QuestionI have a 1996 Toyota Camry LE. When I turn on the radio the antenna pulls up quietly at first and then after it is up all the way then I hear a sort of fairly audible annoying sound (like grinding or buzzing ) for about a 30 seconds after which the sound stops. The antenna stays up and the radio plays fine. When I turn off the radio the antenna goes down quietly. The sound appears everytime I turn on the radio and only after the antenna has pulled up all the way.
Can you please tell me what is wrong and can a layman like me fix it ? If you can e-mail a sketch what it is supposed to look like I will appreciate it. Is it easy to replace the motor,if it is bad?
Thank you so much. Have a nice day and god bless.
my e-mail address is esof4@yahoo.com
AnswerThe antenna mast and cable need to be replaced, get the new one from the dealer so you know what you are dealing with.
If the mast is not broken it is fairly easy to replace, remove the chrome nut from the top of the antenna then turn the radio on, the mast and cable should come all the way out if you pull on it with a steady motion, once the cable is out compare it to the new cable(it has the teeth on it)collapse the antenna on both the old and the new ones and see if the plastic cables are the same length, if so it is not broken(you're in luck).
To install the new antenna mast and cable do the following:
Turn the ign key on and the radio on
Wait for all the antenna motor noise to stop
Insert the antenna cable into the opening with the teeth facing foreward.
Have someone turn the radio off
The cable should grab the motor gear and pull in
Install the top antenna nut.
If the antenna mast is broken there is still a piece of the old mast in the antenna motro and it will have to be removed and disassembled to remove the broken piece.
