New here...what's the box by the rearview mirror?

[jchristian79]

Hey all, I just purchased an '05 Exploerer XLT 4x4 V8 on Friday. It has 63k miles on it and is in perfect shape according to the Ford dealer I had look at it. It's mostly fully loaded and came with brand new 20" rims & Toyo tires which I hope to replace with all terrains soon

Being new to Explorers I found this forum to be a treasure trove of answers! I already new the Blend Door Actuator was out and thanks to this forum figured out I can replace it relatively cheap.

I do have a question though. There is a small black box attached behind the rearview mirror that I can't figure out the purpose of. There is a satellite radio button on the stereo so I thought it might be the sat receiver but when I push the SAT button on the stereo it says no satellite.

So, what is the purpose of this black box? I would like to install an iPod adapter into the Satellite port but may not if the satellite receiver is already installed. Thanks for any help!

 

[Steina]

That's the sensor for your compass.

Steve

 

[BigRondo]

Yup, that's the compass.

 

[jchristian79]

Ah, ok, thanks!

So, is there any way to tell if that Sat receiver is installed?

 

[Exproblems]

Ah, ok, thanks!

So, is there any way to tell if that Sat receiver is installed?

>>>>>>>>

If you have your vehicles manual, you can find out what types of factory radio's Ford put into these Explorers. I read up on them a while back in my manual. The one I have, is the am-fm, 6-cd changer, satellite capable radio. I don't subscribe to satellite service, so I'm assuming if I did, the radio I have could receive a satellite radio signal. If you need to download the owners manual, "BigRondo" just posted a link to it to someone else in here the other day on another topic. I forgot to copy his link but I'll go back and look for it and try to get back to you later.
Update: Below is the link from BigRondo to download the owners manual:

Dead Link Removed

 

[gtyates]

Your '05 does not have a satellite tuner built in. I had to add one to my head unit.

 

[Dwelves02XLT]

Yup, that's the compass.

Speaking of the compass, does anybody know the region code for Europe? I checked my owners manual and couldnt find anything on it. Mine is always stuck on "South."

 

[BigRondo]

Speaking of the compass, does anybody know the region code for Europe? I checked my owners manual and couldnt find anything on it. Mine is always stuck on "South."

I checked the most recent owner's manual and it looks like it has a better zone map.

Dead Link Removed.

Once you have downloaded it, check pages 17 & 18 for the zone map and instructions for calibration.

Good luck, I hope this helps out!!

 

[Kazer]

Yup, that's the compass.

the guy/company i bought my truck from told me it was a remote start unit, but since it was a repo, he said the fobs were never recovered.....lol

 

[BigRondo]

the guy/company i bought my truck from told me it was a remote start unit, but since it was a repo, he said the fobs were never recovered.....lol

Steve, I call BS on that guy!! :

Here is the compass info from my owner's manual. Notice that the compass is highlighted in blue!

 

[jad2411]

the guy/company i bought my truck from told me it was a remote start unit, but since it was a repo, he said the fobs were never recovered.....lol

It's a line that they use, it is in fact a camera that the goverment uses to spy on you, haven't you seen Person of interest?

 

[High_Order1]

Not to hijack the thread, but Kazer, you know you can buy replacement fobs off eBay, and get a competent locksmith to load them in the system for a ton less than the dealership will charge, right?

 

[Kazer]

I've gotten fobs out of the Junkyard. 8 on offs of the ignition, then hold lock and unlock on the fob worked great for me, it since right up. Only 2 fobs max per truck...I've tried having more.

 

[Clayton66]

Hey all, I just purchased an '05 Exploerer XLT 4x4 V8 on Friday. It has 63k miles on it and is in perfect shape according to the Ford dealer I had look at it. It's mostly fully loaded and came with brand new 20" rims & Toyo tires which I hope to replace with all terrains soon

Being new to Explorers I found this forum to be a treasure trove of answers! I already new the Blend Door Actuator was out and thanks to this forum figured out I can replace it relatively cheap.

I do have a question though. There is a small black box attached behind the rearview mirror that I can't figure out the purpose of. There is a satellite radio button on the stereo so I thought it might be the sat receiver but when I push the SAT button on the stereo it says no satellite.

So, what is the purpose of this black box? I would like to install an iPod adapter into the Satellite port but may not if the satellite receiver is already installed. Thanks for any help!

I have the exact thing on my 05 Xplorer and a gentleman said it's part of the compass system.
And for the satalite radio you need a subscription for it to be activated.
Hope this helps.