Tutorial: How to calibrate the compass on a Honda CRV 2012

If your compass is blinking in your display with the Direction followed by CAL that means your compass is out of calibration. It's easy to fix but certainly not intuitive. Go to a larger parking lot. Turn your car completely off, then turn ignition to position II. Press and hold the Setup button on your dashboard control panel until the Compass menu pops up on your display. This menu has two options, Zone and Calibration. First check that you are in the proper zone and adjust that setting if necessary. To correct the zone push select and turn the Dial to scroll through the zones until you get to your zone and press the button to select the correct zone. Then go back to the Compass menu and select Calibration and press the select button. The display should now indicate Compass Calibration. Press the select button again and you are now in compass calibration mode. The compass should be blinking and at this point drive your car in two complete circles. This should do the trick for you. My compass calibrated after just one circle was completed but I did the second circle just to make sure.

Leave a comment and let me know if this solves your compass calibration problem.

[michaelerbreviews]

A few more tips. Make sure you turn your car completely off before you begin the calibration process. Once you turn the key to position II, wait about a minute to ensure the cars computer has fully booted. Make sure your radio is turned off before beginning to press the Setup button to begin the zone and calibration process. Once you press the Setup button to begin, keep it pressed in until you see the compass menu page appear, it will take a little while (about 10 seconds.) This may work on other model years other than a 2012, but I can't say which model years. All I know for sure is that this works on a 2012.

[joliba]

Hi! I followed the directions making sure the radio was off, turning off the car, turning the key to the 2nd spot then waiting for a minute, then pressed setup and held down for 10 seconds then nothing happened. I tried again and same thing happened, so I said oh well, didn’t get to any zone selection or driving in circles, however! Upon driving again it had stopped blinking! So grateful, because it had been driving me crazy for so long!

[chrischambers]

Thanks so much for this explanation! I just purchased a used 2014 cr-v which had the compass blinking, now I know how to fix it!

[jgk]

OK. After a bit more research I found that another cause for this known problem is a bad compass module (Honda part # 78300-T0A-A01). This module is located on the underside of the roof at the back of the car, but you must unfasten and pull down a bit of the headliner to reach it. The part is replaceable but you must unfasten a lot of headliner to access the nut that holds it to the roof. If you're OK to go without the compass totally (so no compass heading display period) then all you need to do is unplug the cable from the module, and to do this only requires pulling loose just a bit of the headliner so you can reach the cable connector and disconnect it using a thin bladed long screw-driver or a long right angle dental pick that reaches the cable. If no amount of press-hold on the Setup button ever brings up the compass menu then assume your compass module is kaput. I've been told that for Honda to replace the module is around $500, but there also are YouTube videos for DYI-ers if you want to actually try replacing the module.

[jerodjerod]

Thanks a lot very direct instructions. Keep up the great work.

[davidbishop]

You cannot get into calibration mode when it is blinking because it is in calibration all ready. Drive around until it stops blinking and then you can get into compass calibration. If it keeps blinking, then your compass module is bad.

[annettedelahuerta]

Very helpful thank you so much for this video!!!

[jgk]

Hmmm. I have a 2014 CR-V and the user manual (pg 223) describes the exact same procedure. My problem is that I'm unable to ever get into the Compass Setup menu. I have the key in the ignition ON II position (so the last position before the "engage starter" position). I have tried both with the audio (radio/CD/Bluetooth) both OFF as well as ON. The one thing I've yet to try (mentioned in the comments below) is to wait a minute for the computer to boot after turning the key to ON II. I'll try that later today and update this comment afterwards. With the audio system OFF then press/hold Setup menu only ever shows me the "Adjust Clock" menu; with the audio ON then press/hold Setup shows a few more options (4 total) in the display: Sound ; Auto ; RDS Info'; Adjust Clock. The blinking compass heading with "Cal." is VERY IRRITATING.

[michaelcatalano]

I cannot get past the set up part weird mine is ne cal blinking

[marksmith]

The compass setting doesn't display after holding down set up...

[mraroca]

When I press and hold, always show me the clock set

[zohrin]

Any advice for a 2013 CRV with the same compass flashing "CAL" issue? I can't get to the calibrate/compass menu. I've tried putting the key in position 2, let it sit for a few minutes, then tried pressing the "settings" button. The only option I have is to set the clock, no way to get to the compass/calibrate menu. It seems that my compass has been flashing "CAL" for years now and never leaves that mode ever. Help!

[src]

My 2015 won't let me choose another zone. It only shows zone 8 and none above or before it like yours, and I can't scroll with the tune knob.

[pcxbhdi]

When i push the setup i only get sound and clock settings. I get nothing for zone or calibration relating to the compass.

[tfcrew]

How do you just shut that compass thing off?

[cgardel]

The clock display on my 2012 CR-V does not work. Both dots blink, but the time does not change. Any one with the same issue?

[christophergallagher]

Emm my '14 started blinking now in '24. Ok the thing read spot on. recalibrated, now it can't make up it's mind.

[thebull]

How did u crank it and you moved it to 2nd click then went to setup and zone the Crunk it uo

[joimeeful]

Nice ...let me try that ...I disconnected the modular...thanks much...if it’s not working, I’ll just leave it disconnected

[ABikerLife]

Did not work on my 2012 CRV.. I followed the directions exactly.. I sold Hondas for 3 years so this should not be unfamiliar. I guess I will check the owners manual that I downloaded from Honda..