Overhead Compass/Temp Fix

The blob is fine, just part of the manufacturing process or something. The lead free solders aren't the best to use, but should still get you a connection. That said as long as the connection is fine I bet the temp will regulate itself a little better soon enough. I don't think those resistors will affect the temp reading.

 

Thanks for the reply, I will see what it looks like tomorrow!

 

Yep it seems like the temp has equalized overnight and has been working good now! Thanks for the people who figured this out and posted it up!

 

This is an amazing diy post..I had to redo mine...

 

My temp display stopped working about a month ago. Just pulled the overhead display down tonight and the 510 resistors look fine but I will solder them tomorrow after I pick up some solder. Wish me luck...

 

Yea mine looked normal until I got them in just the right light at just the right angle and could see a superfine hairline crack on the one closest to the display on the side closest to the middle of the board.

 

Thanks Santas212 for the pics. I'm pretty skilled, but I like to know what to expect when opening up anything on my truck.

I had this same problem after about 2 years of age, the compass / temp display just went blank. I just said F it and got on with my life but I'm really glad to see this post and know that this is a common problem with a relatively easy fix.

Follow up:

as soon as I took mine apart it was clear as day what was wrong. My 510 closest to display was popped up 1/8" on one end. Soldered all 4 and all worked again. Thanks again guys for the post

 

Just did this fix and everything work great again!!!!!!! Thank you!!!

 

@santas212,
Yep...as you discovered, the temp display will eventually settle down. From what I have gathered from clients, the worst cases of temp mis-match tend to occur when the display is powered off on a particularly warm or cold day, then powered back up on a cold/warm day (in other words, a large temp change occurred with the unit off).

Also, I believe the controller chip does some kind of rolling average to keep the display smooth and not constantly changing, so that probably slows the catching-up process.
As a reminder, kindly follow my repair guide here so as to drastically reduce the likelihood of permanently destroying your display. There are PCP pads very close to the resistors, and a solder bridge between them ruins the board.

Merry Christmas / Happy New Year to all!

 

Opened mine up today one resistor is missing. The other ohmed bad. Tried reaching radio shack n no luck. Not many electronic stories near me. Can i just send it off to one of those online places for 60 or keep looking. I have sodering exp just not this small. Used to 14 guage or bigger.

Ok found a vender but says i need to purchase 5000 resistor for $25. And what is the watt rading on these.

 

@Jckdnks,

"Ok found a vender but says i need to purchase 5000 resistor for $25. And what is the watt rading on these." As I'm sure you probably already know, the resistor component cost is about $.05.
The watt rating is 1/4 watt, so if you can find a couple 1/4 watt axial lead resistors you will be able to do it yourself. Otherwise, send it my way...I don't charge for resistors as I replace them both anyway (unlike the ebay shysters who just try to reflow solder onto the old oxidized components). Replacing the resistors must be done, otherwise the board will fail again within a year or so depending on conditions.

http://www.siliconmethod.com/

 

I had done this yesterday. Luckily my resister was shaking around in there and I was able to attach it back on using a solder.

 

Can i just drop it off do some wheeling at tollhouse n pickk it on my way home?

 

Did it. Stupid easy.

 

Some of us are new. Only had mine like 5 days. What are we fixing? Mine seems fine.

 

I resoldered the orignal 510 SMD 51 ohm resistor last year but it fell off again. The metal contact on one end is actually gone so it could not be resoldered anymore.

This time I used 2x 100 ohm 1/4W resistors in parallel to make 50 ohms. Hopefully this will help share the heat disapation so each resistor won’t get as hot and be a permanent fix.

 

After fixing for the second time, I had the same idea. Stood them up with hopes of getting a little airflow.

 

I have been living without my temp/compass for at least 7 years... So I got motivated and found this thread. About 5 minutes later its all fixed. Guess I thought this problem would have been more expensive or difficult. Thanks for the encouragement

 

My display works but the temp either goes blank (---) or fluctuates within 100 degrees.. Wondering if this would fix it or if the sensor is screwed up. Any ideas?

 

Bad resistor or solder connection.

I fixed my '07 a few years ago (bad solder connection due to heat) but it went out again 9 months later. I never tried to repair it again but it is a pretty easy thing to do.

I would probably do the circuit board upgrade if money is no issue.