Just picked up my 2011 Rubicon and the compass is out and says needs recalibration. Nothing in the 20 pages owners manual. Anyone out there done this.

 

In my 2004 F-150 you had to drive around in circles. I believe it took 3 circles and the compass was calibrated then. Give that a try.

 

Driving in three circles will do it but when mine malfunctioned the service manager at the dealership advised me to disconnect the negative terminal on the battery for a couple of minutes first and then drive in circles. It did the trick.

 

just brought my 2010 in for unrelated work. Just needs recal. Bring it in and make them do it. theres a plug in fix for it. Dont waste gas goin in circles.

 

I hope you don't get lost.

 

I don't know if the compass is any different on the '10s than earlier build JKs, but here's the instructions from my '09 JK's owners manual (P124-126). The pic at the bottom is the Compass Variance Zone Map that you may need to do the manual calibration (click on it to enlarge):



"Automatic Compass Calibration The self-calibrating feature of the compass eliminates the need to calibrate the compass for normal conditions. During a short initial period, the compass may appear erratic and the CAL symbol will appear (blinking) on the display. After the vehicle has completed at least one complete circle under 5 MPH in an area free from large metal objects, calibration will be complete when the CAL indicator turns off. After initial calibration, the compass will continue to automatically update this calibration whenever the vehicle is in motion.

NOTE: * A good calibration requires a level surface and an environment free from large metallic objects such as bridges, buildings, underground cables, railroad tracks, etc.

* Magnetic and battery powered devices (such as cell phones, iPods, radar detectors, PDAs and laptops) should be kept away from the top of the instrument panel. This is where the compas module is located and such devices may interfere and cause false compass readings.

Manual Compass Calibration NOTE: Before attempting a manual compass calibration, the engine must be running and the transmission in the Park position if equipped.

If the compass appears erratic or innacurate, and the variance has been properly set, you may wish to manually calibrate the compass.

1. First enter the variance mode. Press and hold the left button (located on the instrument cluster) for approx 10 seconds to enter the variance mode, and release the button when VAR (compass variance) symbol appears.

2. The current variance value will also be displayed. Once in the variance mode it is necessary to release the button, and then press and hold it again (approx 10 seconds) until CAL is displayed (solid, not blinking).

3. Manual compass calibration has been initiated. Drive the vehicle slowly in one or more circles under 5 MPH in an area free from large metal objects until the CAL indiactor turns off.

When the CAL symbol is no longer displayed, the compass is calibrated and should display correct headings. Verify proper calibration by checking North, South, East and West. If the compass does not appear accurate, repeat the calibration proceedure.

Compass Variance (VAR) Compass variance is the difference between Magnetic North and Geographic North. To ensure compass accuracy, the compass variance should be properly set according to the vairance map for the zone for the vehicle will be driven. When properly set, the compass will automatically account for this difference.

Setting the compass variance Refer to the variance map for the correct variance zone. To check the variance zone, the ignition must be ON. Press and hold the left button (located on the instrument cluster) for approximately 10 seconds to enter the variance mode and release the button when the VAR symbol appears. The current variance value will also be displayed. To change the zone, press the left button once to increment the zone. The default zone is 8.

After zone 15, the values will wrap around to zone 1. When the correct zone is displayed (per the Compass Variance Zone Map) for the zone that the vehicle is located in, wait for about 5 seconds, then the trip cpmputer will store the variance value in memory and the compass will resume normal operation. NOTE: The US/METRIC display will change from Metric to English or English to Metric to English before the VAR symbol appears, however, it will revert back to its original setting after programming the compass functions."



Hope this was helpful!

 

I did it the way the manual says, just like the instructions JKlad posted and it worked perfectly

 

+1. My Sahara acted really funny till I did this and it's was perfect after that.

 

My 2011 was the same when I picked it up. The deer go lazy on the PDI. I used the EVIC to start calibration and did 2 circles on a parking lot and I was good.