Was quoted $189.95 to update my Uconnect 5 Non-Nav system and Ram Cares is completely useless

[truckman]

I'm pretty frustrated by my recent experience in trying to update the software on my Uconnect 5 Non-Nav system. The reason I want to update the software is because all of my presets disappear each ignition cycle.

After calling Ram Cares, they let me know that I'm unable to use the USB firmware method to update my Uconnect 5 to the latest version. Instead, they had instructed me to visit a dealership to do so. After asking them if it would cost anything they said it would be complementary.

I called a nearby dealership and they let me know that they can update it, but it would cost $189.95. I thanked them for letting me know and called Ram Cares back and I've been bopped around the phone tree for +2 hours now, and the latest "specialist" I was connected to simply hung up on me.

Is there any method for me to do this myself? I will not spend ~ $200 to update software that fixes issues that should have been addressed upon sale.

For additional context I don't have a "local" dealer since I purchased my vehicle from Mark Dodge in Louisiana and I'm currently located in the Northeast.

Appreciate any help, I'm at my wit's end here.

 

[CHeYeNNe71]

What reason did they give for not using the USB method?

 

[truckman]

What reason did they give for not using the USB method?

No reason given other that they couldn't do it. It's mind-bogglingly stupid that they've literally built a workaround for customers who are willing to self-install these updates but won't actually provide them a way to do so.

I think I might just rip that whole thing out and replace with a 3rd party unit given at least those won't require me to fork over 2 benjamins for the pleasure of being up to date.

 

[truckman]

Update: I was able to update to the latest software thanks to someone who had the update file on Reddit. This updated it to the latest version which I believe is 160.
For those who want to update theirs I'd recommend getting in touch with [redacted] over there

Mod: [PM truckman for contact info]

 

[SD Rebel]

It's crap like this that pisses me off about Stellantis customer service, especially after sale. The fact you had to go to a Reddit user to help fix what should have been a warranty quick fix is telling.

 

[Darksteel165]

It's crap like this that pisses me off about Stellantis customer service, especially after sale. The fact you had to go to a Reddit user to help fix what should have been a warranty quick fix is telling.

And they fact they told him it "can't" be done.
Anti-consumer at it's best!

 

[truckman]

Seriously. What ticks me off even more is that the guy who gave me the software on Reddit said that Ram Cares has even told him and several others to stop sharing the firmware...like wtf is wrong with them?

 

[Darksteel165]

Seriously. What ticks me off even more is that the guy who gave me the software on Reddit said that Ram Cares has even told him and several others to stop sharing the firmware...like wtf is wrong with them?

They want to get every penny out of every person. Only reason why.

Software\firmware is not a new concept.
It's very unfortunate.

 

[Roman2179]

Glad it worked for you! Did it resolve your issues with presets?

 

[HSKR R/T]

Seriously. What ticks me off even more is that the guy who gave me the software on Reddit said that Ram Cares has even told him and several others to stop sharing the firmware...like wtf is wrong with them?

We have had Ramcares reach out to us as Moderators to remove posts that include links to update files. Basically, they are saying the update files are proprietary, and not supposed to be available to public. As someone trying to install the wrong update can brick the radio.

 

[Roman2179]

We have had Ramcares reach out to us as Moderators to remove posts that include links to update files. Basically, they are saying the update files are proprietary, and not supposed to be available to public. As someone trying to install the wrong update can brick the radio.

The scary part is that it means the the firmware is even worse than we thought. The firmware should be checking conditions to verify that it's valid for the radio that is attempting the install. If it's not doing that then UConnect has worse coding practices than under grad CSE students.

 

[HSKR R/T]

The scary part is that it means the the firmware is even worse than we thought. The firmware should be checking conditions to verify that it's valid for the radio that is attempting the install. If it's not doing that then UConnect has worse coding practices than under grad CSE students.

I thi k they were talking more about corrupt files and not necessarily wrong radio.

 

[Roman2179]

I thi k they were talking more about corrupt files and not necessarily wrong radio.

In theory it should validate checksums before starting the update but they've proved time and time again that they sub-optimal coding practices. In any case, we are going to keep hunting down the the firmware when it comes out. The 160 firmware for the UC5 8.4 non-nav probably took us almost two months to get.

 

[bigdodge]

Update: I was able to update to the latest software thanks to someone who had the update file on Reddit. This updated it to the latest version which I believe is 160.
For those who want to update theirs I'd recommend getting in touch with [redacted] over there

Mod: [PM truckman for contact info]

View attachment 171803

please post a phot of the current version, after update.

 

[Darksteel165]

In theory it should validate checksums before starting the update but they've proved time and time again that they sub-optimal coding practices. In any case, we are going to keep hunting down the the firmware when it comes out. The 160 firmware for the UC5 8.4 non-nav probably took us almost two months to get.

You have a lot of faith in a truck company trying to develop software. They are clueless. They don't want the links gone so people don't brick their radios, they want them gone to keep a hold on all software so you need to pay a dealership for it.
There is also 0 things proprietary about firmware, that's a lie. But I can't expect an outsourced PR firm would understand what closed source code is vs a god damn update package, a package that goes onto the radio that we own not Ram.

 

[Darxide]

Maybe @RamCares should actually fix their drive uconnect website instead of trying to strongarm their customers.

 

[False]

Update: I was able to update to the latest software thanks to someone who had the update file on Reddit. This updated it to the latest version which I believe is 160.
For those who want to update theirs I'd recommend getting in touch with [redacted] over there

Mod: [PM truckman for contact info]

View attachment 171803

Hey there, I have a 2022 RAM 2500 Uconnect 5 8.4 no nav. My version is FCA_R1L_ARM64_00.145.00.15.00. Can you please help me to get the last updated file 160? Thanks for your answer.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Maybe @RamCares should actually fix their drive uconnect website instead of trying to strongarm their customers.

1. The Uconnect site hasn't worked with post 2017 (ish?) radios since like forever.
2. Ramcares is a social media group that can't do anything about anything technical except possibly move feedback up the channel.

 

[False]

I got the update. Thanks for your help!



Did someone try to add another camera using the existing connector? Should I use pin 19 (camera signal) and 26 (camera return)? Thanks again for your help !