2018 tradesman radio volume inop

[nukegm]

comrades -

ram with 71,000 is having some issue with the radio volume. past 3 times i have used it, the volume control does nothing. can turn the knob endlessly either direction - no sound. not on am , fm, sat radio. radio is NOT on mute. phone is NOT paired with truck either. this is the base level radio in a low optioned tradesman. after the first leg of each trip, i get back in truck re start, and the radio works fine. thanks in advance for any opinions. i did disconnect batteries and no change. cheers, chris

 

[lpennock]

Most likely the head unit is getting ready to go bad. Start saving your nickles for a new/rebuilt unit.

 

[Ozymandias]

Steering wheel controllers don't work either?

 

[AH64ID]

Have you tired to reset the radio?

 

[nukegm]

thanks for the replies. i have not tried the steering wheel controls. and i have not reset the radio. did a quick internet search on that the other day and didnt find anything that pertained to the radio in the truck ( the non fancy radio ) cheers!

 

[Tuesdak]

Load test batteries with one disconnected. Just to be sure low voltage during cranking isn’t causing problems.

 

[nukegm]

update - replaced both batteries month ago...also reset the radio itself. had radio for a couple weeks. all good. today, started truck in 18 degrees, volume was on. let truck warm for 8 minutes. got back in, no volume. no volume to job....worked 7 hrs, drove truck to grocery, still no volume. shopped for 5 minutes, went out and started truck, radio worked. any opinions welcome. happy new year comrades!

 

[p-Bar]

which head unit do you have? The little one, 8", 12"?

 

[nukegm]

i believe its the u connect 5.0 - the small one w xm satellite and a radio and bluetooth. cheers!

 

[AH64ID]

i believe its the u connect 5.0 - the small one w xm satellite and a radio and bluetooth. cheers!

Uconnect 5 wasn’t available until 2022.

The options in 2018 were Uconnect 3.0 or UConnect 4C.

3.0 had 2 options, both are a 5” screen, but one is touchscreen. Both these radios have the volume knob inside the radio bezel.

4C also had two options, both 8.4” touchscreens. One with NAV and one without. Both of these have the volume knob below the radio bezel down by the HVAC controls.

 

[nukegm]

ok then. its a touchscreen with sat radio and an old style volume knob....in any case its on the fritz. cheers !

 

[AH64ID]

ok then. its a touchscreen with sat radio and an old style volume knob....in any case its on the fritz. cheers !

They all have a volume knob, but it’s sounding like you have the Uconnect 3.0 with a 5.0” touchscreen.

Have you tried to reset the radio while driving if it’s not working?

Have you tried to disconnect your phone from the radio when it’s not working?

Does the volume bar indicate a change when it’s not working?

Have you checked for updates?

https://www.driveuconnect.com/support/software-update.html

 

[nukegm]

They all have a volume knob, but it’s sounding like you have the Uconnect 3.0 with a 5.0” touchscreen.

Have you tried to reset the radio while driving if it’s not working?

Have you tried to disconnect your phone from the radio when it’s not working?

Does the volume bar indicate a change when it’s not working?

Have you checked for updates?

https://www.driveuconnect.com/support/software-update.html

thanks for the update info. will try that next. yes on reset. phone is not connected either....

ill have to check on the volume bar indicating a change. i honestly dont recall on that one.

thank you

chris

 

[p-Bar]

A used one will run you about 220.00 on ebay

 

[wyosteve]

I suspect it's time for a new head. My '18 with the 8.4 had similar symptoms and eventually died completely. Got to use my MaxCare at least!!

 

[p-Bar]

Wyosteve heard of alot of problems with the 8.4 head units. Was thinking on buying one but it wouldn't have any warranty. The aftermarket units from China look and read to be problematic.

 

[nukegm]

They all have a volume knob, but it’s sounding like you have the Uconnect 3.0 with a 5.0” touchscreen.

Have you tried to reset the radio while driving if it’s not working?

Have you tried to disconnect your phone from the radio when it’s not working?

Does the volume bar indicate a change when it’s not working?

Have you checked for updates?

https://www.driveuconnect.com/support/software-update.html

no display when i turn the volume knob.... ( no " graph " showing louder volume etc )

radio worked on way home! laughing. cheers, chris

 

[AH64ID]

Sounds like it’s probably time for a new radio.

 

[nukegm]

Sounds like it’s probably time for a new radio.

appreciate your advise. you helped me with the front suspension recall awhile back too. thanks again for that. maybe ill try to find a kenwood or alpine and ditch the stock one....just hate splicing wires etc. thanks again. cheers, chris

 

[Ozymandias]

No splicing, no cutting connectors please - just a simple adapter harness is all it needs.

But for the beginning have it diagnosed at a dealership, it's maybe just a minor simple thing with it. If they say you need a new head unit, well then you can decide on a basis.