Compass/Thermometer Display

The overhead console is a multi-functional unit. A self-calibrating directional compass and outside temperature display are contained in the overhead console. An opening door on the console provides storage space and can house an aftermarket garage door opener.

The compass system consists of an electronic compass transducer and the overhead console to display the direction. The digital compass will be displayed when the MODE button is pressed.

Factors Affecting Accuracy

1. Temperature Display

The temperature display operates through the use of a thermometer sensor (15A022) mounted behind the front bumper/grille. The display can be changed from English to metric units.

The data from the temperature sensor must be processed and adjusted so that engine heat does not affect the displayed temperature. When the ignition is first turned on, the module checks to see if the ignition has been off for more than two hours. If it has, the currently sensed temperature is displayed. If the ignition has not been off for two hours and the sensed temperature is higher than it was when the vehicle was turned off, the old temperature will be displayed. If the ignition has not been off for two hours and the sensed temperature is lower than it was when the vehicle was turned off, the currently sensed temperature is displayed. To update the temperature, the module looks at several different factors, as listed below.

Engine Cold
- If ignition has been on for less than five minutes, and was previously off for longer than two hours, the engine is cold and does not affect the temperature sensor. Therefore, the current sensor data is used.

Engine Warm, Updated Temperature Cooler
- If ignition has been on for longer than five minutes or if the ignition was off for less than two hours, the engine compartment may be warm from the heat of the engine. The current sensor data is used only if it is less than the stored temperature reading from before.

Engine Warm, Updated Temperature Warmer
- If the sensor data indicates a higher temperature, the module looks at the vehicle speed to determine whether engine heat is causing erroneous readings. A "high speed counter" is used to determine this. The counter is incremented when the speed is greater than 53 km/h (33 mph) and decremented when the speed is between 16-53 km/h (10-33 mph). If the speed is less than 16 km/h (10 mph), the counter is reset, and the displayed temperature is not updated from its last reading. If the counter is greater than two minutes, the currently sensed temperature is displayed. If the high-speed counter has counted less than two minutes, the temperature is allowed to increase only one degree per minute.

- If the temperature sensor is short- or open-circuited, the display will read SC or OC, respectively, instead of a temperature. If the temperature drops below 3.3°C (38°F) or is below 3.3° C (38°F) upon power-up, the display will alternate between displaying "ICE" and the temperature. The display will alternate every two seconds for a time of one minute.

2. Compass

Magnetic mount devices (antennas, racks, etc.) should not be located near the magnetic sensor (located in the center console). Use of these devices near the sensor will cause the compass to be inaccurate. If these devices must be used, the compass should be recalibrated, and the true north variation adjustment should be performed.

Various external conditions can also affect compass accuracy. Driving near power lines or objects with high iron or steel content (bridges, underground pipes and tunnels, etc.) may temporarily change the compass heading. The display will return to the true vehicle heading after the vehicle leaves the area.

Another factor that affects compass accuracy is that in most geographic locations, magnetic north differs from the "true north" direction shown on maps (geographic north).

This difference, called magnetic variation, changes considerably across the country anywhere from 25 degrees to the east to 30 degrees to the west. The compass must be adjusted to compensate for this misalignment in order to maintain compass accuracy. Magnetic variation can be corrected on the compass by performing the variation adjustment procedure described below.

Adjustments performed on the compass include setting the magnetic variation (true north adjustment) and magnetic compensations (calibration) of the compass.

Variation Adjustment

The vehicle has been demagnetized and the compass has been calibrated by the manufacturer. However, the variation adjustment is not done by the manufacturer. Vehicle location in the country will determine how accurate the compass is without performing the variation adjustment. When the vehicle is received from the manufacturer or whenever a vehicle operator claims that the compass is inaccurate, perform the variation adjustment. The compass variation adjustment is set as follows:

- Determine which zone of the continent you are in by using the accompanying zone map.

- Press and hold the MODE button until VAR appears on display. The overhead console will display the current zone number.

- Press the MODE button until the appropriate zone number appears on the display. (The zone number will increment once each time the MODE button is pressed. Once the number reaches 15, it will change back to 1.)

- Release the MODE button and after a few seconds the display will return to the normal compass heading mode. The zone setting procedure (variation adjustment) is now complete.

Calibration Adjustment

The compass was calibrated at the factory and under normal driving conditions will not need to be recalibrated. The compass is designed to recalibrate itself if changes in vehicle magnetics occur. In order to recalibrate, the compass requires the vehicle to be driven in full 360 degree circles.

Occasionally, the vehicle magnetics will change enough to prevent the compass from correcting itself. If the variation adjustment described above does not correct an inaccurate compass, the compass should be calibrated. If a compass transducer unit is newly installed in a vehicle, the calibration procedure must be performed. To calibrate the compass, perform the following procedure:

- Find an open area free from steel structures and high voltage lines.

- Press and hold MODE button until the CAL indicator appears in the display.

NOTE: After approximately four seconds, the VAR indicator will light. Continue holding the MODE button until the CAL indicator appears.

- Release the MODE button.

- Once the CAL indicator has appeared, drive the vehicle less than 8 km/h (5 mph) in 360° circles until CAL indicator turns off. This will occur within two to three complete circles.