Software and Maps update without a VIN

mrBill · Apr 23, 2021

This is my first post, So if I make a mistake please excuse me. I have a 2018 Ram Express 4x4, with the 5.7.
I just installed an 8.4 Connect radio with Nav. The radio is from a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. I do not have the VIN number from the Jeep. The software version is 17.11.17. The navigation and maps don't even have my street on it. Is there any way I can update my software and then the maps without having the VIN from the car the radio come out of.
If this is a dumb question that's already been addressed I sorry in advance , I tried searching but could not find what I was looking for.
Thanks in advance.

clifford15 · Apr 23, 2021

Welcome to Ramforum. Not a dumb question. First, you need to update your software version to 18.45.01 (i think that is it) because the NAV will not work properly. Lots of info here how to do it. As far as updated maps, I used an Ebay vendor navi-expert-uk. Right now the 2020 map is $108.94 USD.

mrBill · Apr 24, 2021

Thank you for the reply. But I still have the same question. How can I update my software without a VIN ? Does anybody have a heads up?

18harvest · Apr 24, 2021

mp grimm has a sticky with update downloads.download the 18.45 you will need unzip software on your computer my computer is old so i used winzip yours may already have it.unzip it to a usb thumb drive i uses a 16 gig.insert into vehicle usb with radio on and vehicle either running so your battery wont crap out or in acc.follow prompts on screen.same deal with a map update through ebay supply them with on screen codes they email you a download install it they send you a activation code ,done.no vin needed at all it goes by the radio info.

clifford15 · Apr 24, 2021

mrBill said:
Thank you for the reply. But I still have the same question. How can I update my software without a VIN ? Does anybody have a heads up?

As 18harvest posted, check out the roll-up thread where there are radio specific [RA3 or RA4] downloads available. No VIN required. I was on edge for a while when I found out the 17.11.xx software was going to stop working after having my NAV activated for less than a year and having no OTA option. The forum came through just in the nick of time and ny upgraded RA3 never missed a beat.

Mpgrimm2 · Apr 25, 2021

What is the pn of your 2014 Cherokee radio?
Is it an Ra4/VP4-NA (68224525Ax) or an RA3/Vp3-NA ?

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

.

- Reference -
INFO - 2013-2017 8.4AN FW Notes (RA4/VP4 NA).

Once successfully updated to v18.45.x you can update the map files.
You would essentially be looking for map updates for a 2014 Ram RA4 radio (based on your info so far) and you would use your truck's vin and the unique radio code from the hidden dealer menu (Temp up + Temp Down + Front Defrost for 6-10 secs).

Here's the official map update site with uConnect...
https://fcagroup.navigation.com/pro..._Dodge_RamTruck1500_2014/en_US/ChryslerNA/USD

.

And here's a 3rd party via ebay that several people have used...

@ $200 13-17 RA3 Nav Activation
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chrysler-F...avigation-System-Activation-Code/223199061051

@$100 Map updates
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2018-USA-N...-8-4AN-JEEP-CHRYSLER-/223221132557?nav=SEARCH

@$255 Nav unlock and map updates
https://m.ebay.com/itm/2018-USA-CAN...4AN-JEEP-RAM-/223270590669?_mwBanner=1&_rdt=1

M² Mods.
(via Tapatalk App)

mrBill · Apr 26, 2021

truck is a 2018 5.7 4x4. I think I need update 18.45.07

Mpgrimm2 · Apr 26, 2021

That's a 2013 Ra4/VP4-NA nav radio (maybe early 2014). It will need to be on sw version 18.45.x for any map updates.

M² Mods.
(via Tapatalk App)

mrBill · Apr 26, 2021

Mpgrimm2
Thanks for the heads up. Could you give me a direct link to that software?
Thank you

mrBill · Apr 28, 2021

I downloaded the software
And here is the error message I received

mrBill · Apr 28, 2021

clifford15 · Apr 28, 2021

MrBill that is telling you that you are trying to upgrade a VP4 (RA4) NAV radio with VP3 (RA3) Non-NAV radio software. There should be RA4 software available on this forum for your year (2013) radio.

mrBill · Apr 28, 2021

You are correct sir, thank you for the reply.
After several attempts at trying to figure out the different software update links, I finally got to the right one. I was able to update to 18.45.01.
It was kind of anticlimactic after scrolling through the radio a bit. Everything looks the same? Next will be on to maps update.
But thank you to everyone who was kind enough to respond . I understand mechanical systems , no problem. But Electronics is like Voodoo. No moving parts.
Indiana Joans would have a tough time finding his way through this stuff.

clifford15 · Apr 29, 2021

Be thankful that you didn’t have the cellphone card failure. The only. Change in the software has something to do with GPS clock timing issues. Now at least your NAV will be fairly accurate to your location.

SeppW · May 1, 2021

mrBill said:
This is my first post, So if I make a mistake please excuse me. I have a 2018 Ram Express 4x4, with the 5.7.
I just installed an 8.4 Connect radio with Nav. The radio is from a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. I do not have the VIN number from the Jeep. The software version is 17.11.17. The navigation and maps don't even have my street on it. Is there any way I can update my software and then the maps without having the VIN from the car the radio come out of.
If this is a dumb question that's already been addressed I sorry in advance , I tried searching but could not find what I was looking for.
Thanks in advance.

You can also get map updates here https://here.navigation.com/home/en_US/HERENA/USD. Not cheap, but they are on sale occasionally. Does require your VIN to register the SW, but will not prevent from uploading it. You have to register the SW in order to get an activation code or it won't install.

mrBill · May 30, 2021

The system is working fine except for one issue.
"Vehicle phone requires service" keeps popping up.
I bought that purple plug with the short pig tail installed, did not fix the issue.
Disconnected power to the radio for 22 min. Issue still happening.
Software is updated , maps are update.
I do not have the 911 mirror.
2018 Ram 1500
Radio is from a 2014 Jeep.
Has anyone fixed this issue?

Mrgreg2 · Aug 24, 2021

mrBill said:
This is my first post, So if I make a mistake please excuse me. I have a 2018 Ram Express 4x4, with the 5.7.
I just installed an 8.4 Connect radio with Nav. The radio is from a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. I do not have the VIN number from the Jeep. The software version is 17.11.17. The navigation and maps don't even have my street on it. Is there any way I can update my software and then the maps without having the VIN from the car the radio come out of.
If this is a dumb question that's already been addressed I sorry in advance , I tried searching but could not find what I was looking for.
Thanks in advance.

We should not be paying for map and software updates

Mrgreg2 · Aug 24, 2021

SeppW said:
You can also get map updates here https://here.navigation.com/home/en_US/HERENA/USD. Not cheap, but they are on sale occasionally. Does require your VIN to register the SW, but will not prevent from uploading it. You have to register the SW in order to get an activation code or it won't install.

Software and maps should be included with vehicle purchase. Causes safety issues when relying on maps to navigate an unfamiliar area!!!!

Sking80 · Aug 24, 2021

mrBill said:
The system is working fine except for one issue.
"Vehicle phone requires service" keeps popping up.
I bought that purple plug with the short pig tail installed, did not fix the issue.
Disconnected power to the radio for 22 min. Issue still happening.
Software is updated , maps are update.
I do not have the 911 mirror.
2018 Ram 1500
Radio is from a 2014 Jeep.
Has anyone fixed this issue?

Where did you get purple plug from?

SeppW · Aug 24, 2021

Mrgreg2 said:
Software and maps should be included with vehicle purchase. Causes safety issues when relying on maps to navigate an unfamiliar area!!!!

Many are running factory radio/nav unit that did not come OE, thus if you want to update the map, you have to buy it and I also believe that is the case for OE units, but unsure. Also not sure if it's still case, but MOPAR did require $600 bucks just to activate the NAV on OE units (8.4A or the AN, maybe both). Unknown to me if that included map updates. I upgraded from a UConnect 5.0 to 8.4AN, so I have to buy map updates if I want to update and source SW updates when released and the last was from here. I might be able to get OTA if I go and ask dealer to add 8.4AN sales code, maybe they'll do it. Hence some people use smart phones for nav or a Garmin, or the like, that includes free map updates. SW updates can be OTA, if the radio/nav unit is OE to the vehicle. SW updates are usually available here for download when FCA releases one.

Software and Maps update without a VIN

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