I've got a 2000 RX300 with Nakamichi and CD-changer, but 97% of the time I listen to my iPod. I have been unable to find any way to hardwire an Aux-Input, so I use an FM modulator spliced into the antenna cable. It's not great but it's the best I've been able to manage.

Anyway, the antenna stopped retracting last week so I pulled it out to replace the mast, which got me to thinking.

It has always irritated me that the antenna goes up & down every time I get in the car even though I'm not really using the radio, and I thought about leaving the antenna power connector loose. But I do occasionally need the radio, so putting in a disable switch would really be a far better alternative. I would think putting the switch inside the glovebox would be the best way to do it, but I could also put it inside the rear first-aid compartment.

Can anybody tell me which wire/wires to tap into to make this work?

Thanks!
Owen

 

There is black wire behind the radio for power antenna. You could search radio pin out in the forum or DIY for gps nav upgrade.

 

I'd be interested in doing this as well, because I too use an FM Modulator set-up for my iPhone. And, it's annoying to have the antenna motor run every time I turn the radio on and off, it's especially annoying to me because I don't even have a friggin' antenna on there anymore. I pulled the half-way broken antenna mast off a few years ago.

 

If you are using FM-modulator, you would need the antenna to extend and receive the radio signal. Only if you have wired aux-in (no RF) then, retracted antenna would be fine.

Salim

 

FM Modulator's send the signal directly through the antenna port though, you connect the antenna into the modulator and the other end of the modulator goes into the radio. Also, in my case, there is a switch to stop all other radio stations, basically the switch cuts the antenna out of loop.

 

My radio antenna used to retract only when I listen to AM/FM radio stations only. Now since upgraded to gps Nav if I listen to radios the antenna retracts and even for cd/DVD whenever stereo on it retracts no matter what. I think some Nav radios setup is different than no Nav radio in RX's.
The antenna mast life will be end sooner for playing iPod videos so often

 

The antenna connector has five wires. I cut the black wire and spliced in a 12v on-off toggle switch with a 12" pigtail. I mounted the switch inside the first aid storage compartment, poking down from the top.

I picked the black wire thinking it might be the power lead. It wasn't but it worked anyway. It appears to be the "radio on" signal wire, because whenever the switch is turned off the antenna retracts. Really, it works better than I planned.

 

Makes sense, as you cut off all the reception... although what do you do with the secondary antenna [all Lexus use 2 antennas].

Thanks for educating me.

Salim

 

No problem.
I think the second antenna is only for AM. The one on the window, right?

 

Here is the complete DIY for toggle switch I made and install next to the ashtray for using radio and off for playing cd/Ipod. This way I make more life for the antenna. You have to open instrument cluster bazel and remove the radio. Behind the radio you will see this R4 plug and make a toggle switch connection for pin #5 (black wire) for power antenna.

 

Here is the location of spt switch for on/off.

 

Thank you Gazi!

 

You welcome.

 

Thanks' gazi001. great write up and pictures.
I have been thinking of doing the same switching for my antenna power.
I am not quite as nimble as i used to be so the modification might be more than I can tackle
I am going to keep the write up and photos for future reference...just in case

 

Good luck and wish you success.