2013 - Dead Battery

[JimE]

In my case it was due to the update, it doesn't seem that it was the 3G link but it was definitely due to the radio, the radio wasn't going to sleep for one reason or another and it would cause the evic to light up etc and drain the battery. They flashed the radio with the latest software and that fixed the dead battery.

Flashing the radio also messed up my Uconnect subscription so in the end they had to put in a completely new radio. Good to go.

But the underlying question may be good to go for how long? Since initially appearing Uconnect has been the source of a multitude of problems for owners of Chrysler products in one respect or another. The root causes in many cases appear to be with the hands off voice control aspects and cell phone like devices connected to the head unit. A change in cell phones often presents compatibility issues that can cause Uconnect to go bonkers.

But it is not just Chrysler vehicles that are having similar problems. Harman Autoelectronics not only produces Uconnect it also produces similar systems for virtually every automaker on the planet under a variety of trade names. Some may be familiar with "AHA" on a number of Asian produced vehicles which is apparently basically the same as Uconnect.

The auto industry has a mess on its hands that is not unlike the very early days of personal computers with all sorts of compatibility issues and unexplained phantoms resulting in crashes. Unfortunately Uconnect and similar systems produced by Harman present the same system security issues that are experienced by anyone logging on to the Internet.

A major question becomes is there really any necessity for Uconnect to be wired into a vehicle's on board computer? Apparently not critical as no aftermarket system comparable any Uconnect head unit connects into that buss thus ending the possibility of a change in cell phones or Uconnect software updates screwing up other logic within the vehicle.

 

[B Red Dodge]

I just encountered this issue on my '14 Ram.

Truck sat outside from approximately 0600 this moring till 2100 tonight. I went out to start it to go to work and the battery did not have enough juice to crank it over.

-No accessories were left on during the time the truck sat and the truck is completely stock.
-I have owned the truck since Oct. 16th and have not experienced any issues.
-I have done no updates to the radio. The radio is as delivered from the factory.
-Approximate outdoor temp at time of attempted start was 25* F.

 

[nusouthneocon]

My 2012 ram 2500 has done this twice now. The dealership has no idea what causes it. They try to blame it on accessories being left on when there isn't any left on. If it isn't on the computer it doesn't exist apparently.

 

[namccanna]

My truck did this. It has been sitting at the airport since the Monday after Thanksgiving while I've been in Texas working... the wife stopped Sunday to start it since it has been below zero at home the last week or so. She said it started hard but fired no problem. Then she stopped again last night and nothing.... 100% COMPLETELY DEAD!

Like others, nothing was on. WTF!? 3 days and it's dead!?

 

[RJWNY]

Just had the same issue on my '14 Sport.

I have aftermarket motorized running boards, in the AMP Research Powersteps. I thought this might be was causing the issue, even though I had them installed by a knowledgeable, reputable shop.

Sometimes I will come out to my truck without my keys and I noticed the gauges and EVIC are lt up....I knew this would cause an issue eventually, but couldn't figure out why it was occuring. Looks like it's a Radio/UConnect issue as the OP has indicated. Which over time causes the battery to drain.

OP, what version are you running now after the dealer updated it? Have you had a battery issue since?

Everyone posting in this thread has the Radio with Nav, and 3g sprint modem in the truck?

 

[namccanna]

I don't have NAV enabled.... just the 8.4a