2013 Ram 8.4 Uconnect - NO AUDIO/SOUND

[thatkevinc]

I just purchased a 2013 Ram 1500 SLT Big Horn last night. It has the 8.4 Uconnect system/screen. There is absolutely no audio. No radio, bluetooth, button sounds, etc. The system displays and acts as normal, there is just no sound. A few times when I've first turned on the truck the sound has kicked on for literally 1 second but immediately goes off.

I did some searching last night and read a few threads but nothing that helped. I tried the following:

1. hold the Volume and Tune buttons simultaneously to reboot the system.
2. removed the negative battery cable for 10 minutes.
3. checked the amp fuse in the fuse box in the engine bay.

I saw one video for a Journey, where they unplugged and plugged back in the harnesses for the amp. I looked for an amp but cannot find one, so I'm assuming mine is just the one built into the head unit? I checked behind the ebrake cable and didn't see one, which is where I read the Ram's amp would be.

Does anyone know of any other tricks or problems that I'm missing here?

It's only been 21 hours into ownership, and I didn't realize how frustrating a completely silent ride can be haha.

*EDIT*
I put my VIN into the Uconnect update website and it says my truck is up to date.

 

[thatkevinc]

bump?

 

[tron67j]

Whether and external amplifier or internal power, there has to be something powering the speakers. You could check a couple of speakers with a voltmeter and see if any power at all is flowing to them. If so, check output of radio as well since you are unsure if there is a separate amp The radio may have a bad internal power source for the speakers. Did you buy from dealer, you may have a warranty.

Another way to check is to buy the cheapest ram original radio for your year and hook it up, checking online I see them for about $80. If you get sound it is your original head unit. At least you will have music until you decide what system you want to go with.

Good luck

 

[canadiankodiak700]

sounds like rhe perfect reason to install a nice Kenwood head unit with maestro rr, an amp and speaker upgrade.

 

[thatkevinc]

Did you buy from dealer, you may have a warranty.

I did purchase through a dealer, but there is no warranty.

Another way to check is to buy the cheapest ram original radio for your year and hook it up, checking online I see them for about $80. If you get sound it is your original head unit. At least you will have music until you decide what system you want to go with.

Good luck

Cheapest I could find within 3 hours was $400 for the base model radio. There was some options on ebay for $300-400 as well.

If I could get one for $80 I'd do it just to see.

______

A local dealer offered to flash it for $130, but I really don't want to spend $130 in 5 minutes to find out that's not the issue.

______

sounds like rhe perfect reason to install a nice Kenwood head unit with maestro rr, an amp and speaker upgrade.

Usually I have an aftermarket head unit in all my vehicles, but when I bought this I figured for once I had something nice right from OEM.

With all the controls built into the OEM unit, I just don't know what to do about that. I can't seem to find any threads of someone with the 8.4 uconnect going to a traditional double din.

 

[tron67j]

Crutchfield has some units that work, you can use the Maestro connection to retain functionality. Not sure why cheaper units are not showing up, but you could post in the Wanted thread to see if someone has a head unit to part with. There are different threads and a lot to read, this is one to check out. https://www.ramforum.com/threads/audio-upgrade-modification-basics.19622/

Go to car-part.com and after entering your search criteria click on (opt RA1), again just a cheap replacement to test and give you music while you figure out what to do. I used 2013 1500 radio as search items on front page to get to radio option page. Once selected I received a number of options under $100.

 

[thatkevinc]

Go to car-part.com and after entering your search criteria click on (opt RA1), again just a cheap replacement to test and give you music while you figure out what to do. I used 2013 1500 radio as search items on front page to get to radio option page. Once selected I received a number of options under $100.

Cheapest is $200 to my door from there.

I might sound cheap, but I just spent a decent chunk on a truck to have it not work at all once I got it, but somehow worked without issue when I tested it and the day before I got it (according to dealer).

Just trying to avoid spending money on bandaid fixes or throwing parts at it.

If something eventually comes up, I'll grab it and try it. Maybe I'll convince someone local with one to swap with me for a test.

 

[RamCares]

I just purchased a 2013 Ram 1500 SLT Big Horn last night. It has the 8.4 Uconnect system/screen. There is absolutely no audio. No radio, bluetooth, button sounds, etc. The system displays and acts as normal, there is just no sound. A few times when I've first turned on the truck the sound has kicked on for literally 1 second but immediately goes off.

I did some searching last night and read a few threads but nothing that helped. I tried the following:

1. hold the Volume and Tune buttons simultaneously to reboot the system.
2. removed the negative battery cable for 10 minutes.
3. checked the amp fuse in the fuse box in the engine bay.

I saw one video for a Journey, where they unplugged and plugged back in the harnesses for the amp. I looked for an amp but cannot find one, so I'm assuming mine is just the one built into the head unit? I checked behind the ebrake cable and didn't see one, which is where I read the Ram's amp would be.

Does anyone know of any other tricks or problems that I'm missing here?

It's only been 21 hours into ownership, and I didn't realize how frustrating a completely silent ride can be haha.

*EDIT*
I put my VIN into the Uconnect update website and it says my truck is up to date.

Please let us know via private message if you decide to have your dealer look into this. We would like to have this documented and have a case escalated on your behalf so a Case Specialist can work with your dealer to help find a potential solution.

Alison
RamCares

 

[Leedav]

2020 uconnect 8.4. No sound. fix that always works for me is just hit the AM button

 

[thatkevinc]

Update:

The audio randomly works, I'd say 1 in every 10 times. I was trying to figure out if there was anything consistent and the only thing I can see is that when the truck thinks it's 26 degrees or lower, it works. But if it thinks it's above that, it doesn't work.

Now the actual temperature itself doesn't matter, only what the truck thinks it it. So, I don't think the unit is too hot or anything.

I also pulled it all apart and checked all the connections, nothing seemed out of place. Unplugged and plugged them back in, didn't make a difference.

I've been focusing my time and money on our house, my CTS-V, and my Seadoo. The Ram has been the last on the very long list of things that need to be done. Everything I own is ****.