When replacing the radio/uconnect/multimedia, are they just "plug & play"?

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windymtnman

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I have a 2015 Ram Bighorn with an 8.4" screen, navigation & backup camera.
When my screen went black and totally nonfunctional, I checked the fuse, and it was okay, so I took it to my Ram dealer. He said the unit was
shorted out and needed replacing. The MSRP on a new unit is $2650.00, so I searched for a replacement unit online and found a reasonably priced one. I think I can swap it out myself, as it doesn't look very difficult.

My question is, when I install the replacement radio, will it function? The dealers estimate included their "relearning" the unit, as it needs to have something done to be able to interface with the trucks electronics, or something? Is this something only a dealer can do, or am i misunderstanding something? I can't find any information online about this specific matter. Will it just plug and play and start working?
 

yakalong

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Can you ask the dealership that gave you the price what the relearning is? or what it involves? Possibly if you install a new unit and it does not work take it to the dealer if the "relearn" is something that has to be done at the dealer. Just a thought.
 
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windymtnman

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I did ask the service scheduler, but she didn't know, and I didn't ask her to query the actual service folks. Thing is, with all the videos and other info on YouTube and internet, I can't find anything about a new radio unit needing "relearning". I only have found how to unlock locked radios and then pairing a phone to the radio. That's why I wonder if it's a plug and play thing? It doesn't look all that complicated to swap out one unit for the replacement.
 

crash68

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My question is, when I install the replacement radio, will it function? The dealers estimate included their "relearning" the unit, as it needs to have something done to be able to interface with the trucks electronics, or something?
The radio will "read" the configuration of the BCM by itself, so it's plug and play if you replace with a like unit (pre '18 model year). Since your looki at having to replace the radio, look for a a UAQ or UAS radio from a '18+ Gen4 truck and it will have AndroidAuto/CarPlay. You'll just need to replace the media port (w/wiring harness).
I did this in my '15, it was plug-n-play
Did you check the fuse that on the wiring harness by the front of the brake booster?
 
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windymtnman

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I did check the fuse that's inline, rather than in the fuse box. I would imagine the Ram dealer did as well, as I took it
to the dealership, in hopes they could fix the problem. As it was, they said my unit was shorted out. So, I understand your reply comment, you had a 2015, and replaced the radio unit and upon installing the replacement unit, it fired up and worked without any "relearning" done? That would be great.
 

crash68

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So, I understand your reply comment, you had a 2015, and replaced the radio unit and upon installing the replacement unit, it fired up and worked without any "relearning" done?
That is correct, sometimes it takes a little while and/or a couple of drive cycles for everything to fully "be read" from the BCM.
 
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