Overhead Console problems

I am trying to update a 2010 Tacoma Access cab by exchanging the overhead console without the temp-compass feature to a console with the temp-compass feature .I removed the original console and found the wiring in place for the temp-compass console but when I connected the replacement all that I got was ____ F for temp. and cal F for compass and it would not calibrate even after I picked the correct zone. I had heard many comments about this unit failing because of heat and many repair services handle the failures so I sent it to be reconditioned but it came back with no change.Is there anything that has to be done other than connect the console lights plug and the temp-compass plug ? I can see the temp module mounted in front of the radiator and I guess it could be defective but this should not affect the compass. I was using a console from a 2011 Tacoma(temp unit mfg.date was 10/09/11) pn 83290-04011.Looking for some help !!

 

IIRC I remember reading something a long time ago when I was researching the temp/comp not working, it said something about driving in circles to calibrate the compass,,, if that helps?

 

Yes ,I followed the calibrating in the Tacoma manual but without any success.

 

Make sure that your unit is not defective first. It is very common for the solder to be broken on the circuit board. I have repaired two of these myself in the past. Expose the circuit board and look for a resistor marked 501, that's the one that breaks loose on one end. Solder it up and you're good to go. I am however suspicious that you have something else going on since you do have an F showing. I think it normally goes out completely, at least I think mine did.

 

If you are getting something on your display, then your problem probably isn't the soldering issue. You should figure out if all the wires you need are in the connector. Different models of 2nd gens had different places to pick-up the temperature. If you are getting ___F, then my guess is that the temperature sensor isn't present or is incompatible with the overhead console you got.

As for the compass, make sure the Vehicle Speed Sensor is connected. The compass needs that. In addition, make sure you go into calibrate mode for the compass.

Good luck.

Edit: Here is one thread on the compass that includes a wiring diagram...but I think it is for the 2005 to 2008 Overhead console.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/overhead-compass.426179/

 

Whether you have an overhead console or not, the temp sensor is in the front middle of the core support. The overhead does not connect directly to the sensor, it connects to a plug that is on the CanBus network. That temp sensor is part of the engine control system. I wonder if you have to disconnect your battery and the reconnect, maybe the computer needs to find it on CanBus like a USB device does? Just a guess....

 

I looked at the plug that you provided and mine has the same wires except the gray wire is not there. The plug that came with the overhead console is exactly like the one in the 2010 Tacoma so the plugs match . You mentioned that the wiring diagram was 2005-2008 ; evidently the unit gets a signal another way. I really do not know how to check it without getting a working unit of the same year and hooking it up and see what happens.

 

I took the Tacoma to Toyota service today and this is what happened. The tech said that the yellow temp wire ran from the temp sensor to the a/c control that is located behind the glove box to terminal 27(I think that was the number) but no wire went out from that terminal . The yellow is the temp wire so he thinks that the temp signal is not reaching the overhead unit . he suggested ordering a terminal kit to plug into terminal 27 and hard wire it to the overhead harness. . On the compass not working ,he said that the overhead harness is not connected to the VSS and it needs that to work but not sure how to connect it . Although the Tacoma did not have that temp compass installed from factory ,the overhead wiring was present so one would assume that all wiring was in place without any further wiring. The tech could pull up a wiring diagram but said he could not get a diagnostic diagram . Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

Update -Temp is now working ! The tech ran a yellow wire from the A/C control to the overhead unit harness and spliced into the yellow wire there and the temp popped on immediately. The compass is not working ; my friend doesn't care about the compass so it may not be activated . The tech said that he would try to find the VSS and he thinks that the compass would work if connected . I am still surprised that the harness in the overhead was not complete but I guess Toyota is making it more difficult for owners to add accessories . I installed a Homelink self-dimmimg compass equipped mirror in my wife's 2015 Camry LE using a Toyota kit and had to tap into the wiring harness and run the harness overhead to the mirror ; a factory mounted harness and plug would have been a 5 minute job instead of an hour. thanks to all who offered suggestions about the overhead unit ; I learned much and maybe others did also.

 

Hey Tom, was it a 4cyl?

 

Tom hasn't been here since June of 2016, when this thread was alive.

Betting it's pretty unlikely you'll hear back from him.

His profile shows a DCLB, so likely not a 4.

 

He mentioned "2010 Tacoma Access cab" in the first post though.

 

You are correct. So it's possible, but not sure if it matters either.

And I still doubt he'll respond. Since he's not logged on in almost 7 years

 

Well, doesn't hurt to ask. And it gives me hope that it's a matter of connecting yellow wire to ac controller to make it work on a 4cyl.

 

the wire goes from pin 27 of the amplifier
to pin 5 of the overhead console connector.

 

Cool, thanks! What is the IN1 box?

 

that’s just a junction block, it is a pass through.

 

So i think i've found the missing link. In my 09 4cyl the overhead console yellow wire ends up at the top left corner of the hub where two coupled connectors are (second pin from the left in the row closest to me):


And there is no wire in the corresponding connector on the other side.
I'm planning to run a wire from the other side of white connector to the AC amplifier. Does anyone know what part i need to attach to a wire so that i can add it to the connector? Some kind of crimping pin i suppose.

 

So i found AC amplifier and directly connected pin 27 to overhead yellow wire. And it worked!


Compass shows the opposite direction though ..

 

An update: i tried to calibrate compass and it didn't work. I think VSS wire in 1E connector (aka "black plug") wasn't working (probably is not connected on the other side of connector). I drove around with cal-N for a while. Today i temporarily connected 1E V-W wire to the ECM one (connector E7)
Original post
Drove in a circle once and compass started to work properly.
So all in all it's possible to get temp+compass console to work on a 4cyl.

Update#2: i noticed that temp values were only decreasing during a trip. I made a more permanent connection btw VSS points and now temp reading goes both up and down. So it seems that VSS signal presence is required for the temp monitor logic to work.