My antenna on a '94 runner is broken and won't go up and down. I just want to leave it up. How do I turn the motor to the antenna off so it won't make that annoying noise everytime I turn the car on and off?

 

I had the same problem, I just ripped off the plastic teeths from the bottom of the antenna. The motor will still run but you won`t get that annoying ratcheting noise. I`ve since removed my antenna all together to put in place the Tacoma whip.

 

another antenna question:
can someone explain the mounting for a 94 4x4 p/u? mine loosens up occasionally and i can't seem to figure out the clamp system in the wheel well.
thanks

 

I believe there is a plug for the motor inside the fender, Just pull down the liner and have a looksie.

The retracting antenna will eventually fold over in half on you (been there). Best to replace it fir a fixed unit. Toyota charges about $22 for the fixed mast setup.

 

Also, on my 97 there is a power antenna relay behind the radio that can be unplugged to stop the antenna from moving, I assume your's would be similar. Although it is probably easier to unplug it at the motor.

Does anybody know what a new antenna mast costs? Even though my FM antenna isn't even connected to my radio (I have XM, and I'm lazy), I would still like the antenna to go all the way up and down.

 

Mine was $56.91 Gapguy...
The install took a couple of hours, but was pretty easy. I was just overly careful removing the flares.

 

I had this same problem on my '95. There is a good write up here on replacing the entire assembly with a non powered one but its not a quick or cheap process.

I just used that guide to see how to get to the motor and then just unplugged the wiring harness from the motor. I ended up compressing the ant. all the way and unbolting the one bolt from the motor to drop it low enough to see the plug (its underneath a rubber cover and high up on the 'back side' and inverted.)

I unplugged the harness connection, taped it off - to prevent shorts and put it all back the way it was. Then i just pulled the ant. back all the way up after re mounting things. Works great now!

I am thinking about turning a new 'nut' assembly that holds the power ant. top to the ant. fender molding adapter. Seems to me with a new lock nut you could implement a threaded base for the Taco whip ant. without changing the base out or messing with pulling the wire back from the radio. Probably have to cut the power ant. mast short and push it into the base to allow the new nut assembly to make good contact with power base shaft...or just cut the tit off the top and feed it into the new lock nut a bit...

I gotta try to work up a new lock nut and see if this is feasible. Sadly I wont have time for about 5 months - someone should take this idea and run with it. Should be easy enough and it could easily sell for far less that then 130 bucks the non power base would cost - never mind making fixing this problem a 10 minute job instead of a 3 hour job...