Compass module

[POWERbyFORD]

The compass on the overhead console in my 2003 Grand Marquis LS stopped working all together. Has anyone experienced this problem? If so, any suggestions on what it can be and how to fix? I like this feature and get a lot of use out of it...The dealer said most likely it is the module and would be $700 - $900 in repairs

[fastblackmerc]

The compass on the overhead console in my 2003 Grand Marquis LS stopped working all together. Has anyone experienced this problem? If so, any suggestions on what it can be and how to fix? I like this feature and get a lot of use out of it...The dealer said most likely it is the module and would be $700 - $900 in repairs

It's usually a bad solder joint. If you don't want to attempt the repair PM me.

[Marauder Rick]

It's usually a bad solder joint. If you don't want to attempt the repair PM me.

Do you a write-up for fixing this? I have the same issue and would love to be able to fix it myself given a detailed write-up of the most common problem since this is a notorious occurence.

[fastblackmerc]

Do you a write-up for fixing this? I have the same issue and would love to be able to fix it myself given a detailed write-up of the most common problem since this is a notorious occurence.

No I don't have a write up. Haven't had to repair one yet.

If someone wants to send me one and pay for shipping both ways I'd be happy to do a write-up on the repair.

[Architect]

I just had a switch (button) break on my overhead console and Fastblackmerc suggested that I buy a used one and replace the guts that I needed...
bought one on ebay for $30.00 +- and just swapped out the guts...easy to do...anyone could do it...the one for a Lincoln is the sames as ours.
Architect

[johnnyrauder]

welcome POWERDbyFORD......

[capt512]

Well I didn't take pictures...though if anyone has trouble with repair and takes pictures I could show ya where and what to do.

Really simple, just bought another 03 Saturday and this was the first thing I fixed.

(These instructions are for a 03 300A with long overhead console, so while soldering is probably the same for others...removal may be different?)

1. Remove 3 screws holding overhead console onto ceiling (1 in front, 2 inside sunglass holder).
2. Pull console down, it is held up by clips so it takes some force to bring it down, almost makes ya think you are gonna break it.
3. Disconnect plug that connects compass to car.
4. Flip console over and look around compass area, there should be 2 small screws holding compass in, remove them.
5. Spread the little teeth apart that hold the push buttons (white boxes with wires going to them) for lights in and remove them from compass backing.
6. Remove compass unit.
7. Lightly spread clips apart that hold compass unit together so you can get to the circuitboard inside.
8. When you get the circuit board out, you should see 3 flat black rectangular resistors in a row, most likely one of these will be not attached on one end. (if you can't tell which one, take a small screwdriver and lightly push up on them, the one that isn't attached anymore will lift right up on one end.
9. Heat up solder gun and get fine solder.
10. Heat up area on circuit board and resistor to accept solder (not enough to screw stuff up, but it needs to be hot to accept solder).
11. Solder resistor back on, and put everything back together!
:banana2:

[johnnyrauder]

joe if you want to try this we can do it together.

[Marauder Rick]

Well I didn't take pictures...though if anyone has trouble with repair and takes pictures I could show ya where and what to do.

Really simple, just bought another 03 Saturday and this was the first thing I fixed.

(These instructions are for a 03 300A with long overhead console, so while soldering is probably the same for others...removal may be different?)

1. Remove 3 screws holding overhead console onto ceiling (1 in front, 2 inside sunglass holder).
2. Pull console down, it is held up by clips so it takes some force to bring it down, almost makes ya think you are gonna break it.
3. Disconnect plug that connects compass to car.
4. Flip console over and look around compass area, there should be 2 small screws holding compass in, remove them.
5. Spread the little teeth apart that hold the push buttons (white boxes with wires going to them) for lights in and remove them from compass backing.
6. Remove compass unit.
7. Lightly spread clips apart that hold compass unit together so you can get to the circuitboard inside.
8. When you get the circuit board out, you should see 3 flat black rectangular resistors in a row, most likely one of these will be not attached on one end. (if you can't tell which one, take a small screwdriver and lightly push up on them, the one that isn't attached anymore will lift right up on one end.
9. Heat up solder gun and get fine solder.
10. Heat up area on circuit board and resistor to accept solder (not enough to screw stuff up, but it needs to be hot to accept solder).
11. Solder resistor back on, and put everything back together!
:banana2:

It is highly likely that i will have pix of this process later on today. Thanx for the write-up.:beer:

[Ozark Marauder]

It is highly likely that i will have pix of this process later on today. Thanx for the write-up.:beer:

I was going to try this, but I'll wait for the pictures. May I suggest we make this a sticky for everyone.............

[capt512]

No problem, I don't think I left anything out, but am just recalling it from memory. When you get it down though it will be pretty self explanatory.

[Marauder Rick]

Instructions by capt512, Pictures and annotations by Marauder Rick

(These instructions are for a 03 300A with long overhead console, so while soldering is probably the same for others...removal may be different?)

1. Remove 3 screws holding overhead console onto ceiling (1 in front, 2 inside sunglass holder).
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/230187_122777341136106_1000021 15213202_182311_5627923_n.jpg
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/222667_122777437802763_1000021 15213202_182312_6281325_n.jpg


2. Pull console down, it is held up by clips so it takes some force to bring it down, almost makes ya think you are gonna break it.

2 clips by dome light
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/227507_122777581136082_1000021 15213202_182314_2559427_n.jpg

4 clips along side toward front
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/230764_122777684469405_1000021 15213202_182315_310357_n.jpg

3. Disconnect plug that connects compass to car. ( I promise you that you will see this when the console is hanging down. That's the single black wrapped harness hanging in the above pic.)

4. Flip console over and look around compass area, there should be 2 small screws holding compass in, remove them.
http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/225241_122777894469384_1000021 15213202_182317_3225232_n.jpg

5. Spread the little teeth apart that hold the push buttons (white boxes with wires going to them) for lights in and remove them from compass backing. (see above)

6. Remove compass unit.


7. Lightly spread clips apart that hold compass unit together so you can get to the circuitboard inside.
http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/229069_122778934469280_1000021 15213202_182328_988061_n.jpg

8. When you get the circuit board out, you should see 3 flat black rectangular resistors in a row, most likely one of these will be not attached on one end. (if you can't tell which one, take a small screwdriver and lightly push up on them, the one that isn't attached anymore will lift right up on one end.

In my case, it had completely fallen off so be careful
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/228648_122778731135967_1000021 15213202_182326_2182976_n.jpg

These resistors are very small. Notice in the pic above that there is a missing 510 resistor
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/230560_122778621135978_1000021 15213202_182325_1808447_n.jpg
9. Heat up solder gun and get fine solder.
10. Heat up area on circuit board and resistor to accept solder (not enough to screw stuff up, but it needs to be hot to accept solder).
11. Solder resistor back on, and put everything back together!
http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/226710_122780601135780_1000021 15213202_182331_5205787_n.jpg


P.S. Getting that super tiny resistor soldered back on was a "B"word....so i jumped it (soldered across the gap). Not recommended...but it worked for me. The write-up has the CORRECT way to do it...but if all else fails......:beer:

[capt512]

Great pictures that should help anyone with this problem! I will agree though that getting the resistor soldered back on was a pain for me as well, took 2-3 tests of back and forth to the car before I got it working right.

[TFB]

Small??? That's HUGE for today's electronic components... I recently repl a fuse in a video game for a friend(don't remember which one, he only brought the PCB)that was the size of the ones to the left of that square IC in the center of the board...

Just jumping the resistor(its 51 ohms BTW) is allowing too much voltage to other components, likely will cause a future failure...

[Marauder Rick]

Great pictures that should help anyone with this problem! I will agree though that getting the resistor soldered back on was a pain for me as well, took 2-3 tests of back and forth to the car before I got it working right.

Yea....im a little more impatient. two trips to the car and having the compass come on and fade away slowly was enough for me to get fed up and jump it. But hey, it works.....for now:D

[whd507]

I am even more impatient, the solder gun is toast, and its late Saturday night, so I used the copper paste stuff you fix heated windows with. (Mine was still half on) it works for now though. Sweet, I was missing that feature.

[Marauder Rick]

I am even more impatient, the solder gun is toast, and its late Saturday night, so I used the copper paste stuff you fix heated windows with. (Mine was still half on) it works for now though. Sweet, I was missing that feature.

I haven't had another problem out of mine.:D

[IwantmyMMnow!]

...but until about 4 days ago, I didn't even know mine had a compass.:shake: Maybe because it wasn't working when I bought it? Anyway, I started pushing all of the buttons...and it started working again! Wish all fixes were this easy...

BTW, what's with the flashy red LED light and steady red LED light when you push those buttons?

[Marauder Rick]

...but until about 4 days ago, I didn't even know mine had a compass.:shake: Maybe because it wasn't working when I bought it? Anyway, I started pushing all of the buttons...and it started working again! Wish all fixes were this easy...

BTW, what's with the flashy red LED light and steady red LED light when you push those buttons?
You do know that the "mode"button turns it on and off......right? It may have just been turned off the whole time.

[IwantmyMMnow!]

You do know that the "mode"button turns it on and off......right? It may have just been turned off the whole time.

As I stated in a post in a different thread...wish I could remember where I put my owners manual! I have the zippered pouch sitting on the kitchen counter and everything is in it...except the manual. I know I have one because I remember reading it in my 'study', but it's not in there, either. I feel like such a tard sometimes...:shake:

[hwy73]

http://www.gdmjoe.com/marauder/documents/documents.html

[dakslim]

Not the prettiest of solder jobs but it works.:shake: Thanks for the write up and photos guys. My Marauder is whole again.:thanks:

[Blk Mamba]

Jim, if you want, send me your address again, and I'll send my compass to you for repair, I can't remember where I put your address. BTW the EATC, and LCM are still working perfect.

[drewb457]

just fixed mine! anyone doubting whether they can do this it took me literally 5 minutes! so easy, thanks for the write up

[lttljp15]

nice im having the same problem and hopefully mine hasnt fallin out,

[fastblackmerc]

I can repair these if you don't want to. I resolder or replace the resistor , if missing, and make sure the others a soldered on good.

I also have a bunch of the resistors if anyone needs them.

PM me.