Overhead Compass/Temp Fix

My 05 went out almost 6 months ago I checked the fuses a couple of times and finally just forgot about until I came across this thread.
I have not done the soldering yet but just pressing on the 510s with the power on brought this gadget back to life! Amazing! Any tips on soldering for a first timer?

 

I don't have a Tacoma yet, but I've read this thread with interest, and I have a question and a comment.

First, does the display glow green/blue, or is it a backlit LCD (like a common wristwatch)? If the digits glow, it is probably a vacuum fluorescent display, which works similar to a picture tube or plasma screen. The display is contained within a glass envelope. The 'burnt corner' would be the 'getter', a material used to achieve a higher vacuum by chemically combining with residual gasses in the vacuum envelope when heated during manufacture. Such a getter is normal.

Second, an idea about why the solder is a problem--I wouldn't be surprised if RoHS was the culprit. Trying to eliminate lead from a lot of consumer goods. Lead based solders are much more tolerant of abuse than lead-free solder.

 

If I knew how To Solder... I could jsut hang out at the dealership wait for the Temp guage problems to roll in and offer to fix it for $10 a pop.. ill be rollin in the Big $$$ in no time

 

Just get the iron hot and try to work a bead across the sections... Good luck man.

 

Thanks man! I am going to need it.

 

I just completed this repair after the wife told me the display was out. One of the resistors was completely off of the board and laying in the smoked lens. The other one was only held in on one end.

I can't believe they just fall right out...

Marc M

 

Yup, I have this problem now!! Its been super hot, like 20 days over 100 degrees here in Houston, which has been causing all kinds of havoc on vehicles. I noticed mine out last week, pressed the button and it came on. However, it quickly went off again! Waited the next day, it didn't light up at start, pushed the button, it came on and then immediately went off. Now 3 days later, hasn't come on at all.

Gonna try this fix tonight after the dealer basically laughed when i asked if the could just re-solder it (they said, "nah, we'll just replace it, runs about $1000 with the parts and labor) If it works, I will be sooooo happy.

I'm really beginning to lose respect for my Tacoma, I suffer from the silencer-pad / leaf spring squeaking and now this of using cheap "Made In Mexico" parts really makes me question why I sprung for the "superior" Toyota brand over something else...(but maybe I shouldn't be saying this here! I really do love the truck though...)

 

I have an 09 and the temp and direction are so dim they can oly be seen at night. Is there a fix for that?

 

You're gonna have to use your warranty on that one. 1st I've heard of that...

 

Yeah, that would be a good one... we should check with toku58. He changed out the led's in the speedo cluster - It looks very cool - I'm sure he knows how. Now all we need to do is to send him a temp panel (if he doesn't already have one).

 

Johnecon2001 did this to my rig and its been glorious ever since! Great write up!

 

Worked like a charm , thanks

 

Thanks to those who posted the fix. Mine went out a couple of days ago, 7/7/09, local dealer says I'm outside the 3yr/36k warranty: you guys saved me. After removing the single center screw inside my sunglass compartment, I should have pulled backwards, on the front of the overhead ceiling console, the side closest to the windshield, this contains the shallow-hook which easily drops down, then the other end, nearest the dome light, with its three massive hooks would've dropped easily. Other than that, a little solder on one of the 510 resistors and I'm operational.

 

here you go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLfXXRfRIzY

 

Thanks for posting this! I had the same problem and now it is working again. When it went out the other day, I knew I'd have to make a visit here and look for a solution. Sure enough, there it was...and easy too.

After I soldered the first resistor, I noticed the burn mark on the display and I thought that I'd gotten the soldering iron too close to it. Glad to see that others have seen the same burn mark and that it wasn't due to my carelessness.
Thanks again. This forum has saved me big $$ again.

 

Thanks a million for the write-up and the pics. My dealership told me it would cost $1000 to replace the entire console. Thanks to your write up it only cost me $15 to buy a battery operated soldering iron. I was able to make the repairs myself!!!

 

Funny, mine just went out the other day and I knew exactly what it was... Thanks for the writeup, great find!

 

Thanks for the excellent information and photos. One of the 510 resistors had a broken solder joint.

I have a 2007 Tacoma. That's been the only thing that's gone wrong at 58,000+ miles.

Thanks again.

Inspector Clouseau

 

Fixed mine tonight. I didn't see any broken solder joints but like others, I decided to go ahead and solder the 510 resistors. Put it back together and it worked!

Just a little game but those who fixed their console, post your temp reading. Haha..

Mine was 94 (this is at 8 pm tonight...yeah that's Houston weather).

 

Just did the fix this week. Thanks for the write up. My observations:

1. These resistors are smaller than they look in the pics on this thread. Soldering such a small seam was kinda challenging for a first timer like myself. Looks ugly, but it worked.

2. If you do the soldering & plug the unit back it & nothing comes on... hit the button. Mine was turned off & I thought the fix didn't work for me until I hit it.

3. Do it for under $10. Go to Radio Shack & buy their Soldering kit. It contains the soldering pen, clamp, tool, and some solder. Their kit is made for electronic repairs. This kit costs $7.99

4.** VIP** Most importantly people: Do not rely on this temp gauge for road conditions. The gauge typically reads warmer than actual temp. Last year, my gauge read 38 deg. F when I hit black ice... several 360's and over 10K in damage later... here I am to warn you.