DIY 5.0 to 8.4 Navigation upgrade

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Status
Not open for further replies.
OP
OP
G

getupkid

Banned
Joined
Mar 28, 2014
Posts
45
Reaction score
28
Ram Year
2013
Engine
V6
Alright, so after having the 2016 8.4an installed for a little over a week, I have had 2 issues. The first is about 10 percent of the time the menu items at the bottom don't show up. The second item is about 12 hours after installation I started the truck and no radio volume. If I scroll the volume knob or use the volume buttons on the steering wheel, the volume level shows up on the screen but is stuck at 0. This issue remains until I disconnect the positive from the battery and touch the negative to reset the system, then again after about 12 hours, same issue.

I reached out to Sean at Schram and he said that if I took it to the dealership and had the sales code flashed that everything will work. I brought it in to the dealership today and they had no idea how to add sales codes. I called another dealer and they wanted $180. For me it's not worth the money with the potential that it won't fix the issues. If anyone wants to buy this radio from me for $500, let me know and I'll ship it out tomorrow. Otherwise I will be returning it tomorrow to Schram.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    85.8 KB · Views: 88

Jared4.7

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2013
Posts
864
Reaction score
196
Location
Olathe, KS
Ram Year
2017 Bighorn CC
Engine
5.7
Alright, so after having the 2016 8.4an installed for a little over a week, I have had 2 issues. The first is about 10 percent of the time the menu items at the bottom don't show up. The second item is about 12 hours after installation I started the truck and no radio volume. If I scroll the volume knob or use the volume buttons on the steering wheel, the volume level shows up on the screen but is stuck at 0. This issue remains until I disconnect the positive from the battery and touch the negative to reset the system, then again after about 12 hours, same issue.

I reached out to Sean at Schram and he said that if I took it to the dealership and had the sales code flashed that everything will work. I brought it in to the dealership today and they had no idea how to add sales codes. I called another dealer and they wanted $180. For me it's not worth the money with the potential that it won't fix the issues. If anyone wants to buy this radio from me for $500, let me know and I'll ship it out tomorrow. Otherwise I will be returning it tomorrow to Schram.
That sucks man. After what I dealt with on my 15 RA4 I was afraid to try another one. The 14 I have in my truck has been flawless since install. It doesnt have album art or different themes but it just works!

-JT
 

Ricks Ram

Senior Member
Joined
May 1, 2015
Posts
4,411
Reaction score
3,386
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Alright, so after having the 2016 8.4an installed for a little over a week, I have had 2 issues. The first is about 10 percent of the time the menu items at the bottom don't show up. The second item is about 12 hours after installation I started the truck and no radio volume. If I scroll the volume knob or use the volume buttons on the steering wheel, the volume level shows up on the screen but is stuck at 0. This issue remains until I disconnect the positive from the battery and touch the negative to reset the system, then again after about 12 hours, same issue.

I reached out to Sean at Schram and he said that if I took it to the dealership and had the sales code flashed that everything will work. I brought it in to the dealership today and they had no idea how to add sales codes. I called another dealer and they wanted $180. For me it's not worth the money with the potential that it won't fix the issues. If anyone wants to buy this radio from me for $500, let me know and I'll ship it out tomorrow. Otherwise I will be returning it tomorrow to Schram.

Man that sucks! You have the worst luck.....especially since your one of the guys who figured all this stuff out! I would just get the 14 as mentioned and send that one back and be done with it.
 

R.L.K.

Senior Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2013
Posts
12,803
Reaction score
12,500
Location
Bristol , Tn.
Ram Year
2014 4X4 QC Express 6 speed auto 355 differentials
Engine
5.7 Hemi
That is strange , surly this doesn't happen on the new trucks ?
There must be something our trucks are missing , maybe it is the sales code Flash or the BCM reconfiguration?
Odd how 14s seem to work so well without a sales code Flash .

I was under the impression tat the dealer could not(or would not) flash in a sales code for the radios due to some spacific reasons ?

I believe I read that cptwing installed a 2015 RA4AN , I wonder if his is experiencing any issues ?

I know CuylerTech has had his radio sales code flashed in but he has a NDA with chrysler ...

wonder I'f CuylerTech could shed any light on the possibility of a Dealer flashed code now ?

I also wonder what type and year radio CuylerTech has and with his sales code flashed in and reconfiguration if he has had any radio issues ?
If this was happening to brand new trucks I'm sure we would've heard of it by now ...

What say you cptwing / CuylerTech / getupkid ?
 

Iczer

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2014
Posts
113
Reaction score
20
Ram Year
2014 Dodge Ram Black Express
Engine
5.7
So I ordered from Schram auto. Got the wrong bezel, I ordered one without the dual zone. Then I realized I got a VP4 NA radio. Is that essentially the same thing? Or do I need to send this back too?

One more question. I was going to navrepair.com for my unlock code but I don't see a model or serial number on the back.
 

Jared4.7

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2013
Posts
864
Reaction score
196
Location
Olathe, KS
Ram Year
2017 Bighorn CC
Engine
5.7
So I ordered from Schram auto. Got the wrong bezel, I ordered one without the dual zone. Then I realized I got a VP4 NA radio. Is that essentially the same thing? Or do I need to send this back too?

One more question. I was going to navrepair.com for my unlock code but I don't see a model or serial number on the back.
Nope, radio is fine!! That's an RA4/8.4an. Radio white label on the back upper left corner should list the numbers you need.

-JT
 

Ricks Ram

Senior Member
Joined
May 1, 2015
Posts
4,411
Reaction score
3,386
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
That is strange , surly this doesn't happen on the new trucks ?
There must be something our trucks are missing , maybe it is the sales code Flash or the BCM reconfiguration?
Odd how 14s seem to work so well without a sales code Flash .

I was under the impression tat the dealer could not(or would not) flash in a sales code for the radios due to some spacific reasons ?

I believe I read that cptwing installed a 2015 RA4AN , I wonder if his is experiencing any issues ?

I know CuylerTech has had his radio sales code flashed in but he has a NDA with chrysler ...

wonder I'f CuylerTech could shed any light on the possibility of a Dealer flashed code now ?

I also wonder what type and year radio CuylerTech has and with his sales code flashed in and reconfiguration if he has had any radio issues ?
If this was happening to brand new trucks I'm sure we would've heard of it by now ...

What say you cptwing / CuylerTech / getupkid ?

I looked and the RA4 code is present on my build sheet and not grayed out. My buddy who is the Dodge mechanic asked me if I wanted him to add it since I have the RA4 now but I decided to want untill I add the shark fin later to see if I might be able to connect to Uconnect later....also radio works great now kinda chickened out.
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_2015-08-10-12-15-54.jpg
    Screenshot_2015-08-10-12-15-54.jpg
    35.6 KB · Views: 71
Last edited:

redintex

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2015
Posts
28
Reaction score
5
Location
Central Texas
Ram Year
2013
Engine
3.6 V6
So I ordered from Schram auto. Got the wrong bezel, I ordered one without the dual zone. Then I realized I got a VP4 NA radio. Is that essentially the same thing? Or do I need to send this back too?

One more question. I was going to navrepair.com for my unlock code but I don't see a model or serial number on the back.
I have the same issue with the bezel from Schram. Looking for a non-dual zone bezel as well.
I looked and the RA4 code is present on my build sheet and not grayed out. My buddy who is the Dodge mechanic asked me if I wanted him to add it since I have the RA4 now but I decided to want untill I add the shark fin later to see if I might be able to connect to Uconnect later....also radio works great now kinda chickened out.


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk
 

badger5828

Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2015
Posts
45
Reaction score
0
Location
Binghamton, NY
Ram Year
2015 Ram 1500 Sport CC
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Without having any luck in the other thread, I'm gonna try here in hopes someone may know my issue. I have a 2015 Ram 1500 with ra3, which I recently swapped for an ra4 from a 2015 Ram 2500. Everything on the radio seems to be working fine, but I have been unable to update the uconnect software. I have verified that the donor vin is correct and downloaded the correct software, however when I try and update it in my truck is says its not compatible with the radio. Any of you guys have any ideas what my problem could be?
 

Jared4.7

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2013
Posts
864
Reaction score
196
Location
Olathe, KS
Ram Year
2017 Bighorn CC
Engine
5.7
Without having any luck in the other thread, I'm gonna try here in hopes someone may know my issue. I have a 2015 Ram 1500 with ra3, which I recently swapped for an ra4 from a 2015 Ram 2500. Everything on the radio seems to be working fine, but I have been unable to update the uconnect software. I have verified that the donor vin is correct and downloaded the correct software, however when I try and update it in my truck is says its not compatible with the radio. Any of you guys have any ideas what my problem could be?
Try a different year truck. What else do you have to lose? Try a 14 and 16.

-JT
 

badger5828

Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2015
Posts
45
Reaction score
0
Location
Binghamton, NY
Ram Year
2015 Ram 1500 Sport CC
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Ok, suppose it's worth a shot. Multiple sources say the part number radio is from a 2015, but who knows maybe another year might work.
 

Ricks Ram

Senior Member
Joined
May 1, 2015
Posts
4,411
Reaction score
3,386
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Without having any luck in the other thread, I'm gonna try here in hopes someone may know my issue. I have a 2015 Ram 1500 with ra3, which I recently swapped for an ra4 from a 2015 Ram 2500. Everything on the radio seems to be working fine, but I have been unable to update the uconnect software. I have verified that the donor vin is correct and downloaded the correct software, however when I try and update it in my truck is says its not compatible with the radio. Any of you guys have any ideas what my problem could be?

Does your radio show album art and do you have a soft key that says tag on your radio screen when you are on XM? If you do your radio is a 2015 if you do not your radio isn't a 2015. The 2013 and 2014 radios do not have these features .
 
Last edited:

SitKneelBend

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2015
Posts
9,022
Reaction score
4,694
Location
St. Louis
Ram Year
2014
Engine
3.6 Pentastar
Does your radio show album art and do you have a soft key that says tag on your radio screen when you are on XM. If you do your radio is a 2015 if you do not your radio isn't a 2015.
This is a good point. I wouldn't be surprised if Chrysler put the leftover older radios in the newer trucks. It wouldn't be the first time when they've used old stock during a transition to a new model year.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
 

Ricks Ram

Senior Member
Joined
May 1, 2015
Posts
4,411
Reaction score
3,386
Ram Year
2014
Engine
Hemi 5.7
This is a good point. I wouldn't be surprised if Chrysler put the leftover older radios in the newer trucks. It wouldn't be the first time when they've used old stock during a transition to a new model year.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

Either that or the wrecking yard is giving him the wrong information about what the radio came out of. It seems to happen a lot.
 

cptwing

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 14, 2014
Posts
1,446
Reaction score
494
Location
The Soviet State of Connecticut
Ram Year
2014 3500 ST DRW REG CAB
Engine
6.4l Hemi
Badger5828, I have a few questions for you, since you did the swap have you been able to use the uconnect store? Does the replacement radio have the via mobile apps installed on it? And does the uconnect app via your cell phone still work, IE remote unlock, remote start etc? And if it does did automatically or did you have to get uconnect to switch the serial number on your account to the new radio?
 

redintex

Junior Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2015
Posts
28
Reaction score
5
Location
Central Texas
Ram Year
2013
Engine
3.6 V6
Without having any luck in the other thread, I'm gonna try here in hopes someone may know my issue. I have a 2015 Ram 1500 with ra3, which I recently swapped for an ra4 from a 2015 Ram 2500. Everything on the radio seems to be working fine, but I have been unable to update the uconnect software. I have verified that the donor vin is correct and downloaded the correct software, however when I try and update it in my truck is says its not compatible with the radio. Any of you guys have any ideas what my problem could be?
I am having the EXACT same issue. 2015 ra4 downloaded update and says not compatible. I had previously updated the RA2, so I know the process. One difference I noticed was that the RA2 update extracted probably a couple dozen files or so, but the ra4 update extraction was just one big ISO file. I questioned Schram as to ensure the ra4 is actually a 2015. It does have the tag feature. I have not noticed album art. Is that just on media streaming, xm, fm. Or all types?
I have the same issue with the bezel from Schram. Looking for a non-dual zone bezel as well.



Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk
 

badger5828

Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2015
Posts
45
Reaction score
0
Location
Binghamton, NY
Ram Year
2015 Ram 1500 Sport CC
Engine
Hemi 5.7
No, none of my uconnect stuff works on the new radio. When I called uconnect to switch it over they said they can't do it, which makes no sense to me. I have the tag feature and album art, but I don't see the themes like I used to have on my ra3. So I don't know what to make of this radio.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Jared4.7

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2013
Posts
864
Reaction score
196
Location
Olathe, KS
Ram Year
2017 Bighorn CC
Engine
5.7
No, none of my uconnect stuff works on the new radio. When I called uconnect to switch it over they said they can't do it, which makes no sense to me. I have the tag feature and album art, but I don't see the themes like I used to have on my ra3. So I don't know what to make of this radio.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Send it back before you lose the chance and your out of your return window.

-JT
 

badger5828

Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2015
Posts
45
Reaction score
0
Location
Binghamton, NY
Ram Year
2015 Ram 1500 Sport CC
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Yeah I have 90 days and I just got it last week so I have some time, gonna try some 14 and 16 software updates tonight and see if that works. I really could care less about the uconnect stuff also.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top