RAM 1500 Truck 2WD V8-5.9L VIN Z LDC (1999)
Compass: Adjustments
Compass variance, also known as magnetic declination, is the difference in angle between magnetic north and true geographic north. In some geographic
locations, the difference between magnetic and geographic north is great enough to cause the compass to give false readings. If this problem occurs, the
compass variance must be set. There are two methods that can be used to enter this information into the compass mini-trip computer module. They are
the zone method and the direct method.
Zone Method
Variance Settings
1. Using the Variance Settings map, find your geographic location and note the zone number.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the On position. If the compass/temperature data is not currently being displayed, momentarily depress and release the
Step push button to step through the display options until you have reached the compass/temperature display
3. Depress both the U.S./Metric and the Step push buttons at the same time and hold them down for more than 100 milliseconds, but not more than
one second. The compass mini-trip computer will enter the variation adjustment mode and "VAR" along with the current variance zone will
appear in the display
4. Momentarily depress and release the Step push button to step through the zone numbers, until the zone number for your geographic location
appears in the display
5. After five seconds, the displayed zone will automatically be set in the compass mini-trip computer module memory and normal operation will
resume.
6. Confirm that the correct directions are now indicated by the compass.
Direct Method
1. Turn the vehicle so it is headed in either the north or south direction. The vehicle must be headed within 45 degrees of north or south for this
procedure to work. The vehicle may be moving or stationary.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the On position. If the compass/temperature data is not currently being displayed, momentarily depress and release the
Step push button to step through the display options until you have reached the compass/temperature display
3. Depress both the U.S./Metric and the Step push buttons at the same time and hold them down for more than 100 milliseconds, but not more than
one second. The compass mini-trip computer will enter the variation adjustment mode and "VAR" along with the current variance zone will
appear in the display
4. Within the next five seconds, momentarily depress and release the U.S./Metric push button. The variance zone will automatically be set in the
compass mini-trip computer module memory and normal operation will resume.
5. If the "VAR" in the display flashes twice before the compass mini-trip computer module resumes normal operation, the new variance zone setting
was not accepted. Reorient the vehicle so it is headed within 45 degrees of north or south and repeat this procedure.