'02 Explorer Compass Problem

I've got an '02 Explorer Eddie Bauer edition that has a malfunctioning
compass. Seems that has forgot where north and east is and every thing is
shown as west or southwest or south regardless if you pointing due north.
Any ideas how to fix this or reset it? Thanks!

David S.

das wrote:
> I've got an '02 Explorer Eddie Bauer edition that has a
malfunctioning
> compass. Seems that has forgot where north and east is and every
thing is
> shown as west or southwest or south regardless if you pointing due
north.
> Any ideas how to fix this or reset it? Thanks!
>
> David S.

I just bought a 2002 Explorer XLT and was reading the manual over the
weekend. I believer you can reset the region code for your compass in
order to improve its accuracy. Based on how these embedded electronics
typically behave, I suspect updating your region code will act as a
hard 'reset' of the compass and may fix your problem.

Have you (or the car) recently made a major east-west move? Dave Burns
is right - you MUST perform the "region adjustment". The failure
symptom is exactly what you describe - it says that every direction is
South (or whatever).

Unfortunately, adjusting the compass on my early-build '02 is extremely
frustrating - the procedure in the manual doesn't seem to work as
described. I have been told that there is a new improved procedure, but
haven't been able to uncover it. If anyone has it, I would be grateful
for a copy.

I go back and forth twice a year between Maine and Arizona. Bought my
Explorer in New England, and when I got to Arizona a month later it was
doing the exact thing you describe. Since it was still under warranty,
I took it to the dealer, who adjusted it at no charge, but kind of
chided me about my dumbitude. Since then, I have adjusted it as soon as
I can when I move one way or the other - but occasionally I haven't
gotten around to it right away, and Bingo! The same problem recurs.

HTH

Bill
=======================

wrote:
> das wrote:
>
>>I've got an '02 Explorer Eddie Bauer edition that has a
>
> malfunctioning
>
>>compass. Seems that has forgot where north and east is and every
>
> thing is
>
>>shown as west or southwest or south regardless if you pointing due
>
> north.
>
>>Any ideas how to fix this or reset it? Thanks!
>>
>>David S.
>
>
> I just bought a 2002 Explorer XLT and was reading the manual over the
> weekend. I believer you can reset the region code for your compass in
> order to improve its accuracy. Based on how these embedded electronics
> typically behave, I suspect updating your region code will act as a
> hard 'reset' of the compass and may fix your problem.
>

Try the region adjust and also the calibration where you drive in
circles. That should remove any bias the compass would have.