Compass

[sreilly77]

my 95 TC is a Signature/Spinnaker Series that did NOT come with the Compass option. is there any way i can activate it?

[Towncar]

Hi Sean...
As far as I can tell there's only two types of Instrument Panels, Mechanical and Electronic. If you have the Electronic style then the compass display is built in and only needs to be connected to the Module that hangs from the Rearview Mirror mount.

That being said, we have no idea if Ford included the wires from the Instrument Panel to the Rearview Mirror.

Another prerequisite is the Electronic Rearview Mirror & only because there's a small wire harness that runs from the back side of the mirror (connector port), to the Compass Module. I don't see that connector port on the Manual (flip lever) dimming mirror.

You would have to do a few verifications like;

• Is the harness port on your mirror?
• Is the connector port alive?

If the harness port isn't alive, that would mean that Ford, in their infinate wisdom neglected to run the wires from the Instrument Panel to the Mirror.

Running the wires might prove to be a PITA.. just depends on what your willing to do for the factory compass.

The Module that sits on the mirror mount is a seperate unit, and would have to be acquired along with the small wires harness that runs from the Module to the Mirror.

There are aftermarket mirrors that have Auto Dim, and Compass built in and only need 12V power. That negates the factory display in the instrument panel though

[sreilly77]

Originally Posted by Towncar

Hi Sean...
As far as I can tell there's only two types of Instrument Panels, Mechanical and Electronic. If you have the Electronic style then the compass display is built in and only needs to be connected to the Module that hangs from the Rearview Mirror mount.

That being said, we have no idea if Ford included the wires from the Instrument Panel to the Rearview Mirror.

Another prerequisite is the Electronic Rearview Mirror & only because there's a small wire harness that runs from the back side of the mirror (connector port), to the Compass Module. I don't see that connector port on the Manual (flip lever) dimming mirror.

You would have to do a few verifications like;

• Is the harness port on your mirror?
• Is the connector port alive?

If the harness port isn't alive, that would mean that Ford, in their infinate wisdom neglected to run the wires from the Instrument Panel to the Mirror.

Running the wires might prove to be a PITA.. just depends on what your willing to do for the factory compass.

The Module that sits on the mirror mount is a seperate unit, and would have to be acquired along with the small wires harness that runs from the Module to the Mirror.

There are aftermarket mirrors that have Auto Dim, and Compass built in and only need 12V power. That negates the factory display in the instrument panel though

ok i was just curious. i see a lot of town cars that look like mine or picture on the internet that have the compass option. what really made me curious was even since my car is a Signature Series, i've seen Executive Series town cars have compasses. i guess it was an opition for exectutive and signature series town cars and standard on cartiers. o well, i was just wondering. thanks.

[Towncar]

Originally Posted by sreilly77

.... i guess it was an opition for exectutive and signature series town cars and standard on cartiers ....

Yeah, I think you're correct on that one.. Do you have the Electronic Rearview Mirror on yours?


Hey Sean...
After having a second look, It seems like the wire harness from under the headliner goes into a channel on the windshield, then two connectors emerge from that channel, one for the mirror & one for the compass.. I could disconnect my mirror to see if that compass still works if you're interested

I now believe the mirror connector has nothing to do with the compass module. The wire harnesses you need may be tucked away under the headliner if you don't see them hanging there. The microphone connector for the mobile phone is also tucked away up there.


Compass; Module
Removal and Installation

1. Note: The compass module is mounted on the base of the inside rear view mirror.

Remove retaining screw.

2. To remove the compass module, grab the front of the compass module and gently pull down. Press locking tang and remove connector from compass module.

3. Remove module.





4. To install the compass, locate the mounting tab on the rear of the compass module.

5. Connect wiring connector into compass module until retainer engages.

6. Note: This tab fits into the mirror base which attaches to the mirror glass.

With the tab in place, press the front of the compass module gently upwards until the compass engages the mirror stem, and install retaining screw.

7. Check compass operation.

[sreilly77]

i was told that the auto dim rear-view mirror was removed because it didnt work with the previous owner of the car and he just put on a regular rear-view mirror. so i am assuming the wires are still somewhere under the headliner i would have to look. i do notice that when i start the car the compass does light up when the dash does its check of all the lights and what not, and then it just goes blank. im not going to worry about it it isn't a big deal. i'm just a gadget head and if my car has options that aren't active, i like to mess around and make them work. kind of makes the car unique haha.

[Towncar]

Sounds like it's already setup, and removed. I'll bet the wires are tucked in there.

Just a quick FYI, the wire from the headliner area to the compass module (#6 above) shows as a seperate part number.