Overhead Compass/Temp Fix

So are there specific years where this problem is occurring? Surely this problem has been remedied by Toyota within the last couple years?

 

I just purchased an 07 with 78k miles. This was the only thing that did not work. I was pretty disappointed to see it didnt work after I had already bought the truck. I started this at 1145pm. Its 16 minutes later and its back in the truck and working. I will replace the resistors if it goes out again.

great write up! Thanks!

 

You can diregard my question, I got it working thanks to jj05... he made the same mistake I did and used the wrong resistors. Here are some pics showing what I did -

In my first attempt I used 1/4 watt 47k-ohm resistors and it didn't work... because they were the wrong ones (but I didn't know this yet, and sorry no pic of this step)!


Then I read jj05's post about how he added the one 510 he had left to them and it worked, so I did the same and yes it did work but it also got pretty hot -


Finally I sent jjo5 an IM asking how his was holding up (because of the heat) and he explained that he used the wrong resistors but had corrected it now. I then looked at the package and realized that I used the wrong resistors too... So I went back to Radio Shack, bought some 1/2 watt 47 ohm resistors and it worked perfect with those (no more heat issues)

 

Thanks for the write up! Would never have known where to start if I hadn't have read about the 510 resistors.

 

Ah yes... details, details. Glad you got it figured out.

 

today also i fixed my trd tacoma 2008 , what i do to fix?? was so simple, when i open the black cover to see the resistor, i realize one of them wasn`t on place, i took them and put them on place with adhesive loctite 495 and kboooooooommmmmm back again as brand new......please review them before to do nothings with welding things..just make sure what`s the next step...

greetings to everybody.

 

Hi there,

please i just fix my taco with same probklem, i used all instructions here and also i went to take a look on this video, was so helpfull to do with any issues, hope this may help rest of people with same problem with overhead compass with taco`s

grettings to everyone.



http://www.siliconmethod.com at youtube.com

 

This was the greatest information. Looked everywhere until I read your post. So easy to replace, plus now I know how to fix the bad one and keep it as a spare. Thanks

 

I'm going to give this a shot. As everyone is saying "it don't work now so what do I got to loose" Thanks

 

Thank you very much for this post.

I couldn't believe when I pulled the unit and saw resistor 510 lifted!

I fixed it in 10 minutes.

My dealer had quoted $1100 to fix. That was a year ago and I passed.

This Internet thing comes in handy sometimes.


A huge thank you,

Scott Russell, Grafton, Ontario

 

I am so stoked, grateful, thankful, and excited ,right now! I am fairly new to this site and this was the first mod I attempted and it worked. Super easy but also a little intimidating at first when looking at the computer board. But no worries, when its not working what do you have to lose right? First time soldering for me and it was a little sloppy but it works! I am hooked on this site now and look forward to future mods and hopefully future friends as well. Thank you to everyone who contributes to this site taking Tacoma ownership to new levels of awesomeness!!!!

Cheers,

-Tyler (MartyDoc)

 

I just e-mailed a copy of this link to Toyota USA. Wonder if they will read it and respond.

 

Now they will redesign it with the circuit encased in a sealed box that has to be thrown away. Replacement available only from dealers, $800 plus labor...

 

Quick reply from Toyota.....which is much appreciated. Kym seems think that Toyota will only be responsive to their dealers reports...hope that Toyota re-thinks that, since most of us have fixed the problem rather than do a high dollar parts swap at the dealerships.


Dear Mr. Libby,

Thank you for providing us with the link for Tacoma World that shows our customers are experiencing a concern with the overhead compass and temperature display.

We are unable to weigh the merits of the results of your research. The reason we cannot evaluate the merits is that customer concerns are evaluated on a case-by-case basis by Toyota, via each customer's local Toyota dealership.

We encourage our customers to contact us when they are experiencing a concern with their vehicle as it helps to learn what is going on with our vehicles, which can lead to either voluntary recalls or warranty enhancements.

We have documented your email at our National Headquarters, where it is available for review by the appropriate department. If we can be of further assistance, please contact us, http://www.toyota.com/help/.

Sincerely,

Kym Wilson
Toyota Customer Experience

 

I just did this today. I've never soldered before and I bought my first iron today and gave it a try. Great how-to.

 

More from Toyota USA:


Recently you contacted Toyota. Below is a summary of your contact message and our response.

Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you.


Subject Overhead Compass/Temp. on Tacoma trucks Discussion Thread Response Via Email (Kym Wilson)12/14/2012 01:24 PM Dear Mr. Libby,

Thank you for replying to my email.

It was my pleasure to be able to reply you.

If you hear or know of any one having a concern with the compass/temperature, please encourage them to contact us.

May you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2013!

Sincerely,

Kym Customer By Email (Paul Libby)12/14/2012 11:00 AM Thanks Kym for your very prompt response. I think as you read through the number of Tacoma owners that have logged their problem and fixed it on this thread you will find that it is a wide spread component issue that is easily and cheaply fixed. Just consider how many Tacoma owners are not members of the forum, or mechanically inclined to try to fix a broken compass. I would venture that many, when faced with a multi-hundred component switch at the dealership, just forget about the compass/temp gauge.

Again, thanks for your very prompt response. And Merry Christmas from a loyal Toyota owner.

 

So my compass went out 2-3 years ago on my '05 Prerunner. I did research back then on the problem and found the culprit but the posts back then (probably not on this site) pointed to bad/burnt out resistors. I never did find replacement surface mount 510s. FORTUNATELY, I held onto the 510s after I had removed them from the board. I went here today, found it was likely the solder and not the chip isself. Found a Youtube on soldering chips (because I totally removed them) and learned the trick to putting on surface mount resistors and presto . . . my temp and compass are back up!!! Thanks!!!

Wayne

 

Hello everyone,

My apologies for not answering questions for the past month and a half; we just moved our operations from SC to MO (including all of our worldly possessions), so needless to say I've been a bit busy.

However, we are up and running again, and I will start monitoring this thread and answering any questions. For new folks, here is our DIY guide for repairing the compass / temp display.

Thanks,

Greg

We repair Toyota Tacoma compass displays

 

Awesome - totally awesome - you guys help me again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TWF rocks!

 

tried this fix tonight on might and I think i might have fried my board. When i plugged it back in to check it a small puff of smoke came up from underneath th board. The display is not completely out though anymore. It shows 3 or 4 straight horizontal lines across the screen when plugged in.

Am I pooched here?