Overheating Infotainment Screen 2015 Laramie

[j1Mt]

When it warms up the screen starts to flash/glitch white and eventually goes black except for the very top. Touch screen still works. Works fine when it cools down or cold out. Help please....

 

[ibike]

If it is like other membrane type screens I’ve worked on, the connector that goes into the motherboard is probably loose. Sometimes it can be reseated and fix your problem. Sometimes. I bet when you go over bumps it improves? Take it apart and look for loose ribbon cable connections.

 

[j1Mt]

I appreciate your advice ibike. It does not respond or change to rough road or bumps. It is 100% heat related.

 

[tron67j]

The liquid crystal becomes crystallized at higher temperatures and loses its reflectiveness, this is why the screen starts to get darker and eventually goes black. With a 2015 it is possible the radio just is getting to the point of failure or it could be something that has happened such as a broken vent connection in back that is placing hot air right at the metal cooling fins of the radio that dissipate heat as air passes over.

The cheap fix is you have to get a constant stream of cool air on the back of the radio. Also consider a visor to block all sun from hitting it. You could also send the radio out for repair, probably replace the entire LCD screen which you might be better buying an aftermarket one someplace like Crutchfield. The only repair shop I know of is on the East Coast, United Radio in Syracuse NY. I have had good luck with them repairing a couple units over the years.

 

[j1Mt]

Thank you tron67j, that's good info. I've had others speak to the wiring harness as well. Dealership of course wants to sell me a new unit for 3200 plus install. I'm thinking there's no good option.......

 

[ibike]

Wow. $3200. Looked at Crutchfield and there is no replacement for my 2020. Too much vehicle integration in the radio I guess. Dang that sucks. Wonder what united radio cost to repair is?

 

[tron67j]

Thank you tron67j, that's good info. I've had others speak to the wiring harness as well. Dealership of course wants to sell me a new unit for 3200 plus install. I'm thinking there's no good option.......

You could contact a service representative at Crutchfield and they can walk through options for your application. You could also pick up a used unit, look online at places like car-part.com which is where auto recycle companies list out parts removed from wrecks. Looks like you have the 8.4 inch radio, so that narrows down the choices. You then look at it you have navigation built in. Once you have that added in you are left with 2 choices, either with telematics (uconnect access) or without. I priced out with nav with tele for about 200 to 300 for top grade. But verify part number on radio first and if you go this route match it to unit you are looking at by contacting recycler. I got my 8.4 for my 2018 this way. Good luck.

 

[tron67j]

Wow. $3200. Looked at Crutchfield and there is no replacement for my 2020. Too much vehicle integration in the radio I guess. Dang that sucks. Wonder what united radio cost to repair is?

See above for option of recycled part. I haven't used UR in a couple years. Contact them and see what their policy is now. Good luck

 

[j1Mt]

Awesome intel Adamcr68 and very much appreciated. I'll check them out asap! Thanks again...

 

[ibike]

Awesome intel Adamcr68 and very much appreciated. I'll check them out asap! Thanks again...

?

 

[Adamcr68]

Awesome intel Adamcr68 and very much appreciated. I'll check them out asap! Thanks again...

I always like to see thanks given to our members, I have gotten so much valueable help/advice on this forum that I try to contribute when I can, but my knowledge is limited.
Ibike & tron67j are the members helping you on this post & so many others. Tons of very knowledgeable & helpful members on this forum!

 

[CairoRAM]

I got one - fit is GREAT - a little slow - but works - https://www.ebay.com/itm/2048528039...GLxz1RqgAy5Ze5KEUTt16Woow=|tkp:Bk9SR7Tci_7VZA

 

[Marshall]

I would pull it out a little and check the connections, bad connections will cause overheating, thou I have not worked on these, also check to make sure there is not a lot of dirt on the back , that will hold heat in, and wiggle all the connections to make sure they are OK.
Could save some money before you go shopping for a replacement.

 

[SitKneelBend]

When it warms up the screen starts to flash/glitch white and eventually goes black except for the very top. Touch screen still works. Works fine when it cools down or cold out. Help please....

You should physically remove the radio while it is in the failed state and feel the back of it. I had an RA4 that would get too hot to touch. Any repair made will propagate to the next screen (if replaced). $3200 is a ridiculous quote to replace the radio, don't go back to that dealership for anything, they are fleecing you.

The first recommendation from @ibike is best and where I would start for a free repair (temporary) repair. This may be the ribbon cable going to the screen shifting at high temperature. While you are in there you can inspect the heat sinks used to see possibly replace them to cure the overheating issues. I replaced the thermal material in mine with better pads from Arctic as well as added two cooling fans.

If none of that is up your alley, you should consider an upgrade to a 2018+ UAQ/UAS radio to add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to your truck with an OEM 8.4 (this can be upgraded for less than $1000 and as little as $300 if you can find the parts undervalued).

 

[PA Ram]

I'd look on eBay for a used radio. I replaced my 5 inch radio with a 2018 8.4 with nav and Android auto/carplay for like $700. Screen was crappy so I replaced it before installing and works great. Screen just had a lot of wear but did work before replacing the screen.

 

[j1Mt]

You should physically remove the radio while it is in the failed state and feel the back of it. I had an RA4 that would get too hot to touch. Any repair made will propagate to the next screen (if replaced). $3200 is a ridiculous quote to replace the radio, don't go back to that dealership for anything, they are fleecing you.

The first recommendation from @ibike is best and where I would start for a free repair (temporary) repair. This may be the ribbon cable going to the screen shifting at high temperature. While you are in there you can inspect the heat sinks used to see possibly replace them to cure the overheating issues. I replaced the thermal material in mine with better pads from Arctic as well as added two cooling fans.

If none of that is up your alley, you should consider an upgrade to a 2018+ UAQ/UAS radio to add Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to your truck with an OEM 8.4 (this can be upgraded for less than $1000 and as little as $300 if you can find the parts undervalued).

Excellent advice SKB, looking into asap. Much appreciated,.......salute!

 

[j1Mt]

I'd look on eBay for a used radio. I replaced my 5 inch radio with a 2018 8.4 with nav and Android auto/carplay for like $700. Screen was crappy so I replaced it before installing and works great. Screen just had a lot of wear but did work before replacing the screen.

More good options PA Ram, thank you!

 

[j1Mt]

I got one - fit is GREAT - a little slow - but works - https://www.ebay.com/itm/204852803929?fits=Year:2020|Make:Ram&_skw=2020+ram+radio&itmmeta=01JAQY2XRDDDDJEPS8YCREFPTX&hash=item2fb22db959:g:Eu4AAOSwarlmeoQH&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx+KZ9MfhVJKk1/3MnsPMBSr2ihJc0yi3ZiWu5foIggEO0yPpCnkUvPkZJtTgFdHn9LYmzG+DTy6JSIhN60F+kKAouFyfjwbB2eKtGrONMYyjEM/RenCtxEhi4+68UylykdIrh3jA9JxVoynn2QxM3SmawAzLGfQxQwr1an5u+awizb/wQo8/A3LNJYAmbwi57oKrXCaQnnfbFWG7HrcCsE7j6kt8nGhEsRM4fIobc1xmyfBx3J/GLxz1RqgAy5Ze5KEUTt16Woow=|tkp:Bk9SR7Tci_7VZA

Looks like a decent option especially for the $$$. Kudos CairoRam.......