Pathfinder Power Antenna Wiring Question...

[CudBucket]

Hey guys. I'm new to the forum and need some help. I just replaced the power antenna in my 1997 Pathfinder yesterday. The antenna came from a salvage yard. I had to install a Motorola plug on it but it works. Only problem is that it was missing the harness plug for the 3 power wires. I can hard wire it (solder), but the wire colors on the antenna don't match the wire colors in the harness.

The wires in the harness are red, black and red with a green stripe. The wires on the antenna are just black, white and green.

Now, I had taken the bad antenna out years ago so I may be looking at the wrong harness. To the best of my recollection, this is the same harness the old antenna was plugged into. I don't see any other 3-wire harnesses in there. The harness is in the same location as the antenna cable (motorola jack).

Anyway, would any here no how to mate up the different color-coded wires?

Thanks!

Dave

[Pwnin O'Brien]

From the antenna wiring diagram:

RED: Goes to stereo head unit, powers antenna when head unit ON.

BLACK: Ground

RED/GREEN: Battery

Your best bet would be to wire the new antenna up to the closest colors on your new antenna. Wire black to black, red to white, and red/green to green. You may have to test some connections. Both the RED and RED/GREEN wires in the harness are fused, so the worst that happens is you blow the fuse if you have them backwards.

Hope this helps!

[CudBucket]

PO, thanks a ton friend. I'm pretty sure that's how I had them first but had nothing. My fuse may be fried. I'll give it another go this weekend. Would it be the same fuse the radio is on or another one? I didn't see any separate fuse for the PA.

Thanks again. I really appreciate it.

Dave

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Check 7.5A fuse [No. 24, located in fuse block (J/B)]. Verify that battery positive voltage is present at terminal 6 (RED/GREEN wire in harness) of power antenna. This is the power antenna fuse.

Turn ignition switch and audio unit (stereo head unit) ON. Verify that battery positive voltage is present at terminal 4 (RED wire in harness) of power antenna.

Check 10A fuse [No. 10, located in fuse block (J/B)]. This is the radio fuse.

What radio do you have? If it is aftermarket you should make sure you have the power antenna wire connected properly.

[CudBucket]

Thanks again. I will check for current where you've indicated. I have the stock radio. I never changed a thing on this car. I'm the original owner. It's nerf bars are rusted to hell and the car is nicked and dinged but it runs like a top.

Thanks!

PS

What's the best way to check for power on that wire? I have a volt meter if that would work.

Dave

[Pwnin O'Brien]

Yeah, any kind of voltmeter/multimeter would work. You want to find a good ground where you can put the negative probe of the voltmeter, it shouldn't be hard to find a bare spot in the engine bay near the antenna hole.

You then want to test each wire as explained in my previous post with the positive probe of the voltmeter.

If the wire is connected properly, it will read a positive battery voltage (probably somewhere around 12.5V). You don't need to worry about the current.

If all of the wires test out right, then you have to start diagnosing the new power antenna.