So I called FCA about Harman Kardon system.

[barr0208]

I believe an update can make huge improvements. They can adjust the processing. They can adjust internal amp gains. They have the ability to make changes we can’t but we could if it were an aftermarket amp.

I believe that updates can fix it. They could have phasing issues they could have ANC issues. I heard a huge difference in my 13 alpine with the 16. Series updates and more with 17

I am more than disappointed with my HK system. The fact that you somehow got someone on the phone that admitted what they did and said they are working on it gives me hope.

I hope there are many updates coming to help the 12.1 system. We will see.

I had a 2016 ram 8.4 and there is a good improvement on the high frequencies in the 2019.

 

[Neokane]

Mine started to do this last weekend. As ridiculous as this sounds, I moved Sirius from the backdrop menu to take the top Bluetooth spot and it hasn’t happened since. Is it fixed???

I had a case opened with FCA,
but they deferred me to the dealer.

@RamCares

 

[DennisY]

Maybe my truck was built after some important changes because my stereo is amazing. I am nearly deaf and I run it mostly around 8-12. Some of my iPhone music is recorded at vastly different levels. When a recording at a low level comes on I have to crank it up and even then it is barely loud enough. For normal recordings, Sirius XM, AM/FM, and CD my stereo is really, really nice.

The service bulletin (TSB 08-123-18) applies to trucks built between Jan 1 and Aug 28, 2018. According to your tagline, yours was built after that window, so you probably already have the update.

RE: your iPhone music, if the ones that are low in level are MP3s and you have them on your computer, you may be able to normalize the volume with audio software such as Audacity. Then delete the MP3 on your iPhone and replace it with the normalized version.

 

[RamCares]

The local dealer said they have stopped trying to put this update in because the truck was rejecting it? has anyone heard this from other dealers? They said it should come out in an OTA update.

I had a case opened with FCA,
but they deferred me to the dealer.

@RamCares

Hi badger and Neokane,
We would like to look into this further for you to see if there's anything we can do to help on our end. Please send us a private message with your VIN and mileage.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Medic604]

Hi everyone, I have had my Truck for about a month now and have had it to 2 dealers for the TSB, both telling me the H&K system sounds fine to them. I have the bass all the way up and can barley hear it. The mid and highs sound good I'm hoping they will push a new update soon.

 

[maddog49]

Hi everyone, I have had my Truck for about a month now and have had it to 2 dealers for the TSB, both telling me the H&K system sounds fine to them. I have the bass all the way up and can barley hear it. The mid and highs sound good I'm hoping they will push a new update soon.

You need to find a new dealer. The firmware they check with a scan tool. It's not subjective. Print off the tsb and take it in. Then go and listen to another truck and see what it sounds like. You may also have a bad amp or speakers. A over the air update will not fix your amp or firmware so you are waiting in vain.

 

[John]

Last week my HK amp went bad. No sound what so ever! New one on order! Only 6 months old!!

John

 

[RamCares]

Hi everyone, I have had my Truck for about a month now and have had it to 2 dealers for the TSB, both telling me the H&K system sounds fine to them. I have the bass all the way up and can barley hear it. The mid and highs sound good I'm hoping they will push a new update soon.

Before you go back into the dealer, would you mind sending us a direct message with your VIN? We'd like to get you an additional layer of assistance while working with the dealer.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[RamRiderLTD]

I have to get the update! The Ram I test drove with the alpine system sounded better than mine. I listen with the volume in the 20's and often at 38 when I want to jam out. I was so disappointed when I got my truck. I thought the Alpine sounded great so the HK would be awesome. NOT! I don't even tell people I have 19 speakers because I don't think they will believe me. I bought mine in Sept so I'm sure it has the old software.

 

[DM-SC]

I have to get the update! The Ram I test drove with the alpine system sounded better than mine. I listen with the volume in the 20's and often at 38 when I want to jam out. I was so disappointed when I got my truck. I thought the Alpine sounded great so the HK would be awesome. NOT! I don't even tell people I have 19 speakers because I don't think they will believe me. I bought mine in Sept so I'm sure it has the old software.

Yeah, go get it!

Volume at 20 is pretty loud on my Nov 2018 build.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[John]

You definitely need the service bulletin installed!

John

 

[DennisY]

You will be much happier once you get the TSB.

 

[Medic604]

I have another appointment at the 3rd dealer on 5/2 to see what they have to say about mine. Still waiting on the RamCares Guru to get back to me also.

 

[RamRiderLTD]

I have an appt. monday with my dealer for a laundry list of services. Thanks to this site I found out about all these issues I was concerned about. I sent them this list and they are going to take care of all of it for me.

ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDAL RECALL - V07/NHTSA 19V-067
GROUND CABLE RECALL - V04/NHTSA 19V-020
TSB # 24-001-19 FLASH: HVAC DIAGNOSTIC AND SYSTEM UPDATE; AC NOT PERFORMING WELL
TSB # 08-123-18 FLASH: AMPLIFIER ENHANCEMENT; VOLUME VERY LOW FOR 19 SPEAKER SYSTEM
TSB # 21-050-18 FLASH: TCM; VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS VERY ROUGH AT TIMES AND GAS MILAGE IS VERY POOR AVG MILAGE 13MPG AND I DON’T DRIVE AGGRESSIVELY.
THE TCM TSB REQUIRES 2 ADDITIONAL TSB’S THEY ARE:
TSB # 08-139-18 REV. A: FLASH HCP
TSB # 18-077-18 REV. A: FLASH PCM

 

[RamCares]

I have another appointment at the 3rd dealer on 5/2 to see what they have to say about mine. Still waiting on the RamCares Guru to get back to me also.

I just responded to your DM and will continue assisting from there.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[RamCares]

I have an appt. monday with my dealer for a laundry list of services. Thanks to this site I found out about all these issues I was concerned about. I sent them this list and they are going to take care of all of it for me.

ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDAL RECALL - V07/NHTSA 19V-067
GROUND CABLE RECALL - V04/NHTSA 19V-020
TSB # 24-001-19 FLASH: HVAC DIAGNOSTIC AND SYSTEM UPDATE; AC NOT PERFORMING WELL
TSB # 08-123-18 FLASH: AMPLIFIER ENHANCEMENT; VOLUME VERY LOW FOR 19 SPEAKER SYSTEM
TSB # 21-050-18 FLASH: TCM; VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS VERY ROUGH AT TIMES AND GAS MILAGE IS VERY POOR AVG MILAGE 13MPG AND I DON’T DRIVE AGGRESSIVELY.
THE TCM TSB REQUIRES 2 ADDITIONAL TSB’S THEY ARE:
TSB # 08-139-18 REV. A: FLASH HCP
TSB # 18-077-18 REV. A: FLASH PCM

Hi RamRiderLTD,
Let us know how your appointment goes. We're available via private message if you need any additional assistance.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[RamRiderLTD]

Hi RamRiderLTD,
Let us know how your appointment goes. We're available via private message if you need any additional assistance.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

My appointment went great! I have to say Safford of Fredericksburg, VA is an awesome dealership. From the sale of the truck (Easiest sales transaction ever) to this 2nd service appointment I couldn't be happier. I have 3 dealerships very close to me in the Richmond, VA area but Safford has earned my business so I'll drive the 60 miles. They performed all my repairs except TSB # 24-001-19. They said it didn't apply to my VIN. I'll see how the AC performs as the weather gets hotter. The truck drove great on the way back and the stereo sounds like a 19 speaker system should sound. I'm curious to see if my mileage improves now. Thanks for your concern.

 

[RamCares]

My appointment went great! I have to say Safford of Fredericksburg, VA is an awesome dealership. From the sale of the truck (Easiest sales transaction ever) to this 2nd service appointment I couldn't be happier. I have 3 dealerships very close to me in the Richmond, VA area but Safford has earned my business so I'll drive the 60 miles. They performed all my repairs except TSB # 24-001-19. They said it didn't apply to my VIN. I'll see how the AC performs as the weather gets hotter. The truck drove great on the way back and the stereo sounds like a 19 speaker system should sound. I'm curious to see if my mileage improves now. Thanks for your concern.

Thank you for the update, RamRiderLTD. We're glad to hear that the appointment went well! Please send us a private message if you continue to experience any concerns with your A/C and we'll happily look into this for you.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[sgk]

just like others that had the issue, I asked the dealer to restart / refresh it or whatever they do and Wow, night and day difference now 24 is as loud as I put it. Before full volume was not loud enough. Even the surround sound is very loud now.

 

[zx3junglist]

Dropped my truck in for the pedal recall and other work, and was complaining to them of the low H/K 19 volume with some knowledge of this issue. The desk twerp was trying to downplay it and tell me that's just how it is. I press and tell him I have a premium H/K system in my other vehicle and it decimates the sound of this $2700 option, and his response was "well that's a smaller vehicle isn't it" .. well sure but ok pal I'm sure it's just me. He calls me later to say they couldn't find a flash for that issue, only something for the nav which I tell him there's no issue with the nav.

Fast forward to today, I find the TSB 08-123-18 and have them check my VIN. Lo and behold, yep that's the one .. flash my amp in witech please. We'll see when I get it back but my fingers are firmly crossed. This system has been vastly disappointing so far.