Issues in warm weather with Electronics

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dmalonecentral

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So I am starting a new post to flush out if this is a large problem or another line of bull from the dealer. Sorry about the long post but the TLDR version is that the dealer tells me that they think Ram didn’t heat test these new units well enough and my experience seems to be that my issues with UConnect specifically seem to be when the truck is extremely hot which happens a lot in AZ.

Begin Long Story: Took my truck into the dealer on July 17th to get some minor dents fixed and the day before my appointment the 12 inch UConnect Screen went out. Mind you the screen itself was actually on but would just display a blank screen. The dealer made it sound like no big deal as there was a flash they could do. As it turns out they couldn’t perform the flash because the screen wasn’t working to accept it. I was told they opened a case with Ram and had to work with them to get them to authorize a replacement. At the time the service manager told me that there were two replacements in LA that could be overnighted. Once they were authorized to replace it he told me that the part was no longer available to order. Since they could no longer give me an ETA I called and spoke to a Sales Manager to talk about getting into a different truck. Miraculously they said that the Ram rep was able to secure one and would be delivered the next day. After a couple days of “we didn’t get it today, should be tomorrow” they finally told me that the new ETA is August 17th.

Now I go to the dealer with the intent of talking with someone to see what my options are. He tells me that at this point it is up to Ram. I tell him that Ram Customer Care told me that the dealer had to initiate a replacement. As a side note my dealer is losing my patience as I understand it’s not their problem but they sold me the truck and represent the company from which it came. To tell me that there is no option except to wait is not what gets you a 10 on a customer satisfaction survey. At least present something even if I won’t like it.

Back to the story, the dealer tells me that they have seen some issues with the 12 inch screen although none this severe. He tells me that their theory is that Ram did not heat test these units well enough and that he thinks the extreme temps in AZ are what is causing the problem.

Now my issue is that I live here, if this is true and I own a truck that will work unreliably 3-5 months out of the year is going to be a huge problem. Under the lemon law, if my truck is in the shop for 30 days I may have the option to get out of it if that option doesn’t present itself from Ram sooner. It will be day 31 by the time the radio is set to arrive.

So my question, of people that have experienced issues with their UConnect, does it seem to be on hot days. In the Laramie that they currently have me in the second tome I drove it the Car Play did not work which is a problem that I had in mine. When this happened the outside temp read 127 degrees. It was not that hot out but it was sitting in the sun. I am starting to lose faith in this truck for me here in the desert heat.


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huntergreen

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With a 2016, I don't believe the lemon law will cover you.
 

Jus Cruisin

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All the manufacturers do their hot testing in Death Valley. My theory is that the dealer is just feeding you a line. Everything has to withstand "X" hours/days of extreme weather testing.

The next few months are going to be tough on replacement part availability I'm sure the suppliers are not at full production yet so virtually everything they are producing is going straight to the line and not much is making it to parts and service.

I'm hoping I get through October / November without any need for replacement parts because I know there won't be any next day shipments......

The 17th will be here in no time and hopefully the new part will do the trick for you.
 
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dmalonecentral

dmalonecentral

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With a 2016, I don't believe the lemon law will cover you.

It is a 2019. I had a 2016 previously. Just out of curiosity what made you say that? I ask because I didn’t know if there is something in my profile or something else I need to update.


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dmalonecentral

dmalonecentral

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It is a 2019. I had a 2016 previously. Just out of curiosity what made you say that? I ask because I didn’t know if there is something in my profile or something else I need to update.


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Found it and changed it. I had to switch to web view from Tapatalk to get to it.


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dmalonecentral

dmalonecentral

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I am starting to come down off the fence about pushing a replacement or buyback but still having serious considerations about this truck here in Phoenix.

I noticed that my AC didn’t feel that cold in the time that I had mine and am noticing the same thing in the loaner they have me in now. I am currently looking for my temp gun to see if I can measure the temp of the AC from the vent. The first two loaners they had me in seemed to cool off much quicker.

And the Outside temp reading seems to be wildly inaccurate. I was in the truck this morning and it was reading 10 degrees hotter. And on my way home it was reading 120 when it was only 112 out.
b2f87f5ab7d0f62cc4ce91dd0725a0d0.jpg



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adrianp89

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Temp on the dash always is off in every car. Takes a little bit of driving to come down to right temp.
 

AFMoulton

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And this is why I will never buy a first MY vehicle. Lots of bugs that unfortunately guys like you have to get worked out.

OP, I hope they get you fixed up, and it was just a glitch or a bad radio. As with anything new, there are always issues. Keep on top of them about swapping out the head unit and see if it works. Hoping they get you squared away next week.

As for the AC, it uses the new coolant, and may not be fully charged. Have them look at it and see if they can adjust something.


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dmalonecentral

dmalonecentral

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Temp on the dash always is off in every car. Takes a little bit of driving to come down to right temp.

I agree that usually when you start up a car the temp reads much higher than normal but usually comes down when you start driving. The pic above was right after I pulled into the parking lot after driving to work.

@Jus Cruisin I didn’t think that the temperature sensor is in direct sunlight, aren’t they usually in the grill or under the bumper? Could be wrong.

I don’t remember noticing it being that far off in my truck in the week and a half I was able to drive it so it could just be the 19 Laramie they have me in now or it could be hypersensitivity to any little issue now. Does everyone else’s seem accurate?


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adrianp89

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I will check mine against my watch to see accuracy, we don't get quite as hot as you guys, but it gets hot as **** regardless lol
 

RamCares

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So I am starting a new post to flush out if this is a large problem or another line of bull from the dealer. Sorry about the long post but the TLDR version is that the dealer tells me that they think Ram didn’t heat test these new units well enough and my experience seems to be that my issues with UConnect specifically seem to be when the truck is extremely hot which happens a lot in AZ.

Begin Long Story: Took my truck into the dealer on July 17th to get some minor dents fixed and the day before my appointment the 12 inch UConnect Screen went out. Mind you the screen itself was actually on but would just display a blank screen. The dealer made it sound like no big deal as there was a flash they could do. As it turns out they couldn’t perform the flash because the screen wasn’t working to accept it. I was told they opened a case with Ram and had to work with them to get them to authorize a replacement. At the time the service manager told me that there were two replacements in LA that could be overnighted. Once they were authorized to replace it he told me that the part was no longer available to order. Since they could no longer give me an ETA I called and spoke to a Sales Manager to talk about getting into a different truck. Miraculously they said that the Ram rep was able to secure one and would be delivered the next day. After a couple days of “we didn’t get it today, should be tomorrow” they finally told me that the new ETA is August 17th.

Now I go to the dealer with the intent of talking with someone to see what my options are. He tells me that at this point it is up to Ram. I tell him that Ram Customer Care told me that the dealer had to initiate a replacement. As a side note my dealer is losing my patience as I understand it’s not their problem but they sold me the truck and represent the company from which it came. To tell me that there is no option except to wait is not what gets you a 10 on a customer satisfaction survey. At least present something even if I won’t like it.

Back to the story, the dealer tells me that they have seen some issues with the 12 inch screen although none this severe. He tells me that their theory is that Ram did not heat test these units well enough and that he thinks the extreme temps in AZ are what is causing the problem.

Now my issue is that I live here, if this is true and I own a truck that will work unreliably 3-5 months out of the year is going to be a huge problem. Under the lemon law, if my truck is in the shop for 30 days I may have the option to get out of it if that option doesn’t present itself from Ram sooner. It will be day 31 by the time the radio is set to arrive.

So my question, of people that have experienced issues with their UConnect, does it seem to be on hot days. In the Laramie that they currently have me in the second tome I drove it the Car Play did not work which is a problem that I had in mine. When this happened the outside temp read 127 degrees. It was not that hot out but it was sitting in the sun. I am starting to lose faith in this truck for me here in the desert heat.


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I was able to read through the entire thread to get better insight into what you're experiencing. Has a case been created on the customer care side? Send me your VIN within a direct message as I'd be glad to create one and get this escalated for further handling.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist
 
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