Toyota Antenna Grinding Noise
 

Help. My 2000 4-runner's radio antenna motor makes a grinding noise when ever I turn the motor on or off. I have lived with it for the past year, but now it is driving me crazy.

I don't want to spend $200-250 to get it fixed, and I don't mind if the antenna just stays up. Can I just somehow disconnect the motor? I looked to remove a fuse, but I do not see a fuse just for the antenna. There is one for "accessorys" but I don't want to loose power to anything else.

Does anyone have any advice?

Thank you

In my old Buick Century I just disconnected the fuse when the antenna motor started to die, problem solved, not to osure if this helps you out though, hope it does, good luck.

I'm not familiar with the location of the antenna on your vehicle, but you should be able to follow the wiring back from the antenna. It's meant to be replaced so it has to unplug somewhere close to the base. Get the antenna in the desired position and unplug the pigtail, making sure you leave the actual antenna lead connected. For simplicity the lead should run through the body with the power wiring so don't just cut everything. Unless you know a fuse is just for the antenna, I wouldn't pull it, you could disable another accessory. Good luck.

yes, there is a plug close to the base - - plugged IN to the base in fact. You can unplug it when the antenna's up and it'll stay there.

FYI the grinding is caused because the plastic teeth in the extension strip are becoming stripped. On some cars, you can go to an autoparts store and get a replacement antenna mast for around 20-30 bucks. Easy to replace- just feed the extension strip into the hole and turn the radio off.

If it's easier to pop out the head unit than get to the antenna, or if you're going to have it out anyway, the standard wire for power antenna is solid blue.