[MR2] MR2 MkII Classic Antenna Motor Problems

[alkirab at earthlink.net]

01-03-09

After 16 years and 48,000 miles, my 1993 MkII N/A's electric antenna system just failed.
No complaints... just a little frustration with the repair process.  
I tried obtaining a Toyota OEM replacement antenna mast with the cable gear at two local S. Calif Toyota Dealers, but it turned out to be a special order with wait time in the neighborhood of 3 weeks.  
It turns out that there are two types of antenna masts for the 1992-1995 models...one type for the Turbo and NA MkII that is equipped with the factory rear wing; and another shorter antenna mast that just simply passes through the fender only and is used on the non- rear wing model.  

I've only seen the non-wing model twice in the past 16 years, so this was a surprise to me.  The BGB doesn't show antenna differences.

I saw a replacement antenna mast  kit advertised on eBay (currently still is offered), and this is advertised to fit the 1991-95 Turbo MR2...and gave it a try.  Waste of money!   It looks correct, but comes only in the shorter-sleeved, non-turbo version, which lacks the 3 inch black riser tube that needs to extend through the PS  fender and exit through the PS rear fender wing spoiler grommet.

First I opened up the antenna motor drum, removed the broken cable gear piece, re-packed the drum with white lithium-based grease, swapped the OEM 3 inch antenna masts riser tube onto the new mast, and tossed aside the shorter 1/2 inch riser tube.  
All looked good when I fed the new cable gear into the antenna spool opening.    After installation and several cylces of on-off from the radio, the retracted mast remained up one and half inches when fully off.   Now, 3 days later, the mast finally fully-seats on retract...but now has started loudly grinding and clicking when trying to fully extend...then it just times out after 5-6 seconds... with mast not-fully extended.

At this point I'm not sure if a Toyota OEM Turbo replacement repair mast will properly solve this;, or if its time to buy a complete Toyota antenna module with pre-installed mast, and just simply drop it in???

I did contact Aaron at Lithia for info on both an OEM turbo mast kit and also the full antenna motor/module/mast replacement, and their availability...Aanybody have a similar experience or have any recommendations?  The internal motor drive gears all looked good with all teeth intact and little wear when I opened up the antenna drum and repacked it...but again the unit is 16 years old!   
Anybody know if there is an antenna rebuilding outfit or an exchange outfit...and yes it has to be a Toyota part!  The aftermarket antenna kits I've seen don't take the finder-to-wing spacing into account.

Thanks,  Colin

1993 MkII NA
Steel Mist Gray w/48,000 original
S. Cal