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#1 · (Edited)
Thread Edit: Oct 15 2013 - Added Wish List Items / Updated known issues
Descriptions and Features

The RA3 and RA4 Radios, what are they?

These radio options are commonly referred to as an Infotainment system as they are a combination of radio tuners (AM-FM-XM), a media player (iPod or various memory devices) as well as a control interface for the vehicle. Depending on the model of radio they support different features which I will explain later in this post. All of the 8.4" units have some common features among them such as how they interact with the vehicle.

Each radio has a common software loaded onto it that is shared among many platforms of vehicle. The software is able to "talk to the vehicle" and find out what type, and trim level the vehicle is and display information and interact with various parts of the vehicle based on what that vehicle has in it. I use the words "talk to" for a reason because the software on the radio and the radio itself are not related to very many operational items in the vehicle. For example, you may be able to save the seat seatings, or change a comfort feature on the radio screen, but the radio is not actually "controlling" that device itself. The radio receives the input from you the user, then tells the seat module to save the setting and maybe the HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) module that you want a certain temperature maintained. For those of you who may have experienced a setting that unchecked itself, this is usually cause by the module not acknowledging the change you made and often nothing to do with the radio.

The actual "Head Unit" itself as the radio is often referred to may be configured with different optional cards to support different features. The radio code of RA3 refers to the head unit that does not have navigation, however there are also other optional components at both the RA3 and RA4 that may be different based on your region. For example, not all regions get SiriusXM which can be identified as by the build code "RSD". The software can tell if the head unit has this component and adjust the available inputs accordingly. There are various other features that are available including UConnect Access which is a Cellular Card built into the head unit allowing independent access to data and cell networks. You would need to refer to the options built in your specific vehicle for all of the details.

A brief note on UConnect Access which I will expand upon later... It uses a Sierra wireless card in order to receive commands that can tell the head unit to perform actions such as initiate a remote start. It can also be asked to send a diagnostic report, download new information or applications and can initiate calls for emergency or service related items. At this time, updates for the base software in the radio cannot be downloaded via the Sierra card or via any mobile data connection directly to the car. I will be noting some more information about the software updates and version in Post #2

The RA3 and RA4 Radios, what are they not?

As mentioned earlier on the head unit really only contains its own communications pieces and the audio playback components (the amplifier components are located elsewhere). This means that the modules located throughout the vehicle like HVAC, Seats, Lighting and Collision Mitigation systems are not in any way physically part of the head unit. This means that software changes on the head unit cannot upgrade features of the vehicle. It has been discussed a few times about temperature sensors, climate control or even air suspension not operating as expected. If there is an update released that changes or corrects something such as the temperature that is recalled when you remote start a vehicle, this is not related to the head unit in almost all cases. These type of changes are firmware that needs to be loaded directly onto the module and in my example the HVAC module. At time of posting this there is still a reported issue of the outside temperature not being accurate, again this is a module update and not related to the radio.

Detailed Descriptions for all 2014 8.4" or 5" Radios

An excellent resource for all thinks WK2 is WK2Jeeps.com. There are complete vehicle specification and detailed "how to". For a complete listing of all of the North American radio features please see here: Jeep Grand Cherokee WK2 - 2014 model year radios

This site is a fantastic resourse, I recommend you browse the table of contents, there is a lot of useful information there.
 
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#156 ·
That's good news. I pretty regularly get the phone service message too, and best I can tell it seems to correlate with poor coverage, so I'm wondering if getting the antenna replaced per the recent TSB would fix that issue for me too.
 
#157 ·
That's good news. I pretty regularly get the phone service message too, and best I can tell it seems to correlate with poor coverage, so I'm wondering if getting the antenna replaced per the recent TSB would fix that issue for me too.
Mine had a specific code B1560-13 Cellular Antenna Circuit Open which is why the antenna was finally replaced.
 
#160 ·
I am joining the new radio club. Mine ceased to function, only showing the "white screen of death". The dealer ordered a new one today. I hope it is a new one. There must be a huge warehouse storing all of the MY14 8.4s that are KIAs. The dealer said they should have one on Tuesday and it will take 45 min to install. Sure it will!
 
#162 ·
Nice Tom!!! fingers crossed! But im going to bet that the antenna was the issue.. (i have heard of others with loose connections causing the service message, so a bad antenna would be even worse)

Im waiting on a call back to arrange for a loaner for my next service (they said a week or 2) then its going in for the whole list! (recall, trans flash, hvac flash, squeaky seat, dead flashlight, MIL ight, oil change) lol

the Hvac is really bugging me.. it seems like it just doesnt want to work right?? i donk its tied to the radio right? Its cold in the truck, i turn up the temp.... nothing.. turn up more.. fan goes up a little... turn up to 80.. ahhh theres the fan! turn it down.. fan drops to min!?? also, it blows out of random vents!! face vents for heat.. floor for cooling??? it just sucks.
 
#163 ·
Sorry. No update today. Worked remote so it never left the garage. Probably take it in for an oil change tomorrow. Dealership is looking for an update from me as well. They didn't close the last service ticket so time to follow up.

My dealership has been very forthcoming with a loaner anytime they have kept it overnight. Then again, the owner keeps offering me a sales position. Maybe someday but not ready to change careers yet.
 
#165 · (Edited)
Climate control is not part of the radio, yes.. the control is in there (as well as below) BUT, the module is separate. There is also a TSB for the HVAC #24-002-13 that maybe the dealer can try.

What do you mean sirius disappeared? like.. it didnt work? or it was GONE? If it didnt work, sometimes you just have to wait. Or cycle the power (meaning turn it off and on) - or just call sirius. Dont waste a trip to the dealer. (It also sounds like they are not really sure on what they are doing)

Also, make sure you are on the latest sw version for the radio. 13.38.52 (check it in settings)
 
#166 ·
Yes thank you I'm aware that the climate control is not in the radio just the controls. The 3rd radio does have the most recent software as did the last two. Its been to the dealer 5 times. The dealer as well as Chrysler has told me at this time there is nothing else they can do. I just have wait for a software upgrade and live with it for now. As far as the Sirius goes the selection for Sirius was not available on the radio. Then the next time I started the truck it had returned.
 
#169 ·
Radio update:

Missed a few days but wanted to report I have not had any Phone Requires Service messages since picking up a week ago today. Looks like, at least in my case, the antenna WAS the culprit!
 
#170 ·
Glad to hear it. I thought it had to be something besides the radio with all the problems you had and the multiple radios. At least you have the latest radio version.
 
#171 ·
Just got off the phone with the service manager. The last 3 in days in Ny is been between 20 and 30 degrees. I was told leaving the Climate Control on Auto then when I remote start it remotely or manually the Climate will be on. The last 2 days started the truck both ways with Climate control on Auto. Climate Control was off. Service manager so new updates available and unfortunately I need to live with it for now.
 
#185 ·
Just installed 13.48.3. Went real smooth, no issues. All my presets and other settings remained just fine.

I haven't taken it for a drive yet, but I went through all the settings menus and it doesn't appear that there is anything visibly new. I find that odd since the Int'l version appears to have added a way to remove the guide lines from the backup camera so I figured that would be in our update - but no.

The biggest issue I had with the last release is that the FM and sxm volume levels were different so I'm hoping this is corrected. I didn't test this yet because I'm in my garage and can't get sxm signal.

That's the quick synopsis right now - so I'm guessing this is purely a performance and/or bug update.
 
#191 ·
Just installed 13.48.3. Went real smooth, no issues. All my presets and other settings remained just fine.

I haven't taken it for a drive yet, but I went through all the settings menus and it doesn't appear that there is anything visibly new. I find that odd since the Int'l version appears to have added a way to remove the guide lines from the backup camera so I figured that would be in our update - but no.

The biggest issue I had with the last release is that the FM and sxm volume levels were different so I'm hoping this is corrected. I didn't test this yet because I'm in my garage and can't get sxm signal.

That's the quick synopsis right now - so I'm guessing this is purely a performance and/or bug update.
Well - a bit disappointed - sxm is still lower than radio and media. I never had a problem with this until 13.38.52 and the issue is still there. I don't understand why they can't get the sound level to be the same between sxm and the radio - how hard could that be???
 
#190 ·
I haven't seen any changes in the setup either. Guess the improvements are in the operation. I'll give it a drive this weekend and see if I notice anything.
 
#196 ·
ok, just tried the install and it failed miserably,

it kept getting somewhere between 85%-90% then the screen goes black and when you open the door it says waiting for USB then it starts over again and it is just a vicious circle.

I'm using a 32GB sandisk USB flash drive, and followed the instructions on the jeep site, and then the instructions in your PDF. I think I'm going to try to reformat the flash drive and try it again in the morning, if it doesn't work looks like I'm going to have to take her in :(

any advice on what I could be doing wrong?

heres some specs:

SanDisk 32GB Flash Drive (formatted NTFS) - going to try to format fat32 and try again
RA3_13_48_3 -<that's the jeep update, it's the latest one off of the site

if anyone can help me avoid a dreaded trip the dealership please help!
 
#197 ·
ok, just tried the install and it failed miserably,

it kept getting somewhere between 85%-90% then the screen goes black and when you open the door it says waiting for USB then it starts over again and it is just a vicious circle.

I'm using a 32GB sandisk USB flash drive, and followed the instructions on the jeep site, and then the instructions in your PDF. I think I'm going to try to reformat the flash drive and try it again in the morning, if it doesn't work looks like I'm going to have to take her in :(

any advice on what I could be doing wrong?

heres some specs:

SanDisk 32GB Flash Drive (formatted NTFS) - going to try to format fat32 and try again
RA3_13_48_3 -<that's the jeep update, it's the latest one off of the site

if anyone can help me avoid a dreaded trip the dealership please help!
NTFS format not supported. FAT32 is the way to go.

btw, no need to dread the dealership.
 
#198 · (Edited)
For those still having problems downloading the Uconnect update on Windows, I took somone's tip (thankyou whoever that was) and downloaded/installed Apple's Safari browser. Worked like a charm. I'll probably only use Safari for this purpose, but it worked great.

btw, I tried calling Uconnect support. He was clueless and recommended taking the car to the dealer.
 
#203 ·
My biggest complaint with SXM is the commercials are so much louder than the regular programming. I keep having to turn the volume up and down all the time. May well be enough of an annoyance to prevent me from renewing when my free year runs out.
 
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