uConnect Nightmare 8 4N Viper Radio

[Luisv]

This is a thread to vent and see if anyone else has had the issue so we can compare notes.

I love the new car. Not a single complaint so far from the drive, mechanics or anything else except for uConnect.

I FREAKING HATE THE UCONNECT RADIO!

The dealership I am taking this to for the fix in Miami will remain nameless for now. But if this continues.... it won't.

I picked up the car a little over a month ago. The day I picked it up, I showed the dealer there was an issue with the radio. It would sometimes take a few minutes to turn on when you started the car. This is before I even drove off. The Viper Tech took the car back and looked it over. Tried to download the latest software update but supposedly had some issue that he could not download it. They asked me to come back in a week and that he would have it sorted out.

I go back a week later and they tell me that there is a new version of the software on the radio that should not be there. The version is 17.11.17 and it is creating a series of issues. The software that should be on there is 17.11.07 as opposed to ".17". The tech supposedly tries a few times but the radio will not permit them to go to an "older" version of the software. He then supposedly takes it up to Chrysler for a resolution.

Last week I had not heard back from them. Two weeks had passed. I pushed the subject and the tech tells me that the only solution is to replace the radio. He supposedly orders the new radio. We set a date for this past Monday to bring the car to him because the radio is supposedly there. The car is there all day Monday and all of Tuesday. I just picked it up a few hours ago. Nothing done. No radio installed. The dealer tech is now saying that Chrysler has not "approved" the swap. I LOSE IT! I was under the impression the problem was going to be resolved. Instead I am told that nothing has been done to the car and that the car was simply there to get "information" off and "diagnose" the issue. WHAT?!?!?#%#@?!

Here is where I am at:

- Star Case number was opened May 1st. Over three weeks after I first noted the issue. Dealer's fault.
- Took the car back from the dealer. I'm not leaving the car for an indefinite period of time while they "figure it out".
- Called FCA customer support to complain to only be told that they cannot discuss the info on the Star Case with me. That it has to be with the dealer......... but wait........ I OWN THE CAR!
- FCA Customer service says that the radio is no longer under warranty and that I may be out the cost of the radio. HUH?!?!? Their software update screwed it up.

This is what I have found.....

- The software that is in the radio now is 17.11.17. This version is not available on the uConnect site for download. By definition, this was over the air downloaded to the car. How can I be responsible for a radio when the software they force fed me is the problem.
- According to the uConnect site, the correct, most up-to-date version for my car/VIN is 17.11.07. I can download it, but it will not install.
- The software cannot be rolled back. In other words, I can't simply install the correct version over the supposed newer version.
- This is clearly a very widespread issue. You can find many forum pages from Jeep, to RAM to Charger & Challenger forums discussing the same thing. Essentially, the 17.11.17 version was forced to the car and they lose all sorts of functionality.
- I have done the reset to factory defaults which is just a clean-up function to remove the old data like paired phones, contact lists, radio presets, etc. It will not take it back to a factory original software level.
- The radio has no way to reset/restore the software to the factory default. This is very disturbing. In short, if FCA sends out a bad software version, we cannot undo it. In other words, they could, in theory, download software that would make the radio/nav and other fucntions unuseable and then say that the solution is a radio replacement that we have to pay for! There is something very wrong with that.
- I have tried to activate the uConnect for the Viper. Can't do it. I had an account for a Charger Hellcat and closed it down. When I asked to "assign" the Viper to me, they said we need to call from the car itself. Great!.....except that the phone does not work in the car. In other words, I can't get a call from the car's cell phone to uConnect. The irony is awesome.

Here are the things that are wrong.







So sorry for the rant......

Anybody had this issue? Anybody suggest a solution?

[Lost me beer]

I may have the same issue. I bought my 16 GT in Feb used. Since I got it (2200 miles) it takes anywhere from immediate to 10 mins for the main screen to come on and give me the Accept promt. No lights work on the whole panel (ac and such), but when I adjust the fan, it changes speed.
I have checked all connections to no avail.
I will be heading to the dealer in Sanford, which is supposed to be a good Viper tech. I have a couple issues to be addressed including this. Gonna try to get her in the 21st and I will let u know how it goes. I am still under warranty, so ur solution may very well be what I need. I will have to check which version I currently have.
Troy

[swexlin]

There have been complaints on the Ram truck forum as well. I don't subscribe to UConnect in the Viper, but I do in the Ram. I have no issues, but some have. Please keep us posted.

[Luisv]

I may have the same issue. I bought my 16 GT in Feb used. Since I got it (2200 miles) it takes anywhere from immediate to 10 mins for the main screen to come on and give me the Accept promt. No lights work on the whole panel (ac and such), but when I adjust the fan, it changes speed.
I have checked all connections to no avail.
I will be heading to the dealer in Sanford, which is supposed to be a good Viper tech. I have a couple issues to be addressed including this. Gonna try to get her in the 21st and I will let u know how it goes. I am still under warranty, so ur solution may very well be what I need. I will have to check which version I currently have.
Troy

I would bet you had the software pushed to you. At least some newer version. Check that. Also.... check your navigation (if you have the option) and see if you are tracking correctly. When you go to Navi you might show as being locked in San Antonio, TX.

There have been complaints on the Ram truck forum as well. I don't subscribe to UConnect in the Viper, but I do in the Ram. I have no issues, but some have. Please keep us posted.

Yes I've seen them in the Jeep Forums, RAM Forums, Cummins Diesel Forums, Dodge Charger Forum........ etc. etc. etc. Always with the same version....... 17.11.17. The one thing I do seem to see however, is that the newer model years seem to have issues with specific items. For example, the backup cameras. In the older model cars, it's more catastrophic with total failure or what I am getting which is 5 to 10 minutes of black screen, no apps, no nav, etc.

I'll keep digging and poking until I get a resolution.

[Lost me beer]

Actually the nav is jacked too. I bought the car in Pembroke Pines (s florida) and drove it home to orlando. It just stays in the pembroke pines area and just kinda jumps in place as I move. I just figured it was doing this since I haven't subscribed to the nav.
Bet ur car was bought in san Antonio.
Troy

[Luisv]

Actually the nav is jacked too. I bought the car in Pembroke Pines (s florida) and drove it home to orlando. It just stays in the pembroke pines area and just kinda jumps in place as I move. I just figured it was doing this since I haven't subscribed to the nav.
Bet ur car was bought in san Antonio.
Troy

No my car did the same at first...... but it a few days and you will soon see that the San Antonio map becomes the default when you get the "Navigation System Calibration Required" message. My car was a Florida car. It was sold new in Miami and then the single owner traded it back in. I purchased it in Miami.

I have something in the works that I am going to try. If it works...... I will let you all know.

[Luisv]

Radio is now out.... I will fill you all in on what I finally resolve. Stay tuned....

[texasram]

I recently received an over the air update that shut the radio off a few times on its own while i was driving and was unresponsive until finally shutting off a 3rd time. After that it was fine.

[cubeman]

There was an issue a few months ago with certain cars getting OTA Updates that bricked the radios. The cars were not suppose to get this update. This sounds like one of the cases.

[Luisv]

There was an issue a few months ago with certain cars getting OTA Updates that bricked the radios. The cars were not suppose to get this update. This sounds like one of the cases.

It seems that way. The update that is on the NAV/Radio is not one you can download. It had to have been OTA to the car. Problem is FCA continues to drag its feet with the issue. They can't admit that the reason the radio is not functional is because of something the uConnect system pushed out. Since we cannot revert to older software, they have left us with no option but to get a new radio. If they would simply allow one to revert to a previous install that was know to be good, we would have this issue resolved three weeks ago. Instead, they want to "diagnose" the issue until the next time Halley's comet shoots by.

In any event..... working on getting it resolved. Once I have it taken care of and confirm the fix, I'll let you all know what was done.

[Luisv]

I recently received an over the air update that shut the radio off a few times on its own while i was driving and was unresponsive until finally shutting off a 3rd time. After that it was fine.

Any chance you could check the version you have installed? If you go to "Settings" in the apps section and then "System Information" you can see the software version you have.

It would help know what was pushed to you.

[Voice of Reason]

Yesterday for the first time my screen was black for 30 seconds after starting the car. I checked and it’s on verson 17.11.17. I immediately went to navigation and it was working ok, I’ve only had one restart since then so I’ll keep an eye on it.

[Luisv]

Yesterday for the first time my screen was black for 30 seconds after starting the car. I checked and it’s on verson 17.11.17. I immediately went to navigation and it was working ok, I’ve only had one restart since then so I’ll keep an eye on it.

That is the version that was pushed and that is on mine. However, I will not confirm 100% that this is the culprit in my case until Monday or Tuesday.

Two questions...
What year is your car? and...
If it's not too much of a pain, what do you show as the "HU Part Number" on the same system info page?

Those two will help identify if this is something we should all be concerned with or if it's just certain years/versions of the HU.

There are dozens of these threads on the Jeep, RAM and Charger/Challenger forums but very few on the Viper pages. Just want to get all this in a single thread for everyone.

Thanks!

[cplabaunza]

I have 17.11.17 installed as well...No issues whatsoever on mine. I do recall the OTA update taking something like 2hrs a few months back.

HU Part Number = 68224525AD

2014 GTS with 18 Spkr

[Lost me beer]

This is my last download. Again, I purchased this car the end of January this year and it a 2016. I have an appointment with a good viper tech on the 21st to get to the bottom of this. If u find something before then, please let me know what I can tell him to help. Otherwise, maybe he will have so e idea.
Troy

[Luisv]

I have 17.11.17 installed as well...No issues whatsoever on mine. I do recall the OTA update taking something like 2hrs a few months back.

HU Part Number = 68224525AD

2014 GTS with 18 Spkr

Ok. My HU number is 68190240AG.

I also have the 18 Speaker but that has no bearing on the HU that I am aware of.

I found this on a Durango forum regarding upgrades. These part numbers are supposedly for late 2013 and 2014 cars/trucks. Don’t worry about the las two digits. Those seem to be less relevant and more likely a vendor/OEM/plant difference.

Model: VP4 NA
Part Numbers: 05091051AE, 05091051AC, 05091051AD, 05091051AF, 05091051AG, 05091051AK, 68190240AG, 68224525AE

- - - Updated - - -

This is my last download. Again, I purchased this car the end of January this year and it a 2016. I have an appointment with a good viper tech on the 21st to get to the bottom of this. If u find something before then, please let me know what I can tell him to help. Otherwise, maybe he will have so e idea.
Troy

I will have mine resolved, one way or the other by the 16th or 17th.... I’ll let you know for sure.

[PkB2014]

I believe the latest version is 17.43.01 and that’s what mine says. It should be available for download and manual USB update good luck

[Luisv]

OK. Sent my head unit out for repair/check and had the software issue resolved and the head unit checked out perfect. I now have the following back:

- Radio starts up instantly. No 5 minute delay with a black screen when I start the car anymore.
- All the software is now there with the correct icons. No more "No Name" icons.
- Software is now 17.43.01

However, I still have two issues:

- GPS does not want to sync. The head unit worked and sync'd at the repair facility.
- UConnect phone does not work

This leads me to believe there is something else wrong. Obvious next choice/situation is the respective antennas. I have to look into that and troubleshoot the situation now.

[Luisv]

I believe the latest version is 17.43.01 and that’s what mine says. It should be available for download and manual USB update good luck

You are correct. Now the software version changed on the driveuconnect site to 17.43.01. This happened within the last two weeks. The latest version they shown for my VIN was "UCONNECT_8.4AN_RA4_17.11.07_MY13" as of May 8th, 2018 when I downloaded the file. The file must have changed after that.

That's the software that is now on my unit but the repair facility had to clear out the previous version because it was locking up when we went to install it via USB. Issue was it kept locking up on the update of the wireless software. It would time out. The repair facility resolved the matter for me and I am now up to date.

Thanks for the update on the version. I had not seen the change on the Uconnect site until you brought it up. Clearly they had issues with the 17.11.17 & .07 files.

I not claiming to be the one that forced the change.... but it is odd that after I started making the noise the software was updated...... Funny....

[Lost me beer]

Good to hear. Any specifics to what was done? I am taking her in tomorrow to Alex in Sanford...supposed to be the Viper go-to guy. Would be helpfull to let him know what ur guy did maybe.
Troy

[Luisv]

Good to hear. Any specifics to what was done? I am taking her in tomorrow to Alex in Sanford...supposed to be the Viper go-to guy. Would be helpfull to let him know what ur guy did maybe.
Troy

I pulled the radio. (A bit of a mission) I sent it out to a company in Oviedo, FL called NAVRepair. I contacted them and they had me try a software push first with a USB. Essentially they tried to avoid getting the radio out to them. That did not work so I pulled it and shipped it to them. They took a look at the radio and tested all the Head Unit hardware. Everything checked out including the GPS and wireless connectivity. They even tested the onboard flash memory on the unit. When all that checked out, they did a clean of the previous software and then installed the latest software they had which was 17.43.01. They turned it around in one day. Excellent service.

When I got it here, the unit booted up instantly but I am still having GPS issues. That leads me to the GPS antenna being the culprit of that dilemma. I just ordered the part...... $45 including shipping.

The lockup of the screen is the software issue. I think if they put on the latest version of the software, it will resolve the problem. They should be able to do that without disassembling the center console to pull the head unit.

As for the GPS, let's see what happens after the update. If that still does not work, then you may have a bad antenna. The antennas on the 2013 & 2014 are the same. They 2015 and up run a different one. If he can get one, I would have them that first. They can get any antenna from your car's year range. The connector on the rear is the same for many cars. So it does not have to be the Viper specific one.

Good luck.... fill us in on what they find in your case.

[labtec]

Regarding the GPS, keep in mind the unit was reset and/or tested in a different location than your location. Both conditions will result in the GPS not having current almanac or ephemeris data which the GPS needs to get correct position, particularly in poor satellite reception areas. With this mind ensure the car is outside in an open area for optimal GPS satellite reception. With today's GPS units the correct date/time should come up on the unit first with a good GPS position soon after, maybe 3 minutes but certainly no longer than 12.5 minutes. As I read the posts it seemed the GPS was ok before the software update failed so it is unlikely the GPS antenna is bad.

[Lost me beer]

I live in Oviedo actually.
Car is with Alex right now. I will let u know what transpires when I get her back.
Troy

[Lost me beer]

Got a call. Radio is toast. Replacing it. They tell me that is why the map, phone requires service, and delay in starting is happening.
Troy

[Treklife]

Luis V. Thanks for pushing this issue. I had a OTA update on a new to me Gen 5 last April that caused the unit to go crazy, I even had a truck symbol on the screen and lost any type of customization I previously had. I was able to do a soft reset and got some of the functionality back but it wasn’t the same. Just checked and I have the old invalid software version you noted above currently loaded on the unit. Went to the connect site and see that there is a new update available for my head unit which matches the latest version noted above. I’ll download tomorrow and hopefully everything is back. Fingers crossed.