Stuck Compass Fix
Thread Starter
JK Newbie
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 34
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From: marietta,ga
Stuck Compass Fix
OK, so I've been wanting some dash-top storage like the Daystar tray or something, but I haven't done it because of the compass problems caused by setting phones or other electronics above the radio. Mine did the same thing when I started putting my phone on one of those rubber sticky pads, so I decided to find a way around it. Basically, I relocated the compass module. Here's how I did mine...
First, you might want to disconnect your negative battery cable to be safe.
Tools needed:
Small philips screwdriver
Flat blade screwdriver
Tape-wrapped putty knife or whatever you prefer to use to pry off trim panels.
Nut driver with 7mm socket
Wire cutters
Soldering iron/solder OR crimp connectors
Heat-shrink tubing if you go the solder route.
1. Pry off the trim panel over the radio (or the after market one if you already have it)
2. Remove the two screws holding the compass module to the panel & set the panel aside. Here's where the module used to be...
3. Remove the trim panel around the steering column. Pry out both sides at the top, then work your way down & rotate it toward you to clear the bottom clips.
4. Remove the two screws now exposed that hold the instrument cluster trim piece.
5. Pry off the cluster trim from the bottom first, then remove by prying back away from the windshield.
6. Remove the 4 screws holding the cluster in place & tilt it toward you to make some room to work.
7. Unplug the connector from the compass module. A small flat screwdriver helps with the locking clip.
8. Cut the connector off leaving about 3" to splice to.
9. Splice in about 18" of wire to each of the 3 wires at the connector. Make sure you keep track of which colors you splice to which so you can reconnect the other end.
10. Fish the 18" behind the instrument cluster toward the radio. I used a coat hanger. It will help to remove the screws holding the radio in & slide it out a bit so you have more room.
11. Splice the wires you just fished through to the cut ends where the connector used to be.
12. Plug the connector back in to the compass module.
13. Tuck the module (label side DOWN) into the gap behind where the instrument cluster goes
14. Now reverse the process to reinstall the cluster and the trim pieces.
15. Reconnect the battery cable if you removed it.
You'll have to re-calibrate the compass using the instructions in the manual or found elsewhere on the forum.
You can now put whatever you like on top of your dash & your compass will still work!
First, you might want to disconnect your negative battery cable to be safe.
Tools needed:
Small philips screwdriver
Flat blade screwdriver
Tape-wrapped putty knife or whatever you prefer to use to pry off trim panels.
Nut driver with 7mm socket
Wire cutters
Soldering iron/solder OR crimp connectors
Heat-shrink tubing if you go the solder route.
1. Pry off the trim panel over the radio (or the after market one if you already have it)
2. Remove the two screws holding the compass module to the panel & set the panel aside. Here's where the module used to be...
3. Remove the trim panel around the steering column. Pry out both sides at the top, then work your way down & rotate it toward you to clear the bottom clips.
4. Remove the two screws now exposed that hold the instrument cluster trim piece.
5. Pry off the cluster trim from the bottom first, then remove by prying back away from the windshield.
6. Remove the 4 screws holding the cluster in place & tilt it toward you to make some room to work.
7. Unplug the connector from the compass module. A small flat screwdriver helps with the locking clip.
8. Cut the connector off leaving about 3" to splice to.
9. Splice in about 18" of wire to each of the 3 wires at the connector. Make sure you keep track of which colors you splice to which so you can reconnect the other end.
10. Fish the 18" behind the instrument cluster toward the radio. I used a coat hanger. It will help to remove the screws holding the radio in & slide it out a bit so you have more room.
11. Splice the wires you just fished through to the cut ends where the connector used to be.
12. Plug the connector back in to the compass module.
13. Tuck the module (label side DOWN) into the gap behind where the instrument cluster goes
14. Now reverse the process to reinstall the cluster and the trim pieces.
15. Reconnect the battery cable if you removed it.
You'll have to re-calibrate the compass using the instructions in the manual or found elsewhere on the forum.
You can now put whatever you like on top of your dash & your compass will still work!