replacing power antenna 97 altima

I have replaced the power antenna on a 1997 nissan altima  I used my multimeter to figure out the wires  that went good.  I connected the ground hot and remote.   turned the factory radio on and to no prevail the antenna did not go up.    when I touched the blue wire a.k.a. remote on antenna to the hot.  the antenna went up  and when I let go it went down.  no prob  so I know that the antenna works.   why wont the remote wire make the antenna go up  is there some speacial thing I need to do?   somebody please help.  b.t.w.   I tried using a relay and that didnt work.  apparently the remote wire wont even trigger a relay.   what should I do.    

thank you

it is the original factory head unit

all that has been replaced is the antenna

Hmm.  I know that Toyota radios don't have a strong enough output to trigger an aftermarket power antenna, or even a relay......as you describe.  I wonder if Nissan radios are like this too?

I can think of two options for you:

1.  Wire it to raise with ignition.  But put a toggle switch somewhere, so you can lower it to go into the carwash.

2.  Buy one of those remote turn-on generator pieces, typically used when adding aftermarket amps to a radio with no remote wire.  You attach this device to the car's speaker wires, and when it senses a signal it puts out 12 volts to turn on the amp (or raise the antenna).