I'm going to post this in a few different threads because it relates to a few different issues people had. Hopefully this will make it more likely someone having a similar problem will find the solution. This might be helpful if you are suffering from any of the following:
- Lost GPS signal/map location incorrect
- Inaccurate time on the clock
- Inaccurate compass
- "Vehicle Phone Requires Service" error
- No Request Code displayed under System Information
I have a '14 Overland with 8.4AN/RA4 radio (Aug 1 build). The Jeep is driven a lot with service done at the dealer and all software up-to-date. In May, I purchased the map update from HERE and installed it with no problems. I drove the Jeep for about a month, including a long trip or two, with no issues. After about a month, I got the "
Vehicle phone requires service" message. I didn't think much of it. Then, I noticed the clock stopped updating, with the time frozen at when the phone error displayed. I figured it was a glitch and, while driving, rebooted the radio using the Mute + Enter combo. The system rebooted, with the clock still off. My GPS location was incorrect. The best I could tell was that it had saved my location when I last turned off the Jeep, and put me there when it restarted. Then it used the dead reckoning (where it uses vehicle motion to keep you moving on the map when it can't get GPS signal, mainly for parking garages and tunnels) to keep trying to track me. These problems would persist until I let it sit for several hours. Even after a meal, it would still be off; usually it had to sit overnight.
So, basically, after 15-30 minutes of driving, I would develop the following symptoms:
- Clock would stop updating
- Loss of GPS signal resulting in map location getting progressively inaccurate
- Incorrect compass direction
- Phone error message and red light on mirror
I took the Jeep to the dealer and described my problem, first to the person at the desk and then (thankfully) to the tech who was most familiar with UConnect. They had this problem before almost exactly with many Jeeps, and a software update had been issued along with a TSB. However, my software was up-to-date. He reflashed the software and cleared our the errors, but the problem persisted. Over a 2-3 visits he determined the radio needed to be replaced. It helped that I took a picture of the phone error message to show him.
I suddenly became thankful that I opted for the MaxCare warranty. After some issues with my warranty (another post for another day), I got the radio replaced. Though I asked the dealership to do this, they didn't move my Sirius XM subscription or check to see if the map update would work.
I was able to move the Sirius subscription pretty easily with an Order number for the service visit. I was expecting that my original Activation Code for my maps wouldn't work on the new radio and it didn't. So, I prepared to follow the
instructions again for getting the needed Request Code, but the space for the Request Code under System Info was
blank. I tried asking at the dealership, but the UConnect guy wasn't familiar with the Request Code, must less what to do if it was missing. I asked if they could relfash it/make sure it was linked to the Jeep/VIN correctly and they said they did.
What ended up (surprisingly) being the most help was
UConnect Customer Service. I sent an e-mail and the first response I got was assigning me a Case Manager. My CM responded very quickly. We interacted most through e-mail, but she did call once. I was very impressed that she was persistent through a complicated issue that most companies, I think, would have just given up on or tried passing me off. She interacted with HERE on my behalf to get a new Activation Code. I was very impressed with how helpful she was.
So...what ended up getting the maps working? Well, we needed a Request Code, but my Request Code display was blank. However, whenever I inserted the map update USB, a Request
er Code was displayed. Despite the sightly different names, I think the two codes work essentially the same, maybe even the same code. They both change whenever you power cycle the radio. No idea why it wasn't displaying under System Info, but the Requester Code worked! My CM got me a new Activation Code based off of the Requester Code, and my maps activated and installed.
And, the Request Code now even shows up in the right place!
I know this might seem like a minor thing and/or a bit obsessive on my part, but it was nice to have someone on FCA's side who was helpful, and I hope this can helpful to anyone else having any of these problems.
Thanks for reading!