Overhead Compass/Temp Fix

Nothing too catastrophic here...the original solder fails because it is RoHS (lead free) and the resistors excessive hot/cold cycling cracks it.

Re-soldering jobs don't hold forever because the resistors are oxidized a bit and the solder won't flow / adhere as well as it would to new components, and in addition just as much heat is generated as before.

Don't forget that the display hangs 'upside down'....so when a resistor fails, gravity pulls it down. Bumps in the road probably help it along.

DIY compass repair guide

 

Yeah mine crapped out for the second time. I definitely will use new parts next time.

Tacoma compass is crap, they don't stand behind the thousands they sold, yada, yada...

 

Thanks for the post for the compass/temp fix. It took about 15 minutes. I wasn't very good at soldering, so I did a couple practice runs before I tackled #510.

I've attached a couple pics. One pic has the clips installed (which they did pop off on console removal), pic of the poor soldering of #510 (right one) and a pic of the underside of the console.

I had recently went to Toyota and I mentioned compass and Tacoma and she knew exactly what I was going to ask next. Not the way you want to be greated at a Toyota dealership. So, I got a quote for $240. I laughed and walked out. Sticker shock is a great way to get motivation and do it yourself.

 

Oh NO Markair, you sodered one of the 510's on backwards - your compass will now be 180 degrees wrong!!!! North = South etc. etc.. and the temperature will be showing minus!!! JK

 

Nice!

 

C'mon SirGeoff, that's just crazy talk.

What *will* happen is that the accessory meter will stop using electricity, and instead actually provide several watts of power back into the truck's electrical system. A few more conversions like that and you could remove the vehicle's alternator, because the battery would stay charged by itself.



For the humor impaired, we are all kidding....

Compass / temp gauge repair

 

ahh, the thread that started it all for me. Who would of thought that one day while googling "tacoma temperature fix" I would end up here...

 

My repair failed so I sent the unit to Siliconmethod, Greg repaired it and I had it back in less then a week. It works like new again. I received a customer survey from Toyota about my truck during this time. I let them know I thought this guage failure should be a recall issue but I haven't heard anything since. I really don't expect to.

 

Hi "SillyCon" I was curious to see if your suggested outcome would happen so I resoldered my 510 on backwards, and indeed the alternator has become redundant, and I am now able to sell the excess power created by reverse logic to the local electric company's power grid (the large cable I have to drag is a bit of a problem, but we're working on a wireless transfer system that not only picks up the excess power feed, but also the "static" in the car from my wife's Mother-in-Law's backseat driving). But better still the fuel needle, rather than dropping down at an inredible rate is now rising with every km I drive. My fear is that when it reaches full it may start to overflow - what should I do? Can I redirect the excess fuel to the driver's side Airbag spiral cable that quit working some months ago to ensure that the bag deploys in an accident?

remember we are only young once, but we can be imature forever!!!!

 

funny!!

 

@SirGeoff: You can always store the extra power in the muffler bearings.

 

Or you could just do a 'dump and burn' like an F-111:

 

Wow just the info I was looking for, took mine apart this afternoon and when I opened it up one of my 510 resistors wasn't even on the board even more it had completely broken loose from its connection. Going to go buy a soldering gun tomorrow and fix it. Now I just have to fix the lights behind my AC/Heater controls

 

well mine went out today. 07 sport 4wd, 75K. write-up is spot on!! the soldering is a bit involved. took me several passes. i fkn hate soldering. i lost several battles, but in the end i won the war! it works again. many props to "MISC" for the excellent write-up! looks like you have saved a ton of ppl a ton of $$!!

 

I kept trying to figure out how to fix this since I just bought the truck on Tuesday. I finally was gonna bite the bullet and buy one off eBay for $125. I was gonna look on here and find out how to remove the console, and low and behold I see this amazing thread! Took it apart today in hopes on soldering it tomorrow! Thanks for saving me some money!

 

Off topic but does anyone have an overhead console they wanna part with?

 

I am a total newb and was able to fix this in 15 min. The solder took all of 5 minute. It had been broken for nearly 3 years...I am so stoked to have it back.

 

I had the exact same problem on my wife's 07 Tacoma and this fix was quick and easy - thanks for taking the time to post it

 

*hits Staples button* That was easy! '05 fixed, and how tha hell does it take like 5 years for somebody to post pics. Nice

 

It sure is nice knowing what to look for when troubleshooting.. I fixed mine in about 15 mins today, exactly as described..
I did notice that the bottom right corner of my LED display was black, almost as if it got too hot at one time or another. The tutorial pics show it as well.. a little scary if you ask me..