3G shutdown/I connect question

[Matt Hannink]

Hey all, I've got my eye on a 2015 ram 3500. It has the big infotainment system and at least at one time had the remote start from a cell phone. I've been digging around and cannot find any clear information on the subject. With 3g shutting down my big question is, if I buy this truck am I going to be able to use the cellular remote start function? If affected what are my options?

 

[p-Bar]

yes 3g is going away . AT&T is starting to pull the plug and Verizon is going to start end of the year. I think these old systems are done.

 

[Wiredawg]

I have a 2017 Ram 5500 that I received a 4G adapter from U-Connect that plugs into the OBDII plug. I have Edge CST2 monitor plugged into my OBDII plug, so have been trying to get 4G to work with an OBDII splitter... so far no go. 5500 is clean and it's supposed to rain tomorrow so may pull it out of my shop Saturday to see if I can get it going straight into OBDII. If so, I'll try it back on splitter, if no, I'm sending it back. I'd rather have the monitor.

I'll post as soon as I finish test.

Cheers, Ron

 

[Matt Hannink]

Wiredawg, that is exactly my concern. I have plans for the obd port and was reading that a splitter was having trouble. Also read that even without the splitter the adapter has been problematic. I know I can add a viper system for $1200 bucks but to me this seems silly since it has/had the factory option.

Does anyone know if we can install a radio from 2018? My understanding is everything is the same except the radio is set up for 4g.

I need to figure this out ASAP because I'm supposed to go get the truck in a few days and this is a make or brake thing for me.

 

[lpennock]

To have the cell based remote start is going to cost you about $120-150/yr. Personally I found it more of a gimick than very useful. About half the time when I would use it, I would find it starting about the same time I was within FOBIK range. Let my uconnect subscription end with the free trial.

 

[kthaxton]

Does anyone know if the demise of 3G will affect calls and texts through the infotainment system?

 

[p-Bar]

It shouldn't as it uses your cell phone for connectivity

 

[kthaxton]

It shouldn't as it uses your cell phone for connectivity

Lol, good point! I guess that would be considered a "duh" moment for me...since it connects via BT to my phone. D'Oh!

 

[Matt Hannink]

To have the cell based remote start is going to cost you about $120-150/yr. Personally I found it more of a gimick than very useful. About half the time when I would use it, I would find it starting about the same time I was within FOBIK range. Let my uconnect subscription end with the free trial.

Generally I would agree with you and I've thought that till my current job. My job entails going to a parking lot, getting on a bus, and leaving town. About 60 or so miles. Returning is the same thing in reverse. When I'm 10 or 15 minutes out and would like to get the truck warming up I'm about 10 miles out from the parking lot. Starting from my cell phone means the truck is warm and the windows deiced on these 15 degree mornings. After a twelve hour shift and a 15 hour day I don't want to wait in the cold for my truck to warm up. When it's cold here 6 months of the year it's worth the $120+ to me.

 

[Matt Hannink]

So I was on the phone with my local dealer about putting a newer radio in and they think it won't work. Has anyone else talked to a dealer or maybe tried to put a 2018 radio in an older truck?

 

[AH64ID]

It is possible to put the newer radio in. Generally plug and play except for the media hub. I can’t recall the name of the company that has kits, but maybe someone else will.

Extended idling in the cold isn’t recommended, and over 10 minutes is considered excessive.

If that’s your scenario I think the money would be better spent on a espar coolant heater.

 

[lpennock]

It is possible to put the newer radio in. Generally plug and play except for the media hub. I can’t recall the name of the company that has kits, but maybe someone else will.

https://www.infotainment.com/collections/all/2014-ram-2500?variant=42208135239

 

[Matt Hannink]

Ah64id, about 10 minutes is all I planned on doing. Along with a full delete to help reduce issues. I will look into the heater you mentioned though.

Ipennock, I looked at that exact radio and it's really unclear about how well it'll work. It does say some uconnect things will not work. I've emailed them but haven't heard back.

 

[AH64ID]

The delete makes cold idle worse, as the EGR actually helps warmup.