Lebowski

Yes, I saw it too. Edit: I checked because I thought I heard it before, and a couple of users on a Spanish forum reported the same problem.

When you say that the dealer can add the code (LMK, isn't it?) through dealer connect, do you mean an off-line software package or the web page https://dealerconnect.chrysler.com? If the latter, do you know if Fiat dealers in Europe use the same page? (There's a Fiat logo but maybe is meant for Fiat dealers in USA/Canada). I suppose the witech software gathers information from that page, and if dealers in Europe also use witech they should have access to the page (I know, many "if"s, but I'd like a step by step explanation I could send to my dealer). Edit: in the Dealer Help Desk/Maintenance page they list toll-free numbers for some countries in Europe, so it's possible that they use the same page.

Well, it's not that complicated, mostly because I didn't want to do any permanent modification (especially to the electrical system of the car) and I want to install a front camera later on. You have seen nothing yet, wait for me to find a way to install a couple of microswitches to sense reverse and 1st gear and a microcontroller to rule them all The problem was interference, most probably a ground loop, so with the dc-dc isolated converter I got rid of it. Another solution would have been to use a transformer, but I didn't have one available, video grade transformers are quite expensive and the dc-dc converter cost me 0€. Not the most efficient solution (there are 3 conversions involved, from 12V to 5V to 9V to 3.3V, the latter regulator is inside the camera) but it works. When I turn on the camera I get the image in 1 or 2 seconds, no static screen.

Finally I managed to install the camera. First I fabricated a license plate light with the camera (I don't want to drill holes, just in case): Then I passed the cable, roughly using the guide for the oem camera (roughly because the guide is wrong in places and I didn't want to dismantle the whole car). This is where the cable ends: And this is the camera installed. The other end of the cable goes behind the glove box: 1) cable from the camera 2) cable to the gps (power supply and video) 3) 5v power supply, the grey cable is for the gps/camera, the black one is for the tmc receiver/bluetooth module. 4) dc-dc converter scavenged from an old network card (to isolate grounds, otherwise the video was bad) 5) switch for the camera (provisional, I don't want to make any modification to the car, just in case Fiat would use that as an excuse not to fix the radio) 6) partially covered here's a tmc receiver with a bluetooth to serial converter And this is what the camera shows Next steps: install a microswitch in the gear lever (so that I can detect reverse independently from the main circuit, but I don't know how to remove the knob without breaking it), install a front parking camera, install a microcontroller to control the cameras.

@dirceuximenes, you have an 8.4 screen, and that has not the same problems plaguing the 4.3.

In the first page it says to enter the "Dealership menu" to save the settings to an usb stick. How? The only hidden menu I know for the radio is the one you enter pressing for 10 seconds the up and down temperature buttons at the same time as the front defrost, but in that menu there's no option to copy settings to the usb memory (at least on the 4.3, which is where the settings are to be saved from).

Well, I just hope I don't have to travel to Germany to get my radio updated (if, as you say, the update really fixes all problems). Do you know the details of the update (i.e. do they have some reference number like the TSBs posted by DodgeCares)? I could try to send them to the clowns in customer service to see if they react differently this time (which I doubt).

Fiat Spain is unaware, they told me yesterday that there's no further update from the one applied in February (IIRC), in fact they told me that my radio, even when it doesn't start, it works fine. Edit: per chance, could some friendly dealer leak the CD with the update?

And the reply of customer service is that my radio is up to date and, looking at this video of my radio, according to them it works fine. If a radio that doesn't start from time to time is fine, this is my last Fiat.

$520, shipping included, on aliexpress.com (search for "fiat freemont"). Prices are falling since the last time I looked, since there are more vendors offering it.

Well, this is my first car with this "feature" and I'm clearly disappointed. The previous one even had a pollution sensor that automatically engaged recirculation whenever necessary (and of course I could override it at will).

Yes, I do, that's because since when I acquired the car one year ago, I have had a lot of small or not so small issues that could be easily solved if they wanted to which doesn't seem to be the case. I actually like the car, so the lousy customer service annoys me even more. I also happen to be a software engineer and a geek so I tend to notice things that most other people wouldn't see (like, e.g., how they wasted such two gorgeous screens, the 4.3 and the evic, with a dreadful layout, if only I had access to the software to customize it to my liking...). As I said, that's because I like the car. And I try to be useful.

Because it's stupid: it doesn't let me engage when I want it or need it. All of my previous cars would let me activate recirculation at my will, this one only if the airflow isn't directed to the feet. Since in auto mode, when it has to heat in winter (or early morning even in summer) it automatically selects the flow to the feet, it won't let me turn on the recirculation, so that I have to breathe the exhaust from the car in front of me. And to redirect the flow manually requires a (distracting and not recommendable while driving) 5 steps sequence, due to the wonderful uconnect touch 4.3 (aka POS). The manual says it's to prevent fogging but that's bullshit and I know what are the conditions that could cause fogging and I manage to avoid using the recirculation by myself in those cases.

Don't get me started about the recirculation....

In the Italian forum I found a video of the Chinese unit posted by a dealer in Brazil Basically it's the equivalent of a uci-11 c video interface bundled with a big screen, a dvd player, gps, dvb-t receiver, etc., all in a neat package. What it does is switch between the factory system video output and its own, so you won't lose any of the existing features (climate control, settings, etc.). It's ingeniously simple, since they didn't have to reverse engineer the complicated protocols for the settings and the climate control. I'm not really interested, but here it is: [media=] [/media]

I contacted Fiat Spain through their web page, sending them a video of the problem and the TSB details. They called me back and told me they'll contact the dealer. To be continued...

Though most stations here send a clock signal via RDS, the option is not available. The manual says that Sync Time is available "only for some versions/markets". Frankly, in the 21st century it shouldn't be difficult to make a clock that keeps accurate time (in my previous cars, some of them made in the 20th century, I only had to adjust the clock twice a year for DST change). Edit: and they managed to show the date too.

In the settings menu, rough translation since I'm looking at the Italian manual: Safety/Assistance -> Park Assist -> Off/Sound only/Sound and display

You can disable the sensors so they won't bother you.

Thank you, I'll ask the dealer again.

But that doesn't solve the problem for those of us without integrated navigation.

Does this TSB apply to European models? Because I've been suffering with these problems for a year and both the dealer and fiat spain say there's no fix.

I'm pretty sure somebody mentioned those same problems (like search not working, mp3 showing the wrong duration, mp3 skipping, radio not starting). Some of those problems have been solved over there but not over here. BTW, the fiat freemont is exactly the same as a dodge journey, uconnect and all.

I've been more specific before. That, and the radio that doesn't start Quite different but sure it has its own set of shortcomings. A serious article should highlight both the good and the bad, a less serious one just copies the press release.

My Uconnect (4.3, but still UConnect it is) has none of the above. In fact I don't really care about "attractive graphics" and "intuitive layouts", I'd be happy enough if it worked, even with slow responses. The fact is, it doesn't work.