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uConnect 8.4a (or 8.4an) - Please Let Dodge Know To Get it Fixed!

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#301 ·
Well I emailed FCA last week and received an email the next day from uconnect with a case number and a person assigned to it. Tried calling them Friday but was too late in the day. Called yesterday and they don't have a fix and don't know when a fix will be out for this new issue. They also say this cannot be reverted to an earlier version. So they don't know how to fix it. And now the case is closed.

I am less than impressed with this. Not happy the dealer updated without consulting me. I am going to keep pressuring the dealer to resolve this.
 
#302 ·
First, FCA case management is a joke. It is an attempt to make the consumer feel as though they are getting special attention and that something truly is being done behind closed doors - that simply isn't the case. Scripts and friendly language interaction along with a waste of time is all you will receive going down that path. Trust me, I'm speaking from experience. I tried that path with my '14 RT since it was my first FCA vehicle ever, dealing with several issues including the eq and lumbar among several others. After several calls I had a reality check and that was it.

Now, here is a video of mine using the exact same track as Suli (and I'm sooo far from being a Dave Matthews fan)... The shift in sound going between 9-10 isn't there, why, I'm still working on finding an answer. It's a night/day difference clear as a bell in Suli's video and I have no doubt that the problem exists and believe me if I had noticed that problem back in July when I got the only amp with the new firmware I would have posted an oversized bold font sticky thread telling everyone to refrain from having the update done. I may try to find time to see if the dealership has a vehicle on their lot with the fix/problem or, since I still have my original dsp/amp sitting in a box I may put it back in and have the flash done to see if it develops the same problem.

Off the cuff the first thing that comes to mind is that there is a issue either with the executable doing the flash update or there could be an error/glitch in the code that was distributed and is being loaded to your DSP. Again, that's just off the cuff but consider that mine very likely wasn't not updated/loaded with the same executable/process since I received it two months prior to the TSB.

 
#306 ·
I'm not buying the auto-loudness either. When I'm at level 8, the bass (which is set at 2 bars above the midline) is ridiculously strong, the mids and highs (both about 3 notches from the TOP) are very low.

Volume up 1 notch to 9, bass reduces, mids / highs gain, 1 more notch to 10 and bass drops significantly, mids / highs gain again. I would argue that this is WORSE than the other issue, since you can't do 'the fix' to it with the EQ.

$4X,000 vehicle, sounds like a junk speaker in a dumpster.
 
#307 ·
I had the same problem with my tuner about 4 weeks back after taking my RT to the dealer for this amp fix. After jacking me around for a couple hours they finally said that my issue and code was from me replacing the factory sub and went on to tell me no flash was available even though I had the TSB in my hand. Then I got to spend the next week on the phone with Diablo sport trying them to reset my tuner because like you said it would not recognize my truck. Finally after arguing them they agreed to send me the file to reset the tuner only after I faxed them the proof that I had the truck in for service. I'm going to just watch the forum or mailbox for when the finally fix this issue before I take the truck back for servicing.
 
#308 · (Edited)
Update. I'm gonna jump back a bit so that you all get the full effect of what Star is up to in resolving your audio issues. Back in the early summer my DSP amp was replaced with no additional programming. This repair, while it seemed to generally solve the rolling tonal changes while driving, didn't solve the base issue where the bass would be all out of wack after the car was started. The only good news was that for the most part if I went into the EQ and toggled the treble everything would balance out and generally stay that way until the car was restarted. About a month ago my car was programmed including the recall for the Uconnect security issues and everything hit the fan! The audio system tonally had a mind of it's own and nothing would fix it. A couple of weeks ago I took it back in and they did the amp patch. Good news original problem fixed. Bad news the dredded and well documented 9-10 volume problem and a rolling speed volume problem that would occur only under acceleration, or deceleration. Yay! Fubar!!! So my car sat awaiting a new radio which once installed fixed nothing (it was an amp software patch so I'm not sure what Star was even thinking about here). Today they (Star) decided to again replace the DSP amp and claimed the car to be fixed.

Well, to no surprise, not so much, but not only is it not fixed they simply pulled a fast one. By replacing the amp again it they simply took things back to square one. No Uconnect programming to screw it up and no patch to create the new problems! Wha-laaaaa!!! So there you have it, folks. It's f'd up after the car is started, but so far seems to hold it's own again after doing the EQ correction. Can you say pissed off? Damn skippy I am! More to come, so stay tuned!!!
 
Discussion starter · #309 ·
At this point, we're going to be stuck with this crap patch of the AMP for the DSP issue until FCA and Harman get their sh@# together. I'd like to 100% blame Harman for this (Harman/Alpine/HarmanKardon all same company), but I know FCA is at fault as well.

*facepalm*
 
#310 ·
Suli said:
At this point, we're going to be stuck with this crap patch of the AMP for the DSP issue until FCA and Harman get their sh@# together. I'd like to 100% blame Harman for this (Harman/Alpine/HarmanKardon all same company), but I know FCA is at fault as well.
Click to expand...
Harman and Alpine are not the same company. The big question is if the problem is in the coding itself or the script that does the update, that will give a better idea whether to point the finger at Alpine or FCA.

Is anyone with the 9-10 volume issue in or near Atlanta?
 
#311 ·
My truck is in again. They are replacing my amp to see if that fixes the issue. They are also trying to troubleshoot another issue I have (strong vibration sound on right turns under light acceleration). They have the car loaded with sonic ears mounted to the chassis. I guess I'm the first one Dodge has heard about. Lucky me.

No talk on how the ACC: 70 is all crooked on my display :(
 
Discussion starter · #312 ·
Sorry, Spark is correct, I thought HARMAN owned Alpine, they do not (maybe I was thinking Infinity, which they do).
 
#313 ·
First - moderator - is there any way this thread can be moved back to the '14+ section? Yes, there is now an "electronics" section but this thread is specific to '14+ and is now being overlooked in this section.

Second - I put this in recent post but it's at the bottom of the page before this one - is there anyone in Atlanta with the volume 9-10 issue? If so, please send me a PM.

AT THIS POINT, HAS ANYONE HAD THE UPDATE DONE WITHOUT THE VOLUME SHIFT ISSUE?

As far as the change in sound quality, I have been told by someone at FCA who is well aware of my opinion/results "The amplifier is working to design intent." Of course I wholeheartedly disagree...
 
#314 ·
spark said:
First - moderator - is there any way this thread can be moved back to the '14+ section? Yes, there is now an "electronics" section but this thread is specific to '14+ and is now being overlooked in this section.

Second - I put this in recent post but it's at the bottom of the page before this one - is there anyone in Atlanta with the volume 9-10 issue? If so, please send me a PM.

AT THIS POINT, HAS ANYONE HAD THE UPDATE DONE WITHOUT THE VOLUME SHIFT ISSUE?

As far as the change in sound quality, I have been told by someone at FCA who is well aware of my opinion/results "The amplifier is working to design intent." Of course I wholeheartedly disagree...
Click to expand...
+1, please move this back so there is more visibility on it.
 
#315 ·
Just talked to the dealership. They said that Chrysler is sending out a new amp that is supposed to fix the issue, and that they know about the existing issue.

I've been assured that this will fix the problem, unless it doesn't. Go figure. I should have my hands on it tomorrow or the day after, depending on when they get the new amp.
 
#316 ·
BillPhillips said:
Just talked to the dealership. They said that Chrysler is sending out a new amp that is supposed to fix the issue, and that they know about the existing issue.

I've been assured that this will fix the problem, unless it doesn't. Go figure. I should have my hands on it tomorrow or the day after, depending on when they get the new amp.
Click to expand...
It could indeed fix the 9-10 problem. I have inquired several times how my unit had the firmware installed and have yet to get an answer. What does matter is that the eq issue is resolved and that the 9-10 issue doesn't exist. That said, YOUR SYSTEM WILL NOT SOUND THE SAME AS WHEN YOU PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. As my comparison graphs show, you will lose part of the upper register and it will sound like someone has muffled, stolen, muted the tweeters, granted that is *probably* how yours sounds 10+ right now anyway since you have had the update done, just even worse below 10. I say probably since I haven't had the chance to listen to a vehicle that has had the flash update - it *should* sound the same as mine but the question is whether it sounds the same above or below 10...
 
#318 ·
Shelbyguy said:
So maybe I missed something but are you guys suggesting that the fixes so far from Chrysler fix one thing but degrade the sound in another way?

Marty
Click to expand...
Hi there!

The "fix" fixes the bug where you have to turn the volume over 10, go to the EQ, and adjust the bass every time you start the car. CONFIRMED, FIXED.

Now, however, the system sounds like a fart in a dumpster up until 8, turning to 9 makes it marginally better by lowering the bass and increasing the mid/treble. Turning to 10 make it back to 'normal', where bass isn't super powerful. CONFIRMED, NOT A FIX.

I think I'm going to be in the same boat as Spark now, with a new amp... Not looking forward to this at all.
 
#319 ·
BillPhillips said:
Hi there!

The "fix" fixes the bug where you have to turn the volume over 10, go to the EQ, and adjust the bass every time you start the car. CONFIRMED, FIXED.

Now, however, the system sounds like a fart in a dumpster up until 8, turning to 9 makes it marginally better by lowering the bass and increasing the mid/treble. Turning to 10 make it back to 'normal', where bass isn't super powerful. CONFIRMED, NOT A FIX.

I think I'm going to be in the same boat as Spark now, with a new amp... Not looking forward to this at all.
Click to expand...
So I guess I'll stick with the 10 and above adjustment until/if there is ever a fix that doesn't cause other issues. Thanks for explaining it.

Marty
 
#320 ·
Okay, just picked up the durango...

They replaced the amplifier.
FP-Number: 68248754-AC
Description: Amplifier 08060018
It says, "Opened star case, replaced amplifier per recommendation for loss of eq settings at key off"

At first blush, dare I say the issue is fixed? The original bug is gone (adjust eq at volume over 10). The new bug is gone (heavy bass until 8, shift at 9, shift at 10). It also doesn't sound terrible. Perhaps this is my fatigue with the issue?

But I will say this. It was set of an HD radio station when I got in the car. I listened to that station after adjusting the EQ. Was fine at volumes I used (1-17). I had it at ~10, I can't remember, switched to Octane on SXM, and the bass was through the roof (terrible). I about flipped my shit. I switched it back to FM, and it was normal. I changed the volume through the range, normal, then back to SXM, and it was NORMAL again.

So there is still a gremlin, but I haven't come up with definitive reproduction steps yet. I'm sure I'll find the secret sauce tomorrow of the following day.


As a side note, it was in getting a strange vibration fixed. They actually fixed it. Here's the diagnostic:
underbody heat shield grounding out / contacting exhaust
multiple road tests to determine source of vibration
torqued all front suspension
visual inspection found shield near base of a pillar hitting exhaust
repositioned heat shield no further abnormal noises heard

Time will tell, i suppose.
 
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