2018 3500 8.5” radio failures (hot weather??)

[DonRam240]

Our large central display (Ram calls it the “radio”) failed after six years and was replaced under extended warranty recently. From the day it was replaced, it has periodically “gone dark” and simultaneously the related buttons and knobs fail to control functions, such as climate or audio. Whatever the setting was for climate, it continues, but can’t be changed. The intermittent malfunction is not always on a hot day, although two days ago this happened late on a 90-degree day. The following morning in cooler weather all was well. Our Edge Insight does not show any trouble codes at all. Can anyone shed light on these symptoms, as well as whether these “radios” have a history of failures like this? Searching the forum, I only found reference to a screen delamination issue, which doesn’t seem to be our problem. Thanks

 

[endoscott]

When they replaced it you got a "refurbished" unit, not brand new. They probably need to get you another, better, refurb I guess.

 

[Ozymandias]

There isn't a lot you can do aside from documenting the issue and go back to the dealer.

 

[DonRam240]

Thanks for the replies. Can someone say whether such a failure often or usually doesn’t set any DTC’s ? I ask because I don’t know if the absence of a DTC will make it harder for me to get another radio replacement under warranty, if the **** thing isn’t malfunctioning when I take it in this week.

 

[Ozymandias]

Just do a video to prove it with the engine running in the background, push around on it to see there is no reaction to it. Shouldn't be a big deal to get another replacement as you can't use the vehicle that way.

 

[wyosteve]

After they replaced my 'radio', it did the same, but miraculously, after about 5 starts it went back to normal and stayed that way until I traded the truck. Can't help on DTC's since I never checked mine when it did it.

 

[DonRam240]

Just do a video to prove it with the engine running in the background, push around on it to see there is no reaction to it. Shouldn't be a big deal to get another replacement as you can't use the vehicle that way.

Thanks, that will solve the documentation issue.

 

[AH64ID]

Trouble codes generally deal with the powertrain, and maybe a few body related things, but the center stack doesn’t have any associated DTC’s that I’ve ever seen.

 

[LandShark]

My 2015 had the radio replaced when a month old and then again about 2 years ago. No codes set either time. Replaced because certain functions (blue tooth, phone) did not work. Second time it was replaced under extended warranty. Both times replacement was a refurbished unit.

 

[DonRam240]

The current status of my issues with electronic displays is different than when I initiated this thread. Now it is intermittent, simultaneous failure of both the radio screen and the central digital EVIC screen between speedo and tach. The analog-looking gauges like those, temp, oil pressure, etc remain normal while central EVIC and radio are blacked out, blank. Function will return while still driving. Have not observed how the screen resumes for either, so far, just notice they are both “back” at the same time.
Our dealer, Dick’s CDJR in Wilsonville OR has been conscientious and helpful, the service manager and his shop foreman working together the past week trying to replicate this, but without success so far.
They asked me to leave the Edge Insight disconnected so the OBD port has nothing connected to it, because sometimes having any device connected to the OBD port causes some kind of communication problem within the truck’s electronics. They want to eliminate that as a possible factor while we are trying to diagnose this.
I’d be grateful if any of you can offer any experience or knowledge that relates to this picture. Now that the transmission “limp home” issue is solved by replacement of the faulty pin in that connector by the driver front wheelwell, the radio-EVIC failure is the remaining pesky problem. Note the cruise control problem was fixed after the connector repair (?? whether related to cruise control) and replacement of the cruise control button switches on the steering wheel that had failed (under warranty unlike the connector repair).
Thanks for any help with this radio-EVIC diagnosis.
Don

 

[Ram4Sam]

Does the radio/EVIC issue happen upon engine start up or after the truck has been running/going down the road?

Sam

 

[Grumpy8811]

these sort of threads remind me why I stick to base level machinery ( aka a Tradesman).
If you don't have the hi tech stuff on a truck, you don't have as many issues with the truck..

 

[DonRam240]

Amen to Grumpy’s comment! Sam: it occasionally is on startup but mostly random while driving.

 

[Grumpy8811]

Amen to Grumpy’s comment! Sam: it occasionally is on startup but mostly random while driving.

I'm one of those people who finds that when an electronic convenience feature becomes a electronic annoyance feature I turn it off.
Then again, you paid extra money for it, it should work, and you hope it does but it doesn't, so what do you do? Answer probably depends on
how much you effort and cash you want to spend in the search for the Holy Grail.

I don't know the answer to that.

 

[DonRam240]

A. We still have 2 years on the premium factory warranty, so it's a $200 deductible to us for now.
B. All the key HVAC, seat heat, etc etc controls are on the "radio" screen, so it's hard to get a divorce !!
C. The continuous tire pressure display I especially wanted is in that EVIC display, along with other useful info options
So......we'll persist.
Any tips from somebody with a similar knotty problem appreciated. Suspect this is something "upstream" of both EVIC and "radio" killing both displays. There is an answer.

 

[Ozymandias]

Like we never had problems with Radios in the past...
Sure it is annoying for the one that has the problem but it isn't like all of them are going to fail.

 

[DonRam240]

Our dealer kept truck two weeks, driving it, and problem did not occur. They asked me to leave the Edge Insight disconnected from the diagnostic port, saying sometimes having anything connected there interfered with communication among components (on the CAN bus, or ???). I drove an hour home today and it did not occur (no Edge Insight connected).
This raises a new question, has anyone had or heard of the experience of having their Edge Insight or other Edge product produce radio and/or EVIC "blackouts"?
I'll drive w/o Edge for some time; if it does not have the problem, I'll reconnect the Edge and see what happens. I'm vidoetaping the dash now with my iPhone on a mount attached to a passenger seat headrest post while driving, hoping to catch it as it happens and when it comes back on video.

 

[AH64ID]

Nearly 50K miles on my 18 and 23K miles on my 22 with an edge monitor hooked up to the OBDII port and I’ve never had an issue.