uconnect 8.4 Navigation GPS stuck in Texas

[Megazor]

I've search for a couple hours now through the forum, but cannot find any solutions or resolutions for this issue. I would really like to get the navigation working for the wife before work has me leave in the next few days for most of hurricane season.

Originally I took the truck into the dealer because the GPS wasn't showing the truck in the right location, GPS time was never correct, and a "Requires Service" screen was popping up ever 30 minutes or so. Dealer said they could not flash the system and the GPS was working "normally" even though it showed the truck ~20 miles away in the Gulf. I also showed the service tech pictures of the "requires service" screen and video of the truck out driving in the Gulf.

They recommended I update the system using the Uconnect website. Which I followed the instructions and over the last two days finally got the system to complete an update. My truck idled for about 12 hours while the system failed time and time again over the Unit number 11 Embedded Air Card and sierra wireless card. Last night the 8.4 wouldn't turn off and was stuck in the insert/remove USB **** dance, so I shut off the truck overnight and as expected had a dead battery this morning. Thanks to some miracle the system actually decided to complete after charging the battery and having it idle for another 4 hours.

Now the issue is the GPS navigation location is displaying the truck in what looks like Houston, TX. From what I read there is some calibration/reset I need to do or the Uconnect GPS is dead and I need a new one. I've driven at least 69 left hand turns below 5 mph and reset the unit 2 different ways to factor defaults. Uconnect service line resulted in 3 system resets and the advice I return to the dealer that said the system was fine.

Before I return to the dealer I would like to continue to trouble shoot at home. Long history with the dealership here failing to complete work or do any work. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[TomT]

Since you’ve already been to the dealer with what sounds like poor service (or just lack of knowledge), you might want to PM the member RAMCARES.

I don’t know if tagging a member will alert them but let’s try. @ramcares

 

[EagleChief]

Is it possible to try another dealership and explain what you've already been through? Might be worth a shot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Megazor]

Is it possible to try another dealership and explain what you've already been through? Might be worth a shot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There is another dealership about an hour away, but the same owners and they share data. I've tried them in the past for issues that dealer 1 said was normal and dealer 2 referenced dealer 1. Dealer 2 said no issue because dealer 1 said so.

Biggest issue is I leave a week from tomorrow. Thanks for the advice guys. Still hoping someone has a fix.

Update: So I took a gamble and flashed the update again. I got super worried because it failed 3 times before taking. This time while the installation was being verified the Nav had me out front of my house. After the verification was complete and the system rebooted again it went back to Houston.

 

[EagleChief]

That's weird. Sucks about the dealer issue as well. You'd think they could reflash the nav. I mean they want $600 to add it to mine, so they have to be able to reset it somehow.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RamCares]

I've search for a couple hours now through the forum, but cannot find any solutions or resolutions for this issue. I would really like to get the navigation working for the wife before work has me leave in the next few days for most of hurricane season.

Originally I took the truck into the dealer because the GPS wasn't showing the truck in the right location, GPS time was never correct, and a "Requires Service" screen was popping up ever 30 minutes or so. Dealer said they could not flash the system and the GPS was working "normally" even though it showed the truck ~20 miles away in the Gulf. I also showed the service tech pictures of the "requires service" screen and video of the truck out driving in the Gulf.

They recommended I update the system using the Uconnect website. Which I followed the instructions and over the last two days finally got the system to complete an update. My truck idled for about 12 hours while the system failed time and time again over the Unit number 11 Embedded Air Card and sierra wireless card. Last night the 8.4 wouldn't turn off and was stuck in the insert/remove USB **** dance, so I shut off the truck overnight and as expected had a dead battery this morning. Thanks to some miracle the system actually decided to complete after charging the battery and having it idle for another 4 hours.

Now the issue is the GPS navigation location is displaying the truck in what looks like Houston, TX. From what I read there is some calibration/reset I need to do or the Uconnect GPS is dead and I need a new one. I've driven at least 69 left hand turns below 5 mph and reset the unit 2 different ways to factor defaults. Uconnect service line resulted in 3 system resets and the advice I return to the dealer that said the system was fine.

Before I return to the dealer I would like to continue to trouble shoot at home. Long history with the dealership here failing to complete work or do any work. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hello Megazor,

If you decide you'd like to work with the dealer on this, please let me know. We're available via direct message and can escalate your inquiry to a Case Specialist who'll work with you and the dealer toward a solution.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[stimpy433]

Try unhooking the battery for at least 15 mins and then find a big parking lot and do 2 slow circles.... read that's help some people.

 

[McBroom]

I've search for a couple hours now through the forum, but cannot find any solutions or resolutions for this issue. I would really like to get the navigation working for the wife before work has me leave in the next few days for most of hurricane season.

Originally I took the truck into the dealer because the GPS wasn't showing the truck in the right location, GPS time was never correct, and a "Requires Service" screen was popping up ever 30 minutes or so. Dealer said they could not flash the system and the GPS was working "normally" even though it showed the truck ~20 miles away in the Gulf. I also showed the service tech pictures of the "requires service" screen and video of the truck out driving in the Gulf.

They recommended I update the system using the Uconnect website. Which I followed the instructions and over the last two days finally got the system to complete an update. My truck idled for about 12 hours while the system failed time and time again over the Unit number 11 Embedded Air Card and sierra wireless card. Last night the 8.4 wouldn't turn off and was stuck in the insert/remove USB **** dance, so I shut off the truck overnight and as expected had a dead battery this morning. Thanks to some miracle the system actually decided to complete after charging the battery and having it idle for another 4 hours.

Now the issue is the GPS navigation location is displaying the truck in what looks like Houston, TX. From what I read there is some calibration/reset I need to do or the Uconnect GPS is dead and I need a new one. I've driven at least 69 left hand turns below 5 mph and reset the unit 2 different ways to factor defaults. Uconnect service line resulted in 3 system resets and the advice I return to the dealer that said the system was fine.

Before I return to the dealer I would like to continue to trouble shoot at home. Long history with the dealership here failing to complete work or do any work. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Good luck with it


I Love My 2018 RAM 2500HD 4x4 Off Road. 6.4L. USMC (ret)

 

[TXFireMedic]

I don’t see a problem with it being in Texas lol

 

[buddy497]

My apologies as I am not a RAM owner but a Grand Cherokee owner. My 2014 Grand Cherokee's UConnect Nav just started doing the same thing, always placing my location in a town about 10 miles from my house. In the last 24 hours, it always has me on the same road. I took it to the dealer today who charged me $130 dollars to diagnose it. They upgraded the software to the latest version and that didn't work. They verified that the antenna was not damaged. Finally they gave up. In a good faith effort, they suggested that I use my phone for navigation. Alternatively, they offered to replace the system for $800 plus labor. I am not looking forward to that not only for expense but based on the nightmarish experience I have had with Sirius in the past when the dealer swapped out a malfunctioning unit. All other functions of the infotainment system are working. I ran across this forum looking for suggestions and will come back and visit periodically.

 

[buddy497]

So the day after I posted the above statement, the Grand Cherokee wouldn’t start. I have no idea why. We couldn’t locate anything that drained the battery but we did have a lot of rain on the previous day. I borrowed a jumper box from my local mechanic which got the GC started. I drove it to him and even though the battery registered as needing charge, neither the battery nor the alternator registered as needing replacement. Unlike the dealer, he didn’t charge me anything for these diagnostic services.
Now here’s the kicker. When the car restarted after the battery drain the GPS reset at the correct location. It’s been correct for the last 3 days. This lends credence to the suggestion to disconnect the battery to reboot the system when the GPS is malfunctioning. And I didn’t need to drive the car in circles or do anything with the doors as has been noted in some posts.

 

[Badger 13]

I hope the system continues to work for you. I had similar issues with my 8.4AN Uconnect. The map displayed a location in San Antonio, TX. I spent hours on the phone with Uconnect and Ram Care, and tried every trick and suggestion I could find. I learned that the Nav and satellite has nothing to do with Uconnect. The dealer was going to be the final option. I found a company in FL that does repairs on these radio's at a fraction of the cost of replacement, which the dealers want to do. I removed mine and sent it to them. I had good communication with them and good turn around time. Everything works fine now. Hope it works out for you. The dealers just tell you that this has been a "problem" radio and it has to be replaced..

 

[lukdiver]

Had similar scenario with my 8.4an in a 2014 Ram after dealer 'bricked' it. Got repaired by Nav-repair.com quickly and price was $130 (off eBay) which was cheap considering dealer wanted $880 for a used unit/$2900 new. Radio working fine after I reinstalled but gps 'lost' in San Antonio so giving it a try to disconnect power and reboot tomorrow. BTW heater control was
stuck on just 'dash' when 'bricked' so now I've switched to 'dash/feet' and leaving control there IF it quits again.

 

[SitKneelBend]

So, I believe that this isn't a radio issue but rather a GPS antenna issue. I had the same issue and the factory antenna has no signal on another radio too.

The default location for NAV on these is San Antonio, Texas until it acquires signal.

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[David Moran]

My 2013 8.4AN unit recently got factory reset and it too now thinks it is permanently in San Antonio. Is there a process for getting it to re-acquire a signal? Also noticed that the compass is now 180 out. It indicates it is headed due south when it is headed north. Can it be re-calibrated too? It has been stuck in this condition for several days now. Thank you!

 

[David Moran]

So, I believe that this isn't a radio issue but rather a GPS antenna issue. I had the same issue and the factory antenna has no signal on another radio too.

The default location for NAV on these is San Antonio, Texas until it acquires signal.

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

Sorry, I meant to quote you in my previous post regarding 8.4AN map being stuck in San Antonio and compass being 180 out. Thanks again.

 

[Badger 13]

My 2013 did the same thing as David Moran has posted. Jumped through all the hoops, resets, battery cable thing, and the dealer telling me it needed to be replaced. I sent mine in for repairs as I stated in a previous post. If remember right the repair people said it was a bad "air card", which I have no idea what that is.. Good luck with yours.

 

[SitKneelBend]

My 2013 8.4AN unit recently got factory reset and it too now thinks it is permanently in San Antonio. Is there a process for getting it to re-acquire a signal? Also noticed that the compass is now 180 out. It indicates it is headed due south when it is headed north. Can it be re-calibrated too? It has been stuck in this condition for several days now. Thank you!

To calibrate the direction, I believe you need to go to an open area where you can drive your truck freely in several circles. You may or may not need to have the driver's door open. Where a seat belt...

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk

 

[MDG]

Today I bought a 2014 RAM 1500 Laramie with the Uconnect 8.4 and the nav was showing a location about 10 miles from my house, did a reset and now is stuck in San Antonio TX, I did the circles and didn't help, the map has a message saying that the GPS needs calibration, drive to a main road, I drove for around 30 miles but nothing change.

 

[SitKneelBend]

Today I bought a 2014 RAM 1500 Laramie with the Uconnect 8.4 and the nav was showing a location about 10 miles from my house, did a reset and now is stuck in San Antonio TX, I did the circles and didn't help, the map has a message saying that the GPS needs calibration, drive to a main road, I drove for around 30 miles but nothing change.

I had that issue, bad GPS antenna was the diagnosis. You can buy a new one for cheap on Amazon that is GPS only, but the factory antenna also has your SXM radio antenna (which works even without the GPS working properly).

Sent from my HTC U11 using Tapatalk