Ram Newbie - Dreaded Uconnect Box Requires Service

[marksmithy69]

Hey everyone. I am brand new to this forum, so be gentle. I just bought a 2022 Ram 1500 Limited Longhorn 2 weeks ago. I love the truck and it is in immaculate condition. It is my first Ram product after driving an F150 for the past 12 years. Anyway, a few days after purchasing the Ram, I got the dreaded "Uconnect Box requires service. Please visit an authorized dealer." Naively I brought the truck to a local Dodge dealership to have it looked at. I did not buy the truck from a Dodge dealership by the way. They ran a diagnostics scan, and it came back with a cell antenna 1 error. Automatically the service advisor said it needed a new TBM2 module. I don't think they looked at anything else, because they made that recommendation right away. Against my better judgement, and the fact that it was a 'new to me' truck, I just wanted it fixed. $867 later, they called to say the truck is 'fixed' and to pick it up. Immediately after I picked it up, the same errors started coming back. More frequently than before, and always when I initially start the truck. I brought it back, and they ran another scan, and they say it is not showing any active or stored fault codes. They kind of shrugged their shoulders, and said 'oh well'. I feel like I was taken for a ride by the dealership, and it was a big money grab without a proper diagnosis. So I am pretty much back to square one. I've read that this could be a problem with the connection from the fin on the roof to the wire that runs to the module. I guess I could try dropping the ceiling, and looking at that connection. Just wondering if anyone had any recommendations? Thanks so much in advance.

 

[TRK_GANG74]

Record the error on the screen to show them in a video from the time you start the truck. Try to get it multiple times. If they blow you off again escalate it within the service dept/ dealership management but don’t be a jerk about it. If that doesn’t work you could do a partial drop of the headliner and check the connection yourself to see if it’s tight or bent at an awkward angle. Take pics before you touch anything to show how it looked before you check anything. If everything is normal try another service dept or @RamCares to see if you get anywhere with them.

 

[marksmithy69]

I had mentioned that I always get the pop up error on startup. If I have the Uconnect system on (listening to the radio for example) with the truck off, and I start the truck, the error pops up, and the Uconnect system shuts off and I have to hit the power button again to turn it back on after the truck starts. Does that sound like a possible battery issue? Thanks again.

 

[TRK_GANG74]

I had mentioned that I always get the pop up error on startup. If I have the Uconnect system on (listening to the radio for example) with the truck off, and I start the truck, the error pops up, and the Uconnect system shuts off and I have to hit the power button again to turn it back on after the truck starts. Does that sound like a possible battery issue? Thanks again.

Could be but you would need the have your battery load tested using one of the old school toaster style battery testers like this pic.

 

[pgoodwin79]

I have a 2022 and have had this happen twice its a bad connection at the antenna i was able to pull back the passenger rear headliner enough to see the 3 antenna connectors my truck actually only uses 2 of them...the blue one and a white one i had enough room to disconnect and reseat both and the error dissappeared....might have to do it again but well worth it cause it only takes 5 minutes to do it...better than taking it to the stealership and pay a massive bill for absolutely nothing

 

[marksmithy69]

I have a 2022 and have had this happen twice its a bad connection at the antenna i was able to pull back the passenger rear headliner enough to see the 3 antenna connectors my truck actually only uses 2 of them...the blue one and a white one i had enough room to disconnect and reseat both and the error dissappeared....might have to do it again but well worth it cause it only takes 5 minutes to do it...better than taking it to the stealership and pay a massive bill for absolutely nothing

Thanks for the reply. I read that somewhere as well. Some people have been dropping the headliner and securing the antenna connection using zip ties. I think that’s the next thing I try. Sounds like there’s no problem lowering the headliner? That’s great news. Thanks so much.