Hi All,
I could really use your help!
I have a 2005 LS430 with 175,000 miles.

”Antenna” keeps flashing on the front center
screen (head unit), and I do not get any
SiriusXM reception. All other audio features
work fine, AM, FM, Disk, Tape, etc.

The original trunk mounted magnetic antenna
has two wires, a yellow plug & a green plug (Fakra type plugs) that attach to studs, on the
side of the Tuner. Tuner is located on the
underside of the trunk ceiling- passenger side.
It would seem that the antenna has failed?
Or else, what could be the reception problem?
I can’t get or find an Original Antenna.

Per the web, the green plug is terrestrial
and is not now needed.
So, I installed a new magnetic antenna
that has a single suitable Yellow plug.
NO LUCK - “ Antenna” still flashes, and
no reception.
I really enjoy the SiriusXM; but, I am vexed
and screwed without a working antenna.

Does anyone have any actual experience
with solving this problem? I don’t think a
”splitter” will help, because I have kept
the original green plug attached to the tuner.
A new supposedly compatible antenna
into the yellow plug’s stud is not helping.

Also, is there a “plug & play” unit that can
take the place of the original Tuner?
( not necessarily in the same location).
If so: Cost?, easy to install? After installing,
does everything look & operate the same
on the front screen as the original?

I’ve asked many questions here.
Any help or suggestions are appreciated!
OK to respond here, or you are welcome
to phone me (easier than texting) at
516-503-9895 Many thanks.
Paul

 

I am a Long Island resident, whichyou may be if your phone number indicates. My 2005 with 156k miles has same issue. It used to work. Then Antenna flashed but it still received stations. Then eventually nothing. 10 years ago or so there was a way to cobble a 2-jack replacement together, but I believe some parts stopped being made. My questions are same as yours. I'd like to know XM tuner options that integrate into the radio, OR the proper replacement antenna(s). I'm finding the Nav starting to get out of date enough (they stopped revising these gen 4 DVDs in 2015) that I'd consider a new head unit too, but I would need a very trusted installer. I saw on carcarenut (I think) a version that actually uses existing screen, but as long as no functionality as lost I'd also consider a pop-in replacement.

Sorry I cannot help, but I would love a recommendation for a trusted LI mechanic willing to work with older Lexus cars like ours, if you have one.. I am in Suffolk County myself but would consider Nassau. I love my car but it has some issues... a buzz here, a wobble there... \ wish I knew a true expert mechanic.

Edit: At the time when I last checked, an online site helped. I believe it was https://www.xm-radio-satellite.com. They might have a recommendation. But I'm not sure full functionality is still available. My best guess is that it is indeed the antenna that went bad.

 

I'm in kind of the same boat. I don't have ML or navigation. I tried to cobble a new mag mount antenna into the system with no luck. I'm going to pull the OEM head unit, CD player, amp and all speakers. Replace everything, new sirius-xm, back up cam. That's going to be my fix, I have a "life time sirius-xm subscription" so I've been addicted to it for a long time. At this point I'm glad I don't have ML with navigation, It's going to be a long involved process but much easier than those with ML and nav.

 

There is an outfit called Satellite Radio Superstore (https://www.xm-radio-satellite.com/). They may be able to help you.

My 2006 ML came with a port installed "Road Ready" SAT Radio Kit installed in passenger side trunk area, attached to a side support behind the trim panels. The antenna was on the front windshield to the right of the rear view mirror. The antenna was a triangular shaped "hockey puck". I posted a picture in a post from 2018 with my questions. If you can find it it may be helpful.

In any case, I wanted to use my VAIS SL-3 (I believe) from my previous LS. It worked better but I needed a Fakra adapter and guidance to make it work. These guys had it, I suggest you call and explain your situation. While it worked, the reception was not quite as good as I would have liked.

So, I then bought a regular small square Sirius XM antenna from these guys (also available on Amazon) for about $25. While the antenna was designed to mounted on the outside, I installed it on the inside in the rear third eye stoplight in the center of the rear deck. It just sits in the corner and does not affect the brake light. You can just pull the housing back from the window enough to slide the antenna in. This is a pretty common location discussed in several posts on this forum. It works perfectly. Hope this helps.

From the 4-21-2018 post, titled something like "Dealer Installed Sirius XM Antenna". It has some info and pictures that may be helpful.

 

Thanks to all.
Keep the responses coming!

 

I had this problem and used a splitter I found on line. It allowed me to plug in the green and yellow ports and then I plug a single antenna into that. It's been working great for years. I will see if I can find the site I purchased it from and forward it on.

 

Check the link below. It is similar to what I used.
https://www.xm-radio-satellite.com/b...ore/siriusxmtm

 

daddykay, the link shows splitter but indicates it is no longer made. It shows instead a link to https://www.xm-radio-satellite.com/p...stom-connector instead, which is apparently both an antenna and a special FAKRA adapter connector that works as a single-input. Worth trying if it is different from other antennas. When my antenna went bad, first I lost the metadata (Channel names, song info) and then later the whole thing. I had read that this could ne to one lead going bad before the other so I figured I need dual input, but that analysis (by others) may have been wrong.

Your link specifically says it solves the dual-connector input problem by having one input (the non-terrestrial) be used. So that is promising, if it works! I would hope it solves both reception and metadata. I don't really need XM on this car that much (I drive mostly short distances), but I like my car to work as intended, so I might check it out!

 

This is a follow up to my Post
of 11/29/2023 (#1). In it, I said
my head unit screen was flashing
”Antenna” & I had no Sirius reception.

1. I have tried replacing the antenna
with a new single wire antenna.
2. I have retried the original antenna,
(and verified its two wires continuity).
3. And, I have replaced the Satellite
Tuner (#86120-AA150) with a used
tuner.
4. But, none of these attempts has changed
the ”Antenna” flashing & no reception condition.
5. AM/FM/Tape/CD disk etc. all work OK.

Does any Forum member have ideas,
experienced solutions, or additional suggestions to help solve this problem?

Thanks in advance.
Paul

ps: I have tried all the suggestions that
members provided to my original post,
& none of the suggestions has helped.

 

Put in a Vais SL3. Go to the Vais Technology website. You can call, they are very helpful. About $300, relatively easy install. Grom and a few others also make one. You might be able to get a used one on Ebay or Etsy. Thanks.

 

Thanks LS430Lexus, I am thinking
about going that route.

 

Thanks LS430Lexus, I am thinking
about going that route.

 

I can certainly sympathize with the problem.

I have a 2004 LS430 that I've had for nearly 20 years. Because of a minor parking lot mishap in December, the body shop replaced my trunk-mounted magnetic SiriusXM antenna. It's odd that the body shop had and used the Audiovox splitter that is no longer available, but the ends of the splitter won't hold fast to the inputs on the receiver. The SiriusXM radio works until I close the trunk lid, or drive, and then the connection is lost. I've tried all types of solutions, but none will work for more than few minutes. My next try is an antenna adapter that I've ordered and will receive next week.
Adapter & SiriusXM inputs

 

Hey guys try this. I have one as a spare and it also works great.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/186238113008?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&mkscid=101&itemid=186238113008&targetid=1531876740478&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9004231&poi=&campaignid=19851828444&mkgroupid=145880009014&rlsatarget=aud-1480434320348la-1531876740478&abcId=9307249&merchantid=101991613&gclid=CjwKCAiA-vOsBhAAEiwAIWR0TaFb7AEB5zij482DVgtimKpiKGy_eV8OJ7XjETxsGtKm-OOKVqfchRoCTNQQAvD_BwE

 

Thanks. I've ordered it and I sure hope it works. I know it's kind of a first-world problem, but SiriusXM is the only thing I listen to in my car, and I've really missed it.