First time Ram owner with questions

[jejb]

Have an 18 Ram 2500 Laramie that had the option book thrown at it. Bought it yesterday, certified, 14K miles. So I've been reading the manual, searching here quite a bit and getting stuff figured out. But I've got a couple of stumbling blocks I'm hoping y'all can help me with.

First, it has the 5 Aux buttons on the dash. I get how to wire them up to turn on things like extra lights in the bed, light bars, etc. But what I want them to do is normal functions for the truck, like heated/vented seats. I saw the AlfaOBD stuff, but I'm unclear if that will help. So the question is can I make those buttons work for heated seats, etc? Or do I need to replace them with the row of buttons that have those functions on it from the factory?

Second is Android Auto. I got it paired and working, but the owners manual says once configured, you don't have to plug it in to get it to work. So I tried it just through bluetooth, and some of the functions work, but it's a very different experience. Is that normal or should it look the same hardwired and BT connected?

 

[SitKneelBend]

Have an 18 Ram 2500 Laramie that had the option book thrown at it. Bought it yesterday, certified, 14K miles. So I've been reading the manual, searching here quite a bit and getting stuff figured out. But I've got a couple of stumbling blocks I'm hoping y'all can help me with.

First, it has the 5 Aux buttons on the dash. I get how to wire them up to turn on things like extra lights in the bed, light bars, etc. But what I want them to do is normal functions for the truck, like heated/vented seats. I saw the AlfaOBD stuff, but I'm unclear if that will help. So the question is can I make those buttons work for heated seats, etc? Or do I need to replace them with the row of buttons that have those functions on it from the factory?

Second is Android Auto. I got it paired and working, but the owners manual says once configured, you don't have to plug it in to get it to work. So I tried it just through bluetooth, and some of the functions work, but it's a very different experience. Is that normal or should it look the same hardwired and BT connected?

As far as Android Auto goes. You'll want it plugged in to get the full on-screen experience. These radios aren't capable of wireless AA yet...

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[OC455]

As you stated, your Laramie had the book thrown at it for options.....so, the heated/ventilated seats don't have their own controls on the dash?

As far as Android Auto, what are you not able to do with it?

 

[jejb]

As you stated, your Laramie had the book thrown at it for options.....so, the heated/ventilated seats don't have their own controls on the dash?

Correct, no dedicated buttons on the dash. Have to go through the touch screen. Which is not a huge deal, I guess. But I'd rather have the physical buttons.

Option list is long. Air suspension, sunroof, ram boxes, snow chief pkg, auto bright lights, leather trimmed seats, cargo camera, etc, etc. Seems just like a Longhorn we test drove for a weekend, except for the purse flaps and trim.

As far as Android Auto, what are you not able to do with it?

It does not present the AA screen, with the associated apps, etc. It's almost like it's just a Bluetooth connection for media only (podcasts, music, etc). I have not played with a lot, but it's a pretty different experience over BT.

 

[RamCares]

Have an 18 Ram 2500 Laramie that had the option book thrown at it. Bought it yesterday, certified, 14K miles. So I've been reading the manual, searching here quite a bit and getting stuff figured out. But I've got a couple of stumbling blocks I'm hoping y'all can help me with.

First, it has the 5 Aux buttons on the dash. I get how to wire them up to turn on things like extra lights in the bed, light bars, etc. But what I want them to do is normal functions for the truck, like heated/vented seats. I saw the AlfaOBD stuff, but I'm unclear if that will help. So the question is can I make those buttons work for heated seats, etc? Or do I need to replace them with the row of buttons that have those functions on it from the factory?

Second is Android Auto. I got it paired and working, but the owners manual says once configured, you don't have to plug it in to get it to work. So I tried it just through bluetooth, and some of the functions work, but it's a very different experience. Is that normal or should it look the same hardwired and BT connected?

Hi,


We're sorry to hear that you have questions about your new truck. If you would like any additional assistance, our team is always available via private message!

Alison
RamCares

 

[jejb]

I sent you a private message. Thanks.

 

[Jimmy07]

Correct, no dedicated buttons on the dash. Have to go through the touch screen. Which is not a huge deal, I guess. But I'd rather have the physical buttons.

Option list is long. Air suspension, sunroof, ram boxes, snow chief pkg, auto bright lights, leather trimmed seats, cargo camera, etc, etc. Seems just like a Longhorn we test drove for a weekend, except for the purse flaps and trim.

It does not present the AA screen, with the associated apps, etc. It's almost like it's just a Bluetooth connection for media only (podcasts, music, etc). I have not played with a lot, but it's a pretty different experience over BT.

As for the aux switches, if you have them, then you can’t have the physical heated seats/wheel/vented seats buttons. You must use the touchscreen for those functions. The aux switches can not be configured to function as anything else (or any of the buttons on the switch bank, for that matter).

Edit to add: You can replace the switch bank with the one that has the heated buttons, but you will lose the aux switches. Basically, as far as the physical buttons go, you can have one or the other, but not both.

 

[jejb]

Yes, I've come to realize that, thanks. Now I'm trying to figure out what is involved with swapping the Aux button bank with the bank that is for the seats/steering wheel stuff and programming that to work.

 

[1500ram12]

Have an 18 Ram 2500 Laramie that had the option book thrown at it. Bought it yesterday, certified, 14K miles. So I've been reading the manual, searching here quite a bit and getting stuff figured out. But I've got a couple of stumbling blocks I'm hoping y'all can help me with.

First, it has the 5 Aux buttons on the dash. I get how to wire them up to turn on things like extra lights in the bed, light bars, etc. But what I want them to do is normal functions for the truck, like heated/vented seats. I saw the AlfaOBD stuff, but I'm unclear if that will help. So the question is can I make those buttons work for heated seats, etc? Or do I need to replace them with the row of buttons that have those functions on it from the factory?

Second is Android Auto. I got it paired and working, but the owners manual says once configured, you don't have to plug it in to get it to work. So I tried it just through bluetooth, and some of the functions work, but it's a very different experience. Is that normal or should it look the same hardwired and BT connected?

Can you post a pic of the dash buttons?

If your truck doesn't have factory heated cooled seats and to used the factory aux buttons I believe you'd have to find a aftermarket system. I don't think you can use them with a factory heated and cooled seats

Android auto only works via usb


2018 2500 6.4L Hemi Tradesman

 

[Jimmy07]

Yes, I've come to realize that, thanks. Now I'm trying to figure out what is involved with swapping the Aux button bank with the bank that is for the seats/steering wheel stuff and programming that to work.

Search autotrader for a truck that has the exact switch bank that you need (that has the same top row buttons you have, and the necessary heated buttons on the bottom row) and copy the VIN for it. Post a thread here- https://www.ramforum.com/forums/all-mopar-parts.133/
And ask Benny what part number switch bank that VIN uses.
If you already have heated seats, all you need to do is plug the new switches in and they will work. It won’t affect anything if you don’t remove the programming for the aux switches, but it can definitely be done with AlfaOBD.

 

[jejb]

Can you post a pic of the dash buttons?

If your truck doesn't have factory heated cooled seats and to used the factory aux buttons I believe you'd have to find a aftermarket system. I don't think you can use them with a factory heated and cooled seats

Android auto only works via usb


2018 2500 6.4L Hemi Tradesman

They are like the ones in this YT video, except the top row is different on mine. It does have factory heated/cooled seats and the heated steering wheel.

Android Auto does work a little wireless/BT, but not like having it plugged in. The owners manual says something about "once you have it working over USB, it can be used over BT too.". It just leaves out the fact that it's not the same experience at all!

 

[jejb]

Search autotrader for a truck that has the exact switch bank that you need (that has the same top row buttons you have, and the necessary heated buttons on the bottom row) and copy the VIN for it. Post a thread here- https://www.ramforum.com/forums/all-mopar-parts.133/
And ask Benny what part number switch bank that VIN uses.
If you already have heated seats, all you need to do is plug the new switches in and they will work. It won’t affect anything if you don’t remove the programming for the aux switches, but it can definitely be done with AlfaOBD.

Thanks. I already sent a private message to Benny. But I'll look around as you suggest to see if I can find a VIN.

 

[jejb]

Just a followup. I did order the button pad I wanted from Benny. Arrived yesterday. He said he doubted I'd have to do any programming for it, that the vehicle would most likely just recognize it. So I installed it and it worked without any more steps than plugging it in.

 

[jejb]

Back with more questions as I put more miles on the truck.

I have the 8.4" touchscreen stereo. When I am using the radio, the info never changes. When I tune into a station, I see a partial readout of what song is playing. But it never changes when the songs change, and it never scrolls. I read through the manual for it and it has no mention of that function. These same stations scroll the information on our other vehicles. How do I get that working?

It has 12 total radio presets. When I change any of the first 6, the change sticks. When I change any of the 7-12 presets, it saves it until I shut the truck off. When I start it the next time, they go back to what they were. How do I get 7-12 presets to stick?

The last question is about the sunroof. Is there some way to get the sunroof to close automatically when I shut the truck off? Or some kind of warning sound if I leave it open when shutting the truck off? Our other vehicle with a sunroof (Platinum Armada), the roof closes itself when the truck is shut off.

Thanks