HawtDogFlvrWtr

If I back out of a parking spot, put the DJ in drive and accelerate (slow or fast doesn't matter) while turning the wheel, the headlights dim briefly, it sounds like a belt slipping or (as funny as it sounds) a blow off valve releasing pressure, and I lose power for a split second. It happens every single day and every time I pull out of a spot. The car bucks as power is restored and it shoots off. Weird sh!t for sure, and frustrating. I mentioned it to a mechanic buddy and he named a steering part, but I cannot for the life of me remember what he said. 
 
Anyone else experience this? 
 
*EDIT* Now that I think about it, he mentioned the power steering pressure sensor/switch.

I'm not dead. Just finished a nasty divorce. I've still been working on this and have many awesome updates coming, to include new features, and cheaper components. Standby.

ok, so i've made some progress with this. I'm currently able to roll down/up all windows or just individual windows, start and stop the car, lock all doors, unlock just the driver door or unlock all doors from the web. It's not 100% yet, and I still have other features I want to add, like only cracking the windows when the temperature outside gets above a defined value, cracking the sunroof (if equiped), etc..
The good news is, it appears there is location information associacted with each window, which I can read to determine how far it's been lowered. This will be good for folks with those window vent plastic thingies that allow them to roll the window down slightly in bad weather without getting soaked. My intent is to allow you to click a button from your cell, or a website that drops the windows about an inch at any time, and then roll them back up. Still trying to figure out how to make this happen when the car isn't on... i'll keep working on that, though.
if you can think of anything else you want to automate, let me know... one of them I was thinking of, was notifications if the alarm was tripped for some reason. perhaps add a camera module to the raspberry pi, and create a nice mount on the rear view mirror, or somewhere else, that snaps a photo and quickly emails it to you with whoever is jacking with the vehicle... call me paranoid, but if i'm capable of doing it, i'd like to do it...

I'm not dead. Just finished a nasty divorce. I've still been working on this and have many awesome updates coming, to include new features, and cheaper components. Standby.

So I went with the class III curt hitch (13201) and the mopar harness for our journey. I had the harness activated today at a local dealer and all is working perfectly.
The company that sent me the wiring harness sent me two of them.. one looks used and was missing the bumper inserts, and the other was brand new. I thought that i was going have to deal with the used harness (it showed up two days before the new one did) so I purchased the bumper inserts in ziptie form from amazon and got the harness up and working perfectly. If someone wants it, i'll send it to you for free.. just need to pay shipping.
I ended up getting one of those cheapo cargo baskets that attach to it from harbor freight for like $40.. it's genius and fits my garbage cans perfectly, so I don't have to haul trash in the back of the journey... (I don't have trash pickup here in the sticks).
NOW ON WITH THE PICTURES!

The harness has been claimed..

nope, didn't even have to remove the spare.. there is plenty of room to install it without removing anything.. For those who do it though, Make sure you wear safety goggles.. there were rocks and all kinds of dust up in that area that fell into my eyes.

Connecting via usb will allow me to play MP3s that are on my phone. I'm referring to Pandora,podcasts and audio books that are driven by applications. It would be nice to see what chapter I'm on in a book without having to pick up my phone. Or the name of a song on pandora without having to turn it on. Perhaps I'm the only person on the forums that listens to an application and not just m3's.

My response:
Sherri, It's funny you should say that it's not a feature you currently have, when the feature WORKS if you're using a phone that's at least 4 years old. The bluetooth song information appears if you're using an android phone that's version 4.1 or less and apple devices that are using IOS 7.1 or less. The problem is, your uconnect devices have never been updated to work with the newer (and I use the word "newer" very, very loosely, as the newest phone that works in this manner with your uconnect devices is 4 years old) hardware. While you can search your site for supported phones for the HTC x8 on sprint, it says it's not supported but in fact, it does work. Also, the Samsung galaxy s3 on verizon (but i'm sure it will for all carriers) also works as i've tested it personally. The x8 is a phone made in 2013, but it's a windows phone who are known to only support older versions of bluetooth drivers. The s3 is about 4 years old and if you leave the older version of android on it, works perfectly with your head-unit. The problem is, using these antiquated devices for your mobile needs, leaves you in a situation where you're using an insecure phone that's no longer being updated by the manufacture. Also, it means that you're not eligible to the latest data rates like LTE. The update to the uconnect unit is trivial as the bluetooth function was merely changed during the 2.1 transition to 4.0. The uconnect Bluetooth adapter already support 4.0 as I can see what it negotiates at when connecting to a mobile device. The problem is, the AVRCP bluetooth standards changed from 2.1 to 4 and your device doesn't conform to those changes, as it's requiring 4.0 devices to pass the metadata information in the 2.1 standard which is impossible. With that said, saying that it's a feature you don't currently have, is inaccurate. The true situation is, you don't currently want to support newer phones in relation to this feature, which is pretty crummy. Thanks, Chris

Latest Response.. kinda bullshit, really
Dear Customer:
Case #: 28337244 VIN: 2C4RC1BG9FR514202 Vehicle Description: CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY TOURING WAGON
Hi Christopher, This is Sherri from Uconnect Case Management and I have been assisgned to your file. I understand your concern about the song title not being shown and this being a safety issue and I understand your concern and frustration that it is not available. I will forward your concern to the engineers but currently this is not a feature we currently have. Please contact me if you have any further questions or concerns. My office hours: Monday – Friday 11:00 am till 7:30 pm EST Your case number is: 28337244 The Uconnect Case Management telephone number is: 877-855-8400 ext my direct extension: 4718746 also for your convenience you can reply to this email. Regards, Sherri
To reply to this email, please use the link below:


Sincerely,
SHERRI
Customer Assistance Center

I have been blasting them on Twitter and via email and now I have a phone number. They won't be ignoring me

My response:
Sherri, It's funny you should say that it's not a feature you currently have, when the feature WORKS if you're using a phone that's at least 4 years old. The bluetooth song information appears if you're using an android phone that's version 4.1 or less and apple devices that are using IOS 7.1 or less. The problem is, your uconnect devices have never been updated to work with the newer (and I use the word "newer" very, very loosely, as the newest phone that works in this manner with your uconnect devices is 4 years old) hardware. While you can search your site for supported phones for the HTC x8 on sprint, it says it's not supported but in fact, it does work. Also, the Samsung galaxy s3 on verizon (but i'm sure it will for all carriers) also works as i've tested it personally. The x8 is a phone made in 2013, but it's a windows phone who are known to only support older versions of bluetooth drivers. The s3 is about 4 years old and if you leave the older version of android on it, works perfectly with your head-unit. The problem is, using these antiquated devices for your mobile needs, leaves you in a situation where you're using an insecure phone that's no longer being updated by the manufacture. Also, it means that you're not eligible to the latest data rates like LTE. The update to the uconnect unit is trivial as the bluetooth function was merely changed during the 2.1 transition to 4.0. The uconnect Bluetooth adapter already support 4.0 as I can see what it negotiates at when connecting to a mobile device. The problem is, the AVRCP bluetooth standards changed from 2.1 to 4 and your device doesn't conform to those changes, as it's requiring 4.0 devices to pass the metadata information in the 2.1 standard which is impossible. With that said, saying that it's a feature you don't currently have, is inaccurate. The true situation is, you don't currently want to support newer phones in relation to this feature, which is pretty crummy. Thanks, Chris

Latest Response.. kinda bullshit, really
Dear Customer:
Case #: 28337244 VIN: 2C4RC1BG9FR514202 Vehicle Description: CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY TOURING WAGON
Hi Christopher, This is Sherri from Uconnect Case Management and I have been assisgned to your file. I understand your concern about the song title not being shown and this being a safety issue and I understand your concern and frustration that it is not available. I will forward your concern to the engineers but currently this is not a feature we currently have. Please contact me if you have any further questions or concerns. My office hours: Monday – Friday 11:00 am till 7:30 pm EST Your case number is: 28337244 The Uconnect Case Management telephone number is: 877-855-8400 ext my direct extension: 4718746 also for your convenience you can reply to this email. Regards, Sherri
To reply to this email, please use the link below:


Sincerely,
SHERRI
Customer Assistance Center

I have been blasting them on Twitter and via email and now I have a phone number. They won't be ignoring me

I have been blasting them on Twitter and via email and now I have a phone number. They won't be ignoring me

Yea I'm going to request that they call me and speak. I'm also going to record a video of the features that aren't working and compare them to my second vehicle that's 10 years old that does.

I got a response from the folks that i email blasted:
Dear Christopher,

Thank you for contacting the FCA Customer Assistance Center.

It has been determined that the concerns raised regarding your uconnect
needs further review.

We have referred your concerns to a uConnect Specialist for follow-up. A
Case Manager will contact you by phone within approximately one business
day addressing your issue.

I appreciate your patience and understanding as we further look into
matter with you.

Thank you again for your email. Should you require additional
assistance, or have any new information to provide, please reply to this
email message or call 1-800-CHRYSLER (1-800-247-9753).


Sincerely,

Jody

Customer Service Representative
FCA Customer Assistance Center

Connecting via usb will allow me to play MP3s that are on my phone. I'm referring to Pandora,podcasts and audio books that are driven by applications. It would be nice to see what chapter I'm on in a book without having to pick up my phone. Or the name of a song on pandora without having to turn it on. Perhaps I'm the only person on the forums that listens to an application and not just m3's.

Yes all of that works. The part that doesn't work is Bluetooth song titles on screen. All you get is the phone name. Also the text message stuff for the u connect doesn't work on modern devices. That's what I'm talking about. I intentionally didn't mention the features that work because there was no need to.

I guess I'm on my own with the whole "getting what I paid for" thing, then.

it displays text message information on your 8.4 headunit?

So I was looking through the supported phone site for our re2 and rb5 head units to see if any of the phones supported metadata over Bluetooth or this elusive "Text Messaging" feature that they boast about on the uconnect website, and I'm not surprised to say, that NONE of the phones support this feature. NONE. I've sent off a message to Dodge/Chrysler/Mopar about how they've left 200, dart, ram, journey, and 300 customers with a head unit that's not capable of doing something that ALL vehicles with Bluetooth have been accomplishing since 2005 (at least), and also explaining that it's a safety concern because we have to pick our phones up and unlock them to get basic song information. I'm tired of driving friends around and them asking where the song information is displayed on this kick ass 8.4 inch head unit, only to reply "yea, it doesn't support that in 2015".
I've already put in a complaint, but it would be nice if ALL of you did the same thing. Perhaps if we bitch enough, they will do the right thing and add it. It appears to have been in their previous versions of the head-unit firmware, so the hardware is there.
http://www.chrysler.com/chryslercares
*UPDATE 1* GOT AN EMAIL RESPONSE FROM CS
Dear Christopher,

Thank you for contacting the FCA Customer Assistance Center.

It has been determined that the concerns raised regarding your uconnect
needs further review.

We have referred your concerns to a uConnect Specialist for follow-up. A
Case Manager will contact you by phone within approximately one business
day addressing your issue.

I appreciate your patience and understanding as we further look into
matter with you.

Thank you again for your email. Should you require additional
assistance, or have any new information to provide, please reply to this
email message or call 1-800-CHRYSLER (1-800-247-9753).


Sincerely,

Jody

Customer Service Representative
FCA Customer Assistance Center
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*UPDATE 2* Got an email back from the main CS person, which said it wasn't a feature... right.
Dear Customer:
Case #: 28337244 VIN: 2C4RC1BG9FR514202 Vehicle Description: CHRYSLER TOWN & COUNTRY TOURING WAGON
Hi Christopher, This is Sherri from Uconnect Case Management and I have been assisgned to your file. I understand your concern about the song title not being shown and this being a safety issue and I understand your concern and frustration that it is not available. I will forward your concern to the engineers but currently this is not a feature we currently have. Please contact me if you have any further questions or concerns. My office hours: Monday – Friday 11:00 am till 7:30 pm EST Your case number is: 28337244 The Uconnect Case Management telephone number is: 877-855-8400 ext my direct extension: 4718746 also for your convenience you can reply to this email. Regards, Sherri
To reply to this email, please use the link below:


Sincerely,
SHERRI
Customer Assistance Center
-------------------------------------------------------
*UPDATE 3* My response back to Sherri:
Sherri,
It's funny you should say that it's not a feature you currently have, when the feature WORKS if you're using a phone that's at least 4 years old. The bluetooth song information appears if you're using an android phone that's version 4.1 or less and apple devices that are using IOS 7.1 or less. The problem is, your uconnect devices have never been updated to work with the newer (and I use the word "newer" very, very loosely, as the newest phone that works in this manner with your uconnect devices is 4 years old) hardware. While you can search your site for supported phones for the HTC x8 on sprint, it says it's not supported but in fact, it does work. Also, the Samsung galaxy s3 on verizon (but i'm sure it will for all carriers) also works as i've tested it personally. The x8 is a phone made in 2013, but it's a windows phone who are known to only support older versions of bluetooth drivers. The s3 is about 4 years old and if you leave the older version of android on it, works perfectly with your head-unit. The problem is, using these antiquated devices for your mobile needs, leaves you in a situation where you're using an insecure phone that's no longer being updated by the manufacture. Also, it means that you're not eligible to the latest data rates like LTE. The update to the uconnect unit is trivial as the bluetooth function was merely changed during the 2.1 transition to 4.0. The uconnect Bluetooth adapter already support 4.0 as I can see what it negotiates at when connecting to a mobile device. The problem is, the AVRCP bluetooth standards changed from 2.1 to 4 and your device doesn't conform to those changes, as it's requiring 4.0 devices to pass the metadata information in the 2.1 standard which is impossible. With that said, saying that it's a feature you don't currently have, is inaccurate. The true situation is, you don't currently want to support newer phones in relation to this feature, which is pretty crummy. Thanks, Chris

hahah

You can easily chirp from a stop, but there is no tire burning as it's FWD. I will say though, in sport with the electric motor assist, it's pretty quick to about 40mph. Then it hits optimal gearing and a herd of cattle could outpace it. i average 53+mpg on it, and generally have to fill it up every week for about $20. saves me $20 a week over the journey, and also since it's already got 120k miles on it, it saves me mileage on the journey. Truth is though, I tried to trade it in for the journey, but my estrainged wife refused to sign the title over to dodge.. she wanted to get every penny from it that she could in the divorce, even though i tried to explain to her that we owe 18k on it, and it's worth maybe 10... i managed to get the dealership to give me 12k in trade in and roll the rest into the journey.. but she's an idiot without basic math skills.... so there we are.

hahah