Jump to content

Changing Preset Text Messages on uConnect 8.4 & Other Wants...


Recommended Posts

I recently bought a used 2014 Journey SXT with a uConnect 8.4 system installed (don't know if it's 8.4 or 8.4A, not sure how to tell or what the difference is, but it does NOT have navigation). Anyway, I don't like the 18 or so preset text messages that are in the system, and I'd like to be able to change them to something more my own voice. Or, better yet, using voice command and bluetooth, be able to compose any message I like (just like I do when I dictate to my phone in my hand). I've seen several threads on the internet about how to "hack" a uConnect system or to access "secret" or "dealer" menus, but I don't know if any of these will allow it to do what I want. It seems like it should be a simple thing, but the only coding I know is HTML, so I don't want to mess my system up.

Also, as an aside, has anyone gotten it to recognize a 128gb SD card yet? One person on one forum said yes, but not how. Is there something I can do to make it read larger cards? I have a large music collection I'd like to simply leave in there all the time.

Finally (at least for now), can I get it to recognize my phone's GPS and display that on-screen? I don't really want to pay to put a Nav module in the car when it's already on my phone, but there's nowhere convenient to place the phone in visual range while driving to keep a loose eye on the nav in new places....

Thanks for any and all help you can give!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome!

The only thing I know is you cannot get your phone to mirror on the display. Some cars, like some Chevys, Hundai, Toyota, have a system called CarPlay for Apple devices (forgot what android devices use) that does exactly what you want. Pull up your google maps and it shows it on your car screen. Nice! Unfortunrtly CFA does not have that option. Forget about getting an upgrade to do it, hell they dont even support the latest Apple software! There are several aftermarket radios that do have carplay installed, but not sure about pricing, etc. check out Crutchfield if you want to go that route.

Good luck!

Edited by OhareFred
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1. You have an RE2 8.4 - we don't get the 'A' in the Journey

2. You cannot edit the canned text messages

3. There is no screen mirroring - if you want nav on screen you will need to change the radio module and add in the OEM nav or do something drastic and try to implement a 3rd party solution

4. The SD slot can only recognise a 32 gig card. The USB slot may have larger capacity, but I doubt it. It DOES recognise my 64 gig iPod.

The dealer menu is fairly useless except for downgrading firmware and checking which SiriusXM subscriptions you have - there was an engineering menu separately accessible in the early radios (there are three versions in the field that work in the second generation Journeys) with the original firmware. It's been removed and is no longer available.

Edit: While it is theoretically possible to use the voice recognition in your phone to dictate messages, there seems to be a procedural issue - the Bluetooth doesn't open the channel when you'd expect it to, possibly because Android may not be using the HFP profile for voice recognition - or, more likely the radio can't open the HFP profile unless a button is pressed while a call is in progress, something that is not the case with composing messages.

Edited by bramfrank
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just purchased a vent mount from Best Buy and clipped it onto the passenger side center vent. Passenger vent still directs air to the passenger. I just leave the mount in place all of the time. When using my iPhone for GPS, I plug it into the USB to charge it. (Connected via Bluetooth for phone) The vent mount puts it at eye level. The older versions of iOS would actually mute the radio, when Siri called out directions, but not anymore. Another dumb move on Apple's part! I hope that when Uconnect comes out with Apple Play that it can be a retro fit. Probably wishful thinking!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...