready department, because when in doubt, pass the buck.

Make ready dude came and took it in back to check the connections. A little while later service dude tells me those connections are fine and they are going to have to take the headliner down to check the antenna. (I was afraid of that) "and it'll need to be here 3 or 4 hours for that" (which is what I was more afraid of) "We'll have to check with your extended warranty company" Dude what? It's got 22k on it, SHOULD be under factory warranty. (Guess I need to check the born on date)

Long story short, I'll looking for the path to the least resistance. Is is the headliner access that dire? Is dropping it myself doable? Diagrams or instructions out there? Easier access to the antenna that the dealership SHOULD know about? Etc.... Any thoughts?

 

[Jono.ful]

The shark fin isn't the xm antenna. It's there to increase low-speed lateral stability. Duh :crazy:

 

[Tengu]

Oh like the fins on motogp racer helmets!

I'm glad today wasn't tomorrow, otherwise I probably would have sprayed beer across everyone.

I suppose your going to tell me it adds 10 HP next. Wait, it does feel like it over my previous sr5 wo the fin.

 

[harper7]

I bought my 2010 trail back in November certified pre owned. About a month later I decide to look into the xm. "Check antenna" crap, oh well I'll deal with it when I get my oil changed, they shouldn't have a problem with that, it's certified right? Silly me.

So I go in today to have them look into it. After a few minutes arguing with the dolt about the fact that the radio antenna is not the shark fin on the roof but the little knubby by the hood. This inspires confidence in my service department dude. He calls over the make ready department, because when in doubt, pass the buck.

Make ready dude came and took it in back to check the connections. A little while later service dude tells me those connections are fine and they are going to have to take the headliner down to check the antenna. (I was afraid of that) "and it'll need to be here 3 or 4 hours for that" (which is what I was more afraid of) "We'll have to check with your extended warranty company" Dude what? It's got 22k on it, SHOULD be under factory warranty. (Guess I need to check the born on date)

Long story short, I'll looking for the path to the least resistance. Is is the headliner access that dire? Is dropping it myself doable? Diagrams or instructions out there? Easier access to the antenna that the dealership SHOULD know about? Etc.... Any thoughts?

Taking down the headliner sucks big time. It went in first on the interior install at the factory and then all the panels overlap from top to bottom. So to do it right and not damage it ,practically every thing including the seats have to come out first.It's all in the repair manual.

I recently tried cheating and just did the right side of the headliner to run cb and ham antenna cables and paid the price . I left the drivers side attached and let it hang and it's so fragile that I got a couple little creases that won't go away. I'd make sure you check yours before you let them do and show them it's in perfect shape now.

 

[eddiebx]

Don't be silly, the shark fin doesn't add HP, it's the T4R.ORG decals that help in that department.

I suppose access to under the headliner would be necessary if one want's to check the coax cable running between the antenna and the radio for a break in the line. Not really sure how you would go about pulling it down yourself, but there's service manuals you can download to help you with that in this thread (courtesy of Nashman): http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/92594-modifications-write-ups-quick-links-faq-s.html

 

[Tengu]

Don't be silly, the shark fin doesn't add HP, it's the T4R.ORG decals that help in that department.

I suppose access to under the headliner would be necessary if one want's to check the coax cable running between the antenna and the radio for a break in the line. Not really sure how you would go about pulling it down yourself, but there's service manuals you can download to help you with that in this thread (courtesy of Nashman): http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/92594-modifications-write-ups-quick-links-faq-s.html

Then I just added 30 HP because I just got my set for this ride. Now if I can just name it.

As for the manual, SWEET, I know I had seen it on here somewhere but just couldn't remember who put it up. Thanks for the link.

Harper, I was afraid of that, and I'll see you at Jam next week.

 

[stevec5000]

I bought my 2010 trail back in November certified pre owned. About a month later I decide to look into the xm. "Check antenna" crap, oh well I'll deal with it when I get my oil changed, they shouldn't have a problem with that, it's certified right? Silly me.

So I go in today to have them look into it. After a few minutes arguing with the dolt about the fact that the radio antenna is not the shark fin on the roof but the little knubby by the hood. This inspires confidence in my service department dude. He calls over the make ready department, because when in doubt, pass the buck.

Make ready dude came and took it in back to check the connections. A little while later service dude tells me those connections are fine and they are going to have to take the headliner down to check the antenna. (I was afraid of that) "and it'll need to be here 3 or 4 hours for that" (which is what I was more afraid of) "We'll have to check with your extended warranty company" Dude what? It's got 22k on it, SHOULD be under factory warranty. (Guess I need to check the born on date)

Long story short, I'll looking for the path to the least resistance. Is is the headliner access that dire? Is dropping it myself doable? Diagrams or instructions out there? Easier access to the antenna that the dealership SHOULD know about? Etc.... Any thoughts?

Just pickup a new magnetic antenna and stick it on the roof. Only takes a few minutes and you'll get better reception too.

 

[Tengu]

That would be too easy!

And it would mean that the fin really would be for low speed lateral stability.

 

[Tengu]

Okay, following up and finalizing the story. I ended up having to drop part of the headliner to remove a roof rack bolt anyway. (see bastard bolt thread) So While in there I traced the micro coax from the xm and saw an empty plug on the rear door frame. Looking for the other end above the headliner I found a mangled micro coax. So yup, it's diagnosed.

 

[badhabits]

[MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION]
FWIW
I do not mean to hijack but with the headliner reinstall I have used one of those cheap "AS SEEN ON TV" steam only irons. You put the headliner in but do not tighten completely, steam the fabric then finish the install. The steam relaxes the fabric, and when it dries it will shrink tight. This will help with the wrinkles.

 

[Tengu]

This is a good idea.

I'm going to quote this on a another thread for someone that was asking me about the headliner pull down.

 

[eddiebx]

Thanks a lot for the explanation in the other thread! Man that really sucks about the broken coax connection you found, are you still going to try to fix that or just leave it as is. I am real curious how that even broke to begin with!

 

[Tengu]

Hey, I'm glad I can actually contribute something useful for once, so no problem. Yeah, I'm wondering too because it isn't just cut. It's missing about a foot and a half AND a male connector.

I did not resolve it. I tracked down that part number. There is a $55 cable and a $90 one with the same part number. Considering the dealership guy thought the xm antennae was the regular antennae I don't have much faith in him to know which to order. I should have taken it to a car stereo place but I got tired of having my roof dismantled and put it back together. I decided that my minute and a half commute did not warrant another monthly bill at this time.

So I guess the shark fin will continue to only increase low-speed lateral stability (since it doesn't add HP) until I decide I NEEEED XM.

 

[harper7]

[MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION]
FWIW
I do not mean to hijack but with the headliner reinstall I have used one of those cheap "AS SEEN ON TV" steam only irons. You put the headliner in but do not tighten completely, steam the fabric then finish the install. The steam relaxes the fabric, and when it dries it will shrink tight. This will help with the wrinkles.

[MENTION=87461]badhabits[/MENTION]
Thanks ,I'll give that a try as I do have a small wrinkle right above my head in front of the moonroof on the drivers side and was bummed at first but I'm over it now. The cloth material is glued to a cardboard type material.

 

[badhabits]

[MENTION=87461]badhabits[/MENTION]
Thanks ,I'll give that a try as I do have a small wrinkle right above my head in front of the moonroof on the drivers side and was bummed at first but I'm over it now. The cloth material is glued to a cardboard type material.

[MENTION=8206]harper7[/MENTION]
Be careful with this method, you do not want to get the cloth to wet when you steam it. Also see if you can carefully smooth out the wrinkle by hand or use a dry iron on a very low heat to smooth it out before it dries, but watch out that you do not crease the fabric or pull the glue loose from the surrounding area.

 

[UBWine09]

Has anyone figured out how to fix this yet? I just got this message on my radio this morning. Worked fine last night, so im not sure what happened. Any help would be great.

 

[tkeratt]

Has anyone figured out how to fix this yet? I just got this message on my radio this morning. Worked fine last night, so im not sure what happened. Any help would be great.

Same issue - any answers - battery out for 4 hours didn't do it. how do you remove the sharkfin? any help would be appreciated