The compass display hasn't worked on my car since I bought it. I figured it wasn't a fuse because the lights on the console were operable.

I first did a CVN search but didn't come up with anything. Searched Google, and found this write up on fordforums and had an idea of where to look.

Constant heat from the roof of the car and time cause these chips on the motherboard to de-solder themselves and either become loose or completely fall off.

I took a few pics regarding disasembly and gaining access to the motherboard to repair it. This is on the long overhead console in my LX Sport. I lowered the sunglasses holder and removed the two screws holding the console to the bracket. There was also a screw in the front, by the rear view mirror.

Carefully and slowly use your hands to pry and unclip the console from the bracket. There are two in the rear, and 4 towards the front. Once you have it unclipped, just disconnect the power harness and you can remove the console from the car. DO NOT turn the console over, in case one of your chips has completely disconnected like mine and is sitting in the console somewhere.

Once out, this is what you'll find:



Remove the two torx screws (circled). I don't know the exact size, because I didn't have it and had to use a small allen wrench which worked just fine. Also unclip the two buttons (circled) by bending open the side tabs and sliding up and out.

Once you get those 4 points disconnected, the whole unit will lift out like this:



Pry in those two tabs (there are two on the opposite side as well) and disconnect the casing to reveal this:



In the middle you see the motherboard. I found one chip completely missing (and by a stroke of luck I found it inside my console case) and one with a loose side.



I tore off the one that was hanging on by a thread, and re-soldered them back on.

I'm not going to show you my solder job, because it is quite crude... But it works. I have a compass now, and hopefully this will help someone out in the future on how to potentially fix their overhead console.

Great write up! BOK anyone?

I know I saw a how to on this about a year back also, oh well I second the BOK!

While mine is still working, I agree on BOK. This can information can come in handy.

Upon further inspection, the buttons with the white connectors that are pictured do not need to be disconnected. I wasn't planning on taking pictures when I started this so the pics are actually from the re-assembly. I didn't realize the buttons can stay connected to white piece since you only need to take the motherboard out until I was just looking over the pics.

I had this issue with mine... However both of the resistors were long gone. I just made a bridge of solder across the contacts on both sides and it has seemed to work this far. No problems to report.

It would be good to get a good shot of those resistors. In case others need to be sourced in cases like Drac's. While it may work, its not ideal.

excellent write up.
not trying to hijack the thread, but you seem to know the workings of the long OHC... nothing works in mine (03 CVLX) since the car is black I'm assuming the same chips have melted off and need re-soldering in order to work, but the lights don't work either. my floor lights in the front come on when the doors are opened or when the rotary switch is turned, but not the overhead lights....except occasionally they will come on and work if my kid slams the back passenger door when getting in. I don't think its the LCM since the floor lights work and I don't think its a door ajar switch since they all activate the front floor lights. faulty ground somewhere overhead maybe?

Have you pulled it down to make sure the previous owner didnt unplug it? Usually if the compass fails the lights still work.

The lights acually work occationally when the back pass door is slamed but it doesnt last
Anyone know which pillar the wireing harness goes up?

bump

tearing it apart right now, looking for a loose connection
cant seem to find where the wires run to the roof

Sorry, I didn't get that in-depth with it. Remove your visors, and the screws near the coat hooks (or pull handles) in the rear, and the two near the rear window. Loosen whatever interior trim necessary to lower the headliner and you should be able to see.

Or, remove the driver's side a-pillar cover and there's a good possibility it's running down that.

The wiring runs down the right "C" pillar

Thanks Bull,
I didn't pull the C pillar to look, but that would definitely fit with the symptoms that the back right door being slammed 'jars' something for a minute or two and it works. I wonder if there is a chaffed wire in there somewhere.

I can fix the compass for you.