webslave

There has been "rumors" of an SRT6 Journey being in the works with from one to two turbo chargers, but, as of the last I heard, no production is actually scheduled. One site actually reported and had pictures of a mule that they claimed was a test bed for it. The 3.6 Pentastar is zippy now, I couldn't imagine one with a turbo or two under the hood (but, I would certainly get in line with my checkbook to get one...).

I'm afraid that I got spoiled with our first 7 seater; 1996 Grand Caravan (super van by the way). We've never needed it for "family size"; just the one son and he was 26 years old in '96 and hadn't lived at home for years. We liked the space and the ability when needed to carry that many people. The few times we ever needed it, it was a life saver. The additional heating and cooling capacity and controls were a plus at first but not a major reason for us buying it, then. It was amazing how fast the car warmed up with those extra vents and heater set on high. When we needed a tow vehicle, we opted for the Jeep Commander and we chose that mainly for its tow capacity, but, also because it was a 7 seater and additional heating and cooling. When it was time to let the Commander go, the first thing we asked the dealer was what, besides the minivan, he had that would seat seven. The Journey was one of them. We ordered ours with the third row. Again, mainly for the additional heating and cooling capacity, but, also the odd instance where we actually had 7 people to move around. We've needed it twice now and when you need it, it certainly is worth the expense...to us at any rate.

The cars are designed to "detect any abnormal running events" and to shut themselves off when using the remote start option. There is something flagging your system with a problem and the car is shutting itself off as a cautionary procedure. I had that happen with my Commander. My guess is that although your battery has been "recharged", the CANBus is still sensing a problem and is aborting the remote start process. You may recharge the battery to a condition that enables a start, but, low voltage, or abnormally high alternator draw (particularly since the battery is "cold challenged" due to temperature), is causing a "fault" on the CANBus...you'll probably, IMHO, need to replace the battery to completely rectify the situation...

OK... I'd call that lip molding, but, know what you're talking about now. Dodge does have an "optional" sill plate, and I've seen 3rd party versions; some say "Dodge" and I saw one that said "Journey". Those are what I was thinking of when I saw "sill plate"...

I've only seen one other in our area and we are only 25 miles from the area's lone Dodge dealer, it was a '10. I think, in the US, it comes down to advertising by MOPAR... I've yet to se an add for one and my dealer only has two on the lot, a remaining '12 and one '13, one a Crew and one an SXT (that's why we had to order ours). The same thing happened with the Jeep Commander; truly a great vehicle (despite the trouble I had with mine), but, they were never advertised and after a 4 year run, the model was discontinued because of poor sales figures. Apparently, Dodge advertises the Journey fairly well in the rest of the world (as the Dodge or Fiat versions), but, not here in the US. Being in the country (trucks), I think when a lot of folks go to our local dealership, the push is for the Durango 4x4 (that may change now that the Durango is AWD) or the Jeep Grand Cherokee with true 4 wheel drive and away from "cross overs" that aren't true "trucks" (not 4x4). We see a boatload of Subaru models, but, very, very few Journeys.

My '13 and probably the '12's doesn't have a sill plate, just the painted sill. I'm thinking of adding the after-market SS type to protect the paint...

Not only have I not been able to find a "freebie", I can't even get one off the Tech Authority website...I paid several hundred dollars (gladly) for the set I had on my '08 Jeep Commander, but, now they won't let you have one at any price...still haven't been able to buy one for my '11 RAM 2500 LongHorn HO CTD, either. I think that is totally wrong for any auto manufacturer to block repair manuals from the users. I realize that the cost of printing them is high, but, they won't even release the electronic versions. That's just wrong, in my book and may figure into a future vehicle purchase; I'm not likely to rebuild the engine, but, for something as simple as pulling trim to look for a short or to install an option not provided by the manufacturer (CB radio, for instance), you've got to have access to the proper procedure to keep from breaking something else and to be able to access torque values for simple repairs...for instance, what is the proper torque value for the caliper bolts when installing new pads? What is the proper procedure for getting the caliper pistons to retract? Raw deal...and if you do find one, let us know where you got it!

Yes sir, we live out in the "country" and that, indeed, is the "wave" (a quick toot on the horn). A bit annoying that by the time it actually toots you are past the friend you are "waving" at...

I don't believe the flashing of the PCM will take care of the "rumble strip sound"... If your vehicle is suffering from the harsh shifting/clunking that the TSB refers to, then that might be the ticket for that problem. My '13 R/T AWD, shifts smooth as silk, but, right at 40 mph it makes the very faint "rumble strip" sound and it doesn't last half a second at the speeds I normally drive. So far it hasn't affected anything and hasn't gotten worse, so, I'll take my dealer's word for it that it is normal, but, will keep an eye on it. Since the car is brand new, I've got a lot of warranty time left and there isn't any point in my generating unnecessary worry for what may just be a new technological instance of "normal". Never owned an AWD vehicle before and there will, undoubtably, be a learning curve for what is "normal" just like the strange noises that I would get out of the Jeep's full time 4 wheel drive. Both systems require a very complicated set of electrical and manually controlled clutches and gear packs that have to make some noise as they drop in and out; it is just a matter of getting a new feel for what is "normal". I would imagine, in the AWD system of the Journey, that there is a clutch pack that is engaged at speeds below 40 mph to control torque steer and wheel spin and that at 40 mph it is designed to "release" and let the vehicle transition to FWD for fuel economy. The "rumble strip" sound could be the electric clutch releasing the drive system for the rear wheels... Just a guess on my part...would be nice if we could get the shop manuals; a lot of that information could be gleaned from the information found there, but, alas, the "powers that be" have decided we don't have the brain power or the skills necessary to have that type of information available to us at any cost. Can you tell it still, after a lot of years, irks me that someone decided I was too dumb to have that information available to me???

My '13 R/T has the same "noise", right at 40 mph. Only happens as it hits 40 mph and doesn't even last a second. Sounds kind of like hitting the rumble strips that are on the side of the road, but, I don't feel it and I really have to listen, most of the time, to even hear it. I sense it more on light / slow acceleration than when I'm "getting on it". Dealer said it was something (I don't remember now what he said) transitioning in the transfer case (AWD) and that it was "normal" to happen at around 40 mph. He said if I noticed it happening during downshift (I don't) or at any other speed to bring it in to have the transfer case looked at. To date (and it happened from day 1 and even on the '12 AWD that I test drove) it only happens when upshifting as the car goes through the 40 mph point and I never hear it when decelerating or downshifting. Even holding it at 40 mph doesn't make it come back or last longer; just that instant when I cross the 40 mph point; like something dropping out of a "ready state". Maybe one of the Chrysler Cares guys can chime in with the technical reason... I don't worry about it on mine. I know it does happen and if I'm listening for it I'll hear it, but, if I'm talking or concentrating on heavy traffic, I don't even hear it. and my wife hasn't even noticed it yet.

OK... It is fixed now. Just for a lark, I disconnected the battery and waited 30 minutes and then reconnected the battery. That "resets" all the systems and lo and behold, I'm now a happy camper. I've got a compass heading in the EVIC and now I've got a compass heading in the center of the "NAV" button on the bottom of the display; prior to this afternoon it was just a black circle with no letter(s) in it. I'm good to go and the wife is happy to know what direction she is headed in as we tool down the road! Perserverance... Thanks to all for your help; a few had it, so, I knew it had to be there, just hadn't thought of "resetting" the whole car.

air1rfc, Your 2012 8.4N has the Garmin GPS and displays compass heading on the 8.4N's screen in addition to the EVIC? So far, I'm thinking that the engineers may be correct in that if you have the Garmin GPS, you only have one instance of the compass heading and that should be in the EVIC. If, however, you have the Garmin GPS plus the two instances of the compass heading (the EVIC plus the 8.4N), then, they are mistaken, or, they made a change in the software for the 8.4N that turns it off on the 2013 models. If that is so, I wonder if it is possible to load an older version of the software, but, then I wonder what might also change on my system...usually software updates are designed to rectify errors and other problems...

The advantage to displaying the compass setting in the 8.4N's information bar is for the passenger. The placement of the EVIC unit is such that the wife can't see it. While it would show if we traveled with the GPS map in the display with the "Most" setting for information, it doesn't show the compass heading in any setting besides "most" information (kills about 1 1/2" of space on the map with heading, altitude, etc.) and if you are routing a trip, the heading doesn't show in the GPS at all...you get destination distance, arrival time, etc. with no compass heading. Most of the time, just driving around, the wife has said it would be nice to know what direction we were going in (her sense of direction is virtually non-existant) and if we are just driving around, the unit is set for the radio (Sirius) so that she can check the artist information for songs she likes. It seems to me, that if they were going to dual display the outside temperature (EVIC and 8.4N) it would make as much sense to dual display the compass heading...the data is already there and is displayed if you don't have GPS, evidently. So, I paid a premium for the GPS (a gps that doesn't always show the compass heading and only would if you show the map only) and I don't get a compass heading, which, unless you are routing a trip, actually has more value... Well, maybe the engineers in Pittsburgh are spot on then. Seems kind of dumb to me (see above) that it is based on whether you have GPS or not. Now I know. Next time I won't get the GPS...I can get the same Garmin unit with Lifetime Maps for less than what I paid for the built in unit and then I'll have the compass heading for the wife :lol2:

OK... My dealer has heard back from the folks in Pittsburgh... They are telling us that the 8.4N UConnect units with Navigation don't have the compass heading showing in the information bar at the top of the screen, nor does it have the menu items for setting the variance (declination) or for manually triggering a re-calibration of the module. They contend that the navigation unit takes care of the declination automatically and we are just screwed when it comes to displaying the compass heading in the information bar; the only place the compass will show is the EVIC unit. Doesn't make sense to us...the outside temperature shows in the information bar and the EVIC; why shouldn't the compass? Why, even if the navigation unit does it automatically, would the software not display the manual menu options; the unit displayed the DRL menu option even though the DRLs didn't work...? Doesn't make sense to us... Those of you that have the compass and menu items showing; do you have the Navigation unit (Garmin) or is your unit without Navigation...? Just trying to get a feeling for whether we're both being fed a line (has happened to us before on my Jeep Commander and the DRLs on this vehicle) or if we are trying to get the unit to display information that it can't do because it has the Navigation feature... Thanks!

Yes sir. That appears to be the issue with all of the 8.4N units rolling out from the factory, doesn't matter the model of Dodge. So far my dealer has looked at a couple of 8.4N on his lot and none of them (one Journey and two Chargers) appear to have the option to set the variance (declination) or the ability to calibrate the compass module nor the display of the compass in the information bar at the top of the 8.4N unit...similar to the EVIC, as I understand it, it is supposed to show the (from the left hand side) the interior thermostat setting, the heated seat mode, then the compass heading, the clock, the outside temp then steering wheel heat setting (don't know why that isn't on the driver's side...), the passenger seat heat mode and then the passenger side thermostat setting. All of that is there except the compass. My dealer, at any rate, is still working on exactly what the problem is and what the corrective process should be. Evidently, the TSB (RRT) only addresses the problem of the compass heading not showing in the EVIC (the dealer got that fixed), but, it doesn't address the base problem within the 8.4N unit. But, yes, yours appears to have the "bug" also... You can take it to your dealer and maybe he can fix it (it is fixable; several on the forum have had it done, but, they don't know exactly what was done) or he may have to wait until a definitive fix can be ascertained by Dodge or a "true fix process" can be documented by a dealer and communicated as a process as opposed to a "we flashed it and it is fixed". Aside from standing naked in front of the car "flashing" it, a software flash can entail many things; flashing with an older correct version of the software? Loading the same software over again? Flashing it with a newer version that hasn't had an official announcement yet? Flashed what? The 8.4N unit? The BCM? Some other processor? Can be very dangerous just indiscriminately throwing software around unless you know what the root problem is...I'm a Systems Engineer (retired) and know intimately the problems with a user "fixing" a problem with a download...

Since he (generaltso) is located in the US, they probably used the same code for his that they used for mine - LMK. That was the only "new" code added to my build sheet (I have a before and after to compare) It now shows on my build sheet in the Special Equipment - Dealer Installed Option as "LMKA". Dodge Cares can probably clarify, but, it looks like the "A" at the end is added by their system to denote the type of build code it is...there is "P" suffix, I'll guess it is for "p"ackage, there is an "S" suffix, I'll guess it is "s"tandard equipment, etc. When a problem occurs, the suffix would give the technician an area on the build sheet to start looking to see if the code existed...my build sheet has a "boatload" (two pages worth) of these "codes" that describe my vehicle, much like DNA for the car. In my thinking, from a corporate standpoint, I would think the code (LMK) would be a world-wide application code for the DRL's. I would think, again from a corporate standpoint, that it would get terribly confusing for engineers / technicians from various parts of the world to have to cross reference codes for the same application to know what the other was talking about. Now, whether DRLs are legal in your part of the world...I would think the easiest way to tell is from a General Motors product. To the best of my knowledge, all GM vehicles roll out of the factory with their DRLs enabled and "On" as part of the standard build. That's why I found it so intriguing that MOPAR was so obtuse in theirs, despite the car being built with ability. If the GM vehicles in your neck of the world have them "On", then, I would think, that there wouldn't be any legal reason for them to not be used. If GM products don't have the DRLs on, then, there may in fact be a legal reason for not having them as the GM factory would have to have gone to the effort to turn them "off" for that location. The trick then, to me, would be in getting the dealer to add the LMK code to your build and then flashing the BCM with that new VIN information so that it arms all the appropriate circuits. Now, getting them to "over-ride" a local or regional aversion to doing it will be the difficult part. All the above is analysis and supposition on my part...there may be underlying problems that aren't apparent to me; but the above is my best WAG.

Not a problem We're just at the point where confusion reigns and so far the Engineers appear clueless. We'll keep plugging away at it.

Can you tell me what the "flashing it" entailed? Was it detailed on a service ticket receipt? Anything to help my guy out. He has a dialog going with their Star group and they are getting the engineering system involved, but, those guys are at a loss as to what the problem is...

I watched several of the YouTube presentations (I admit it, I was fascinated by what these guys were doing with the stuff - I've used it for years on screw drivers and hammers, but, never considered it for "painting" anything) and it appears to stick to virtually everything...chrome, glass, plastic, all metals, primered and not primered; seems to adhere to any surface that doesn't have an oilly surface. I would imagine if you cleaned the surface with a fast evaporating solvent (MEK for instance) to remove any traces of road film or wax, that it would adhere just fine. In my usage around my workshop, I've never had any problem getting it to stick to any tool...chromed wrenches, wooden screw drivers and hammers and it holds up quite well, even under heavy use.

I am going to assume you mean 24 mpg and not miles per hour... If so, I wouldn't be disappointed at all. I'm currently getting between 22 and 23 mpg and am happy as a pig in mud! You want to talk depressing; I traded in an '08 Hemi Jeep Commander on my Journey. I went from ~15 mpg to 22-23 mpg, thus my joy with the Journey's mileage. Given the weight (the Journey is heavy) and the size (it is 2 inches longer than my Commander was and is the same width while only being 6" less in height) I think getting anything above 22 is superb for this zippy little 6 cylinder engine. It still amazes me that the Journey has much more room inside than the Commander did (it was three row seating also). The only thing I've been able to figure out is that the 6 cylinder doesn't take up as much space as that Hemi did and they moved that extra room to the interior. With the third row up in the Commander there was no storage to speak of behind the seat; with the third row up in the Journey, I've got room for suitcases behind the seat. As for the mileage; mine isn't finished being broken in yet (~2K miles on the odometer), but, if it stays in the mid 20's for an average I'll be happy. I got 28 mpg, pure highway driving, on the one "trip" we've taken in it and I was tickled to death... You want to talk poor mileage...how about '11 RAM 2500 LongHorn with the High Output Cumins Turbo Diesel with a 12,000 lb. fifth wheel trailer hooked up? Believe it or not, I'm thrilled with the 10.5 to 12 mpg I get out of that rig. There are a lot of RVers out there in the 8 to 9 mpg range and few that would be overjoyed with 8! Back to the original post though...a high flow exhaust won't do anything except change the exhaust sound... I tried that with the Commander for a while...Magnaflow CAT back, CAI, etc. even with a tuner all I gained was noise. No mileage improvements, just noise and higher maintenance (the CAI needed more cleaning and re-oiling than the stock air box), so, I stripped it all off and went back to stock. Unless you are going to do some radical changes to the base power plant, there aren't any "add-ons" that will get you any real (significant) gains in fuel usage. The designers, nowadays, actually do a very good job of wringing the mileage out these modern engines. It isn't like the old days where the engineers were concerned with HP and to heck with mileage, gas was cheap. Now that there are CAFE regulations and gas is through the roof, the engineers do a pretty good job of getting the most bang for the buck out these engines. There are compromises made for drive-ability reasons that may cut into the mileage a bit (a quieter exhaust, although my '13 R/T gets really throaty when pushed), ease of maintenance etc), there aren't a whole lot of things you can do, that are economically feasible to them to wring significant mileage improvements out of them. There are things you could do, but, the increase to payback time is so large it isn't worth the effort; it doesn't pay to pick up .6 mpg when the cost is going to be in the thousand dollar or more range, you'd never make your money back.

No "Clock/Compass" combination and no "Compass" option listed; that's the problem and why the dealer and I both realize that it isn't fixed (along with the compass being missing from the top of the 8.4N's information bar at the top). If it is configured properly there has to be a setting for "maintaining" the compass module. You have to be able to tell the declination of its current location in relation to magnetic north and true north (otherwise the heading will be inaccurate) and you have to be able to tell it to re-calibrate when it gets confused. I remember my Grand Caravan getting "confused" and I had to recalibrate it. You pushed "calibrate" and then drove in a circle a few times (need an empty parking lot); the module "learned" how to track the magnetic field and all was good again. The same thing applies to the module in the Journey...there are settings that need to be set before accuracy is fine tuned and you have to be able to re-calibrate should the module "loose its mind". I'm guessing that the TSB fixed the EVIC's problem with recognizing the compass module's data on the CANBus and is now displaying the compass. Once we figure out how to get the 8.4N system to list the "Compass" settings option, the unit will also realize that the data is available and will display the compass heading in the info bar to the left of the clock reading so that it will show compass heading - time - outside temperature along with the comfort settings (thermostat, heated wheel and seats, etc). Where we are stuck now is how to get the 8.4N to display the proper menu options...the same problem exists, as I mentioned, on a brand new '13 Dodge Hemi Charger; it displays the compass heading in the EVIC, but, it, too, does not have a "Compass" options setting in its 8.4N. I will forward the contact information to John, thanks for the point of contact!

If you want to change the color of your wheels, your trim, add graphics, etc without using paint; check out what these guys have done with PlastiDip. I'm thinking about maybe doing my wheels with a gray that would match the Storm Gray of the car. Evidently, it holds up well (I saw some wheels on YouTube that were over a year old) and peels right off if you want to change the color or don't like that graphic you did last year... www.dipyourcar.com And I thought PlastiDip was only good for adding plastic grips to screw drivers and pliers...that's what I've used it for. Never occurred to me to paint a whole car or parts thereof with the stuff...

Here's a picture, from the Dodge.com site of the Satin Carbon wheels as on my '13 R/T: They (the ones on my R/T) look closer in brightness/color to the ones in the background on the left edge (a little more gray in them). They are by no means bright, but, far from dark or black.

Took mine to the dealership today... Good news and bad! I've got the compass now showing up on the EVIC; they followed the RRT released by MOPAR as Chris aluded to. The bad news, however, is that the compass does not show up on the 8.4N and there is no software entry in the menu for controlling the declination or invoking a recalibration; the menu still just shows "clock" for settings as opposed to "clock/compass". They said they would contact the tech folks in Pittsburg to try and get a better handle on it. Edit: I just talked to John at the dealership...turns out they followed they followed the RRT to the letter and it doesn't mention anything about reconfiguring the 8.4N to show the compass in the bar at the top, nor, adding a menu option for the 8.4N's option menu. He looked at a Dodge Charger with the 8.4N in it, and it had the EVIC compass showing, but, not showing in the top bar of the 8.4N nor was there a menu option for the compass on that unit's 8.4N either. I'm on way back up to the dealership this afternoon to let them look at the 8.4N's software to see if there is a switch somewhere that they have to throw in order to get it to show up and have the controls available. It may be that the RRT/TSB needs a couple of steps added to it and it may be a problem with more than just the Journey line since the Charger, while having the EVIC compass showing, also didn't have any controls nor display in its 8.4N unit. Edit #2: Just got back from the dealership. No luck. He's going to have to get hold of someone in Pittsburgh to figure out what is going on. He's got a copy of the owner's manual's pages on the Compass and how to configure it for declination and how to perform the manual calibration along with the Service Manual's pages (print out of his screens in the shop) on how to do the same thing; the only problem is there isn't any way to do it since there is no menu option in the 8.4N's software...and no obvious means of getting it to show up. The same problem exists with the '13 Dodge Charger that he had sitting on his lot. No menu entries on that one either, so, it appears to be a wide spread issue across Dodge vehicles...

My '13 AWD R/T, thus far, has been a pleasure to own. I'm guessing they got the brakes figured out; mine has a much larger caliper on the front than that of the rear and, IMHO, they are a tad bit too good. If I drive my truck for a while and then go to the Journey, the first couple of times I use the brakes, I tend to stand it on its nose...they will stop the car PDQ! Haven't had any issues with the transmission; it shifts fine, both up and down and the engine has a fair amount of braking for a six cylinder gasser. Overall, I'm suitably impressed and would buy again. I have some pet peeves with several design features, but, it isn't an engineering problem or mechanical isssue; just a couple of things I'd have done differently (like grab handles on the A-pillars instead of the roof over the door; where they are now doesn't really aid in entering or exiting the vehicle). Only thing "busted" at this point is that the compass doesn't display in the EVIC or the top "info bar" of the 8.4N radio, but, there is a TSB for that now. If you want the DRLs to work (in the US), a bunch of us and Chris B. (Dodge Cares) have pretty much ironed out the process; there is a thread on this forum if you are interested. As for the wheels? It must be your screen...my wheels aren't black; in fact, they aren't even dark colored despite being "painted" aluminum alloy wheels. They are a silver color, lighter colored than the Storm Gray of the car itself. Hard to describe the color, but, they aren't a bright, "in your face" aluminum, more a subdued silver. The only model that I know of that actually comes with black wheels is the BlackTop Special Edition SXT.