hows it goin everybody. im a first timer on this site so be kind. ive got a 99 4runner and the antenna is doing some wierd stuff. when i start the vehicle, the antenna goes all the way up but the antenna motor continues to run as if it is not. this lasts for about 5 secs after fully extended. when i turn the vehicle off, the antenna motor runs, but the antenna itself does not move. however, it will go down if i give it a little help. ive removed the antenna itself and the plastic track that the gear pushes and pulls seems to be fine. could it be aproblem with the gear itself or something worse. please let me know if you have any suggestions.

thanks,
nate

 

Hey I'm no expert but I've heard of similar problems with power antebnnas. usually it's the result of contamination/corrosion and so forth...try cleaning the antenna shaft...extend the antenna fully then take a rag with a little cleaner on it (carb. cleaner or electrical contact cleaner) be careful not to spill on your car paint does'nt like these clensers now rub the antenna firmly in a decidly up and down motion the rag should look somewhat black when finished this is the crud coming off...make sure all the clenser is off now apply a coating of dielectric grease and cycle (lower and raise the thing a few times) with it extended repeat the cleaning process this will get rid of any crud from down in the mechanism that should have been loosened...now grease it again with the dielectric and cycle again it should be functioning better now. Hope it works for you now sit down open a Guiness and be don't worry be happy. Cheers Aviator:bounce2: :tomcat:

 

Nate,

Ditch the auto antenna and swap it out for the non-motorized one. Check out my write up:

http://www.4runners.org/articles/whip

Since I've done it, I've never regretted it. No maintenance whatsoever.

Bob

 

That happened to mine, I had the motor replaced where I bought the truck. It cost me $70, so I assume at a Yota dealership it would have cost about $200.