Radio Screen frozen dealer no help

[Jgcassidy]

I have a 2013 Ram. Started it up one day and the radio was frozen. The screen just shows the Dodge Logo. The only function that works is the Volume button. The only radio station that works is the last one I had it on. I went to a dodge dealer and was charged $105 Diagnostic fee. They told me it could be and update (which they would run for an additional $105 and it might not work) or I would need a new $2800 radio. This is either a guess (which is not a diagnosis) or a way for them to get another $105 out of me for a common issue. I am about 5,000 miles over the 3 year 36,000 mile warranty. Left the dealer, joined this site and will be calling Chrysler. Any suggestion?

 

[baum]

search around on here there has been links and how-to on how you can do the updates yourself.

 

[cptwing]

You did not state which head unit you have? I am assuming you have a 8.4AN RA4, but whichever radio you have you should try this first.

Things to try first.
1. Disconnect the battery for a few minutes.
2. Restore to factory settings from engineering mode. (RA3 and RA4 only).

If either of these work I would then download and install the latest firmware for your radio.

https://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/

If you get nowhere and find that your radio is shot, the 8.4AN radios from 13 or 14 will work in your truck and can be bought for about 400-500 on ebay, carparts or schram etc. A 15 radio will work as well and have a few more features and the latest maps, though some folks have had minor issues with them in prior year trucks. I have a 15 radio in my 14

 

[SilverStreak88]

There was a member on here a week or two ago saying the same thing. He stated that he would change the channel and the music would change, but the screen was frozen. I think an update would would be an okay start, but if it doesn't work then I would buy an aftermarket radio. You can get a good quality 2 din with the same or more features for way less than $2800.

 

[troutspinner]

I had that happen with a car I owned once. I was about 100 miles over warranty, total BS! Fortunately the damn thing just started working again. I know this is of no help but I feel your pain.

 

[Jgcassidy]

First off, thanks for all the quick replies! Called the dealer back and complained and they had me bring it in and run the update for free. Unfortunately it did not work. Looks like I am going after and after market radio. Thanks again.

 

[Jgcassidy]

I forgot to mention my make and model: 2013 Ram 1500 SLT Quad Cab with a Uconnect 5.0

 

[cptwing]

2k for an RA2? really, you can get a like new used replacement for around 150.00, RLK is selling on on this forum. Replacing it would take about 5 minutes, only 2 maybe three screws holding center-stack on and four screws holding radio in.

Might be a good idea to upgrade to an 8.4AN with nav.

OR aftermarket and GO BIG

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500X00...7638635163&awdv=c&awkw=x009+ram&awmt=p&awnw=g

 

[SharkieJoe]

Same problem!

I just got a used 2013 Ram 1500 3 weeks ago . Yesterday got in the truck , started it up and radio was frozen . Called dealer and have an appointment Monday . But from what I am reading the updates is not fixing this problem . Has anyone filed a complaint with Dodge about this issue ? It seems to be rather common !

 

[metalmancpa]

MIne has frozen a few times since I got my Ram a few months ago. Thus far it's recovered itself each time, and I updated to the latest firmware and it didn't make a difference. Right now I'll just keep crossing my fingers that it will stay working.

 

[Rado]

Has anyone contacted RAMCARE ? They will contact a STAR Tech who may be able to help! Just a thought.. Just PM RAMCARE , they will get back too you

ALSO everyone with a issue please update what you find as it may help us later.. I have a 2015 SLT with a 5.0 and so far no isue BUT you never know :O

 

[RamCares]

I just got a used 2013 Ram 1500 3 weeks ago . Yesterday got in the truck , started it up and radio was frozen . Called dealer and have an appointment Monday . But from what I am reading the updates is not fixing this problem . Has anyone filed a complaint with Dodge about this issue ? It seems to be rather common !

Hi SharkieJoe,

I'm sorry to hear this has happened to your radio! Please don't hesitate to reach out to us while your truck is in for service if you need additional assistance.

Kori
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Becker11]

This just happened to me on Saturday 10 June 2017.
Truck is 2016 Ram 1500 with the 8.4 Radio (Nav Enabled, no HD Radio I think that means it's an RA3??). It was purchased April 2016 and this was the first time the radio froze on me.

Tried shutting down the truck and letting everything power off. When I restarted, the screen was still frozen.

Next morning it was working fine.

 

[metalmancpa]

It's very frustrating, happened this evening, and is happening at least once a week. It occurs too often for my liking. Hopefully tomorrow when I'm near my dealership I can pull in with the issue occurring (so I don't have to hear we couldn't recreate the issue). This is very disappointing.

 

[metalmancpa]

Well I'm taking my Ram into the dealership next Thursday as I had the freeze issue last night and it continued this morning until 20 minutes driving when it "freed itself up". Since still under warranty, I'll let the dealer mess with it first before I go into the engineering menu and play around with resetting etc. Very annoying issue to have when things freeze up and you can't adjust anything, then it seems minutes later it remembers all the frustrating pushes you did and bops all over the place only to freeze at its next stop. This is definitely an issue across Dodge/Ram for many model years based on my research. I feel we should all be dealing with Harmon direct instead of the middleman known as the dealer.

 

[lockdown96]

My 2013 radio just a plain factory RA2 is stuck on xm screen cant do anything to fix it. Its stuck on one radio station

 

[Scott48069]

My truck.. 2013 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7.

Basic stock Uconnect radio, with BT and Sat radio. No nav.

Yup, mine went a few days ago and stuck at the same screen as above and on the last radio station. I’ve removed the battery and touched the neg and poss posts together to clear the caps in the radio. Nothing. Dealerships answer, replacement radio for a price that sickens me.

I tried the update and it wouldn’t recognize the USB stick.

If anyone has an idea, besides and aftermarket radio, please post. I hate giving into the dealers.

A question, does anyone know if the upgraded radio with nav screen will work as a replacement? 2013 seems to be an odd year for radios.

Thanks Scott

 

[Ricks Ram]

Yes you can upgrade all the way to a RA4 8.4 with full factory nav if you chose. You can also upgrade the RA3 non nav 8.4 but most elect to go with the RA4 . If you go in the DIY section there are several write-ups about it. You can do the full Factory upgrade but you will need to purchase the 8.4 climate control bezel, a conversion harness from M2 mods, a heater control module, a 911 delete plug and the radio and you'll be set. You can also buy another RA2 radio on eBay or on the Forum relatively cheap and just replace the radio you have. Many many of us have upgraded to the 8.4 nav radio and we love it. You might want to look into it.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[lockdown96]

How do we upgrade?

 

[Ricks Ram]

How do we upgrade?

Go into the 4th Gen DIY section. There are very detailed threads on how to do the upgrade for the 13 up Rams. If you check out M2 mods (a venfor here on tne forum) home page there's a lot of good information there as well. They supply the custom harness and 911 plug you will need for the uograde.

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