Latest onboard software update not working

[TestPilot57]

Yesterday morning when I started my truck I got a message on the 8.4 screen "You need to schedule a software update within 24 hours" I picked a time about 10 minutes after I would get to work and it scheduled it. Said the vehicle should be in Park with the ignition off. It was.

Headed off to work and realized the FM Radio was not producing any sound - couldn't change volume. So I switched to Media to try my phone and got the Software Update required message again. Set the start time like last time. Still no sound.

Got in late morning (ironically, to go to the dealer to order a '20), got the same message once again! Programmed it to start after I would get home that night. 5 seconds later the screen goes blank and it starts updating. Says the vehicle should be in park with ignition off, 9-1-1 and other services may not be available, etc. But proceeds to do the update with me driving along. It was at 90-something percent by the time I got to the dealer so I shut it off expecting it would complete. Apparently not.

When I left the dealer, got the same message again. Set it for mid-afternoon.

Left work at 4:30, told me to set it again. Did for later than night.

Get in this morning, same thing.

Will this ever update?

Oh BTW at one point I did notice that the dash center screen says "Radio Locked" and has a line through the musical note symbol.

 

[chrisbh17]

If you pull the radio fuse for 20 minutes, after a couple key cycles the message might go away.

At that point you can check your software version to see if it actually updated at some point...its possible the update already occurred but the scheduling message isnt clearing.

 

[Elevated 2013]

The 1 update I did (granted it’s was via usb with the update downloaded on it) I had to have the engine running the entire time the update was running. Not sure how over the air updates work but it sounds like it was working well with the truck running. Maybe try it one last time with the truck running the entire time if you check the system info screen on the radio and it hasn’t updated.

 

[chrisbh17]

The 1 update I did (granted it’s was via usb with the update downloaded on it) I had to have the engine running the entire time the update was running. Not sure how over the air updates work but it sounds like it was working well with the truck running. Maybe try it one last time with the truck running the entire time if you check the system info screen on the radio and it hasn’t updated.

The current update will only happen with the truck OFF...I agree, why do they make it completely different than every other update? But yes, it needs to be off for it to start updating.

My guess is, since its currently only Over The Air, they want the truck OFF during the update to prevent people from driving into a crappy cell connection area while the head unit is trying to download the update file. Which I guess is a small step in the right direction, maybe they are starting to realize how crappy and unreliable the OTA process really is.

 

[Elevated 2013]

The current update will only happen with the truck OFF...I agree, why do they make it completely different than every other update? But yes, it needs to be off for it to start updating.

My guess is, since its currently only Over The Air, they want the truck OFF during the update to prevent people from driving into a crappy cell connection area while the head unit is trying to download the update file. Which I guess is a small step in the right direction, maybe they are starting to realize how crappy and unreliable the OTA process really is.

Interesting. I’m far from arguing with you. That was just my experience so far. My radio doesn’t qualify for over the air updates so I can’t say to much about it. Just kind of weird that it would start updating with him driving then.

Having a Bachelors Degree in Computer Networking and being in IT, I will tell you that trying to do any kind of large update via a wireless connections is extremely hard and not generally the way I would go. I do server upgrades for a living and even trying to do upgrades via a dedicated wired connection that is generally reliable still isn’t a foolproof way and I’ve had to rebuild many virtual servers because of an issue with that connection that just happened. So, I’m very surprised that FCA does it this way, but I’m sure it’s probably the easiest and most cost effective way to reach the millions of trucks out there that need the upgrade.

 

[chrisbh17]

Interesting. I’m far from arguing with you. That was just my experience so far. My radio doesn’t qualify for over the air updates so I can’t say to much about it. Just kind of weird that it would start updating with him driving then.

Having a Bachelors Degree in Computer Networking and being in IT, I will tell you that trying to do any kind of large update via a wireless connections is extremely hard and not generally the way I would go. I do server upgrades for a living and even trying to do upgrades via a dedicated wired connection that is generally reliable still isn’t a foolproof way and I’ve had to rebuild many virtual servers because of an issue with that connection that just happened. So, I’m very surprised that FCA does it this way, but I’m sure it’s probably the easiest and most cost effective way to reach the millions of trucks out there that need the upgrade.

Exactly the conclusion Ive come to. Whatever is cheaper and easier for them, customer be damned.

Im a software engineer during the day (who knows what I do at night .... ) and yeah, I agree, the fact they even think they can get this to work reliably is nuts. Look at Apple and Google....they push OTAs for their OSes, but guess what? They require you be on WiFi before they will install. They are huge tech companies that know WTF they are doing, but even they pretty much admit using anything but WiFi is unreliable.

This update is different, for some reason, in that the truck does need to be off. There is another thread started specifically about it, I posted a STAR case document and the actual TSB doc for the update and they both say the same thing: truck needs to be off, in park, etc. The intention of the update is small, so Im guessing they figure it should be downloaded and installed so fast, its a non-issue to require the truck to be not running or moving. I would prefer ALL updates were like that....the RAx units use the Sprint network.....it goes without saying it is not the best carrier out there, so just imagine something mission critical coming over the network into your head unit lol

It is all compounded by the fact that the installer will not allow a previous software version to be flashed, so you are SOL if their updates hose something (see all of the UAx people that lost any semblance of audio quality for 6+ months). And on top of THAT you have dealers who either A) have no idea about the system and just order replacement radios for everyone or B) have dealers who order replacement radios because its an excuse to charge the customer ~$1500.

Its all a big fuster cluck, they should ditch the OTA system (with prejudice) and require USB only updates. If a customer doesnt feel comfortable doing it themselves, they should be able to go to a dealer to have it done. If the update is considered "required", then dealers should be doing it for free.

 

[Elevated 2013]

I agree! Either send the customer an USB and perfect instructions for even the least technical person to follow or the dealer should do it for free. I don’t trust over the air updates in the least.

If they continue to push them over the air, then they should send us either a letter in the mail or email stating what is coming and EXACTLY what we need to do and when. Don’t leave this up to the customer to figure it out and hope it’s right and then have it brick their radio and expect them to pay for the fix. This is on FCA!

 

[RamCares]

Yesterday morning when I started my truck I got a message on the 8.4 screen "You need to schedule a software update within 24 hours" I picked a time about 10 minutes after I would get to work and it scheduled it. Said the vehicle should be in Park with the ignition off. It was.

Headed off to work and realized the FM Radio was not producing any sound - couldn't change volume. So I switched to Media to try my phone and got the Software Update required message again. Set the start time like last time. Still no sound.

Got in late morning (ironically, to go to the dealer to order a '20), got the same message once again! Programmed it to start after I would get home that night. 5 seconds later the screen goes blank and it starts updating. Says the vehicle should be in park with ignition off, 9-1-1 and other services may not be available, etc. But proceeds to do the update with me driving along. It was at 90-something percent by the time I got to the dealer so I shut it off expecting it would complete. Apparently not.

When I left the dealer, got the same message again. Set it for mid-afternoon.

Left work at 4:30, told me to set it again. Did for later than night.

Get in this morning, same thing.

Will this ever update?

Oh BTW at one point I did notice that the dash center screen says "Radio Locked" and has a line through the musical note symbol.

Hi TestPilot57,
We are sorry to hear what you have been experiencing. Please reach out to us privately and we can get you connected with a Specialist to add assistance.
Laura
Ram

 

[TestPilot57]

Hi TestPilot57,
We are sorry to hear what you have been experiencing. Please reach out to us privately and we can get you connected with a Specialist to add assistance.
Laura
Ram

Thanks for your offer.

Strangely enough, after 4-6 more "events" today, about 5 minutes after I headed home today I suddenly realized that I didn't get the "Software Update" message, AND the radio was working.... I am guessing it finally "took".

Thanks again.

 

[Mpgrimm2]

Thanks for your offer.

Strangely enough, after 4-6 more "events" today, about 5 minutes after I headed home today I suddenly realized that I didn't get the "Software Update" message, AND the radio was working.... I am guessing it finally "took".

Thanks again.

What year and model is your radio? And what is the final updated SW version from the settings menu? (18.x.x)?

M² Mods.

 

[TestPilot57]

What year and model is your radio? And what is the final updated SW version from the settings menu? (18.x.x)?

2015 8.4 (non Nav)

18.11.07

And that was the other thing - I couldn't get into settings when it was in the software update scheduled mode. It would tell me the ignition had to be in Run position - which it was. Tried it running, not running, in Park & Drive.

 

[RamCares]

Thanks for your offer.

Strangely enough, after 4-6 more "events" today, about 5 minutes after I headed home today I suddenly realized that I didn't get the "Software Update" message, AND the radio was working.... I am guessing it finally "took".

Thanks again.

Hi TestPilot57,
Not a problem, we are here to help if needed.
Laura
Ram Cares