Disconnecting the power antenna
 

First of all...thanks to all of you who have responded and helped me in the past...everyone has been a great help...i was thinking of somehow disconnecting my power antenna so that it doesn't go up everytime i have the radio on...i think it might give the car a cleaner look while driving down the road...first of all...is it simple to do and how do i do it...i am not a technician but can get around the vehicle...i for sure don't want to have to pull the radio out...and most importantly...should i do this...will it be something i regret down the road...like messing up the radio,motor,cable,or anything else...it's not worth it to me to have a messed up radio...i would much rather have my car in perfect working order...but if it is a simple un-plug something at the rear inside quarter panel and be able to plug it back in...i'm ok with that. I just don't want to have a potential problem down the road over something so minor....thanks for your input....eroc....2002 xk8 convert

With the demise of the Classical Music FM station in Milwaukee, I have to rely on my CD's for entertainment, Hence, I installed a Antenna On/Off Switch.

I mounted a Subminiture Toggle Switch in the panel beneath the front of the Armrest:

Attachment 181257

I removed the 4 screws holding the compartment under the Armrest and cut the Green\Black-Tracer wire connected to the large white Harness Connector. Then, I used crimp connectors to connect the leads from the Switch to the harness:


Attachment 181258

The diagram:

Attachment 181259

Here is a link to a Switch that can be used:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index … age=search

The nice thing about this mod is that you don't have to remove the Console.

You can also put a LED toggle on that 'vacant' switch cover by you're lower left knee. The one shown here is 'not' an LED type. The one I speak of fits that opening perfectly. I've got a pdf of a process that will work, including part numbers for this install that is shown here. Just PM me or send me an email where I can email it to you.

http://matt.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p951170076-4.jpg

Paul how did you attach the wires to the switch? Did you solder them or were you able to find some blade type connectors? (I can't find any connectors that small).

I soldered them. Also, I had to remove a small amount of console material (behind the plastic piece that the Switch is mounted in) to provide clearance for the Switch.

I actually took a different approach and disconnected the white and yellow wiring harnesses shown in the above picture. If we take the Cat out to a drive in movie up in good 'ol Mayberry (Mt Airy, NC), I just pull back the carpet inside of the trunk and reconnect the antenna.

On a side note, I am an advocate of changing the term used to describe our power antennas on our XKs to the more appropriate Alien Beacon. For such a gorgeous work, the designers must have just forgotten about the antenna until the last minute when they decided to install the 80 feet tall Alien Beacon.


Tony Cottrell
Winston Salem, NC
97 XK8
05 XJ8 L

but for the 1997 xk8 i cannot install a switch because of the extra wire only used in the 1997 cars right?

Yes, you can install the switch as shown. Just be sure to splice the switch into the circuit right at the white connector under the arm rest (IC2-14) as shown in the picture. This should (circuit wise) be "after" the splice (ICS2) which feeds the Premium Sound Amp.

That is correct. My car is a '97, and the splice behind the head unit did not work; however, the splice further back, as Paul describes above, works perfectly.

Another option
 

I like keeping my additions hidden or looking as stock as possible. I decided to put my switch in the center console tray. I apologize for the quality of the pictures as I took them with my iPhone. This is a great thread!



Attachment 178296

Attachment 178297

Attachment 178298

Attachment 178299


I ended up soldering the green and black wire to my new wire as I did not want them to separate. Super easy mod! :icon_playing:

Thats a good install Dalen, did you ever consider the same switch, but with a LED light on it...so you don't mistake up from down (unless you look behind you) :)

I thought about that but I think it would look a little cheesy. Maybe a little too much like a rice burner... lol. Plus, as you noted, I can simply look over my shoulder and see my mars beacon.

I put mine inside that compartment as well, but at the back. I'll take a picture when I get a chance. I did one other small mod I want to show too.

I`ve got a 2003 XKR....do you know if this procedure is the same for the 2003 XKR models? I`d like to install a switch on my car....thanks...

Should be the same procedure. If you get to the wires and get confused, post some pictures and we can help you, but I think when you get to them you should be able to figure it out. I will tell you there is very little slack in the wire that you are splicing into. Other that than it is straightforward.

Thanks...I`m going to give it a try...

CPM, you've got full access it looks like to the forum documents, there's an electrical diagram link in our FAQ section that will give you color id's for all the wires headed to the back of the car. In face, I might still have mine...here it is. (click on the image for the big zoom)

http://matt.zenfolio.com/img/v2/p1008694769-5.jpg
http://matt.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p742511230.jpg

Excellent Thread
 

Just getting it to retract flush, surely pales by comparrison. Excellent photos .. even by phone standards .. surely no need to apologize .. very nice install. Thanks for sharing. Have Fun .. Be Safe

Hi h20boy...thanks for the wiring diagram...I`m going to do this as soon as I buy a switch!

good luck cpm, follow up if you would, with your results. :)