Rock2534

Hey guys, got a question from a co-worker, he is looking to disconnect his power antenna, keeps getting stuck in down position due to cold. he said he didn't see a fuse for it up front. Does anyone know if there is a fuse for it on the wires leading back to the motor? or if there is any other way to do this? thanks.

Shawn S

The first thing I’d do is look at the fuse chart in the manual.
If there’s not a dedicated circuit, you should be able to lift up the carpet in the trunk and look for a wiring harness.
You might have to remove some interior trim as well.
I’m sure it just plugs into the motor back there.

Shawn S

The power antenna on my Legend coupe used to freeze up all the time.
Or if I drove in freezing rain the shaft would get a coating of ice on it and refuse to go down.
I had an aftermarket stereo in there so I installed a switch in the center console interrupt the voltage trigger for winter driving.
That’s a little more complicated though.

Rock2534

thanks for the tip shawn, i'd hit you off with some rep, but it says i must spread it around first.

nismo

why don't you pull out the stereo, find the power antenna wire, and cut it?!
You will not find a fuse for it, if you do, it will be for the whole stereo system and probably cigarette lighter adapter and clock and stuff, usually those things are all tied in together, and like the dome light.

not recommended to pull fuse out

einsatz

I had a 92 Camry with a power antenna when I was living in Rochester, NY. The antenna would get frozen once in a blue moon... have him buy a little tube of white lithium grease and apply when the antenna is up. Let it go down and clean out the excess. Have it go up and down a couple more times until no more grease accumulates when it goes down.
That made it go up/down smoother even in subfreezing temps. Re-application of the grease was a once-a-year thing for me.

Another way is that if you get access to the motor that powers the antenna movement (in the Camry it was behind some felt cover on the right side inside the trunk) you can unplug the power connection to the motor, but leave the antenna cable that goes to the HU connected.

nismo

You can also use that de-icer stuff you use when your keyhole gets frozen, you can buy that at any automotive parts store. Spray it on your antenna.