Upgraded Radio

[Ramaford]

Ok guys, I’ve searched and searched and can’t seem to figure out my issue. I’m not looking for the aftermarket radio gods to help as I know what they’re going to say .
Yesterday evening I installed the upgraded 8.4 with Nav/Carplay in my 2018 Ram 2500. My truck was already equipped with the correct USB ports in the center console. The radio itself is much better except for one issue. I’m not getting the CarPlay feature. So I have searched and searched, I tried 3 different iPhone cables, made sure that CarPlay wasn’t restricted in my phone but still nothing. My phone works using CarPlay in my wife’s car but in my phone settings CarPlay isn’t recognizing my truck but it does my wife’s car. The radio is definitely CarPlay. The original owner of the radio used it. When I took the front plastics off to remove everything, I noticed a white plug that wasn’t connected to anything. It might not have anything to do with my issue but if you know what this plug is for, let me know. I attached photos of plug and sticker on back of radio.
I’m completely lost as to why this is happening. I’m looking for the uconnect gods to help me figure this out.
All help is greatly appreciated.

 

[mtnrider]

Sounds like a USB port issue. Are you 100% sure you have the correct port? what radio did the truck have before?

 

[SitKneelBend]

Sounds like a USB port issue. Are you 100% sure you have the correct port? what radio did the truck have before?

I'll second this, if memory serves early 2018 hubs looked right but it would only work for Android Auto or CarPlay only (I can't remember which). Have you tried plugging in an Android phone? That might tell you if you are dealing with this issue.

That plug I think is for a cigarette lighter plug maybe (not sure)? It's definitely not the USB port or anything to do with it. The Micro USB that goes to the USB hub is the gray plug on the back of the radio.

 

[Ramaford]

I just got back from the dealership. They let me try out a new usb hub. No luck whatsoever. I have the right usb hub and it charges my phone with no problem. I was hoping maybe something was wrong with the signal part of it, if there is such a thing lol. Doing process of elimination right now.
I don’t know anyone with an android phone lol.

 

[Ramaford]

Originally this truck came with the small uconnect radio. It’s an SLT model. I think the original owner (youngster) stole or had someone steal a radio out of a 2015. I say stole because the mounting bracket was broken off lol. That was the radio that was in it when I bought it and it was an older 8.4 Uconnect without NAV. I wanted to upgrade for NAV and Apple CarPlay so I bought this upgraded radio.

 

[Ramaford]

This is the USB port I have.

 

[SitKneelBend]

This is the USB port I have.

I'm pretty sure that's the one with the issue. It should look like this (2 USB "symbols"). Maybe @Mpgrimm2 can confirm my diagnosis...

 

[Mpgrimm2]

@Ramaford
Where did you get your 8.4 upgrade/conversion harness set from?

Snk is correct, wrong hub.

 

[Ramaford]

I never bought a conversion harness. I used what was already there. I purchased the radio from eBay. The seller has been trying to help me out as well. He’s assured me that it has CP. We talked yesterday for over 30 minutes trying to figure it out. When I plug my phone into the usb port, it will connect to my radio but no CP. It will charge as well. The seller told me yesterday that my old radio had CP but I’m not sure about that as it never worked as well. Here’s a pic of the old radio. Maybe you can tell me.

 

[mtnrider]

I never bought a conversion harness. I used what was already there. I purchased the radio from eBay. The seller has been trying to help me out as well. He’s assured me that it has CP. We talked yesterday for over 30 minutes trying to figure it out. When I plug my phone into the usb port, it will connect to my radio but no CP. It will charge as well. The seller told me yesterday that my old radio had CP but I’m not sure about that as it never worked as well. Here’s a pic of the old radio. Maybe you can tell me.

No offense but that seller doesn't know what he is talking about. That VP3 radio did not have car play and you need the correct USB port (which it appears you do Not have) You might need the harness as well. They are not all compatible with carplay, only certain ones have the correct wiring. Yes they will all charge and connect to the radio, but many will not work with car play.

I suggest you take a step back and read this thread... It has info on the compatible USB ports

How To: Install a 2018 4C (UAQ/UAS) Radio in 2013 - 2017 RAM

For the 2018 model year RAMS, the 8.4 Radios were changed from the previous VP3/VP4 Harman radios to the 4C/4C-Nav radios made by Panasonic. The biggest advantage of these new 4C Radios is the support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The radios themselves fit the same mount as 2013-2017...

www.ramforum.com

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[Mpgrimm2]

@Ramaford
Who's the eBay or facebook seller that said a 2017 Harmon RA3/VP3-NA radio had AA/ CP? (Or is that the original radio?)

I only ask because there's was another customer of mine, can't recall who, in the same situation recently that was told that for a 17 Ra3 radio (none of the 13-18 Harmon radios had AA/ CP... Ever).

It will need to be a Panasonic Single piece unit from a 4th Gen 2018/classic Ram.

 

[Ramaford]

This is who I purchased it from.

 

[Ramaford]

He was obviously mistaken for the old radio having CP. I won’t hold that against him. He offered to send me the usb hub he uses to test his radios for $100. He wouldn’t charge me if it didn’t work and I’d mail it back to him. He’s a pretty nice seller to be honest.

 

[Ramaford]

The hub I have now appears to have the same design female connections as the one that’s being recommended. I guess I won’t know for sure until I get the right hub. Are you implying that even if my existing harness plugs into the new hub that it might not work?

 

[SitKneelBend]

The hub I have now appears to have the same design female connections as the one that’s being recommended. I guess I won’t know for sure until I get the right hub. Are you implying that even if my existing harness plugs into the new hub that it might not work?

It's implied that it might not work, if that's the case @Mpgrimm2 can sell you the correct harness you need and he made videos for installation too. I would start with the seller's hub as it might fix your issue without further modification. If I remember correctly, $100 isn't a bad price for the correct hub. You could likely turn around and sell your old one too, just confirm that it works for Android Auto only and disclose that to the buyer.

 

[Ramaford]

Ok great. I appreciate everyone’s help thus far. I truly hope it’s the hub or even harness. My heated steering wheel and seats never worked. I even bought the module and haven’t installed it yet. After installing this new radio, they work.

 

[Ramaford]

Update: So I just received the USB hub from the seller I purchased the radio from that he uses. Unfortunately, it didn’t work either. Also, when I search for vehicles in my CarPlay settings, my truck does not pull up.

 

[znrh]

Make sure that you have the VPN turned off on the phone. I noticed my car wouldnt connect to Android auto until I disabled the VPN on the phone

 

[Ramaford]

My VPN is off.

 

[SitKneelBend]

Update: So I just received the USB hub from the seller I purchased the radio from that he uses. Unfortunately, it didn’t work either. Also, when I search for vehicles in my CarPlay settings, my truck does not pull up.

Just saw it in another thread, did you check to see if Carplay is enabled on both your phone and in the Uconnect phone options screen?

Apple CarPlay Help

Hello folks, I am moving to a 2018 Lonestar with 8.4 info center from a 2014 Express with 5. In this move I inquired with previous owner about "CarPlay" He said he didn't know about it. (Old School guy) Looking online it says CarPlay was made available with 2018 models. Mine was built...

www.ramforum.com