Power antenna stopped working? Look here on how to use the windshield antenna

[warhawk]

Ok guys, I posted this write up on the "other" forum a long time ago, but I decided to pass the info along to you guys in case anyone hasn't seen it yet.

basically the power antenna on my mr2 was not functioning when I bought my 93 mr2 and the radio reception was terrible! So I did a little research and found out if you have 2 very thin lines running up and down your windshield, that is actually an alternate radio antenna. Once hooked up, the reception is perfect and works flawlessly. This is mostly for people that have an aftermarket radio, and you will just need a simple GM adapter.

Check out the video I made covering how to hook up this antenna.

YouTube - How to use windshield antenna in an MR2

[campos]

i'm glad i found this thread.

i have a 1993 hardtop n/a with a roof antenna(just bought the car, i think its unconnected because it has horrible reception). will this mod work?

is it better to use the roof antenna or the windshield antenna or is it possible to use both for even better reception????

my windshield is crack and i'm in the process of looking for a replacement. i'm assuming i'll have to buy oem because an aftermarket windshield will not have the antenna leads?

[warhawk]

Originally Posted by campos

i'm glad i found this thread.

i have a 1993 hardtop n/a with a roof antenna(just bought the car, i think its unconnected because it has horrible reception). will this mod work?

is it better to use the roof antenna or the windshield antenna or is it possible to use both for even better reception????

my windshield is crack and i'm in the process of looking for a replacement. i'm assuming i'll have to buy oem because an aftermarket windshield will not have the antenna leads?

You have a roof antenna? I think you are referring to the rear antenna that comes out of the spoiler. All MKII's came standard with a rear antenna that comes out of the spoiler, it has an electric motor which makes it go up and down when you turn the radio on and off.

The MKII's that came with the premium sound system have both the rear spoiler antenna AND a windshield antenna. The stock system actually does use both antennas for max reception and they just plug right into the stock stereo, no adapters necessary.

In my position, the previous owner that installed the aftermarket radio hooked up the rear spoiler antenna, because it plugs right in without any adapters or anything. Problem is the electric motor on my antenna doesn't work so I got horrible reception. So I bought the adapter to use only the antenna windshield and it fixed my problem. Most aftermarket radios only have one plug for the antenna, so you'd have to pick which antenna you want to use.

I'm not sure if there are any aftermarket windshields that come with the antenna built in, so you may have to get an oem one.

[muffinman]

I think this video has helped more people than you are aware of.

[campos]

Originally Posted by warhawk

You have a roof antenna? I think you are referring to the rear antenna that comes out of the spoiler. All MKII's came standard with a rear antenna that comes out of the spoiler, it has an electric motor which makes it go up and down when you turn the radio on and off.

The MKII's that came with the premium sound system have both the rear spoiler antenna AND a windshield antenna. The stock system actually does use both antennas for max reception and they just plug right into the stock stereo, no adapters necessary.

In my position, the previous owner that installed the aftermarket radio hooked up the rear spoiler antenna, because it plugs right in without any adapters or anything. Problem is the electric motor on my antenna doesn't work so I got horrible reception. So I bought the adapter to use only the antenna windshield and it fixed my problem. Most aftermarket radios only have one plug for the antenna, so you'd have to pick which antenna you want to use.

I'm not sure if there are any aftermarket windshields that come with the antenna built in, so you may have to get an oem one.

i'm lost ...

i will take a picture later today of where the antenna should be, and the placement of the antenna on the roof.

i just acquired the car.

thanks for replying.

[campos]

Originally Posted by campos

i'm lost ...

i will take a picture later today of where the antenna should be, and the placement of the antenna on the roof.

i just acquired the car.

thanks for replying.

here are pics of my 93 hardtop n/a-






if you look on the hardtop, there's an antenna there.

op, can i upgrade my mr2 to a windshield like yours and use the integrated antenna leads?

also, how about the antenna on the hardtop? that thing is ugly and the antenna doesn't extend farther than what is seen in the pic. is there an aftermarket replacement i can use?

my car has an aftermarket radio and it has horrible reception.

any suggestions are welcomed.

[mr29180]

Ohhh nice!!!

[muffinman]

Originally Posted by campos

here are pics of my 93 hardtop n/a-

http://i35.tinypic.com/a2zm2c.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/29mwzkx.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/34fe2oj.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/3326wd0.jpg

if you look on the hardtop, there's an antenna there.

op, can i upgrade my mr2 to a windshield like yours and use the integrated antenna leads?

also, how about the antenna on the hardtop? that thing is ugly and the antenna doesn't extend farther than what is seen in the pic. is there an aftermarket replacement i can use?

my car has an aftermarket radio and it has horrible reception.

any suggestions are welcomed.

The MK1's use the same type of antenna. That antenna should pull out about 2ft or so. When it's in like that the reception is usually pretty bad.

[campos]

Originally Posted by muffinman

The MK1's use the same type of antenna. That antenna should pull out about 2ft or so. When it's in like that the reception is usually pretty bad.

thanks for the reply.

that antenna won't extend(stuck). is there an aftermarket replacement that you recommend?

since my windshield is cracked and i need to replace it. can i use the windshield with integrated leads? i made a call and its $100 installed w/o leads, $145 installed w/leads. the windshield company had no clue if i could upgrade to the windshield with leads.

[muffinman]

I don't know about the windshield but Aaron can probably get an oem replacement. I did my MK1 years ago and it wasnt exactly fun but it also wasn't the hardest thing you will ever do. I don't know about any aftermarket replacements. I guess you could find someone parting an MK2 and go with the rear mounted power antenna.

[campos]

Originally Posted by muffinman

I don't know about the windshield but Aaron can probably get an oem replacement. I did my MK1 years ago and it wasnt exactly fun but it also wasn't the hardest thing you will ever do. I don't know about any aftermarket replacements. I guess you could find someone parting an MK2 and go with the rear mounted power antenna.

there's an oem windshield that i'm in negotiations with. it has the leads integrated.

my goal is to upgrade my car to a premium sound windshield, and get an adapter to use both the roof antenna(replace it with a better unit) and the windshield lead antenna.

it may be overkill but the reception in my car is horrible since i can't extend the roof antenna farther than what is seen in the pic.

i'm hoping that my non-premium sound mr2 will take the premium sound windshield.

[warhawk]

what the??! Campos that is really strange, I don't think I've ever seen that before. I am really not sure if you car has the plug or not considering your car didn't come stock with the windshield antenna. If I were you I would remove the wiper cowl (carefully these things break easy) and see if there is a connector under there to be used for the windshield antenna.

[muffinman]

Originally Posted by warhawk

I am really not sure if you car has the plug or not considering your car didn't come stock with the windshield antenna. .

Originally Posted by campos

there's an oem windshield that i'm in negotiations with. it has the leads integrated.

I think he's just getting a new windshield with built in antenna.

[warhawk]

Originally Posted by muffinman

I think he's just getting a new windshield with built in antenna.

He also said that his original windshield doesn't have the antenna strips. So I'm really not sure if any wiring will need to be done or if it will be plug and play. I think there is a harness plug under the wiper cowl that the windshield plugs into, maybe I will pop mine off tomorrow and take a look.

[campos]

Originally Posted by warhawk

what the??! Campos that is really strange, I don't think I've ever seen that before. I am really not sure if you car has the plug or not considering your car didn't come stock with the windshield antenna. If I were you I would remove the wiper cowl (carefully these things break easy) and see if there is a connector under there to be used for the windshield antenna.

thanks for chiming in. i am completely ignorant and clueless when it comes to mr2's.

the owner said this hardtop was rare...

i will remove the wiper cowl over the weekend and take pics. first i'll check online or buy a manual. this way i'll avoid the fragility per your post.

Originally Posted by muffinman

I think he's just getting a new windshield with built in antenna.

yes, i was hoping to upgrade to a premium sound windshield. i'll do per warhawks post and remove the wiper cowl this weekend.

Originally Posted by warhawk

He also said that his original windshield doesn't have the antenna strips. So I'm really not sure if any wiring will need to be done or if it will be plug and play. I think there is a harness plug under the wiper cowl that the windshield plugs into, maybe I will pop mine off tomorrow and take a look.

good point, i hope it has the harness, if it doesnt, i'll buy a premium sound windshield and check the "FS" section and acquire a harness.

my goal is the use both the roof antenna and windshield leads for super reception.

guys, is there a rooftop antenna you recommend? in my sound system, cd's play so well but because of the bad radio reception, when i have a station on, i can only push the system so far because of the distortion.

warhawk, i apologize if i'm threadjacking. if its cool with you, i'll like to post my findings (does my non-premium car have a harness for antenna leads) and hopefully others who want to upgrade as i do. can use this thread as a how to, in getting it done.

[campos]

i'm in seach of the antenna harness that goes between the premium sound windshield and the head unit.

i've pm'd sellers from the "FS" section here as well.

from doing internet searches this is what i have found -

http://www.myinstallkit.com/TOYOTA/1993%20%2893%29%20TOYOTA%20MR2%20Radio%20-%20Stereo%20Installation%20Kit.htm
his will be required for the installation of aftermarket radio / stereo in a vehicle with a premium sound system
The OEM-2 is the one-piece solution for replacing the radio or adding an amplifier to any factory system. This system is a 4 channel signal level converter with an internal remote trigger and a common ground speaker conversion circuitry, the OEM-2 is truly a multi-problem solution.

* Adjusts up to 4 channels of signal input from 2 to 60 watts.
* The OEM-2 transformer isolates the input and output circuits, blocking DC noise and preventing snap, crackles and pops typical in other products.
* Sealed potentiometers prevent circuit-induced distortion and signal drift.
* Allows for conversion of floating ground head units to match common ground speakers systems.
* Provides an internal trigger to turn on a 2 amp/12 volt power line with a 1 second delay for an amplifier or power antenna.
* Deliver linear frequency response /-0.5 dB from 20 to 20,000 Hz, for unparalleled sound quality.


and this -

http://www.autotoys.com/x/product.php?productid=1334
For 1992-1999 toyotas with 15/16 pin into premium radio. This harness will also fit most Lexus vehicles like the 92-93 SC400, etc -- but since there were multiple types of radios in all these cars, please confirm *A MATCHING* plug before ordering. Remember, this plug MATES into the plug in your car already (so it is reverse of what you see). Please confirm pins, plug design etc BEFORE ordering.

Our harness has 4 color EIA color coded RCA ends (white/gray/purple and green) with male gold plated tips. Just plug it into your aftermarket radio 4 channel RCA preout. Makes thing easy to interface! High quality!


** If you do not buy this harness, you will need to bypass your factory amplifiers to install your new aftermarket head unit or hardwire it. If you want to keep your factory amps, we recommend you buy this harness.
br> See our INSTALL LINK to see one of our installs in a CAMRY XLE **

do any of these provide windshield premium antenna lead to head unit hook-ups?

[campos]

updated info.

i spoke to a couple of people selling mkII parts requesting the harness.

they all responded that upgrading my car to a premium sound windshield isn't a problem.

i need -

windshield with antenna leads
"F" gm antenna adapter
aftermarket radio harness with accepting slot(they reported that all harnesses do this).

and i'm good to go.

i'm going to remove the cowl today after i wash and dry(completely) the car.

please guys, if you have any other suggestions, let me know.

[warhawk]

Originally Posted by campos

warhawk, i apologize if i'm threadjacking. if its cool with you, i'll like to post my findings (does my non-premium car have a harness for antenna leads) and hopefully others who want to upgrade as i do. can use this thread as a how to, in getting it done.

nope, carry on, you're bringing more useful information that I'm sure someone needs.

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by campos

i'm glad i found this thread.

i have a 1993 hardtop n/a with a roof antenna(just bought the car, i think its unconnected because it has horrible reception). will this mod work?

is it better to use the roof antenna or the windshield antenna or is it possible to use both for even better reception????

my windshield is crack and i'm in the process of looking for a replacement. i'm assuming i'll have to buy oem because an aftermarket windshield will not have the antenna leads?

Originally Posted by campos

i'm lost ...

i will take a picture later today of where the antenna should be, and the placement of the antenna on the roof.

i just acquired the car.

thanks for replying.

Originally Posted by campos

here are pics of my 93 hardtop n/a-

http://i35.tinypic.com/a2zm2c.jpg
http://i34.tinypic.com/29mwzkx.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/34fe2oj.jpg
http://i36.tinypic.com/3326wd0.jpg

if you look on the hardtop, there's an antenna there.

op, can i upgrade my mr2 to a windshield like yours and use the integrated antenna leads?

also, how about the antenna on the hardtop? that thing is ugly and the antenna doesn't extend farther than what is seen in the pic. is there an aftermarket replacement i can use?

my car has an aftermarket radio and it has horrible reception.

any suggestions are welcomed.

Originally Posted by campos

there's an oem windshield that i'm in negotiations with. it has the leads integrated.

my goal is to upgrade my car to a premium sound windshield, and get an adapter to use both the roof antenna(replace it with a better unit) and the windshield lead antenna.

it may be overkill but the reception in my car is horrible since i can't extend the roof antenna farther than what is seen in the pic.

i'm hoping that my non-premium sound mr2 will take the premium sound windshield.

Originally Posted by warhawk

what the??! Campos that is really strange, I don't think I've ever seen that before. I am really not sure if you car has the plug or not considering your car didn't come stock with the windshield antenna. If I were you I would remove the wiper cowl (carefully these things break easy) and see if there is a connector under there to be used for the windshield antenna.

Originally Posted by warhawk

He also said that his original windshield doesn't have the antenna strips. So I'm really not sure if any wiring will need to be done or if it will be plug and play. I think there is a harness plug under the wiper cowl that the windshield plugs into, maybe I will pop mine off tomorrow and take a look.

The roof antenna is 100% OEM. Every NA hardtops I've even seen came with a roof antenna like that. The were stripped down bare. Both power antennas and winshield antennas cost more, so those options were saved for non-hardtops and nicer equipped trim lines.

As for a windshield antenna, you don't need a used OEM windshield. You can have a windshield guy install an aftermarket windshield with a built in antenna. Pilkington and PPG are the two brands I'd stick with.

You'll need to do a little custom work from there. All windshield's with an antenna have a lead that comes off them, which looks like this



The firewall of a car that has a windshield antenna from the factory has a plug with this fits into. It's below the wiper cowl on the firewall.



On car's which have it, the car side of this metal plug connects to an antenna cable. The car side antenna cable uses a small GM plug, so it needs a GM to Motorola antenna adapter to plug into an aftermarket radio.

You're car won't have this plug on the firwall, so it won;t have the cable to plug into the radio. You'll have to do something custom. You have several options.

First, you can buy antenna cable, cut off the connector, and crimp into onto the windshield antenna. Then you can drill a hole in the firewall, put a rubber grommet in it and fish the cable through it, and plug the cable into the radio.

It would be between to crimp a male end on one side of the cable under the cowl, and a female connector to the other cable. This way it's removable if you ever need to replace the windshield.

You could also try to find a fitting like the one which would be on the firewall on an a car that came with one from the factory. A stereo shop or the windshield place might have ideas. You would crimp an antenna cable to the car inside side of the fitting, and then hook the antenna up to the radio like normal with a male Motorola antenna fitting.

There are many ways to do this install, but the main premise is the same. You hook one end of an antenna cable up to the plug/wire coming off the windshield, run it through the firewall at a suitable location and hook the make end of the cable to the radio.

Now, you can use BOTH antenna's if you want. You'll need an antenna Y adapter. the 2 plugs at the top of the Y need to be female, and the plug at the base needs to be male. You'll plug the male antenna connection on the wire from the roof antenna into one of the top female plugs, and the male connector from your newly installed windshield antenna into the other plug. The plug the male connector left over into the radio. There you go, both antennas are hooked up, and you'll pull reception from both.

A Y Adapter looks like this

[campos]

Originally Posted by eckoman_pdx

The roof antenna is 100% OEM. Every NA hardtops I've even seen came with a roof antenna like that. The were stripped down bare. Both power antennas and winshield antennas cost more, so those options were saved for non-hardtops and nicer equipped trim lines.

As for a windshield antenna, you don't need a used OEM windshield. You can have a windshield guy install an aftermarket windshield with a built in antenna. Pilkington and PPG are the two brands I'd stick with.

You'll need to do a little custom work from there. All windshield's with an antenna have a lead that comes off them, which looks like this

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46...2/photo-12.jpg

The firewall of a car that has a windshield antenna from the factory has a plug with this fits into. It's below the wiper cowl on the firewall.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a46...2/photo-13.jpg

On car's which have it, the car side of this metal plug connects to an antenna cable. The car side antenna cable uses a small GM plug, so it needs a GM to Motorola antenna adapter to plug into an aftermarket radio.

You're car won't have this plug on the firwall, so it won;t have the cable to plug into the radio. You'll have to do something custom. You have several options.

First, you can buy antenna cable, cut off the connector, and crimp into onto the windshield antenna. Then you can drill a hole in the firewall, put a rubber grommet in it and fish the cable through it, and plug the cable into the radio.

It would be between to crimp a male end on one side of the cable under the cowl, and a female connector to the other cable. This way it's removable if you ever need to replace the windshield.

You could also try to find a fitting like the one which would be on the firewall on an a car that came with one from the factory. A stereo shop or the windshield place might have ideas. You would crimp an antenna cable to the car inside side of the fitting, and then hook the antenna up to the radio like normal with a male Motorola antenna fitting.

There are many ways to do this install, but the main premise is the same. You hook one end of an antenna cable up to the plug/wire coming off the windshield, run it through the firewall at a suitable location and hook the make end of the cable to the radio.

Now, you can use BOTH antenna's if you want. You'll need an antenna Y adapter. the 2 plugs at the top of the Y need to be female, and the plug at the base needs to be male. You'll plug the male antenna connection on the wire from the roof antenna into one of the top female plugs, and the male connector from your newly installed windshield antenna into the other plug. The plug the male connector left over into the radio. There you go, both antennas are hooked up, and you'll pull reception from both.

A Y Adapter looks like this

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

i removed the cowl and you are correct, there is not A plug on the firewall.

before i do this premium sound windshield upgrade. i will make a hole and place a rubber grommet.

as for purchasing the antenna cable, what ohm am i looking for? i see 75 ohm and 300 ohm?

will an auto parts store carry this? without measuring i think i'll need no more than a 1' piece?

thank you so much for this info. my windshield is cracked and needs to be replaced.

as for the roof antenna, i don't want to go oem or use a manual retractable unit. is there an aftermarket unit that you recommend?


***EDIT***
my buddy is going to help me with this upgrade. at his house we will remove the cracked windshield, drill a space for the grommet to pass the crimped antenna cable through.

then the windshield installer will do the rest.

currently searching for the "Y" adapter and antenna cable(once i find out the correct ohm 75 or 300).