Electronic Compass - Calibration Procedure
Article No. 85-19-3ELECTRONIC COMPASSCALIBRATION PROCEDURE
LINCOLN-MERCURY 1984-86 MARK VII, CONTINENTAL
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 a temporarily magnetized vehicle.
ELECTRONIC COMPASS CALIBRATION
Point the vehicle toward magnetic North. (Use a separate compass outside of the vehicle, to ensure exact magnetic North.)
Figure 2 - OVERHEAD CONSOLE:
With the vehicle's engine idling, press both the compass on/off switch and the left recessed button simultaneously. Use a paper clip (not a pen) or similar object to press the left recessed button "A" (Figure 2).
The display will indicate "S E + N" (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 "S E + W" (meaning "Set West").
Position the vehicle to magnetic West using a separate compass outside of the vehicle, to ensure exact magnetic West.
Figure 2 - OVERHEAD CONSOLE:
With the vehicle's engine idling, press the left recessed button ("A") using a paper clip (not a pen) or similar object (Figure 2).
The "S E + W" 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 "S E + W" (or the North calibration is never completed), then the vehicle roof needs demagnetizing (degaussing). 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 the roof area with a degaussing coil as follows:
1. Turn degausser on.
NOTE: The degausser must be turned on and off a minimum of three feet from the vehicle.
Figure 3 - DEGAUSSING INSTRUCTIONS:
2. Make four continuous passes over the roof of the vehicle from one side to the next. Each pass should overlap one radius (Figure 3).
3. Degausser should be 1/8" to 1/16" from the surface of the roof and moved in smooth, continuous motion (not jerky).
4. After demagnetizing, repeat calibration instructions.
NOTE: Attachment of magnetic mount antennas to the roof will magnetize the roof and will render the compass inoperable.
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: 84-18-10
Supersedes: 83-25-4
WARRANTY STATUS: "INFORMATION ONLY"