MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Audio / Security / Electrical => Topic started by: swampy_donkey on September 28, 2013, 20:10

Title: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: swampy_donkey on September 28, 2013, 20:10
Hi guys,

This problem will just not go away.  My aerial  will not go up an down. I have fitted an amplified windscreen aerial internally behind the glove box, gives half decent results for fm reception but still patchy.

I am loathed to fix the powered aerial because it looks like a  toy car with it raised. I will, however this as a last resort.

Before I do, what alternatives are there? I bought a bee sting aerial, but I'm advise it will be a pain in the bum to fit.

What solutions are there? What have you guys done?

Any ideas/suggestions/solutionsuch appreciated.

Cheers

Rob
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: Davred on September 28, 2013, 20:56
I've stuck with the oem aerial by removing the toothed drive, then unplugged the lead into the relay behind the drivers bin to disconnect the motor.
This allows me to pull up the aerial manually, but not all the way, so it don't look daft!
Result is a good signal and a reasonable look with a shorter aerial.  s:D :D s:D
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: trevsmr2 on September 28, 2013, 21:56
Toyota sell a fixed mast aerial to replace the electric one ,or fit a S2000 aerial instead

 m http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-S2000-A ... 3f299ef104 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-S2000-AERIAL-HONDA-S2000-BEE-STING-AERIAL-Ooooooooo-/271281221892?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f299ef104) m
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: tomaky on September 28, 2013, 22:33
Well i use mine manually and i actually prefer it i dont need to put it fully up to get signal a foot of aerial is usually enough for me.
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: swampy_donkey on September 29, 2013, 14:37
Thanks for the help guys, any more details on the Toyota fixed mask? The s2000 one looks food though.

My present solution is using the bbc iplayer app through the stereo.
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: trevsmr2 on September 29, 2013, 14:46
Quote from: "swampy_donkey"Thanks for the help guys, any more details on the Toyota fixed mask? The s2000 one looks food though.

My present solution is using the bbc iplayer app through the stereo.


let us know if you manage to get one

 m http://partsfactory.camelbacktoyota.com ... 6309-17100 (http://partsfactory.camelbacktoyota.com/oem-part/toyota/mr2-spyder/2003/base/1-8l-l4-gas/electrical/antenna-and-radio/antenna/86309-17100) m


(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n281/blz-8027/ill2_zpsf95e4e84.png)

part numbers for both

86300   ANTENNA ASSY, W/HOLDER
86309-17090   MOTOR ANTENNA   
86309-17100
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: frogger on September 29, 2013, 21:03
I think you were on the right track with the powered internal aerial, just put it in the wrong place!

I have positioned one behind the rear view mirror (so stuck on the windscreen), and the reception is fantastic, even in areas which were patchy with the normal comical aerial!
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: swampy_donkey on September 29, 2013, 22:01
Do you happen to have any pictures of that Frogger?
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: swampy_donkey on September 30, 2013, 07:05
Quote from: "trevsmr2"
Quote from: "swampy_donkey"Thanks for the help guys, any more details on the Toyota fixed mask? The s2000 one looks food though.

My present solution is using the bbc iplayer app through the stereo.


let us know if you manage to get one

 m http://partsfactory.camelbacktoyota.com ... 6309-17100 (http://partsfactory.camelbacktoyota.com/oem-part/toyota/mr2-spyder/2003/base/1-8l-l4-gas/electrical/antenna-and-radio/antenna/86309-17100) m


(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n281/blz-8027/ill2_zpsf95e4e84.png)

part numbers for both

86300   ANTENNA ASSY, W/HOLDER
86309-17090   MOTOR ANTENNA   
86309-17100

Do these part numbers look right?

86309‑17100

86309‑35100

86392‑17110

Thanks Trev! Am i guessing correctly the part(s) I need is/are 1, 2 and 3 on the diagram? I'm after the not motorised aerial. Cheers
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: trevsmr2 on September 30, 2013, 16:06
Yes the top picture is the motorised one ,bottom is manual
as in the link i posted
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: frogger on September 30, 2013, 18:11
Quote from: "swampy_donkey"Do you happen to have any pictures of that Frogger?

Normal view (what you see when driving):
Was tempted to blank off the LED, but didn't find it to be an issue in the end.

(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af116/frogger_album/IMG01104-20120311-1802_zpsb0be6b85.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/frogger_album/media/IMG01104-20120311-1802_zpsb0be6b85.jpg.html)


View from underneath angle (bars not visible from normal driving position):

(http://i999.photobucket.com/albums/af116/frogger_album/IMG01103-20120311-1802_zpsacea73df.jpg) (http://s999.photobucket.com/user/frogger_album/media/IMG01103-20120311-1802_zpsacea73df.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: swampy_donkey on October 12, 2013, 08:53
Quote from: "frogger"
Quote from: "swampy_donkey"Do you happen to have any pictures of that Frogger?

Normal view (what you see when driving):
Was tempted to blank off the LED, but didn't find it to be an issue in the end.

Does this give you a decent signal/reception then?

Has anyone tried this http://www.amazon.co.uk/TOYOTA-RUBBER-VANDAL-MOUNT-AERIAL/dp/B008D0JAJQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3FNXYRMBZTKLT&coliid=I1Q1L7ULC5IC20? What do you guys think? Looks like it could be angled to suit the MR2.
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: trevsmr2 on October 13, 2013, 10:03
Quote from: "swampy_donkey"
Quote from: "frogger"
Quote from: "swampy_donkey"Do you happen to have any pictures of that Frogger?

Normal view (what you see when driving):
Was tempted to blank off the LED, but didn't find it to be an issue in the end.

Does this give you a decent signal/reception then?

Has anyone tried this http://www.amazon.co.uk/TOYOTA-RUBBER-VANDAL-MOUNT-AERIAL/dp/B008D0JAJQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3FNXYRMBZTKLT&coliid=I1Q1L7ULC5IC20? What do you guys think? Looks like it could be angled to suit the MR2.

The problem with any aerial like those ,is that the hole in the wing is too large ,so you would need to use large washers, and you cannot get a good earth for the signal ,also due to the shape of the wing, a flat washer underneath just dents the wing when you tighten it

best bet is to remove the mast from the damaged aerial and replace it with the mast from a roof type aerial
or get the manual aerial that Toyota sells ,or fit a Honda S2000 aerial

 l viewtopic.php?f=31&t=41659&p=490780&hilit=alternative+aerial#p490780 (http://www.mr2roc.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=41659&p=490780&hilit=alternative+aerial#p490780) l
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: frogger on October 13, 2013, 10:15
Quote from: "swampy_donkey"Does this give you a decent signal/reception then?


As per above - reception is fantastic, even in areas which were patchy with the normal comical aerial!  It is at least equivalent in reception to the standard aerial, and in some areas better.
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: penn on November 17, 2013, 21:28
Quote from: "frogger"
Quote from: "swampy_donkey"Does this give you a decent signal/reception then?


As per above - reception is fantastic, even in areas which were patchy with the normal comical aerial!  It is at least equivalent in reception to the standard aerial, and in some areas better.

Any info on what part this is and how to fit it? What have you done with your old aerial hole?
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: swampy_donkey on November 18, 2013, 07:19
 m http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpoint-201000 ... een+aerial (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpoint-2010007-Electronic-windscreen-antenna/dp/B001AIPF06/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384759021&sr=8-1&keywords=windscreen+aerial) m

I think they also have them at Halfords.

It requires one lead to an earth and one to a live source. The remaining lead is plugged into the stereo.

I left the original aerial in situ.

Hope this helps, Rob
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: swampy_donkey on January 4, 2014, 16:41
Quote from: "trevsmr2"
Quote from: "swampy_donkey"Thanks for the help guys, any more details on the Toyota fixed mask? The s2000 one looks food though.

My present solution is using the bbc iplayer app through the stereo.


let us know if you manage to get one

 m http://partsfactory.camelbacktoyota.com ... 6309-17100 (http://partsfactory.camelbacktoyota.com/oem-part/toyota/mr2-spyder/2003/base/1-8l-l4-gas/electrical/antenna-and-radio/antenna/86309-17100) m


(http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n281/blz-8027/ill2_zpsf95e4e84.png)

part numbers for both

86300   ANTENNA ASSY, W/HOLDER
86309-17090   MOTOR ANTENNA   
86309-17100

I managed to of this today! It took about 2 or 3 hours at a leisurely pace, no real problems apart from removing the old 'ornament' (the rubber bit on the outside). I'll post some pictures soon. If anyone else needs any advice then give me a shout.

Thanks

Rob
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: swampy_donkey on January 5, 2014, 19:38
(http://s9.postimg.org/q817zognv/IMG_0026.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/q817zognv/)

What do you guys think? This is a solid aluminium aerial, I'm ideally after a similar length flexible rubber one, any suggestions?
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: trevsmr2 on January 5, 2014, 19:59
Quote from: "swampy_donkey"(http://s9.postimg.org/q817zognv/IMG_0026.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/q817zognv/)

What do you guys think? This is a solid aluminium aerial, I'm ideally after a similar length flexible rubber one, any suggestions?

what are the fittings ?

 m http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-AUDI-SEAT- ... 4179bf258a (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-AUDI-SEAT-SKODA-170mm-short-stubby-rubber-aerial-mast-/281215444362?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4179bf258a) m

not sure if these are rubber ? look it

 m http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-CITRO ... 5444362%26 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-CITROEN-PEUGEOT-SHORT-ROOF-AERIAL-BEE-STING-VW-AUDI-SEAT-SKODA/181195219792?_trksid=p2045573.m2102&_trkparms=aid%3D555012%26algo%3DPW.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33%26meid%3D3909040374423985922%26pid%3D100034%26prg%3D1031%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D281215444362%26) m

 m http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Short-Stubby- ... 4abf4e3d27 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Short-Stubby-Aerial-Fits-VW-Audi-Honda-Seat-Skoda-etc-/321037155623?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4abf4e3d27) m
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: swampy_donkey on January 5, 2014, 20:03
They look like exactly the kinda thing I'm looking for. It's supposed to be 5mm I think. Thanks Trev.

On second thoughts, I could just go to a scrappers at the weekend! Doh' should have thought of that yesterday.
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: swampy_donkey on January 6, 2014, 17:30
If anyone is interested the two part numbers you need are

86309-17100 and 86392-17110

They are for the internal replacement and the rubber 'ornament'.
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: Anonymous on August 28, 2014, 15:52
Quote from: "swampy_donkey"If anyone is interested the two part numbers you need are

86309-17100 and 86392-17110

They are for the internal replacement and the rubber 'ornament'.

id like to do this on my car - did you go to CTP?
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: bluesmoke on August 28, 2014, 20:36
Well pleased to find this! I'll have to get this myself once the other jobs are done.
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: Anonymous on August 28, 2014, 21:45
Think I'll buy a base and find an aerial mast form eBay - factory one from CTP is £35! Toyota price lottery strikes again!
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: trevsmr2 on August 29, 2014, 04:56
bmw z 3 might fit

 m http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z3-E36-Ae ... 4adb313c78 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-Z3-E36-Aerial-with-base-unit-Breaking-Car-/321505016952?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Car+Make%3ABMW%7CModel%3AZ3&hash=item4adb313c78) m
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: swampy_donkey on September 2, 2014, 07:43
Quote from: "Meeerrrk"
Quote from: "swampy_donkey"If anyone is interested the two part numbers you need are

86309-17100 and 86392-17110

They are for the internal replacement and the rubber 'ornament'.

id like to do this on my car - did you go to CTP?

No, just local dealer. The base would be tricky to build, and aerial mast will fit as long as it has a decent length thread and is the right diameter.
Title: Re: Aerial woes!
Post by: insx on September 2, 2015, 16:32
Quote from: "swampy_donkey"http://www.amazon.co.uk/Carpoint-2010007-Electronic-windscreen-antenna/dp/B001AIPF06/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384759021&sr=8-1&keywords=windscreen+aerial

I think they also have them at Halfords.

It requires one lead to an earth and one to a live source. The remaining lead is plugged into the stereo.

I left the original aerial in situ.

Hope this helps, Rob

I'm not sure how much these are normally, but they are £1.51 with free delivery at the moment!
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: lamcote on September 2, 2015, 18:06
Frogger, did you use a signal amplifier? Also, is it easy to get the wires in place and does it plug into the radio aerial socket without a converter?

Thanks
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: insx on September 4, 2015, 14:26
It seems to me that the electronic aerial has a built in amplifier and needs a 12v feed which I'm hoping to find at the back of the stereo. I'll let you know about the plug when mine arrives, hopefully in a day or two.
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: Anonymous on September 4, 2015, 15:56
Quote from: "insx"It seems to me that the electronic aerial has a built in amplifier and needs a 12v feed which I'm hoping to find at the back of the stereo. I'll let you know about the plug when mine arrives, hopefully in a day or two.

most do, it will be a blue or blue/white switched 12v feed.
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: insx on September 6, 2015, 10:18
The Amazon link above gets you a very cheap looking aerial with a very short earth lead. However, I have I just plugged it straight in without power and I am getting a decent radio reception, and yes, the plug does go straight in without an adaptor.
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: lamcote on September 6, 2015, 16:38
Good, thanks
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: insx on September 7, 2015, 14:40
I gave the £1.51 aerial some power today and got a few more stations. I'm yet to route the wires and stick it on the screen so it should be even better when properly installed.
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: mickeyfish on September 7, 2015, 22:35
the nylon extend/retract chord had snapped in the motor. so I cut the telescopic aerial at a suitable point, then screwed a 8" black/aluminium bee sting into the hollow section, a drop of solder to be on the safe side. pushed the aerial back down into the wing with a spot of silicon to stop it being pulled out,,,,when the chord has snapped, the mast will pull out completely(easier to mess with)........looks great,,,works fine. took about 30 minutes , including several cups of coffee.
motor was going through the motions up/down whirring sound. so shut it down.(did that a few days before, when I checked out the motor).
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: lamcote on September 7, 2015, 23:31
I'd be really interested to know how and where you route the wires down to the head unit.
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: insx on September 10, 2015, 16:26
Quote from: "lamcote"I'd be really interested to know how and where you route the wires down to the head unit.

Conventional wisdom says that the wiring should go under the trim around the left hand side of the windscreen and the aerial should be stuck above the rear view mirror. I guess it should ideally be up high, although I'm tempted to fit it at the bottom of the screen, considering the reception I'm getting with it dumped in the footwell.
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: lamcote on September 10, 2015, 17:02
That's exactly where I was wondering about putting it, do you need to take the dashboard off to get the aerial plug down or are there some gaps I haven't spotted yet?

Cheers
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: insx on September 10, 2015, 18:38
Not that I've seen, I've committed myself to putting it up high now but I'm struggling to get the soft top bracket screws undone to release the trim.
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: insx on September 11, 2015, 11:17
I went around the driver's side as the aerial cable is so short I thought it might not make it around the left. The main problem is the impossible to undo screws for the soft top hooks. I managed to pull the trim off but it won't go back on unless I get those screws out.

The aerial seems OK. The stations I generally listen to are nice and clear but one local station seems a little fuzzy. I'll be keeping it.
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: lamcote on September 15, 2015, 11:24
I've found a lovely little gap between the top of the dashboard and the windscreen at the right hand end of the dashboard which should easily accommodate the wires if you mount the aerial on the dashboard rather than the windscreen.
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: insx on September 15, 2015, 13:18
I'd say it's worth a go without actually sticking it in place.
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: lamcote on September 15, 2015, 14:04
Where does the power cable connect to easily?
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: martin_b on September 15, 2015, 16:09
Quote from: "mickeyfish"the nylon extend/retract chord had snapped in the motor. so I cut the telescopic aerial at a suitable point, then screwed a 8" black/aluminium bee sting into the hollow section, a drop of solder to be on the safe side. pushed the aerial back down into the wing with a spot of silicon to stop it being pulled out,,,,when the chord has snapped, the mast will pull out completely(easier to mess with)........looks great,,,works fine. took about 30 minutes , including several cups of coffee.
motor was going through the motions up/down whirring sound. so shut it down.(did that a few days before, when I checked out the motor).

Now that sounds worth trying was it an Ebay Bee Sting?
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: insx on September 15, 2015, 20:37
Quote from: "lamcote"Where does the power cable connect to easily?

I used the red wire in the ISO loom at the back of my stereo (original Sony in a pre-facelift). I cut a small section of the shielding away with a scalpel and soldered to it.
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: lamcote on September 15, 2015, 22:51
OK thanks.
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: mr241 on December 6, 2015, 18:47
Well I just had to post this. My daughter called me to say her aerial on her mk3 mr2 had finally given up, the motor can be heard but no movement up or down. As I am buying her car in the next couple of weeks she insisted we go to Beadles toyota in Gillingham kent to see about replacing it.  Think they must have started celebrations early they quoted £452!!!!  Didn't get to ask if that Was including vat as i was laughing so much. My daughter did ask what part was expensive the part or the labour and We told it was about 50/50. Strange as eBay list full replacement for around £49 and reading up on how to install looks like an hour or two for a novice like me.  How can they justify such a crazy price!!!
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: mrzwei on December 6, 2015, 19:04
Don't forget that you will sit in a comfortable waiting area, get free tea/coffee, free newspapers, free TV, free wifi and they will valet the car and probably do a free safety check as well   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: 1979scotte on December 6, 2015, 19:35
Beadles are mickey takers.
They used to have a rover dealership in Eltham.
Tried to stitch my mum up something silly.
Thankfully she was wasn't so stupid as to listen to their sh!te.
Never had a problem with the sump from then until the day she sold it, many many years later.
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: Jock on December 6, 2015, 21:59
Confession time   s:bowdown: :bowdown: s:bowdown:  
I had a knackered aerial when I bought the car and after checking through the forum I bit the bullet and paid £185 + VAT for a MrT replacement. Glad I did   s:bounce: :bounce: s:bounce:  
The fleabay or halfrauds are not like - for - like.
The replacement simply has two plugs in under the rear baggage bins through a grommet and one nut behind the wheel arch liner to hold the unit.
Simples   s:bounce: :bounce: s:bounce:
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: Daryn Hasler on December 9, 2015, 18:21
Definitely worth getting a genuine Toyota aerial. The cheap ones need to be wired directly to the HU and I also found they make a lot of wind noise. Keeping an eye out on eBay for a good used Toyota one is probably your best bet.
Title: Re: Aerial woes - solved!
Post by: mr241 on December 22, 2015, 07:00
So a happy ending. Merry Christmas all. Well after toyota quoted £452 to replace the electric aerial on my then daughters roadster I read on here about faults and cures. I ordered the oe replacement mast from eBay for £27 and as a not usual tinketer had a go at replacing well it took me no more then five minutes to undo locking nut turn on radio out it came new aerial fed itself in and cleaned and replaced the locking nut. Worked perfectly.  So thanks for those who gave instruction on this task. Happy faces all around. And I am now the happy owner of this great little car.