INFO: FoTa 18.11.07 SW Update 13-17 RA3/Vp3-NA & Ra4 VP4-NA

[chrisbh17]

Might be worth a shot to see if you can download the latest (non-update-version) software and try to flash it manually.

Put your VIN in here: https://www.driveuconnect.com/support/software-update.html

 

[swexlin]

LOL, when I went to that link and searched, it found an update date 3 23-18 - 18 months ago! And then it froze my laptop! So the OTA bricks out radios, and the UConnect site freezes our laptops.

I'm not worried about Skynet just yet....!

 

[mtnrider]

Might be worth a shot to see if you can download the latest (non-update-version) software and try to flash it manually.

Put your VIN in here: https://www.driveuconnect.com/support/software-update.html

I know in past updates you couldn't go backwards so would be interesting to see if this works (assuming the radio thinks it upgraded to the new 8.17 version?

I'm paranoid as hell now. I'm going to be on the road for a bit and the wife will be driving my truck. With my luck it will upgrade and brick while I am gone Grrrrrr.

.

 

[michael harpe]

My ex works for a dodge dealership in parts and said the ota's are supposed to be done with the vehicle running to prevent the battery issue. She said they see this all the time and customers dont pay attention to the section that specifically states leave vehicle on. When they bring them in for failed updates the techs have no issues getting them to install. I haven't had any notices for updates yet, but if I do, I'll record the process and post it.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

 

[FriedDumpling]

My ex works for a dodge dealership in parts and said the ota's are supposed to be done with the vehicle running to prevent the battery issue. She said they see this all the time and customers dont pay attention to the section that specifically states leave vehicle on. When they bring them in for failed updates the techs have no issues getting them to install. I haven't had any notices for updates yet, but if I do, I'll record the process and post it.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

This particular update suggested the vehicle should be off for scheduled update.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[chrisbh17]

I know in past updates you couldn't go backwards so would be interesting to see if this works (assuming the radio thinks it upgraded to the new 8.17 version?

I'm paranoid as hell now. I'm going to be on the road for a bit and the wife will be driving my truck. With my luck it will upgrade and brick while I am gone Grrrrrr.

.

Yeah it might depend on how far it gets into the update.

I just manually updated my donor RA4 last weekend. I think it listed 15 "steps" to the process, the first 2 or 3 were validating the file and that it was meant for the radio I was installing to. So there should be plenty of "outs" in case of a bad download, etc. And those steps took a while, so it was still a good amount of time before the point of no return.

My guess is the failed update guys might still be able to recover that way. Its at least worth a shot. Even if the site shows your update as ages old (mine was too), download it and try it. Not much to lose at this point.

My ex works for a dodge dealership in parts and said the ota's are supposed to be done with the vehicle running to prevent the battery issue. She said they see this all the time and customers dont pay attention to the section that specifically states leave vehicle on. When they bring them in for failed updates the techs have no issues getting them to install. I haven't had any notices for updates yet, but if I do, I'll record the process and post it.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

I always assumed the truck running thing was so that it didnt kill the battery since it seems like the updates take a while (even when already downloaded to USB). I suppose its possible the truck goes to sleep and loses OTA connection? I thought accessory mode would be good enough unless even that times out eventually.

I still say this is a **** poor arrangement. No way to download the latest update manually, no way to revert back to an old version, etc. On top of that they are about as clear as mud as to what is "fixed" in these updates. Nor does the opt out selection ever actually work. Why are we forced to attempt to let them fix things that arent broken?

 

[swexlin]

My ex works for a dodge dealership in parts and said the ota's are supposed to be done with the vehicle running to prevent the battery issue. She said they see this all the time and customers dont pay attention to the section that specifically states leave vehicle on. When they bring them in for failed updates the techs have no issues getting them to install. I haven't had any notices for updates yet, but if I do, I'll record the process and post it.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

The screen says specifically that the truck should be parked with ignition off. In addition the automated message when call ramcares says it should be locked as well.

 

[mtnrider]

My ex works for a dodge dealership in parts and said the ota's are supposed to be done with the vehicle running to prevent the battery issue. She said they see this all the time and customers dont pay attention to the section that specifically states leave vehicle on. When they bring them in for failed updates the techs have no issues getting them to install. I haven't had any notices for updates yet, but if I do, I'll record the process and post it.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

The message from the last OTA update said to leave the vehicle on for 15-20 minutes then you could shut it off and the upgrade would continue and take about 60 minutes. It also said if you shut it off before the 15 minutes it would restart from the beginning next time you turn on your vehicle.

Either way, poor execution on the software teams part for not making it more robust and recoverable in case of an error. Can't blame the customer for something they forced on them. Should have tested every scenario over and over before pushing it out.

From the feedback I have seen on this latest update it seems you don't have to have the vehicle on at all? I haven't seen it myself so only going by what other have posted.

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[chrisbh17]

This also is not the first time an OTA update wreaked havoc on radios. You would figure they would learn after once or twice, but apparently not.

I wonder if the bean counters are counting these beans, because Im sure there are plenty of head units getting replaced because the update hosed them. Even if its not the only way of recovery, I know at one point FCA had to release a memo saying not to replace the radios, for the update that destroyed everyone's audio quality. Then it took, what, 6 months to release a fix? Really?

When a service tech does the update at a dealer, does it still come down OTA? Or does it use the WiTech wireless setup instead? Because that might explain why it works better there.

I can tell you for sure my connection to UConnect at home is not the greatest. I cant figure out why they would assume everyone has great connection speed and stability, especially while moving and commuting to fringe areas. Again, why not make every update downloadable so a customer can install without the risk of a bad file or failed download causing an issue?

 

[michael harpe]

This also is not the first time an OTA update wreaked havoc on radios. You would figure they would learn after once or twice, but apparently not.

I wonder if the bean counters are counting these beans, because Im sure there are plenty of head units getting replaced because the update hosed them. Even if its not the only way of recovery, I know at one point FCA had to release a memo saying not to replace the radios, for the update that destroyed everyone's audio quality. Then it took, what, 6 months to release a fix? Really?

When a service tech does the update at a dealer, does it still come down OTA? Or does it use the WiTech wireless setup instead? Because that might explain why it works better there.

I can tell you for sure my connection to UConnect at home is not the greatest. I cant figure out why they would assume everyone has great connection speed and stability, especially while moving and commuting to fringe areas. Again, why not make every update downloadable so a customer can install without the risk of a bad file or failed download causing an issue?

I dont know if its its ota at a dealer or not. I'll ask. I do know so far I've gotten a blue screen after the backup camera froze twice and she told me it's the camera that's causing that. She said they replace those a lot.

Sent from my SM-G960U1 using Tapatalk

 

[chrisbh17]

Looking at the TSB/RRT for the last s/w update available for my RA4 along with a fairly recent release for the 5th gen, it walks a tech through using DealerConnect to download the update and create a USB drive to flash it with.

Not sure if that applies to ALL updates, but at least for the most recent ones available, they dont use the OTA process either. Makes you wonder why they still think its a good idea to put a customer through it.

 

[swexlin]

Final update - I had parked the truck and scheduled it for 12:50. 4 pm, I went out and started the truck, and, you guessed it - it wants to schedule the update. Radio, etc still locked.

Will be calling the dealer for an appointment in the morning.

 

[mxer201]

I just had the same thing happen. I called FCA support twice. Second call I was told I would need to take my Ram to a dealer so the radio could get a hard reset. I followed the instructions on the display to no avail. But it finally updated.....I think. While traveling home I stopped and entered a time about 5 minutes ahead for the update. I believe this time I waited a few more minutes before turning my truck off. About 40 minutes later when I started it, the radio was working again. So I don't know if I was lucky or what. Here are instructions I received from FCA. I didn't follow this to a T, though.


The following are the steps for removing the pop up for an update on your vehicle:

1. Choose Schedule Update
2. Set the time 2 minutes ahead of your current time (for example if it is 8:43 AM, set the time for 8:45 AM)
3. Once the time is chosen, select 'Set Time'
4. Select 'OK' DO NOT press the X at the top right
5. Wait for 3 minutes to allow the set tune to pass (for example, if the time was set for 8:45 AM, wait at least until 8:48 AM)
6. Perform two button reset (Simultaneously press and hold the circular browse/enter & power/mute buttons for 5 seconds.)
7. Wait for the 'Schedule Update' pop up to show again but DO NOT set time
8. Perform a complete sleep cycle
a. Ignition off
b. Open door
c. close door
d. lock the door
e. Wait for 10 minutes
9. Turn the Ignition on, and the pop ups should cease

 

[W Mark Reeves]

I received a message today suggesting that my UCONNECT needed me to schedule an update, and the vehicle should be parked and off at the scheduled time.

Anybody else? How long does it take? Any comments about what’s being updated?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've seen nothing. Did UCONNECT say something or did you get a letter in the mail?

 

[FriedDumpling]

I've seen nothing. Did UCONNECT say something or did you get a letter in the mail?

I only received notification through the radio.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[EC29]

I received a message today suggesting that my UCONNECT needed me to schedule an update, and the vehicle should be parked and off at the scheduled time.

Anybody else? How long does it take? Any comments about what’s being updated?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What year?

 

[RamCares]

Final update - I had parked the truck and scheduled it for 12:50. 4 pm, I went out and started the truck, and, you guessed it - it wants to schedule the update. Radio, etc still locked.

Will be calling the dealer for an appointment in the morning.

Hi swexlin,
We're sorry to lean about your experience. Your fellow forum member, mxer201, has posted the troubleshooting steps. If these do not work for you, please send our team a private message and we would be happy to connect you with a Case Specialist to work alongside your dealership.
Alex
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[CPTII]

Mine updated last weekend. Took about an hour and a half though. After it was done I had to reset all of my radio settings and reconnect my phones Bluetooth

 

[chri5k]

How OTA Updates Happen

In the beginning was the OTA Update Plan.

And then came the Assumptions.

And the Assumptions were without form.

And darkness was upon the face of the RAM Owners.

And they spoke among themselves in Internet forums, saying, "The OTA Update is a crock of ****, it stinks and it bricks my radio."

And the RAM Owners went unto RAM Cares and said, "The OTA Update is a pail of dung, none may abide the odor and it bricks my radio."

And the RAM Cares went unto their Managers, saying, "The OTA Update is a fine piece of code, and it is very strong, such that none may abide by it but the customers have much to say about it."

And the Managers went unto their Directors, saying, "The OTA Update is a vessel of fertilizer, none may abide its strength and it greatly improves customer satisfaction."

And the Directors spoke among themselves, saying one to another, "The OTA Update contains that which aids sales growth, and it is very strong."

And the Directors then went onto the Vice Presidents, saying unto them, "The OTA Update promotes sales growth and is very powerful."

And the Vice Presidents went unto the President, saying unto him, "This new OTA Update will actively promote the growth and vigour of the company; with powerful effects."

And the President looked upon the Plan, and saw that it was good.

And the Plan was forced out OTA to all the customers.

This is How OTA Updates Happens.

 

[ram4tim]

I received the update message about a week ago. Like a good boy I scheduled the update.....the next day ....nothing happened. I needed to use the truck....no radio....very limited use of any controls not duplicated elsewhere.....heater a/c ECT.
That no makes it a safety thing!!!
SO a couple days later I try Uconnect web site.....it won't acknowledge my serial number. Hmmm ok I'll call the number on the web site.
1st call; pushed the numbers they asked for.....computer dropped me.
2nd call: put on hold for, according to them, less than 20 minutes......really?this isn't going to be good........so about 30 min later someone comes on the phone and before I can say hello they hang up!!!
Ok, I'm now fuming.
3rd call; same as second except a person comes on and I was immediately tell them not to hang up.....they speak American English and sound american..yahooo....... so he walks me thru several steps then tells me I have to shut the truck off and remove the key......i don't have a key.....well can you set in the truck for 6 hours....are you kidding me it's hot out and the widows are up........well then just stay there for 10 minutes.....oook.....well I can't stay on the line with have a Nice day.....silence........
I sat in disbelief for 10 roasting minutes. Restarted the truck......didnt work.
I have now rescheduled about three times over the last 2 days. It just won't work and now I have a 9unsafe truck to drive(my only transportation). I think today I call Chrysler, I am so fed up. Pay over 55000 for a truck and some B'S company holds it hostage!!!!!!!!!!!!
Uconnect..



Update 3 pm

Just used the truck and the message disappeared . Radio now functional! Yahoo! Had to go through settings and re pair phones ECT. But at least it now works again.
Guess what Uconnect, I'm still not paying you for my radio. Next time I'll buy a new radio!