Took my truck into the shop to get the compass adjusted becuase it would not get off Zone 1. They said Ford knows there is an issue but don't know how to fix it. This is on a 2011 F150 FX4 supercrew. Has anybody seen this and know of a fix.

 

Frankly, I am surprised these things work at all. After all, we are talking a magnet in a 5,500 pound hunk of metal with all kinds of electrical interference. The windshield is as interference free a location as exists within easy reach of the dash and I don't think they put the sensor there.

If you want to be amazed and confounded, ask where the Standby Compass is located next time you fly on a Douglas jet (MD80 / MD88 / DC9 as operated at American and Delta). The pilots will probably laugh, then show you a Compass mounted in the forward coat closet, with a Rube Goldberg style pair of mirrors which reflect the image to the glare shield.

Probably not the fix you are looking for, but an electromagnet (aka flux gate) mounted on a gyro stabilized gymbal mount or a three axis magnetometer to create a three dimensional flux vector, mounted outside areas of known interference will work. You could mount a salvage wing off the side of your truck, but I'm not sure the DOT is down with that sort of thing. (if you do, PLEASE post a picture)

Although I am joking in my post above, I'd bet Ford has actually tried a little version of a three dimensional flux vector built into a computer chip and my guess is for $3.00 in production cost, you are getting what Ford paid for. I can not imagine it is adjustable.

In the future, Compass' will no longer measure earth gravitational force. It will take a differential gps reading and determine relative motion and cost less than the electromagnetothingy they are using now.

The other question remains ... do you want a magnetic heading, or true heading? If you are in Alaska, magnetic north can be east. Here's a chart for you if you are in the lower 48:


A handy slide rule can be purchased at any pilot supply store to figure out corrections for the compass in your truck. You should pick one up because pilots stopped buying them years ago.

Really hope the GPS system never fails. I could not find my way to the refrigerator ... burp.

 

I'm a map and compass old fart myself and for many years had a nice nautical compass installed in my old Dodge 4x4 that I illuminated with an internal bulb wired to a switch I installed in the dash. It was easy to adjust by doing a 4 point compass swing with a friend with a Silva standing 20 feet in front of the truck. I LOVED that compass and it saved my butt deep in the bush more than once. I intend to install a similiar model this spring in the new Ford.
This info won't help your problem but for others thinking of installing a compass it might forwarn them that the electronic compass Ford installs may not be what they wish for.
note- though alcohol filled, don't expect accurate readings from even a nautical compass at -40 c.

note 2 - you can get as much as a 5-7 degree declination with the engine turned on as opposed to off with this type. Just be aware when you set it what you are setting.