8.4 Uconnect system doesn’t open anymore

[JoeySkullz]

I have a 2013 RAM 1500 Sports 5.7 V8 HEMI.
This morning while on my way to work, I simply turned the knob to increase the volume, amd the whole screen went dark. Then two messages appeared.

The first message:
Checking for a USB stick with an update.
If a uSB stick with an update is detected an update can be performed.

This is not true, because I tried updating the system with my USB drive, but the drive wasn’t being detected.

The second message said this:
There was an problem while starting the head unit.
If this error persists after an ignition cycle please see your dealer.


Has anyone had this issue before?
If so, can anyone tell me what are my options?
Any workarounds?

I tried the following already:

- Soft reset by holding the phone and coice recognotion button on the steering wheel.
- Checked 20amp fuse and it’s fine.
- Disconnected battery for 30 minutes, and reconnected it. Still nothing.

 

[SitKneelBend]

I have a 2013 RAM 1500 Sports 5.7 V8 HEMI.
This morning while on my way to work, I simply turned the knob to increase the volume, amd the whole screen went dark. Then two messages appeared.

The first message:
Checking for a USB stick with an update.
If a uSB stick with an update is detected an update can be performed.

This is not true, because I tried updating the system with my USB drive, but the drive wasn’t being detected.

The second message said this:
There was an problem while starting the head unit.
If this error persists after an ignition cycle please see your dealer.


Has anyone had this issue before?
If so, can anyone tell me what are my options?
Any workarounds?

I tried the following already:

- Soft reset by holding the phone and coice recognotion button on the steering wheel.
- Checked 20amp fuse and it’s fine.
- Disconnected battery for 30 minutes, and reconnected it. Still nothing.

Downloading a valid firmware update to a USB drive and letting it flash the update may be the only way to recover the radio.

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[JoeySkullz]

I tried updating with a recent firmware, but it doesn’t detect the USB drive. The drive is in the correct slot and all. I did this with the FCA agent over the phone.

 

[SitKneelBend]

I tried updating with a recent firmware, but it doesn’t detect the USB drive. The drive is in the correct slot and all. I did this with the FCA agent over the phone.

You can try to unplug the grey connection at the back of the radio and plug the update USB directly into the radio using one of these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JK1OFO..._t1_9HXB7594WKGNP7KSNKP1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

This will bypass the USB hub and wiring.

If you don't currently have NAV or Android Auto now could be a good time to replace your radio with a different UConnect 8.4 to add some features too.

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[JoeySkullz]

If changing the unit is my only option, I will definitely upgrade.

 

[SitKneelBend]

If changing the unit is my only option, I will definitely upgrade.

It might be but I've recovered an RA3 8.4 from your current situation using that cable I mentioned.

That being said, you can find Android Auto and Carplay capable units in Salvage yards at decent prices. They also show up in the forum classifieds occasionally. Here is the thread discussion on upgrading...

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/to...&share_fid=17770&share_type=t&link_source=app

One more thing to try before buying anything is removing the radio fuse to completely remove power from the radio for about an hour then putting it back in and seeing if it boots up. The in-line fuse is located under the hood near the battery and the break booster.

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[JoeySkullz]

Hmm, I had taken out that 20 amp for a few seconds only to check if it was burnt. I will try removing it for an hour an see if anything changes...

 

[JoeySkullz]

Radio unit is fried. I have to replace the whole thing.
Thanks for all the help anyways folks

 

[Ricks Ram]

If changing the unit is my only option, I will definitely upgrade.

Make sure you do your research on the 18 up UAS/UAQ radios before you decide whether or not to go that route. They are known to have many issues in the 13 and 14 trucks. The heated/vented seats and heated wheel icons will not be present on the screen. If you select the UAQ Nav radio the turn by turn will not display correctly in the EVIC. The XM channels will not show up correctly in the EVIC and certain soft keys like the mirror dimmer will not show up in the apps screen. The apps issue seems to be hit and miss. You will also need to upgrade the ATC (Automatic Temperature Control) if you don't already have it. They make a module to correct these problems but all it does is fix the heated/vented seats and heated wheel soft key issues. I tried two different brands. The UAS/UAQ radios also don't have the sound quality of the RA3/RA4 radios plus they have issues with the screens showing wear marks and delaminating. I tried one for a couple weeks and pulled it out and put my RA4 back in. Some people love them and the Android Auto and Apple Car Play are a nice feature but do your research before you decide which way to go
Go.

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using Tapatalk

 

[JoeySkullz]

My unit doesn’t have navigation, and I have no heated seats or steering wheel.

To add to the mistery, my truck wouldn’t start this morning. The battery was completely drained. Before going to the dealer, my truck started like a champ and had no issues.

They told me that the radio seems to be drawing current from the battery somehow, and to remove the fuse to stop the issue. I will find out tomorrow morning if this solves the issue with the battery getting drained.

 

[Ricks Ram]

One thing that's nice is you can pick up a used RA3 for around $250 to $300 on ebay pretty easily if you decide to go with the same radio. It takes less the 30 minutes to install and is plug and play as once you get the radio unlock code which is easy to do. If you wanted to upgrade to the RA4 Nav radio you can pick them up for around $400 and it too would be plug and play, and as stated you could go with the UAS/UAQ style radios but obviously they are more expensive and wold require modifications to your trucks HVAC setup and media hub plus would not show certain features because your truck is a 13 but can still be done if those things don't bother you. I don't recommend having the dealer replace your radio. It is extremely simple do do and they will charge you a fortune for a remanufactured radio when you can purchase a used one with a warranty for much less. If you decide to go with the RA3/RA4 make sure it's a VP3 NA for the non Nav and a VP4 NA if you want Nav. The NA stands for North America. I can't see your location on Tapatalk but I'm assuming you live in the US. If you lived in Canada the factory radio part# would end with CA for Canada instead of NA.The best years to get are the 17 and 16 then the 15 and the the 14 and 13 but they will all work. This is all of coarse if you decide to stay with the factory setup which I personally prefer but that's just me.

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using Tapatalk

 

[JoeySkullz]

After attempting to see if my radio would magically come back to life after having the fuse removed for amfew days, I now have these two messages...

https://ibb.co/Zf6S9T1

https://ibb.co/2q306n6

Is this worst than the initial problem I had?

 

[SitKneelBend]

After attempting to see if my radio would magically come back to life after having the fuse removed for amfew days, I now have these two messages...

https://ibb.co/Zf6S9T1

https://ibb.co/2q306n6

Is this worst than the initial problem I had?

Is there an update USB plugged in?

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[canadiankodiak700]

If anyone is in Canada, or in the states as willing to pay shipping, I'm going to have a non-nav 8.4 available out of my 2019 classic.
I'm upgrading to aftermarket this summer, but if i have a buyer for the 8.4, I'll pull it now and get my kenwood sooner.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

 

[RamCares]

After attempting to see if my radio would magically come back to life after having the fuse removed for amfew days, I now have these two messages...

https://ibb.co/Zf6S9T1

https://ibb.co/2q306n6

Is this worst than the initial problem I had?

Hi Joey!

We heard you were experiencing some concerns with your infotainment center. Are you currently working with your Ram dealer to get this addressed? If you'd like us to investigate this further, we can definitely do that! Just let us know via private message. Thanks!

Courtney
Ram Cares