UConnect 8.4 upgrade from 5 inch music off issue

[EmmittFitzhume]

Hey all.... Recently replaced my 5 inch Uconnect with an 8.4 unit and I am having an issue where the screen will not turn on once I have turned the car off one time. The center dash display says "music off" as if the power has been turned off and I cannot get it turned back on unless I pull the fuse or disconnect it to force a hard restart. At that point it works one time until I turn the Jeep off again and it won't come back on. A few notes:

• I bought it used and have the anti-theft code, which I entered the first time successfully
• I have read all the threads I can find on the JT (and JL) forums about waiting 24+ hours for things to sync up. I have had it installed for a couple days now with multiple overnights after trying a hard restart by pulling the fuse.
• The unit IS working because if I adjust the HVAC controls the screen lights up and shows the adjustments. Backup camera works fine as well. Apple Carplay acts like it is connected when I look at my phone. It just seems to think the screen power has been turned off.
• I am coming from the 5 inch screen so I knew I would lose volume and tune knobs for now. Volume knob has the power button that I am curious if that would allow me to get past this issue. I may try to pull the center stack from a buddy's JL just to try the power button?
• I have a base Sport with virtually no options, I added an OEM SiriusXM antenna when I did this install. Separately, the unit is not even showing Sirius as a source when I am able to see the screen. Perhaps that is available after it sits awhile, but I can't see that yet.
• I have read about the resellers (refurbished and new) that preprogram your VIN but also saw conflicting reports about whether this was truly necessary. Not sure, so I took a chance on a cheaper used one (maybe I lost).

Has anyone who has done this upgrade from the 5 inch seen or heard of this issue? A new center stack with a power button MAY fix it but I don't want to dropped another $300+ when I haven't seen anywhere that this was a requirement. Plenty of examples of just using it with the steering wheel controls.

Help with any ideas and thanks!

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[EmmittFitzhume]

Going to reply to my own post here with an update in case anyone has this issue down the road.

To recap, I installed a used 8.4 screen to replace the 5 inch screen I had on my Sport. I did not have any volume/tuning knobs nor a power button as a result. After installation, the screen and radio powered on but after the first time I turn the Jeep off the unit would come back to a state where the music (screen) was off as if I pressed the power button. Not having a power button, I was unable to turn on the screen.

Now for the update - I got a buddy of mine to let me use his JL for a test and removed his center HVAC stack and hooked it into my JT. I turned on the ignition and hit power on the HVAC stack and the screen powered on. I then unhooked his and plugged mine back in. When I cycle the ignition on and off now the screen turns back on. Perhaps it remembers the last state it was in and the previous owner had turned it off (with this one being used)? I will probably still buy a new HVAC stack at some point from nismopar or somewhere, but at least for now that fixed the problem.

So, if you install a new unit and the screen is not turning on (music off)...find anyone with a JT or JL with a 7 or 8.4 and pop out the HVAC to turn your screen on!

 

[aj93jeep]

Hey Emmitt - Interesting fix. I'd be interested in seeing some photos of the install.

 

[EmmittFitzhume]

Hey Emmitt - Interesting fix. I'd be interested in seeing some photos of the install.

I will grab a couple pics and post.

 

[EmmittFitzhume]

Hey Emmitt - Interesting fix. I'd be interested in seeing some photos of the install.

 

[aj93jeep]

Looks good! Thank you for sharing

 

[IanNubbit]

Going to reply to my own post here with an update in case anyone has this issue down the road.

To recap, I installed a used 8.4 screen to replace the 5 inch screen I had on my Sport. I did not have any volume/tuning knobs nor a power button as a result. After installation, the screen and radio powered on but after the first time I turn the Jeep off the unit would come back to a state where the music (screen) was off as if I pressed the power button. Not having a power button, I was unable to turn on the screen.

Now for the update - I got a buddy of mine to let me use his JL for a test and removed his center HVAC stack and hooked it into my JT. I turned on the ignition and hit power on the HVAC stack and the screen powered on. I then unhooked his and plugged mine back in. When I cycle the ignition on and off now the screen turns back on. Perhaps it remembers the last state it was in and the previous owner had turned it off (with this one being used)? I will probably still buy a new HVAC stack at some point from nismopar or somewhere, but at least for now that fixed the problem.

So, if you install a new unit and the screen is not turning on (music off)...find anyone with a JT or JL with a 7 or 8.4 and pop out the HVAC to turn your screen on!

Funny you fixed this before I saw and replied. Was going to say they DO hold previous On/Off state, so the button trick was exactly the correct fix. I also see sitting allowed the SXM to work, same thing, couple reboots and it would activate. I have a base base just like you, no options but I did get SXM (so spoiled lol). The power button is an interesting quirk i did not think of. I personally HATE the higher models LOADED with buttons on the center stack. I would hate to lose our super simple no options at all stack. No defroster and all.

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