Radio Volume Gone / Compass Failure At The Sametime

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How are the compass and radio/sound volume related?

Like same plug or something?

Here is what I’m trying to track down and fix.

I have a 2014 3500 Laramie with almost 100k miles.

This has started in the last week.

My radio and compass work just fine when I start up in the mornings, showing up on my dash and Uconnect screen.

Then at any time, I lose sound, and shortly after, the compass has lines where the direction is, and the little clock in the dash is just dashing.

I can turn the volume up or down, and the indicator on the screen shows the level, but there is no change in the volume.

It impacts all inputs and sources (sat, USB, FM, am, sd card).

The screen still looks like all is fine with no errors other than the direction is gone.

Navi works fine, but no sound.

Sometimes when it happens, it stays like that for 2 min or 10 min or longer.

Sometimes it comes back and goes away again.

Turning off the truck and restarting does not help.

Today, when I start the truck, after sitting for a while, the compass and radio work for about 2 minutes, then it’s off and does not come back.

I’ve read my batter may be going bad.

I’ve replaced them once when one went died completely and did not have this issue.

Read about a fuse f52-batt sensor might be bad, but not sure how that impacts the volume only and not all electronics.

Seen the factory reset uconnect thing as well.

I updated to get the external modem for 5g, which has been completed for a few months.

No issue.

I do have a dongle that splits the OBD2 port for that adapter and my m3 gauge cluster.

Again nothing on the M3 indicates it is having a communication or power issue.

The only odd thing that happened before this was a month ago when pulling my camper and stopping for fuel; on restated, the exhaust brake and tow-haul button were dark, and pressing the buttons did not turn on or change status.

After a mile or so, everything came on fine and worked.

It did this a couple of times on that trip but hadn't, and I have towed the same camper a couple more times after that with no issue.

My current issue is without a trailer connected.

I really appreciate any help you can provide.

-Karl

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It definitely sounds like there is a short somewhere.

You said you did a factory reset on your radio?

Have you loaded test your batteries to rule that out yet?


2016 Ram Laramie 3500, G56, 6.7, CC, 4x4

Agree also sounds like it may be heat-related; perhaps a component in the radio circuit is shutting down when it gets hot, then when it cools down, it starts working again.

Hopefully, someone who has experienced your symptoms will chime in.


2014 RAM 3500 (Aisin) 3.73 4X4 Limited Crew Cab Long Bed DRW. Oil Bypass Filter, Fuel Filtration Kit and 50 Gallon auxiliary fuel tank.

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That is one combo I haven't heard before.

I wonder, does your truck have the factory amp?

If so, wouldn't your volume be controlled at the amp?

Does anyone know if the factory amp, if applicable, shares a common power source or ground?

So I may have found the culprit.

I tried to link my phone to the 4 g Uconnect OBD2 dongle thing.

It would not show as available, so I checked it, and the LEDs were off.

The volume and compass were off at that moment.

When I unplugged the dongle almost immediately, the radio started to sound, and the compass was on.

So I plugged it back in, and the radio was still playing, but the lights were still off on the dongle.

As I was thinking about maybe, it was just a coincidence, off went the compass and radio volume.

So I sat a few moments and unplugged the dongle.

Almost immediately, the compass was on, and volume was back in the radio.

My theory is the stupid dongle modem thing died.

I’ll have to have no issue for the next few drives to strengthen my confidence.

So now I’m frustrated the dongle thing did not last more than 3 months. LOL.

-Karl


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Well, there ya go!

Glad you found the problem.


2016 Ram Laramie 3500, G56, 6.7, CC, 4x4

OP, Did you ever get a solution to this problem?

It all worked fine until last week after removing the dongle thing from the OBDII port; it worked fine until last week.

I think the “Y” cable I used went bad, and I tried another, and it was OK, but I did not like kicking all that wire around.

I had an MM3 gauge plugged in the entire time, and then the problems returned.

So I unplugged the MM3, and it did not fix the issue.

When I plugged it back, it all was good.

I have one of the pins in the OBDII port either weak or has a bad connection.

All has been good for the last week again, but at least I know the issue is in the port and not the attached components.

Not sure about the fix for that outside putting a new OBDII port in the truck, but that is the last resort, and at least I know where the issue is.

Just an FYI, this port issue impacted my integrated trailer brakes.

The computer would say check connection or no trailer connected.

Once I removed the old “Y” adapter, all worked flawlessly.

Not sure how it is connected, but it is.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by kkroeker

It all worked fine until last week after removing the dongle thing from the OBDII port; it worked fine until last week.

I think the “Y” cable I used went bad, and I tried another, and it was OK, but I did not like kicking all that wire around.

I had an MM3 gauge plugged in the entire time, and then the problems returned.

So I unplugged the MM3, and it did not fix the issue.

When I plugged it back, it all was good.

I have one of the pins in the OBDII port either weak or has a bad connection.

All has been good for the last week again, but at least I know the issue is in the port and not the attached components.

Not sure about the fix for that outside putting a new OBDII port in the truck, but that is the last resort, and at least I know where the issue is.

Just an FYI, this port issue impacted my integrated trailer brakes.

The computer would say check connection or no trailer connected.

Once I removed the old “Y” adapter, all worked flawlessly.

Not sure how it is connected, but it is.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

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I have run into the same issue, sort of.

I think my heat and a/c module is going bad because my a/c only works on defrost from time to time.

The compass isn’t reading, and the volume is not working on the radio.

I’m going to try unplugging the splitter and see if anything changes.

I’ve already ordered a new a/c module. Let’s see what happens and compare some notes after I change.

Thank you for the reply.

So, update.

I took your advice and unplugged everything from the ODB Port.

I have 2 things that run off that, my AMP Steps and another item.

Everything is operating as it should.

I’m going to try it for a few days and see if anything else has a glitch.

Thank you kkroeker!