How to: Overhead console display fix - 2nd Gen

[33x3explorer]

Thank you so much for posting this. The pictures and instructions made this very easy. You saved me a ton of time and aggravation!!

 

[makingmesick]

Another thanks. Just fixed my 99 XLT.

 

[Chikar]

My success story

After taking the overhead console out of my Explorer (non-sunroof) I took it to the dining room table and started taking it apart. I found one of the 510 resistors loose on one end and the other missing. I could see there had been one soldered there. My thought was "Oh Oh" I live in a small town so where am I going to get another one?

While disassembling the console I dropped my screwdriver on the white tile floor, bent down to pick it up, AND THERE WAS THE OTHER RESISTOR! I couldn't believe my luck.

I resoldered the resistors, checked all the other solder joints with a magnifying glass (all looked good) then took it out to the truck and plugged it in. It worked great. I hadn't realized how much I used the temp readings and compass until I didn't have them anymore.

For those of you who are going to try this fix I'm a computer tech and have some experience with solder work. Those resistors are very small and won't tolerate much heat. I used a Weller 25 watt iron with the tip filed to a pin point. You'll also want to buy some .022" silver bearing rosin core solder. I got mine at The Source (Radio Shack in the US). It was exactly the right size for this job, the rosin cleans the connection as it melts, and the silver adds a lot of strength.

Do your best to not apply too much heat. Hold the tip on the joint just long enough to see the existing solder start to melt and immediately apply the new solder then remove the iron. If you think you have to do it again wait a minute or so to let the resistor cool.

This was a very easy job and sure beats paying Ford several hundred dollars for a new part

 

[John777]

95 explorer XLT overhead compass problem

I tryed all of the fixes above BUT mine is a little different . My display has 3 switches ( buttons ) and when I turn the egnition key to start the car and let it fall back , the display turns on all the segments for a checkout then goes blank . I tryed the mode switch for 3 seconds - nothing ! the temperature sensor is in the roof directly over the display . Has anyone had this problem before ? What is the checkout procedure ? Do I have to hold down two buttons in order to setup the computer or resort to witchcraft ?

 

[BlueMystc5]

I tryed all of the fixes above BUT mine is a little different . My display has 3 switches ( buttons ) and when I turn the egnition key to start the car and let it fall back , the display turns on all the segments for a checkout then goes blank . I tryed the mode switch for 3 seconds - nothing ! the temperature sensor is in the roof directly over the display . Has anyone had this problem before ? What is the checkout procedure ? Do I have to hold down two buttons in order to setup the computer or resort to witchcraft ?

what do you mean it has three buttons do you have pics

 

[kabknuj]

200 Explorer - not completely out just one lamp works
Read through this thread and it seems like this fix works when only the temp/compass is out

One map light (passenger) works the left map light/ compass and temperature are out.
Do you think this is the same problem or as suggested by my mechanic it may have got wet from moisture that came from the sunroof

 

[DanC]

Now What

Hi Everyone. First post here so bare with me. I finally got to this fix on my 01 Explorer. When I got the circuit board out and looked at both of the 501 diodes they looked good. Even with a magnifying glass they look good. No melting or chard look at all.??? Now what?? So I looked a my main plug-in and I could see maybe a little corrosion. What the heck I cleaned it the best I could and plugged the unit in. It worked!! For about 2 seconds before I heard a little noise like a circuit opening or maybe a circuit breaker opening. Turn key off then turn back on and it will do the same thing. Works for 2 seconds...

Any Suggestion will be appriciated................Dan

 

[greg8470]

Dan - the "plug in" and sound your hearing add a wrinkle to the issue, but I would suggest go ahead and add a bead of solder to all four connection points on the 50 ohm resistor just to ensure electrical continuity (if you have an ohm meter, you should also verify the resistors are still at the rated 50 ohms while you're in there). If that doesn't solve it, the plug in connector may have a loose terminal which breaks contact after initial power delivery to the console. I don't believe there are any actual circuit breakers or over current devices on the board that would open/reset upon restart. Since my problem was resolved with the resistor, my expertise is obviously limited. Best of luck to you!

 

[DanC]

I think I got It Now

After playing around with the Console for awhile I figured out that the "Mode" button was in "Off". What happens is the unit would run a shelf test at startup and then go into off. I push the "Mode" button and to ON and now it works fine. So I guess cleaning the main plug-in/power supply hopefully was the problem. Should have check that first!

I have a 98 Mercury Mountaineer with the overheard display. I pulled it down and looked inside. I think the circuit board will work in my Explorer if needed. The only difference is the Mountaineer has no Sunroof so the whole Console won't fix the Explorer.

PS: Now I'm going to fix the rear window Wiper motor......

Thanks Greg................Dan

 

[greg8470]

Great news - dIt's always nice when the fix is "easy"! Good luck with the wiper motor - my Sport Trac doesn't have one.

Greg

 

[kabknuj]

Hi
I did not receive any replies to this partial outage of my panel so I went ahead and tried the fix as described - it was as simple as described
When I removed the panels the diodes were intact and did not look like they were loose but re-soldered them anyway. I replaced the panel and there was no change in the panel lighting ( mode temp and driver amp light is out)
Do you think that replacing the entire unit (junkyard) would fix it or should I look at the plug as referred to by DanC

 

[DanC]

Since you know aready that it's easy to pull the unit out try it. I was ready to purchase a complete unit on ebay for $49+shipping. If you have a power sunroof make sure you get the right one. If color is wrong just use what you need.

Good luck..

 

[wildkat23]

Thanks for posting these instructions! This was a very easy fix with the instructions provided and worked perfectly!

 

[ucluglee]

This was the reason I found this forum. I Googled "ford explorer overhead temp/compass display not working" and the first link was this site. This was my first repair to my '00 XLT.

 

[PKJ]

1995 explorer compass

Thallarsen did a great job documenting his fix for a 99 Exp but it don't work for a 95 - not the same year, circuit board or problem. For what it's worth, here's my tale:

The display started to go haywire several months ago. It displayed all sorts of weird characters but then, after about 10 minutes, it warmed up and thought better of it - displayed meaningful numbers. Then it started to get worse and worse - long delays before anything displayed. Finally, nothing but a blank stare. So then I discover this forum and Thallarsen's comments and I'm thinking: "Hey - this might fix my problem, too!"

No sunroof but someone said "Remove the 2 screws and pull down." OK, that worked. So then it dangles from the wires and I'm getting into all sorts of weird positions on the passenger seat, trying to figure out how to unplug the connector. It refuses to come out. End of Day 1.

Day 2. Back on the driver's seat this time to get a better view of the thing. Yankin , twistin, pullin - no go. Finally noticed this little clip-like thing in the center of the plastic harness and thinking: Why is that there? Pushing, pulling, twisting - no go. Finally get a screwdriver and PUSH DOWN hard on that little thing while PULLING the 2 halves in opposite directions: BINGO!

I'm thinking: I'm home free! Take the console to the kitchen table and take out every screw I could find. The guts look NOTHING like the 99 guts - black, not white plastic casing, etc. Finally uncover the circuit board and marvel at how SMALL things are. Can't read any numbers, whatsoever. Gotta get a magnifying glass from Office Depot. After getting the magnifying glass, stop at Radio Shack to check out soldering kits. $27.95, including solder. No way, Jose! - not before I make sure I can find those 501 (or 510) resistors/transistors and then maybe try Fry's for something cheaper.

Back to the kitchen table with the magnifying glass and a LIGHT. Things are much clearer now and I check everything with a number on it. No 501 (or 510) to be found anywhere! I'm thinking: Now what? I take a look at the display and notice that one corner of it is very dark - as in BURNED OUT dark! I'm thinking: Aha! - the display gradually died on me over the course of the last few months. Makes sense.

Go to the Dealer to find out if I can buy a new circuit board for a 95. Dealer says: "Sorry - that's an OBSOLETE part". Good thing, because the last price it sold for at the Dealer was over $300!

I learned a lot. Got a really nice, fold-away, 3-power magnifying glass (3x, 6x and 9x) for checking out stamps and coins. Saved $27.95 on a soldering kit that would be collecting dust for years. Looking for an entire overhead console - CHEAP!

 

[meanness6]

Just a thanks to the person who put up overhead console fix for temp and compass fix.Been without mine for a year in my 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac.Never much been able to solder but even i did the old 510 fix.When i opened up mine one of the two 510 was sitiing up off the board and i put solder to it and baaaam....works again.Thanks again for taking your time for this fix

 

[jilyjo]

Thank You! Your post is so awesome and it works! I'm a 47 yr old WOMAN who just decided to fix my own display after it decided to go on the fritz a week ago. This was pretty easy. My first time ever soldering, disassembling any car parts, or fiddling with circuit boards. If I can do it... anyone can! Save yourself the money and time at a shop.

 

[bbbdees]

Excellent post. Very Helpful!!!

Thank you for this post!!! I took my overhead console apart about a year ago, but didn't have the nerve to try to solder those small connections. Well, after another year of living without my temp/compass, I decided I couldn't make it any worse. Well, so far so good. A nice fine tipped soldering iron, a little patience, and these instructions and pictures, and it’s all working again. Excellent post.

 

[mountainboys]

Great info, pulled my '99 apart and had a TV repair shop solder it for me. He did a great job and offered to solder a couple more contacts for me at no charge. I got him a gift card at the local coffee shop for his efforts. He was happy and so am I. Thanks again for the info.

 

[YellowEdge4x4]

ok heres a pic of the console that i have for a 95 xlt without sunroof. I have looked over the board. Has anyone found a common problem with this board or could the problem be somewhere else?

Thanks
aric anderson

Thanks to this thread I was able to repair my OHC. The photo above is what my board looks like. The problem was in the bottom right corner. The capacitor was bad and the resistor next to it was desoldered. You can see one side of the resistor under the display. The location of the problem was easy to see as the board was discolored from heat and a leaking capacitor. Unfortunately when I tried to resolder the resistor one of the pads came off the board. I traced the connections for the resistor, found new connection points and soldered a 1/4 watt 160 ohm resistor between those locations. The SMD resistor I replaced was a 160 ohm (labeled 161).