ROLL-UP INFO: FOTA 18.11.x & uC D/L 18.45.01 SW Update 13-17 RA3/Vp3-NA & Ra4 VP4-NA

Mpgrimm2 · Sep 23, 2019

Starting a new thread that I can update/edit to help out.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a coder, developer, software guru, electrical engineer, etc. but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express once!

I am not responsible for you or what you do with your radio. I am simply trying to help those that can't get a verified VIN for their 8.4AN upgrade/swap/update.
.
Big thanks to @chrisbh17 for helping behind the scenes get additional info !

See TSB 08-089-19 LINKED BELOW
TSB 08-89-19 FOTA RAx v18.45.01.pdf

Here's the SW update instructions for when the files are available....
RRT-7153 RAx v18.45.01 Update Instructions.pdf

** Links will be in post 3 once I have them **

Need everyone to keep an eye out for an official v18.11.x or v18.43.x download file if it becomes available for each Ra4 VP4-NA year from 13-17 (& Ra3 Vp3-NA).

[C]** For those that get the OTA update, please last is know your truck/radio year, model, & final SW version from the settings menu or dealer menu **
(ie 17 Ra4 VP4-NA v18.45.01 or 15 RA3 Vp3-NA v18.11.07, etc) [/C]

There are a lot of folks out there with 8.4 upgrades and factory radios out of warranty this will affect on Nov 3.
See the TSB above and the Sierra Wireless technical document references by Chrisbh17 below.

chrisbh17 said:
... A call out to anyone that wants to help - if you receive the 18.x software by OTA, please check the UConnect update site
(https://www.driveuconnect.com/support/software-update.html)

as often as you can, to see if the file becomes downloadable. Then download it and PM me (or anyone in this thread) that you have it. This seems like a real deal important update and with so many of us on upgraded head units, we're going to need the support.

Also, if anyone has a good relationship with a service department, see if you can talk to them and find out if/when THEY can download it, and even better if you can grab a copy.

FWIW, there are SO many vehicles affected, Im pretty sure it will be made available eventually, but I just dont know how long from now.

List of current RAx Sw versions & what they will be updated to:

May try again to see about getting the other threads merged here.
Fried Dumpling's: uConnect Update ? thread.

Note: once all this is available, I will add what I can to...
INFO - 2013-2017 8.4AN FW Notes (RA4/VP4 NA).

M² Mods.

Mpgrimm2 · Sep 23, 2019

If you're stuck in an endless pop up/update loop ...

Here's a Star Case reference and RamCares response...

Note:
in-line radio fuse is taped to the the harness near the brake booster

Code:

Case Number: S1908000157
Release Date: 09/11/2019

Symptom/Vehicle Issue: Reoccurring Radio Software Update Request

Discussion: The RA3 and RA4 8.4” radios may have a reoccurring Radio Software Update Request screen pop up on the radio. The radio software update is a FOTA (Firmware Update Over the Air) update. On every ignition on cycle, radio will ask to schedule the update again. Radio may 
show software level 18.xx.xx.

To recover the radio, 12v power needs to be disconnect from the radio to clear radio memory.

Power can be disconnected with the removal of the radio fuse or preforming a battery disconnect.

Fuse removal is preferred method.
 Note: The radio needs to be disconnected from power long enough to clear memory and discharge the Capacitance within the radio. 

Radio recovery. 
1. Record all customer radio presets.

2a. Pull the radio fuse for at least 20 mins. “Preferred Method”.
OR
 2b. Disconnect battery for at least 20 mins. Disconnect per service procedures for each vehicle.
 Note: If vehicle has Stop Start, both batteries must be disconnected during power down.

3. Install radio fuse or reconnect the battery.

4. Do two ignition key on cycles. Then check if radio software update request is gone.

5. Program customer presets.

Here's @mxer201's Post 33 in the original thread....

mxer201 said:
I just had the same thing happen. I called FCA support twice. Second call I was told I would need to take my Ram to a dealer so the radio could get a hard reset. I followed the instructions on the display to no avail. But it finally updated.....I think.

While traveling home I stopped and entered a time about 5 minutes ahead for the update.

I believe this time I waited a few more minutes before turning my truck off. About 40 minutes later when I started it, the radio was working again. So I don't know if I was lucky or what.

Here are instructions I received from FCA. I didn't follow this to a T, though.

The following are the steps for removing the pop up for an update on your vehicle:

1. Choose Schedule Update

2. Set the time 2 minutes ahead of your current time (for example if it is 8:43 AM, set the time for 8:45 AM)

3. Once the time is chosen, select 'Set Time'

4. Select 'OK' DO NOT press the X at the top right

5. Wait for 3 minutes to allow the set time to pass (for example, if the time was set for 8:45 AM, wait at least until 8:48 AM)

6. Perform two button reset (Simultaneously press and hold the circular browse/enter & power/mute buttons for 5 seconds.)

7. Wait for the 'Schedule Update' pop up to show again but DO NOT set time

8. Perform a complete sleep cycle

a. Ignition off

b. Open door

c. close door

d. lock the door

e. Wait for 10 minutes

9. Turn the Ignition on, and the pop ups should cease

M² Mods.

Mpgrimm2 · Sep 23, 2019

DISCLAIMER: I am not a coder, developer, software guru, electrical engineer, etc. but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express once!

I am not responsible for you or what you do with your radio. It is up to you to know if these are correct for you or not. Use these files absolutely at your own risk. I am simply trying to help those that can't get a verified VIN for their 8.4AN upgrade/swap.

Big thanks to @chrisbh17 for helping behind the scenes get additional info !

(CNET) MD5 Checker 2.31 (creator)
(GET IT! You should check your downloads against MD5’s whenever they’re posted to verify a good download.)

** Please see linked directions and make sure your USA Ram radio is on one of the listed sw versions already ** ...

... if not you will likely need to update to 17.11.x or 17.43.x first (see 8.4 fw info thread ).
INFO - 2013-2017 8.4AN FW Notes (RA4/VP4 NA).

Latest Version: 18.45.01
NOTE: The only files that should be on your Fat32 4gb+ Thumbdrive when ready will be 5 files only. See directions below for details*

- *RRT-7153 RAx v18.45.01 Update Instructions.pdf.

- List of Changes: TSB 08-89-19 FOTA RAx v18.45.01.pdf.

- Ra4 VP4-NA My13-17 v18.45.01 Fw update Link. (official uC Update 1 11/1/19)
MD5: 789D79D6B5B591ADE148BE3FB0D0EA15

. . . OR . . .

- Ra3 VP3-NA My13-17 v18.45.01 Fw update Link. (official uC Update 1 11/1/19)
MD5: DB071D0E5598D0F1C80ED6E8082B3B10

chrisbh17 said:
FYI - Windows Compressed Folders (the default handler for .zip files) seems to have an issue with this file...I think its the naming but Im not sure.

7-zip, a free open source 3rd party compression utility, does not have an issue. If you install 7-zip and open the zip file through the UI it will open with out errors. If you open it by right clicking and choosing Extract ... it will show a warning but extracts without issue.

-----------------------------------------------------------
Reported v18.x OTA SW update versions by radio year...

2013 8.4 :

2014 8.4 RA4 VP4-NA : v18.13.17 (@Nystagmus)

2015 8.4 RA3 VP3-NA : v18.11.07 (@TestPilot57)

2015 8.4 RA4 VP4-NA : v18.43.01 (@JPT )

2016 8.4 RA4 VP4-NA : v18.13.07 (@sheets7777)

2017 8.4 :

M² Mods.

Mpgrimm2 · Sep 23, 2019

@chrisbh17 's prior post that got merged elsewhere...

chrisbh17 said:
Thanks for this.

So the issue seems to be "GPS week number rollover". GPS systems use clock time for accuracy, but they base their time off a 10 bit week number counter. The max value of that counter is 1024 (2 to the 10th power).

When that counter runs out, it rolls over to all zeroes. Similar to the y2k bug, when faced with a rollover the GPS unit in our radios does not know if its week 0 from when it first started (1024 weeks ago) or if its week 0 because it rolled over. As such, the GPS will become inaccurate or inoperable without some sort of fix.

The fix is what is being pushed OTA right now.

For those of us that have transplanted upgraded head units, I am not 100% sure what will happen.

Once our VIN is up for the OTA, will our transplanted head unit even see the prompt for it?

If so, and if we let the OTA come down, will we get the file for whatever model is associated with our VIN, or will the transplanted head unit be sure to call out for its correct file?

If we let the OTA come down and it attempts to push a file that is for our original model, Im assuming the transplanted head unit will prevent it from being flashed (a good thing), BUT I do not know what will happen in the future.....will the head unit keep attempting to download and flash the file over and over again? Or will it give up attempting to update, but then when the magic day (11/3/19) comes, will we no longer have working GPS and no way to fix it?

Something else to consider is if having the build config updated at the dealer (for however much they charge to add the sales codes), will that ensure the file that comes down is correct? I know this does not apply to trucks that could never get ra3 or ra4 but it might be a possibility for others (like myself). Almost considering doing it myself but I worry they will make a replacement head unit their universal way of denying anything warranty and/or maxcare.

From what Ive read of people that actually got the update, it looks like they are currently on 2015 and maybe some 2016 RAMs. I have the VIN from a 2015 that has received the update and am (daily) checking the UConnect update site to see if the 18.X version becomes downloadable.

A call out to anyone that wants to help - if you receive the 18.x software by OTA, please check the UConnect update site (https://www.driveuconnect.com/support/software-update.html) as often as you can, to see if the file becomes downloadable. Then download it and PM me (or anyone in this thread) that you have it. This seems like a real deal important update and with so many of us on upgraded head units, we're going to need the support.

Also, if anyone has a good relationship with a service department, see if you can talk to them and find out if/when THEY can download it, and even better if you can grab a copy.

FWIW, there are SO many vehicles affected, Im pretty sure it will be made available eventually, but I just dont know how long from now.

M² Mods.

Mpgrimm2 · Sep 23, 2019

Trying to get this discussing over here where I can do updates..

JPT said:
Did I get a later software version? I have a 2015 (Ra4 VP4-NA):

JPT said:
From my build sheet:
Uconnect 3C NAV with 8.4" Display. I don’t know if that answers your question, but it is a US model that came from the factory with Navi.

EDIT: when I put in my vin to see if software is available I get this:
UCONNECT_8.4AN_RA4_17.43.01_MY15_NAFTA

Mpgrimm2 said:
Didn't see the screenshot until now for some reason.

Can you message me your vin & year?
I'd like to download the update for your radio and look through the file. See if it matches the other 17.43.1 file I have (Md5)

M² Mods.

Mpgrimm2 said:
Got it.
Yep the uconnect site returns the same RA4 My15 v17.43.01 file I already have linked in my FW info thread. Still in limbo on the 18.x files

JPT said:
So, Is it normal for some of us to get the 18.43.XX? I've only seen people reporting 18.11.XX, perhaps they ninja edited the OTA update because of bricking devices?

I got mine yesterday.

@JPT
v18.43.07 is a newer/different file. They may have had to fix something or it's possible they have a slightly different file for your MY15 2015 Ra4 VP4-NA radio.

On the last go round with v17.43.01 each model year (MY_) had it's own file

M² Mods.

Ray-vw · Sep 24, 2019

Wondering if I have my buddy download file for new update can I install it

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

00R/T · Sep 24, 2019

My buddy just got 18.43.01 in his 2016 200 with RA4. So, it looks like there’s a few different version numbers floating around. This is odd.

Mpgrimm2 · Sep 24, 2019

00R/T said:
My buddy just got 18.43.01 in his 2016 200 with RA4. So, it looks like there’s a few different version numbers floating around. This is odd.

Glad to see you still kicking around here Steve.

If you get a line on the ram 13-17 8.4 v18.x SW files let us know. I suspect several people with upgrades are gonna need it.

Mike G.
M² Mods.

chrisbh17 · Sep 24, 2019

Secretly hoping the arrival of 18.43.01 ota means we're close to a download of the same version.

Like how 17.11.07 made way for 17.43.01

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

WTM75 · Sep 25, 2019

Am I correct in assuming that because I up graded to the RA4 from an RA2 there is no way for me to receive the over the air update and that I will loose all accurate GPS functions in November unless it becomes downloadable?

chrisbh17 · Sep 25, 2019

WTM75 said:
Am I correct in assuming that because I up graded to the RA4 from an RA2 there is no way for me to receive the over the air update and that I will loose all accurate GPS functions in November unless it becomes downloadable?

I think so, but I'm still not 100% convinced that the fix wasnt already in 17.43.01

Why? Because..... That came out in early 2018. You would think this issue would already be known by then.

Second, when I installed my ra4, the nav acted weird.... Was "stuck" in it's last position, constant "needs calibration" message on screen, etc.... UNTIL I flashed 17.43.01. Could be a coincidence or could have been a fix because the August week rollover had occurred since the last time the radio was booted up (taken out of a wrecked truck in June of 2018)

I could be wrong, it happens occasionally. But I feel like this 18.x update is an attempt at "leveling the playing field" so to speak, because so many people didn't necessarily get 17.43.01 because (surprise) the ota was a disaster.

Won't know for sure until 11/3, I guess. And fwiw my transplanted ra4 seems to act like a ghost to anything uconnect, so im currently not expecting to be prompted for the update either.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Rt71668 · Sep 30, 2019

Mpgrimm2 said:
Starting a new thread that I can update/edit to help out.

See TSB 08-089-19 LINKED BELOW
View attachment 180806

May try again to see about getting the other threads merged here.
Fried Dumpling's: uConnect Update ? thread.

Need everyone to keep an eye out for an official v18.11.x or v18.43.x download file if it becomes available for each Ra4 VP4-NA year from 13-17 (& Ra3 Vp3-NA).

There are a lot of folks out there with 8.4 upgrades and factory radios out of warranty this will affect on Nov 3.
See the TSB above and the Sierra Wireless technical document references by Chrisbh17 below.

Wasn’t there another thread on here that said “ whatever you do don’t install the new update ! “ ??

M² Mods.

00R/T · Oct 5, 2019

Has anyone noticed issues of the GPS accuracy getting worse after the update? I’ve seen reports on the Facebook groups about it.

I’ll get nerdy here for a second for people who don’t understand why this issue is happening with the GPS. The GPS data that’s transmitted from the satellites contains a field that indicates the current week number. This is based on number of weeks that have elapsed since a certain day in 1980 known as the epoch. However, due to the size allocated to the field in the data message, this value can only count up to 1023 and will roll over to 0 when it hits week 1024. 1024 weeks is a little shy of 20 years, so the first rollover was in 1999, and now another in 2019. The GPS systems in our radios were likely developed after 1999, and apparently weren’t intended to be used past 2019, so they base their determination of date solely by adding the received week number to the rollover date in 1999. So, when the value rolls over to 0 this time, the radio is going to think it’s 1999. This is a major problem because the correct date is critical in calculating the current location (for reasons I learned in a class taught by one of the guys who invented GPS but that’s I’ll spare you all the details of).

What I suspect is that rather than try to come up with some clever way to determine at any given time how many rollovers have occurred in history, they made a quick fix to the code by just changing the start date in the firmware from the rollover date in 1999 to the rollover date in 2019. This would mean that for the next 5 weeks or so until the November date, the radio will think it’s ~1019 weeks in the future and the accuracy will be off. Once that date hits, it will correct and stay that way 20 years into the future. It would not surprise me at all if this was how they did it, and it would explain why they just released the fix now instead of a year or two ago. If they did it then, the accuracy would have been off this whole time.

Note for the savvy reader: the actual rollover already occurred back in April. But, for some reason, certain devices like early iPads, some composer networking hardware, and our radios have a 28 week offset in their values. Everything still applies just the same, jusy all the dates are shifted by that amount.

chrisbh17 · Oct 5, 2019

If my research is correct, our trucks use a Qualcomm mdm6600 chip for assisted gps. This chip is pretty old and is in use in other devices, including iPhone 4. Apple released a patch for the iPhone 4 to fix the week rollover bug earlier this year, noting November 3 as the magic date where it would become an issue.

Based on that, it sounds like our radios are in the same boat.

Your explanation of the fix for ours makes good sense but also means that every radio in the tsb really needs the fix even if it means inaccuracy for a few weeks. But I think waiting this long and expecting the update to"just work" for that many vehicles was just crazy on FCA/uconnects part.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

Hemi395 · Oct 6, 2019

So my 2013 RA3 came up with the update screen finally. I set a time for it to do it and gave it a good hour after that time. When I checked it, it had a message saying "uconnect update failed, please see dealer". I've been checking the uconnect site for weeks now and its still showing 17.43, anyone know where to get the file from?? I REALLY don't want to go to the dealer.........

chrisbh17 · Oct 6, 2019

Hemi395 said:
So my 2013 RA3 came up with the update screen finally. I set a time for it to do it and gave it a good hour after that time. When I checked it, it had a message saying "uconnect update failed, please see dealer". I've been checking the uconnect site for weeks now and its still showing 17.43, anyone know where to get the file from?? I REALLY don't want to go to the dealer.........

Sent you a PM.

QwikKota · Oct 6, 2019

Mine has been stuck in this endless update loop for 3 days. The radio shows songs playing but the volume knob does not respond and I cannot hear any sound either via radio, sd card or bluetooth. I can make calls on the bluetooth though and the voice to text works for received messages. Very frustrating. I am trying to avoid going to the dealer. Is the soft reboot the fix or the pull fuse/battery neg cable? It said update complete eventually but the same "schedule update" screen keeps popping up.

chrisbh17 · Oct 6, 2019

QwikKota said:
Mine has been stuck in this endless update loop for 3 days. The radio shows songs playing but the volume knob does not respond and I cannot hear any sound either via radio, sd card or bluetooth. I can make calls on the bluetooth though and the voice to text works for received messages. Very frustrating. I am trying to avoid going to the dealer. Is the soft reboot the fix or the pull fuse/battery neg cable? It said update complete eventually but the same "schedule update" screen keeps popping up.

https://www.ramforum.com/posts/2121631/

QwikKota · Oct 7, 2019

chrisbh17 said:
https://www.ramforum.com/posts/2121631/

Thanks. I tried it twice but no luck. It is still asking for the update and the radio is not putting out any sound. I will call the dealer I guess.

ETA: Uconnect service sent me a procedure that worked.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/uconnect-ota-update-endless-loop-fix.150850/

Nystagmus · Oct 7, 2019

So, my 2014 update finally showed up today. How long can I possibly avoid this update, since it is sketchy at best...it sounds like.

Do it, or not ?

ROLL-UP INFO: FOTA 18.11.x & uC D/L 18.45.01 SW Update 13-17 RA3/Vp3-NA & Ra4 VP4-NA

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