Compass/Thermometer dead

[CJ Johansson]

The other night, my overhead compass/thermometer just went blank. One minute it was on, then it was just dark. If I look closely, I can see the faint orange glow of the heater wires in the fluorescent display tube, so it appears to have power.



Anyone have any ideas?



-cj

 

[MCummings]

Yes, a few quick questions...



I see you have a 3500, that means you have the overhead clearance lights,, if you are looking very closely, you are probably seeing light come through the orange lens covers and into the compass/thermometer. Could you be seeing this?

Next question is,, Does your Air Conditioner compressor/clutch work?? Does it engage properly??

My truck had a fuse that went bad, called the "IGNITION O. D. " the compass/thermometer and A/C clutch quite working, when I took my truck to the dealer, they did a bunch of stuff,, including recharge my air conditioning with freon (A/C is COLD NOW!)



The fuse is found inside the truck along with the power seats/power windows/power locks/A/C blower/radio fuses, etc. "IGNITION O. D" is the fuse I suggest you check to see if it is burned,, otherwise just take a phillips screwdriver and unscrew the two sheetmetal type screws that are in the front portion of your overhead console. Then when the screws are removed slide the console backwards (don't pull down, or try to pry out) just slide it back about2-3 inches, then it should just kinda fall out off the roof into your hands,, then make sure all the wires, and harnesses are plugged in well.



Hope this helps,

MerrickNJr



P. S. While you have your overhead console off, you could replace your regular white/clear map lights with some colored ones (I use some 211-2r lights, but these aren't the absolute correct size and burn out in about a month or so,, I just replace them with different colors ) (I drive with the center lights on when cruisin' the town with my girl)

 

[CJ Johansson]

Nah, the orange glow is definitely from the flourescent tube heaters, 6 or 8 thin orange horizontal lines right where the numbers should be. Could be some other connector up in there, thanks for the info on the fuse and how to remove the console though. I'll check the fuse just in case.



As for the lights, I'm considering putting in some superbright LED's. They'll never burn out. I've got some white ones that are pretty good, they come in red, green, yellow and blue too. I've been known to leave the light on when I get out and run the battery down (I really hate the 15 or so second delay on turning the interior lights off),

these LED's use such little current, they could be on for a week and not run the battery down.



Of course, you can't just plug 'em in, you've got to make a current limit circuit of some sort, but that'll be easy for an electronics designer guy like me... Once I do it, I'll post to the web.



-cj

 

[MCummings]

Originally posted by CJ Johansson

Of course, you can't just plug 'em in, you've got to make a current limit circuit of some sort, but that'll be easy for an electronics designer guy like me... Once I do it, I'll post to the web.



-cj

Once you post it, I'll probably be doing it,, would be cool to put several colors in the light and just use a rocker switch to toggle between the different colors.



No problem on the console removal,, I've done it a couple of dozen times,, you need a special, (maybe a torx?) screw driver (To remoce the area to get to the actual lights) but I just use an allen ranch that has been laying in my door for ages, (I don't even remember what size it is LOL )



MerrickNJr