Difficult antennae replacement '91 LS400

[Speedo]

The original problem with my antennae was that it would not extend all the way up.

Bought a replacement antennae, undid the nut on the trunk, powered on radio and antennae popped out with a portion (but not all) of the plastic wire (with teeth on it) coming out. A good portion of the white wire still remains connected down there in the trunk (connected to the antennae motor).

Since the entire wire didn't come all of the way out, I can't figure out what to do next, other than take apart the trunk and disassemble the motor assembly.

DOES ANYONE KNOW A TRICK OR SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM before I do that?

Thanks,

Obvious newbie,

 

[xirforever]

here, check this out. http://www.lexls.com/powerantenna.html

 

[Lextek]

Since the cable has broken, you need to remove the broken piece manually. Next time put the radio in ANT mode to remove the mast. Also, heres a little trick from the old days! If the radio is locked up from the battery being dead or removed, Put the radio in ANT mode, turn it off and then back on, using the radio power button, to clear the lockout. Only works on LS-SC 90-94!

Another thing. If the radio has any attempted tries of unlocking that were unsucessful, remove the battery cable for 20 minutes. Then apply the method above to remove the lockout. If the radio has died from too many tries and the screen goes blank, It can be unlocked. You will need to contact your Lexus dealer for assistance, as painful as that may be, as the codes are tightly gaurded. But obtainable.

 

[Speedo]

Next time put the radio in ANT mode to remove the mast. QUOTE]


I've never heard of ANT mode.

How does one get into ANT mode?

 

[Lextek]

On these year models. Nak or Pioneer, Without CD, press and hold AM and Tape at the same time. Then turn the ignition while holding the buttons down. Walla! ANT mode. This drives the antenna motor a few seconds longer, therefore, unrolling the entire white cord from the antenna motor assembly. If the car has CD, press and hold CD button instead of Tape.

 

[Speedo]

If the car has CD, press and hold CD button (and AM) instead of Tape.

Thanks.
That was the missing piece (of info)!

 

[Speedo]

Post Script:about The Ant Function

The ANT function worked great, and pushed the wire ALMOST out the end, but it didn't let go. For anyone else trying this type of replacement, I still had to twist the wire for it to let go. Left a black grease mark where it hit me in the head!

Similarly I inserted the new wire down into the trunk with the teeth twisted sideways to allow it to enter for a few inches, then twisted again until I could feel the wire's teeth engage. Then powered off the radio and the wire and new antennae were pulled down into the trunk.

 

[Zuffen]

One trick with coded radios.

If you don't have the code remove the whole unit, wrap it in a plastic bag anf put it in the freezer overnight.

Once it's frozen the chip that holds the code stops functioning.

Reinstal the radiao and it works.

I wouldn't rcommend you do it too often but it's supposed to work.

 

[Miles B]

I wouldn't recommend that at all. The story goes that the first unit ever shipped with a code would lose it if you froze it. Then the manufacturers heard it, and no more.

Plus some of the stuff in a modern car stereo would not like being frozen that quickly, if at all, to those temps.