Compass module install

[Mpgrimm2]

Figure I will share this update here as well ...


Long story short. My SLT truck came with ra2 and compass but it never has worked consistently, more like 30-40% if at all.

Va Dealer couldn't fix it with a new module (3 tried by them/me), wiring is good, seems to be a configuration issue IMO.
I just recently realized that I can cycle the key a second time and get a reading to show everytime , even without the compass module plugged in.
(appears to be using the GPS signal for an active heading, not the compass).

Likely need a trip to a dealer willing to play around with the sale codes/bcm configuration to fix it. Hard to do on 3rd shift without a spare vehicle to drive.

Edit: here's a video of it in action...
https://youtu.be/pjwI4Hkl6c4

Up All Night Sleep All Day via my LG G4 on Tapatalk

 

[R.L.K.]

Figure I will share this update here as well ...


Long story short. My SLT truck came with ra2 and compass but it never has worked consistently, more like 30-40% if at all.

Va Dealer couldn't fix it with a new module (3 tried by them/me), wiring is good, seems to be a configuration issue IMO.
I just recently realized that I can cycle the key a second time and get a reading to show everytime , even without the compass module plugged in.
(appears to be using the GPS signal for an active heading, not the compass).

Likely need a trip to a dealer willing to play around with the sale codes/bcm configuration to fix it. Hard to do on 3rd shift without a spare vehicle to drive.

Edit: here's a video of it in action...
https://youtu.be/pjwI4Hkl6c4

Up All Night Sleep All Day via my LG G4 on Tapatalk

Wow Mike that is strange in deed !

I became frustrated with my compass install , I still have nothing .
I've verified the wiring , used two diff modules and had the CV2 code installed .
Just not sure what else to do ?
Others with an Express have done the exact same thing and it worked ?

Who knows .... maybe when I get a premium cluster I'll have a heading ?
I wouldn't think that would matter though .
My Nav works like a champ and I use it often , but I've never had a heading on top of the screen or in my Nav icon with or w/o the module installed ?

Frustrated am I

 

[Mpgrimm2]

I hear ya Ronnie. I planned on troubleshooting mine a week ago to see if my module has power when it fails before key cycling.
Went all crazy tracing the missing 12v/ unplugging connectors etc before i realized that one of my meter leads failed.

First rule of electronics troubleshooting ... verify your meter is working!

Facepalm!

From my Up All Night Sleep All Day Gs7 on Tapatalk

 

[00R/T]

With the issues you guys are having, I don't think I'm going to enable the "external compass module" setting in my BCM. My setup works perfectly with just the RA4, so it's probably not worth messing with.

I'm confused by what you guys are seeing for a few reasons.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

With the issues you guys are having, I don't think I'm going to enable the "external compass module" setting in my BCM. My setup works perfectly with just the RA4, so it's probably not worth messing with.

I'm confused by what you guys are seeing for a few reasons.

We would love to hear your thoughts about what is going on. Especially with my RA2 truck that came with the compass module.

 

[R.L.K.]

We would love to hear your thoughts about what is going on. Especially with my RA2 truck that came with the compass module.

NO !
Especially with my RA1 Truck that did not come with the compass module!

 

[R.L.K.]

Sorry Mike

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Sorry Mike

It is your thread

From my Up All Night Sleep All Day Gs7 on Tapatalk

 

[R.L.K.]

It is your thread

From my Up All Night Sleep All Day Gs7 on Tapatalk

LOL ! Hell I forgot all about that ! I'm subscribed to so many threads on diff forums on Tapatalk

I just can't keep up anymore

Sometimes when I get home from work I'll have 99+ ( which I guess 99 is MAX) Notifications I just can't keep up ...

I just read most , but here on the Ram Forum sometimes I'll respond to a post WAAAYYY out of context LOL !

Confusion

IF you see that happen just ignore it .. I'll delete or fix it at some point

Nevertheless , I really am more interested in what RT thinks about my situation than yours ha ha ha !

 

[R.L.K.]

Ha ha ha ! Seems I'm not as special as I thought Mike !

You do it too !

 

[R.L.K.]

Fwiw , it was the 15 trucks that had an RA2 WITH a compass working with no O/H console .

I still don't know where the compass module was located ?

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Ha ha ha ! Seems I'm not as special as I thought Mike !

You do it too !

Busted


From my Up All Night Sleep All Day Gs7 on Tapatalk

 

[R.L.K.]

I can't help from thinking that ( Maybe ?) When I upgrade to a 7" premium cluster I may have a heading displayed on my RA4 and my cluster ...
Not sure , but reading back in this thread on discussion between Me , MPG , RT & RicksRam , it seems the flashed codes I have and was told my vin didn't support verses others flashed codes and the diff configurations of ( EXPRESS TRUCKS ) ...

Hell I don't know , but one day I'll have a premium cluster( just because they are cool ) , with or without a compass heading displayed

 

[00R/T]

We would love to hear your thoughts about what is going on. Especially with my RA2 truck that came with the compass module.

Honestly, I think there is just something wrong with your truck outside of a configuration issue. I believe you've tried different compass modules and checked the wiring, so I'm not sure exactly what it could be.

Based on what I've seen digging around in the BCM, there are two options related to the compass. The first one tells the truck that you have an external compass module installed. The other tells the radio (if you have an RA3 or RA4) to display the heading at the top and tells the standard cluster to display heading as well (the 7" offers heading regardless of the setting). From my testing, it looks like if you tell the BCM you have an external compass module it will always try to use it, even if it's not connected or broken (it will display --). If that setting isn't turned on, it will use the heading from the GPS, if present, for both the radio and that cluster.

I think the problem you have is that your truck knows it is supposed to have an external compass and therefore always tries to use it. If something is wrong and there isn't a valid heading valid on the bus from that module, it will not fall back to the GPS (like it should, IMO) and you'll get nothing.

I think the issue RLK is having is different. If he doesn't see a spot for heading on his radio or cluster, then the setting that controls that is off. I don't know if the other setting for "has external compass" is on or not. There's no 1:1 mapping between low-level setting flags and factory codes, so I can't say what settings were set to what when the dealer put in the codes for him.

I wished you guys lived closer to me because I'm pretty sure we could get you both up and running by setting your trucks to no external compass, display heading. That's the configuration I have and have the heading everywhere it should be, reliably, with no compass (that I know of) installed. I had originally planned on setting the truck for external compass once I install my Homelink console, but after your issues I think I'll just leave it the way it is now.

 

[R.L.K.]

Bump , for any more info .

 

[Ricks Ram]

I agree with 00/RT in your case RLK I think your code is not set or you would have the •• symbol displayed where your compass heading should be. I can see with my tool exactly what he is talking about with the codes. I haven't gone into those codes to check them because my compass works. My truck came with the RA2 and my compass heading shows up on my RA4 on the top and in the Nav icon as well as my cluster. I doubt your compass heading will show up when you replace your speedometer as the base cluster shows the compass heading just like the premium cluster. As 00/RT stated it's too bad you and Mike don't live closer. I feel we could activate the codes for your compass heading to work. I have been playing with mine with 00/RT'S input and I am getting pretty comfortable with it. I do remember when we added the overhead with the compass module to my friends 14 Express we used a factory harness to hook it all up and we got the compass heading to come up in the RA2 he upgraded to after we added the CV2 code and possibly another code (Don't remember for sure) but we were never able to get the heading to come up in the EVIC. I didn't have the tool then and he traded in the truck for a 2500 so I don't have that truck to test the tool on.

 

[00R/T]

The only thing I'd add to what Rick said is that I think the compass might show up in the premium cluster. My truck came with the base cluster and the RA1. It never had the spot for the heading active on the EVIC. When I upgraded to the premium cluster, I was able to add the heading as one of the configurable items in the EVIC. However, I just had dashes there. Once I added the RA4, the actual heading began to display. I didn't turn on anything in the BCM nor did I have to add the compass module. The only thing I needed to mess with in the BCM was to get the heading to show at the top of the RA4.

 

[R.L.K.]

Thanks guys , I have a POC @ my local LKQ yard in Bristol, Tn. That is on the lookout for me a 7" premium cluster from a 13 / 14 Ram .
Maybe once I install the cluster I'll get the heading in yhe cluster and maybe it will be shared with the RA4 8.4NA radio as well , if not I'll head back to my dealer and try to get the CV2 code reflashed & configured as they said they have done already .

Thanks for the response Rick & 00R/T and Mike nice to see you here reading !

@Mpg, have you tried disconnecting the the wires for your O/H module here at the green connector? Just to see if the cluster will populate & will send the heading to your upgraded RA4 8.4NA.






For the compass or homelink module I believe the wires to run to the top of the green connector @ sockets 1 , 2 & 8 ..

 

[R.L.K.]

Convinced today my local dealer did in fact flash in the CV2 code , or should I say CV2A ? Wonder what the " A" is all about ?
Haven't heard any one say CV2A before .

Ram tech a member here ran my vin # for me today and and cofirmed I do have code CV2A installed .





Maybe I do need the JFJ or CUN code for the compass heading to display ? My dealer told me JFJ & CUN was not an available option for my truck ?
Odd to me that CV2 AND RA4 was an option ? Especially the RA4 ?

STILL FRUSTRATED.

Maybe once I get my premium cluster , I'll get the compass heading displayed?

With or without the compass module ...

 

[00R/T]

@R.L.K
You might want to edit that screenshot so you don't share his phone number.