Pinpoint Test E: The Compass Is Inaccurate

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Mercury Mariner and 2006 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

E1 CHECK THE COMPASS ZONE SETTING AND CALIBRATION
- Set the zone. Refer to COMPASS ZONE ADJUSTMENT in this article.
- Does the compass calibrate correctly?
Yes : GO to E3.

No : GO to E2.
E2 DEMAGNETIZE THE VEHICLE
- Demagnetize the vehicle. Refer to VEHICLE DEMAGNETIZING in this article.
- Does the compass calibrate correctly?
Yes : GO to E3.

No : INSTALL a new compass sensor module. SET the zone. REFER to COMPASS ZONE ADJUSTMENT in this article. CALIBRATE the compass. REFER to COMPASS CALIBRATION in this article. TEST the system for normal operation.

E3 CHECK THE COMPASS ACCURACY

Position the vehicle and observe the compass display as follows:

COMPASS DISPLAY CHART

Direction	Compass Display
North	N
Northeast	NE
East	E
Southeast	SE
South	S
Southwest	SW
West	W
Northwest	NW

Does the compass display as indicated?

Yes : The compass is OK. The concern may have been caused by an incorrect zone setting, a magnetized vehicle, or the compass was out of calibration.

No : INSTALL a new compass sensor module. SET the zone. REFER to COMPASS ZONE ADJUSTMENT in this article. CALIBRATE the compass. REFER to COMPASS CALIBRATION in this article. TEST the system for normal operation.