When I turn on my radio, the power antena does not fully extend (about 4" short) and the motor keeps running for about 10 seconds then stops.

When I turn off the radio, the antena does not retract although I can hear the motor running. The only way to get it down is to push down on the antena when to motor is running.

Can I fix this problem or do I have to get a new antena or motor?

 

Sounds like the antennae feed cable has broken, although it could be the motor itself.
You should remove the nut and washer on the antennae mast's base, then have someone turn the radio on for you and, as the antennae extends, pull it all of the way out.
You'll then be able to examine it's cable to determine whether or not it has any teeth on it, is smooth or broken.
If the cable is o.k., then it's the motor itself.
Good luck.

 

Mines did the same. I ended up removing the motor and mast and plan on doing the Tacoma whip mod. I hate them powered antennas.

 

EXACTLY

 

It must be somthing in the Hawaii air, mine is broken too. This is my 3rd power antenna I went through. Im goint to jsut leave it broken untill I come up with the tacoma whip upgrade.

 

I hope it's not because of the Hawaii air cause mine still works. I better knock on wood!

 

I think it is just "air" in general. This seems to be the most common broken part on 3rd gens.

 

My '97's went out before 80k miles and 6 years on the road but my '99s at 106k and nearly 7 years of driving and the antenna is still working. I think making sure you grease it every once in a while help it's life span.

 

The one in my '99 took a dump at 30k. I don't think these things are flexible enough for 4x4s. What was Toyota thinking?.. We would all have co-pilots running the antenna mast?

“Tree branch commin’! Down antenna!”
“Signal loss! Up antenna!”
“Garage door! Oh no!!!”

If I had the time and energy, I'd Tacoma whip it.

 

My old 98 Taco's antenna went out at 40K miles, my old 97's went out at 80K miles, and my current 96's went out at 82K miles.

They should have a recall campaign on these friggin things.

Do the Taco whip mod, it rocks!

 

Just this week the antenna went up and then fell off. Lost forever

 

I just unplugged my antenna relay. That is a simple, easy, and free fix.

 

www.antennamastsrus.com


Try this place they have some good write up's and offer a excellent aftermarket replacement, I used them after I drove thru the car wash with my antenna up, they sell on e-bay and give real good directions on removing and replacing the mast.

By the way they do not recommend using grease on the mast and suggest
it will last longer without using any lube

 

Replaced the antena this weekend. Pretty easy fix except that access to the entena motor was real tight and the plastic thingies securing the protective panels in the wheel well didnt want to come out. It the end I just cut it off.

Thanks for your help guys.

 

I had this happen to me. All I did was soak the antenna with WD40 and wiggled the stuck joints free and cleaned it good. Problem fixed!

 

If you guys don't listen to the radio much (more cd or tape) you can just install an on/off switch for the power antenna lead. You can get one at radio shack for about $3 and just wire it in-line with the antenna power lead. All that does is shut off the signal to the antenna motor to go up.

My antenna was broken (bent) when I bought the truck. So I installed a new mast along with the switch which I mounted in the little storage box under the radio.

 

graphite powder also works very well to keep the antenna from getting stuck