Manual Compass Calibration

Instrument Panel, Gauges and Warning Indicators › Compass
Manual Compass Calibration11 steps
△ CAUTION
Do not place any external magnets, such as magnetic roof mount antennas, in the vicinity of the Remote Compass Module (RCM) located above the headliner in the rear of the vehicle. Do not place any electronic devices (cell phones, laptop computers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), portable DVD players, etc.) on or near the rear of the roof as the RCM performance may be affected. Do not use magnetic tools when servicing the RCM.
ℹ NOTE
Manual calibration is required anytime a new Remote Compass Module (RCM) is installed. Upon installation of the new RCM, the CAL (calibrate) message will appear in the instrument cluster display. The RCM will automatically calibrate if the vehicle is driven very slowly in two or more complete circles, away from large metal objects. The RCM can also be manually calibrated by performing the following procedure.
ℹ NOTE
Confirmation that the proper variance zone is programmed is recommended whenever manual compass calibration is performed.
ℹ NOTE
If the vehicle is equipped with a Chrysler Uconnect(TM) GPS (Navigation Radio), the navigation system will provide the compass direction, so the Variance and Calibration menus will be unavailable. The compass performs accurately based upon GPS signals rather than based upon the Earth's magnetic field.
ℹ NOTE
Do not attempt to calibrate the compass near large metal objects such as other vehicles, large buildings, or bridges; or, near overhead or underground power lines.
ℹ NOTE
A blinking CAL symbol within the display indicates the RCM has determined that it is no longer within calibration parameters and the calibration procedure must be performed.
ℹ NOTE
If the calibration CAL symbol remains in the display or if the compass heading is inaccurate following the calibration procedure and there are no internal compass faults, either there is excessive magnetism near the compass, or the unit is inoperative. Repeat the calibration procedure at least one more time prior to performing any system diagnosis.
ℹ NOTE
If the wrong direction is still indicated in the compass display, the area selected for calibration may be too close to a strong magnetic field. Repeat the calibration procedure in another location.
ℹ NOTE
Do not attempt to calibrate the compass near large metal objects such as other vehicles, large buildings, or bridges; or, near overhead or underground power lines.
ℹ NOTE
A blinking CAL symbol within the display indicates the RCM has determined that it is no longer within calibration parameters and the calibration procedure must be performed.
ℹ NOTE
If the calibration CAL symbol remains in the display or if the compass heading is inaccurate following the calibration procedure and there are no internal compass faults, either there is excessive magnetism near the compass, or the unit is inoperative. Repeat the calibration procedure at least one more time prior to performing any system diagnosis.
ℹ NOTE
If the wrong direction is still indicated in the compass display, the area selected for calibration may be too close to a strong magnetic field. Repeat the calibration procedure in another location.
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  1. Start the engine but leave the manual transmission in the Neutral (N) position or the automatic transmission in the Park (P) position.
  2. Depress and hold the odometer/trip odometer push button or the RESET push button for approximately 10 seconds, until the current variance (VAR) zone number is displayed.
  3. Release the odometer/trip odometer push button or the RESET push button, then depress and hold it again for approximately 10 seconds, until the direction is displayed, with the CAL symbol on solid (not blinking) in the display.
  4. To complete the compass calibration, drive the vehicle in one or more complete 360 degree circles, under 8 km/h (5 mph) in an area free from overhead or underground power lines and large metal objects such as other vehicles, large buildings or bridges. The CAL symbol will disappear from the display to indicate successful compass calibration.
  5. Confirm that the correct direction is now indicated by the compass. WITH ELECTRONIC VEHICLE INFORMATION CENTER Manually calibrate the compass as follows:
  6. Start the engine but leave the manual transmission in the Neutral (N) position or the automatic transmission in the Park (P) position.
  7. Depress and release the MENU push button (6), until the Personal Settings (Customer Programmable Features) menu appears in the display.
  8. Depress and release the Step / Down Scroll push button (4), until Calibrate Compass appears in the display.
  9. Depress and release the Select / Reset push button (3) to start the calibration. The CAL symbol should appear solid (not blinking) in the display.
  10. To complete the compass calibration, drive the vehicle in one or more complete 360 degree circles, under 8 km/h (5 mph) in an area free from overhead or underground power lines and large metal objects such as other vehicles, large buildings or bridges. The CAL symbol will disappear from the display to indicate successful compass calibration.
  11. Confirm that the correct direction is now indicated by the compass.
Factory service manual
From the 2008 KK factory manual — descriptions, specs, torque & procedures for this part.
MANUAL COMPASS CALIBRATION📷 1
CAUTION: Do not place any external magnets, such as magnetic roof mount antennas, in the vicinity of the Remote Compass Module (RCM) located above the headliner in the rear of the vehicle. Do not place any electronic devices (cell phones, laptop computers, PDAs, portable DVD players, etc), on or near the rear of the roof as the RCM performance may be effected.
Do not use magnetic tools when servicing the RCM.
NOTE: Manual calibration is required anytime a new RCM is installed. The RCM can be calibrated by performing the following procedure.
The electronic compass unit features a continuous self-calibrating feature. This feature automatically updates the compass calibration as the vehicle is driven. This allows the compass unit to compensate for small changes in the residual magnetism that the vehicle may acquire during normal use. If the compass readings appear to be erratic or the Compass Temperature Displays "CAL", perform the following calibration procedure. Also, any time a new RCM is installed, it must be manually calibrated using this procedure.
Manually calibrate the compass as follows:
NOTE: Do not attempt to calibrate the compass near large metal objects such as other vehicles, large buildings, or bridges; or, near overhead or underground power lines.
1. Start the engine but leave the vehicle in "PARK". 2. Depress the instrument cluster button for approximately 10 seconds until the current variance zone is displayed. 3. Once in the current variance zone is displayed depress the instrument cluster button for approximately 10 seconds until the "CAL" message is displayed solidly not blinking. 4. To complete the compass calibration, drive the vehicle in one or more complete 360 degree circles under 8 km/h (5 mph) in an area free of large metal objects such as other vehicles, large buildings, or bridges; or, near overhead or underground power lines, until the "CAL" indicator turns off. The compass will now function normally.
NOTE: If the compass display indicates an inaccurate compass heading or the display is locked up, the RCM may be inoperative or the vehicle may need to be demagnetized. Perform the Compass Demagnetizing Procedure prior to performing any system diagnosis. See STANDARD PROCEDURE.
NOTE: If the "CAL" message remains in the display or if the compass heading is inaccurate following the calibration procedure and there are no internal compass faults, either there is excessive magnetism near the compass, or the unit is inoperative. Repeat the calibration procedure at least one more time prior to performing any system diagnosis.
NOTE: If the wrong direction is still indicated in the compass display, the area selected for calibration may be too close to a strong magnetic field. Repeat the calibration procedure in another location.
figure
MANUAL COMPASS CALIBRATION📷 2
CAUTION: Do not place any external magnets, such as magnetic roof mount antennas, in the vicinity of the Remote Compass Module (RCM) located above the headliner in the rear of the vehicle. Do not place any electronic devices (cell phones, laptop computers, PDAs, portable DVD players, etc), on or near the rear of the roof as the RCM performance may be effected. Do not use magnetic tools when servicing the RCM.
NOTE: Confirmation that the proper variance zone is programmed, is recommended whenever manual compass calibration is performed. See STANDARD PROCEDURE for the appropriate procedure.
The electronic compass unit features a self-calibrating design, which simplifies the calibration procedure. This feature automatically updates the compass calibration while the vehicle is being driven. This allows the compass unit to compensate for small changes in the residual magnetism that the vehicle may acquire during normal use. If the compass readings appear to be erratic or the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) displays "CAL", perform the following manual calibration procedure. Also, any time EVIC service replacement components are installed, they must be calibrated using this procedure. Do not attempt to calibrate the compass near large metal objects such as other vehicles, large buildings, or bridges; or, near overhead or underground power lines.
Calibrate the compass manually as follows:
1. Turn the ignition switch to the ON/RUN position. Press and release the MENU push button (1) until "Personal Settings" is displayed. 2. Press the STEP push button (4) until "Calibrate Compass" is displayed. 3. Momentarily depress and release the RESET push button (3) to initiate the calibration procedure. The "CAL" symbol will come on solid in the EVIC display. 4. Slowly drive the vehicle on a level surface, away from large metal objects and power lines, through one or two complete circles not exceeding 8 km/h (5 mph). The "CAL" message will disappear from the display to indicate successful compass calibration.
NOTE: A blank compass display indicates that vehicle degaussing (demagnetizing) may be necessary.
NOTE: If the "CAL" message remains in the display, either there is excessive magnetism near the compass, or the EVIC is inoperative. Attempt the calibration procedure at least one more time before performing EVIC diagnosis.
NOTE: If the wrong direction is still indicated in the compass display, the area selected for calibration may be too close to a strong magnetic field. Repeat the manual calibration procedure in another location.
HOMELINK TRANSCEIVER
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