outside temp/ compass gauge questions

I have a 2007 toyota tacoma sport the outside temp gauge and compass stopped working about a year ago. Im starting to fix small things back up on my truck that I have neglected I heard toyota wants a ridiculous amount to replace this part. I read on the forum somewhere that the soddering goes bad on these and can be fixed fairly easy. I have 0 experience soddering anyone in socal done this fix before or checked this? looking for someone to check this for me and sodder back the wire if this is what is wrong. im located in hemet ca.willing to pay cash.

 

I've done this. Yes it's true, it's usually the solder has gone bad. It's a easy fix if you have the proper tools. You need a torx screw driver, philips screw driver and soldering iron.

 

I see there is 1 Philups head screw in the sun glass holder where are the other screws located? Looks like the front closest to the windshield should come down first just not sure where all the other screws are? The wires you had to solder back were they noticeable which ones needed fixing? I can see how this could be what's wrong with mine do to hitting some dips hard in the passed and off roading may have loosen then up.thinking I should figure out how to get this thing apart then go buy a solder gun.

 

not soldering wires, youre resoldering the leds that broke on the resistors (510)

remove the screw
then pull it down from the front (windshield side)
unplug the 2 plugs
remove 3 hex screws holding temp gauge
pop open, locate all resistors and solder all of them...just as a precaution

ive done a bunch of these...super simple
just did 2 this past week

reason why they break is because they sit upside up there on the roof, heat bouncing anything can break them...simple fix

 

The 3 hex screws mentioned are the torx screws that you need a torx screw driver for, I can't remember the size but it's what hold the temp gauge to the plastic. It's resistor that you are soldering back on.

 

If you don't want to do it yourself this is a great alt choice,

http://www.siliconmethod.com/

 

Ok thank you for all the help. I tryed useing the search but couldn't find anything in it ill try these things this week.

 

Somewhere in this forum there was a discussion with pictures showing how to fix it. Did it to my 07 Tacoma in less than 30 minutes. Apparenly poor (cold) solder joints on a couple of resistors. Just have to reheat them with a dab of solder.

 

Pulled mine out tonight and one if the resistors fell out after removing it. Spoke with Greg at the company posted above sending mine out to him this week to get it repaired been 2 years since it worked be nicevtonhave it working again. Thanks for all the help.

 

has anyone had silicon methods work on there compass/ temp? wondering if anyone has experience with them?
http://www.siliconmethod.com/

 

No, but they want $63.

I would do it for $20. It seriously takes 3 minutes.

 

The how-to is here

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/18497-overhead-compass-temp-fix.html

Its at the top of the forum...under MODS and TUTORIALS

 

sent mine out to them was a little hesitant thought maybe it was a scam with there being no phone number posted on there web site seemed strange. canted them through email sent it out. They gave me a sale price I paid $51 to get it all redone and for 2 clips to install it. works perfect work looks very clean. Fast turn around and very helpful and quick response in the emails we exchanged.