Overhead display ?
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: San Rafael, NM
Overhead display ?
OK i remember reading about this somewhere, but having trouble finding it now. Sorry if this has been answered a million times before.
So I had to do the over head console fix, you know the one cause by some brilliant Mech. Eng. deciding to thermally insolate the entire back of the instrument display circuit board with an adhesive foam, which caused thermal runaway and melted the solder holding the resistors.
Problem is now, my MPG is stuck on 12.6 and I think by temp display is reading 3 to 5 deg high. Miles till empty seems to be fine. Is there a callibration process I should do or a reset or something? Or, should I just purchase a new circuit board and display? From what I remember, these display's are expensive, so I am trying to avoid that.
Oh yeah;
2003 F-350 7.3L DRW Lariat
So I had to do the over head console fix, you know the one cause by some brilliant Mech. Eng. deciding to thermally insolate the entire back of the instrument display circuit board with an adhesive foam, which caused thermal runaway and melted the solder holding the resistors.
Problem is now, my MPG is stuck on 12.6 and I think by temp display is reading 3 to 5 deg high. Miles till empty seems to be fine. Is there a callibration process I should do or a reset or something? Or, should I just purchase a new circuit board and display? From what I remember, these display's are expensive, so I am trying to avoid that.
Oh yeah;
2003 F-350 7.3L DRW Lariat
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Marseilles IL
I do know while the overhead is showing mpg you can press both buttons at the same time and it will reset the mpg. As far as temp I don't know anything except the temp sensor is in the grill on the drivers side. The sensor is sort of pointy shaped with threads on it.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2009
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From: Pea Ridge, AR
Like stated, Temp is a sensor in the front end, behind the headlight IIRC.
The compass calibration is from a 2000 owners manual...use the E/M button to cycle display.
Here are the 2 pages before the calibration of the compass for a little more info.
The compass calibration is from a 2000 owners manual...use the E/M button to cycle display.
Here are the 2 pages before the calibration of the compass for a little more info.
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From: San Rafael, NM
Remove all the foam pad backing from the PCB
Great link to PDF. Thanks.
I would just add one thing though. Think about it, what caused this to happen to begin with? Well, the answer is, the PCB got too hot. If we repair and return the instrument to the way is was, what will happen? Well, the answer to that is. . . . . . it will happen all over again.
As an electrical and mechanical engineer that deals with thermal dissipation issues on a regular basis, I can tell you that the foam sticky backing on the other side of the PCB is probably what is causing the PCB to over heat and eventually release the solder joints. My advice is to completely remove all the foam backing and the adhesive used to stick it to the PCB. This should prevent you from having to do this repair again in the future. . . I hope.
I would just add one thing though. Think about it, what caused this to happen to begin with? Well, the answer is, the PCB got too hot. If we repair and return the instrument to the way is was, what will happen? Well, the answer to that is. . . . . . it will happen all over again.
As an electrical and mechanical engineer that deals with thermal dissipation issues on a regular basis, I can tell you that the foam sticky backing on the other side of the PCB is probably what is causing the PCB to over heat and eventually release the solder joints. My advice is to completely remove all the foam backing and the adhesive used to stick it to the PCB. This should prevent you from having to do this repair again in the future. . . I hope.
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 594
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From: Full-time RV
I don't recall mine having any foam backing or sticky stuff on it. I agree that this could recur over and over again. I seem to remember one of the issues being too little solder or not the correct type for the heat generated.
The calibration procedures given above are only for calibrating the compass. I don't think there is a calibration for the MPG. Hold both buttons while the MPG is showing to reset it to 0 and go from there. If it has been off for a long time, the 12.6 MPG is probably a running average from a very long time ago. Even though the display has been blank, the board has been running and collecting data the whole time.
The calibration procedures given above are only for calibrating the compass. I don't think there is a calibration for the MPG. Hold both buttons while the MPG is showing to reset it to 0 and go from there. If it has been off for a long time, the 12.6 MPG is probably a running average from a very long time ago. Even though the display has been blank, the board has been running and collecting data the whole time.
Cargo Master
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From: Shelbyville, Indiana
Thanks a TON!!
It's a Van Gogh
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From: Elk Grove, CA