Compass - Calibration Procedure
83ford4 Article No. 83-25-4COMPASS CALIBRATION
LINCOLN-MERCURY 1984 MARK VII, CONTINENTAL, TOWN CAR
The electronic compass/thermometer is calibrated at the assembly plant to display the proper vehicle heading. If the electronic compass displays an erroneous direction reading, then it must be recalibrated. The electronic compass calibration procedure listed below includes instructions to cover cases involving the inability to calibrate the compass due to temporarily magnetized vehicle.
ELECTRONIC COMPASS CALIBRATION
^ Point the vehicle toward magnetic north. (Use a compass to insure exact magnetic north and west.)
^ With the vehicle's engine idling, press both the compass on/off switch and the left recessed button simultaneously. Use a pen or similar object to press the left recessed button.
The display will indicate "SE tN" (meaning "Set North") for two minutes maximum, while the computer inside the compass automatically makes the adjustment. When the "set north" adjustment is completed, the display will begin to flash "SE tW" (promting you to "Set West").
^ Position the vehicle to magnetic west using a compass to insure accuracy.
^ With the vehicle's engine idling, press the left recessed button using a pen or similar object.
The "SE tW" display should stop flashing and within two minutes the compass should be correctly recalibrated, resulting in a W and current temperature reading.
If, after two minutes, the display still reads "SE tW", (or if the north calibration is never completed) then the vehicle needs demagnetizing. The demagnetizing process requires the use of a degaussing coil as used by television service stores to demagnetize color picture tubes. Demagnetize by sweeping across roof and hood area with the degaussing coil for approximately two minutes.
^ After demagnetizing repeat calibration instructions.
CAUTION: BEFORE REPLACING ANY ELECTRONIC COMPASS/THERMOMETER UNIT FOR CUSTOMER CONCERNS OF INCORRECT
COMPASS READINGS, ALWAYS PERFORM THE CALIBRATION PROCEDURE AS THE INITIAL DIAGNOSTIC STEP. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT INDISCRIMINATE REPLACEMENT OF A COMPASS/THERMOMETER UNIT BECAUSE IT FAILS TO CALIBRATE, WILL NOT SOLVE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY VEHICLE REQUIRING DEMAGNETIZATION.
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: None
WARRANTY STATUS: "INFORMATION ONLY"