Introduction:
This is an autotoys.com installation. One of several hundred by the staff of autotoys.com
This article is a sample of knowledge gained by working on real cars for over 18 years.
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SEE ALL THE POWER ANTENNAS & ACCESSORIES WE CARRY HERE, SHOP NOW

How to install a power antenna or replace a factory power antenna with a UNIVERSAL TYPE model available in our storefront. The power antennas available are silver or in black trim.

After this Lexus LS400 power antenna stopped working, we changed it to a UNIVERSAL POWER ANTENNA instead of paying the dealer a few hundred dollars.

How complicated is the power antenna install? Only 3 wires are required to operation of the unit.

BLACK : GROUND ( any chassis bolt or ground )

RED: CONSTANT POWER 12 VOLTS (usually available at the factory power antenna if you are replacing one.

BLUE: Power antenna output from the radio. This wire will tell the antenna when to rise and when to retract. When it sees 12v power, it will extend, when power is lost, it will retract. If you do not have a POWER ANTENNA output from your head unit, you can use a separate switch or hook it up to an igniton source so it will rise when the car is on (however, we recommend a separate switch if possible so you can retract it for automatic car washes)

Tapped wires for the power antenna. One was a constant power source from the old power antenna. We used a meter to find which wire showed constant 12vdc with the car off. In this installation, since we was replacing an antenna, no wires needed to be routed to the front the vehicle. The entire installation took place in the driver side trunk area.

While we was back there, we took a picture of the PIONEER amplifier located on the driver side rear passenger seat area.

The factory unit removed

Look what was attached to the power antenna output on this LS 400? A mini BNC connector for the cellular phone (CAN YOU SAY MOTOROLA?) which can be traced back to the center console. VERY AWESOME! (autotoys.com)

This wires go to the power antenna (factory) - This car uses a special antenna relay system. MORE OF THAT LATER IN THIS ARTICLE

A special tool (Our shop has the entire set purchased from SNAP ON trucks for $100.00 or so) is used to remove the antenna head. However, if you are REPLACING the antenna, it IS possible to remove the old head using a pair of lock pliers. However, having this special antenna socket makes things a lot easier (!)

We also love our SNAP ON open end wrenches!

The bottom arrow shows where the original drain is. The power antenna and the rear power sunroof both drain in this location to under the vehicle.

Cellular phone transciever module mounted in the vehicle. What the heck, we was taking pictures already.

We decided to reuse the old drain plug in this car with the aftermarket power antenna, but it was not long enough to rreach the drain area, so we used the drain hose that came with the UNIVERSAL POWER ANTENNA, attached the two together (it fit nicely, snug) and for good measures sealed it with 3M electrical tape.

Removing the drain hose from the factory unit

OK, We had everything hooked up and then we started to test for wires, we need a constant power source and an power antenna source that will turn on with the radio. Well, we found a power source. That wasn´t a problem. But we could not find a 12 volt DC source that would come on with the radio and stay on, we did find a source that would show 12volts for about 5 seconds (enough to raise the antenna) then shut off. This is a special type of system.

NOTE: The type of antenna in this LEXUS LS400 is NOT NORMAL, this should not be the case for ANY vehicle other than this vehicle, since this is a FLAGSHIP vehicle for a top LUXURY maker. Other vehicles will have more conventional outputs which can be EASILY interfaced within minutes.

We could have did a few things. We could have put a switch on the antenna so it can be semi automatic and raise up and down by the driver. We could have also taken the radio apart and located a power antenna lead to run BACK into the trunk of the vehicle. (NO WAY, NOT FOR PROFESSIONAL INSTALLERS AT AUTOTOYS.COM) - We tackled the problem WITHOUT any service manuals or references.

We figured there was 2 wires giving about 100ma of 12VDC output. This was NOT enough to drive a 30 amp SPDT relay, it was not enough to trip the internal relay on the power antenna.

SO NOW WHAT? and why are their 2 wires?

Well, in stock we had a unit called the LVT (LOW VOLTAGE TRIGGER: You can find this unit in our OEM DEPARTMENT located in our storefront if you are interested. This LVT is normally used to turn on AMPLIFIERS and other accessories from LOW VOLTAGE outputs, such as FORD RADIOS and other special conditions and it gives a 12VDC STRONG 500MA output, enough to drive a relay from a low voltage source). Lucky AUTOTOYS.COM has extensive stock! We pulled a unit from our inventory, plugged it into the low voltage output which turned on with the radio and our plugged the 12VDC LVT output into our UNIVERSAL POWER ANTENNA.

IT WORKS! The antenna goes up... We switched it from AM to FM and the antenna goes down. WHY? -- Well, we kinda figured out why there are two outputs (both low voltage), the LEXUS LS400 original power antenna raises and lowers the power antenna about 1/4 of a inch EXTRA when in AM mode and retracts it just a bit in FM mode. We plugged it into the FM output from the factory radio and the universal power antenna now rises in AM and FM mode and retracts when the radio is OFF, car is turned off or the tape is turned on. GREAT! Lets put this baby back together and get some dinner. Another successful AUTOTOYS.COM installation.

YOU CAN BUY THE ADAPTER HERE FOR LOW VOLTAGE

A picture of the LVT (low voltage converter) we used, it is available in the OEM DEPARTMENT in our STOREFRONT. There is a neat little LED light on the end of the unit which lights up when it is receiving low voltage and outputing 500ma of 12VDC

Next to the Power antenna is the receiver for the factory keyless entry system.

The 2 10mm bolts that hold the factory antenna in place

A behind the back look at where the 10mm bolts are. This represents the tool cabinet in the back of the LS400, the bolts have to be removed to get the tool chest out of the way to access the power antenna.

POWER ANTENNA PICTURE BEFORE.

The staff of AUTOTOYS.COM has performed `a lot´ of power antenna conversions. We have adapted power antennas into vehicles that surely would not even take a conventional antenna. We have converted SUVS, trucks, vans, vehicles and everything in between. We just DO NOT like the look of a rod antenna sticking up, especially if you own an aftermarket head unit. There is NO NEED to have an antenna in full mast when you are listening to a tape or cd. It creates wind drag, and simply destroys the look of your vehicle. EMAIL US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS!

Our power antennas are located in our storefront. Available in Chrome and Black Mast. The LVT is located in our OEM department and is now been replaced by the TR7 (SEARCH UNDER TR7). AUTOTOYS.COM stocks all specialty parts and accessories at the lowest prices.

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Information is provided AS-IS for private use - use at your own risk. We do not suggest this information to be accurate. Do not use it as a reference or guide.This information may be completely inaccurate, so use your own discretion and see a professional installer if you need help.

SUPPORT IMPORTANT?
Information and photos in this article is not public submitted material, it is knowledge gained by real world experience. Make sure your next purchase is from AUTOTOYS.COM. A company founded by “Real installers!” (not sales people)

Missing Photos and information.
Questions on this install? Make sure your purchase is from autotoys.com, see our storefront. A few words on what you see in this article. This is a guide, use the information at your own risk.

Missing photos: Some steps may have been intentionally left out. These missing photos and steps will be available to our customers only. This article may also contain crucial and very important updated information which is available to our customers only. If you are a customer of ours and this article applies to you, post a message in the forums here, we will walk and help you through your entire installation! If you are NOT a customer of ours, click on the SHOP now button and do it right the first time. Forum access is not a requirement for filling orders, we reserve the right to grant, deny or remove access without notice or explanation.

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