bramfrank

I owned an accident magnet once - five hits in a year and not one my fault. The insurance company quietly suggested I get rid of it and buy something else or they'd drop my coverage (we have no fault here, so there's no recouping payouts from the other party). I did. And have not been involved in a car accident resulting in anything more serious than a scrape in the intervening 25 years.

Nope. The fact that it comes with a microphone and the text says it requires a hard 'phone' button on the radio face ought to have been a tip - the application list provided by the vendor (who is the one who sold me my backup camera, so I'm surprised) is plain wrong. But the title DOES say that it fits the RAM 1500 (and, for some reason, the Cherokee and Wrangler). It isn't the title that says it is for a Journey, but the application list, which is miscoded. A quick search based on the supplied manufacturers part number took me to the Mopar site. This is the kit for something called an 'RES' radio that comes in a RAM pickup. Unfortunately, and as I wrote before, I have not seen the OEM BT module for the 2011+ Journey for sale on eBay OR on the Mopar accessory site because it isn't sold as a user-installable accessory. You'd need to research the real part number (and the location where it is installed in the vehicle) and then hit up a scrap yard to sell you one if you want to save money. Edit: So I decided to play the Google game . . . . . . The good news is that this HAS been discussed before on this site - while the part number is not provided, the relevant pages from the service manual and such can be found here: http://www.dodgejourneyforum.com/topic/5030-where-is-hfm-hands-free-module-located-on-journeyfreemont/ And from what I gather here is the Mopar parts page for the module: http://www.moparpartsoverstock.com/p/DODGE_2014_JOURNEY/MODULE-Telematics/10253306/68209686AB.html Amazing what Google can do if you phrase things properly. If you want to do some reading about the data bus, and uConnect, this is an interesting document, replete with descriptions of modules and their locations in the vehicles that use our version of the uConnect (Charger, 300 and Journey): http://courses.chrysleracademy.com/MT201103/shell_popups/pdf/March%202011%20REF%20BOOK.pdf

Maybe if you plug in a different iPod it will delete the current list - then when you plug the original back in it will re-import the original, minus the deleted song.

For a second gen Journey? Really? I've only ever seen stand-alone and Mygig versions. A link to one would probably be appreciated by the OP.

Disconnecting the battery does not default the radio, but rather does what's called a 'reboot'. A factory reset WOULD cause you to lose your settings. On a second generation radio (2013+) you go into the dealer mode by pressing the driver side temp up and down buttons and the front defrost simultaneously for at least 10 seconds - the dealer menu will appear. Select the 'restore factory settings' option to restore those and then try re-pairing. But bluetooth is not 'in' the radio, it is a USB-connected module. I believe that doing a restore will not fix things, but it can't hurt.

The system is reportedly incompatible with iOS 8. Try pairing something like a Blackberry Bold or Curve (they have *the* most properly implemented BT stack) to see if that works. If you can access the dealer menu, do a factory restore before attempting the alternate phone.

I've never seen the Bluetooth module on eBay. I have not seen references to it either. Your best bet probably involves identifying it and finding one at a scrap yard.

Based on the hearsay, it sounds like you are a candidate for a new module.

Complex electronics can have issues. I bought an RB5 nav radio and added the backup camera, like the OP wanted to do. I paid about $500 for the radio module, and if it should die, I can probably replace it for the same money, though so far all is good for me. Yes, if you take the vehicle to the dealer and pay their asking price for a non-warranty replacement you will be out a LOT of money, but there are services 'out there' that repair these things and, of course for a non-trivial, but much lower amount than the dealer would charge you could just buy another. If I used an iPhone as my navigator and it died, an unsubsidised replacement phone is likewise not cheap. That and I'd probably be chewing up data. But I have commented in the past that given it's large assortment of very expensive electronic modules, an extended warranty is almost a necessity for the modern automobile that is beyond the factory warranty yerm - not just the Journey, but virtually everything on the street these days.

A phone on the dash won't display video from a backup camera.

I assume you have tried re-pairing the phone with the vehicle? have you also tried pulling the battery cable for 20 minutes or so and then reconnecting it? Does the radio show the phone icon? I found the following out on the web - it can't hurt to try it: I called u-connect and she ran me thru a possible soft-reset - TURN ACCESSORIES ON, BUT NOT MOTOR. PRESS AND HOLD THE TWO BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL - VOICE RECOGNITION AND THE PHONE SYMBOL - FOR 30 SECONDS. THEN, RELEASE AND TURN OFF THE ACCESSORY ENGINE. THEN, SHE ACTUALLY SAID 'OPEN THE DOOR FOR 30 SECONDS AND CLOSE IT'. IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK AND IT DIDN'T WORK FOR ME.

It could be piston slap.

Again - and not to try to contradict what DodgeCACares and dhh3 wrote, if your vehicle is equipped with the 8" screen already and has the ability to receive SiriusXM then the navigation upgrade is as simple as it gets - about 10 minutes and it involves a torx screwdriver and a trim tool (you can use a screwdriver or knife with a cloth over it). And since I've done both the nav upgrade and installed the OEM backup camera I know what's involved from personal experience. If your configuration differs, then adding the OEM navigation becomes more involved. You can add the backup camera to either 8" radio (RE2 or RB5) - it is just a matter of spending a bit of time and a couple of dollars thrown at the dealer to turn the feature on after it is installed. I've posted a link in another thread in the infotainment forum describing where I located a navigation radio on eBay for US$500 plus shipping - your dealer would want thousands for that module.

Pulling the radio involves removing 2 bits of trim, the buttons and knobs panel below the screen (2 screws and some prying and unplugging it's connector), then 4 more screws . . . and the radio slides out. There are then a number of connectors on the rear to unplug. The only tools you will need are a pry tool (I have a plastic trim kit, but you can use a small blade screwdriver or knife with a cloth over it ) and a torx screwdriver. You may want to put a soft cloth over the shift lever and console ahead of the shift to prevent scratches if you let the radio slip. I've extracted the relevant pages from the backup camera installation guide - note that the tools at the top of the page are the end of the list of tools required to install the camera and not all all are involved in removing the radio module. Also note that the screw at the bottom center of the radio module that the document shows as having to be removed does not need to be, nor does the battery need to be disconnected. Pages from Chrysler Install Backup Camera Instructions.pdf

Or, just pay for your active libido and get a Grand Caravan - those things are rolling bowling alleys - they are specifically designed with the larger family in mind. You are going to need one for shuttle service soon enough anyway . . . and they're cheap. For offroading pick up a used CJ or a fleet of dirt bikes for what you've saved.

Wanna bet you have a bad head gasket or cracked block? Don't do your own work, this problem started while the vehicle was under warranty and clearly was not properly repaired, so go back to the dealer and have them fix it right. The good news is that you had *them* change the water pump, so you can point the finger their way.

Is your radio still under warranty? The info says you have an '11 and unless you have an extended warranty this implies you are past the 3 year point - replacement radios are VERY expensive. But it does sound like there is *something* with the radio. Given the possible age of your unit, I wonder if the radio doesn't have button cell battery inside to keep the parameters going - and that the battery could be dying, necessitating a full recatalog of your music on restart after it's been sitting off for a while - my RHA and my RE2 didn't and my RB5 doesn't do this - of course it may also have something to do with the iPod . . . . if it is a Gen4+ which has been updated to the most recent OS release then all bets are off. Considering what's involved in pulling the radio, if you have any Journey-owning friends with 8" display radios who are feeling generous you might want to try swapping your radio with them to see if the problem follows the radio or stays with the vehicle (I'm specifically wondering about the display issue you describe).

Not mine - though the seller is in Montreal, where I live. If I hadn't just done the upgrade myself I'd be all over it. I am only mentioning it here because the opening price is US$500 (plus $50 to ship to the US / $10 to Canada). The RB5 is the navigation radio, for those who aren't aware, and the usually go for a LOT more than this. This is an earlier RB5 (the seller says it is from an '11 DJ, so no unlock code required). Assuming it works (he says it does and eBay does provide insurance), and if you have a vehicle with the 8" display and you have SiriusXM this would work by simply pulling out the old radio and replacing it with the new . . . . it takes about 5 minutes to do. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dodge-Journey-Charger-Crysler-300-RB5-Radio-GPS-Navigation-OEM-05091135AH-/331507821605?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item4d2f67ec25&vxp=mtr Do your research before spending money - for example, while the Dart with navigation has an RB5 radio, it reportedly won't work in a Journey while units from the Charger and 300 do. As with anything on eBay, buyer beware, though they do have their insurance, which does work - better to be careful up front than to have to work to get your money refunded.

Most dealers really don't appreciate the nuances of an upgrade of this type - this can work for you or against you because if they quote low, you can hold their feet to the fire and make them honour their quote. Alternatively, they can mess things up pretty badly or they can start pulling things apart that don't need to be. Adding navigation isn't complicated if you already have the 8" screen and SiriusXM (there is a non-SiriusXM 8" radio listed, but I don't believe that model is available for the Journey in North America); All you would need is the radio module itself, which resides behind the air conditioning controls - the CD/DVD player is part of the module, to give you an idea of just where it is located. The module can be had for prices that usually vary between $650 and $1250 or more, depending on where you get it. If you have an RE2 (8" non-navigation) radio in your vehicle now, then all you will need is the radio module itself. Its installation requires all of about 5 minutes and an unlock code, which can be had from a friendly member of the board. Once unlocked you would have your navigation, plain and simple. Assuming you want it you would have the SiriusXM subscription moved from your old radio to the new by calling SiriusXM. Features such as heated seat control, daytime running lights and so on, which are controlled via the touchscreen will continue to work. However if all you have is the 4.3 screen then you are getting into a serious upgrade - in addition to the radio module, the screen would need to be replaced, the light sensor module at the center of the dash would need to be replaced and, if you have rear air conditioning, there is another sensor to install. If you didn't have Sirius you'd need to add in the satellite antenna. The controls below the radio would need to be replaced and the sales code for automatic air conditioning would need to be flashed. Like the other external-but-controlled-by-the-radio features, if you already had the backup camera it would automatically work with the new radio, as would any other features such as heated seats. But you don't, so the point is moot. Adding the backup camera costs about $265 for the OEM kit and requires about 3 hours of your time to install (or you can pay about $700 to your dealer and let him provide and install it). You will need to pay the dealer to activate it in any case - I had mine also do the connection of the wiring harness to the radio connector up front because the pins in question already had wires in them and if there was going to be a problem with the wiring harness down the road I wanted it to be Chrysler's problem (I wish I'd been able to find the other end of that wire, because I'd not have had to run the cable down the left side to the rear) . . . . I paid for one hour of shop time (which is what they were going to charge me to add the sales code anyway) for making the connection AND adding the sales code. As was suggested, depending on what you have it may be a lot easier to just put a $150 Garmin navigator on the dash and plug it into the cigarette lighter and leave it at that. Then just order the feature when you buy your next car (and if you wait until 2018 backup cameras will be standard - starting in 2018 every new car in North America will have them as standard equipment).

Consider that once you may be going for auto air, that you buy the sensor that also handles the automatic headlights - from there you only need to add the auto switch and have the sales code flashed into the vehicle . . . and from there, if you get the right headlight switch you can add the fog light kit . . . . it just keeps on going . . . .

You will need the satellite antenna module and it's cable as well since you don't have Sirius radio now.

Doesn't that radio have a hard drive? If so, it may be the source of the problem. There are lots of them on eBay if you need one and dhh3's suggestion doesn't work out.

Your new vehicle may have the premium sound package, though my 'base' audio system certainly can shake my guts.

Yes, it does. One thing that you lose with 3rd row seating is the cargo cover. . . . though there is a benefit to the 7 passenger version in that you get the rear air conditioning, which does not come with the 2 row version . . . however I have people in the second row so infrequently that THAT isn't an issue for me. It seems like they've dropped the 5 passenger version of the vehicle (at least for the Crossroad trim level) for 2015.

Yes, the Crew is an enhanced SXT, though you can add all the bits and have a Crew that has the same accessories. The obvious question to ask is 'why'?