Computer Program Module updates

30872 Views 37 Replies 25 Participants Last post by OZ2001, Sep 15, 2020

Kris Price

Discussion Starter · Aug 1, 2015 (Edited)

I wanted to let you all know that there are already FIVE computer program module updates available to new Renegade users. They are:

1. Powertrain Control 181906DN
2. Radio Frequency Hub 1819129A
3. Drive Train Control 1819079G
4. Body Control http://www.jeeprenegadeforum.com/forum/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=1 181902AR
5. Control Assembly, Instrument Panel HVAC http://www.jeeprenegadeforum.com/forum/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=1 18501092

I know this because I was having the car checked out for a 4WD service light that came on. I also thought I was having lower MPG than I should have been having and the #1 update above is what is listed under my complaint. I need to put in a few tanks of gas to see if that update helped or not.

Just thought I'd throw this out there. The service manager encouraged me to take advantage of my 4 free oil changes (my dealer offers this with a new car purchase) because a new model always has updates as more people buy them.

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1 - 20 of 38 Posts

firegrl21

· #2 · Aug 1, 2015

Kris Price said:
I wanted to let you all know that there are already FIVE computer program module updates available to new Renegade users. They are:

1. Powertrain Control 181906DN
2. Radio Frequency Hub 1819129A
3. Drive Train Control 1819079G
4. Body Control http://www.jeeprenegadeforum.com/forum/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=1 181902AR
5. Control Assembly, Instrument Panel HVAC http://www.jeeprenegadeforum.com/forum/usertag.php?do=list&action=hash&hash=1 18501092

I know this because I was having the car checked out for a 4WD service light that came on. I also thought I was having lower MPG than I should have been having and the #1 update above is what is listed under my complaint. I need to put in a few tanks of gas to see if that update helped or not.

Just thought I'd throw this out there. The service manager encouraged me to take advantage of my 4 free oil changes (my dealer offers this with a new car purchase) because a new model always has updates as more people buy them.

I haven't been notified from my dealer or FCA about the updates... should I just call up there?

LittleRedJeep

· #3 · Aug 1, 2015

Same thought... Should we assume to just contact our dealer? If it's not some type of official recall I can't see dealers just calling folks to let them know. Would be nice if there was some way to find out what software revisions your Renny is running with.

Wow, 10 years ago when I had my '98 Cherokee I would have never thought to even say something like that, LOL

bwbike

· #4 · Aug 1, 2015

Cars from now on will require updates I'm afraid. The old days are gone.

It's like your computer; new updates get installed all the time. Same with cell phones.

BrianR383

· #5 · Aug 2, 2015

I'd be interested to hear if the update helps your mpg. I get at best 18mpg. I drive 40 miles round trip for work, and 36 of those miles are highway.

Jessica Coleman

· #6 · Aug 2, 2015

I am averaging around 28 or so. I have a varied commute speeds up to 80mph with open hwy, fwy, and city all mixed in. There is a section with gradual grade with a steeper mtn section. I do about 180miles a day in a 2wd latitude automatic.

LittleRedJeep

· #7 · Aug 3, 2015

So I've got a little over 1100 miles on my Renny-Lat now. I haven't any problems with it (yet?) except for the gas mileage isn't what I expected (between 18 and 21.5), and every once in a great while there's a noticeable delay with it down-shifting. Not a horrible delay, but a noticeable one.

Rang the dealer this morning, asking about the availability of any updates. The service tech I spoke with took the last-8 of my VIN, and did some tappy-tappy on his keyboard and came back with a "Nope, I don't see anything".

He was pretty sure of himself in stating it was still going through its break-in/learning period.

I picked up my Renny on 6/20 - is it possible it already has these updates installed? I don't suppose there's a way for me to find out myself?

I own a U380 OBDII handheld diagnostic scanner, which I used to use for my 2003 Durango. Anyone know if this would be compatible with the Renegades? I'm guessing not, since this unit if obviously a few years old now.

Guess I'll do a little Googling,

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GambaKufu

· #8 · Aug 3, 2015

I'll be picking up my Rene this week. I hope that they are proactive and update the computers while they sit in the lot.

Strike Z

· #9 · Aug 3, 2015

I have not tried to use the OBDII I have. It should work.

raz-0

· #10 · Aug 3, 2015

LittleRedJeep said:
So I've got a little over 1100 miles on my Renny-Lat now. I haven't any problems with it (yet?) except for the gas mileage isn't what I expected (between 18 and 21.5), and every once in a great while there's a noticeable delay with it down-shifting. Not a horrible delay, but a noticeable one.

Rang the dealer this morning, asking about the availability of any updates. The service tech I spoke with took the last-8 of my VIN, and did some tappy-tappy on his keyboard and came back with a "Nope, I don't see anything".

He was pretty sure of himself in stating it was still going through its break-in/learning period.

I picked up my Renny on 6/20 - is it possible it already has these updates installed? I don't suppose there's a way for me to find out myself?

I own a U380 OBDII handheld diagnostic scanner, which I used to use for my 2003 Durango. Anyone know if this would be compatible with the Renegades? I'm guessing not, since this unit if obviously a few years old now.

Guess I'll do a little Googling,

ODBII scanners will work, but they aren't necessarily going to tell you anything useful, even if it has thrown codes. My Renegade is in the shop. It picked up 4 codes, only one wasn't totally meaningless without the more detailed results from a scanner that understands chrysler specific codes better.

raz-0

· #11 · Aug 3, 2015

LittleRedJeep said:
So I've got a little over 1100 miles on my Renny-Lat now.

-SNIP-

He was pretty sure of himself in stating it was still going through its break-in/learning period.

I picked up my Renny on 6/20 - is it possible it already has these updates installed? I don't suppose there's a way for me to find out myself?

Unless it ships with different weight motor oil for the break in period than is recommended for ongoing use, it's not in any kind of break in period any more.

I picked mine up on 6-24 with a 3/15 build date, and according to the service manager this morning, they had done none of the updates. Some were out before then, but apparently they did jack for PDI.

Reactions: 1

LittleRedJeep

· #12 · Aug 3, 2015

raz-0 said:
Unless it ships with different weight motor oil for the break in period than is recommended for ongoing use, it's not in any kind of break in period any more.

I picked mine up on 6-24 with a 3/15 build date, and according to the service manager this morning, they had done none of the updates. Some were out before then, but apparently they did jack for PDI.

Hrm... okay then... Now the question to ask myself; do I keep calling back until I get someone who either (A) gives-a-hoot or (B) gives me a different answer. Or do I swing by one day just "to visit" and bring this up with my sales guy instead...

Or... Do I call one of the bigger Fiat/Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealers in my area... Based on the window-sticker my Renny came with, it actually came from one of the other dealers in my area.

Be nice if there was just a mailing list you could sign up for that would notify you when they release software updates.

Beep_Beep_Jeep

· #13 · Aug 4, 2015

I'm dropping my TH off for it's first oil change, mainly because it's at 4100 miles right now and I'm a little paranoid.

I'm not sure if the local dealer is going to honor the 4 free oil changes that the dealer I bought from offered, but I am going to ask about these software updates.

I'm assuming these updates would be covered under my warranty?

bwbike

· #14 · Aug 4, 2015

raz-0 said:
. . . according to the service manager this morning, they had done none of the updates. Some were out before then, but apparently they did jack for PDI.

Most don't even check the tire pressure during the PDI!

Reactions: 1

Beep_Beep_Jeep

· #15 · Aug 11, 2015

Just thought I'd chime back in. I dropped my TH for it's first oil change which went easy, but while I was there, I told them about a quirky issue I've only encountered 3 times in the past few weeks.

The issue would occur when I'd go to pull out from somewhere at a complete stop, and there would be some slow movement from the Jeep, but essentially there is a 2 second delay before I take off. The few times it has happened, it's been pretty scary, but like I said, only 3 times.

I dropped it back off yesterday (after my fun 500mi mountain road trip, which I'll write up later today or tomorrow) and they did apply what appears to be the Drivetrain and Powertrain control updates. There is a third update they mentioned that could be the Body Control update mentioned, but I'm not sure. I'm going to fill up later today and see if I encounter the issue again. Hopefully not, and maybe I'll get a tiny boost in MPG.

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writer49090

· #16 · Aug 28, 2015

GambaKufu said:
I'll be picking up my Rene this week. I hope that they are proactive and update the computers while they sit in the lot.

Don't count on it. My dealer got mine from elsewhere and had it a week before I picked it up since I was on vacation. First full day I went out, started it and SERV 4WD came up on the display behind the steering wheel. The first thing I did the next morning was get on this forum and saw about the update for that and also stuff about the door locks, which made me prick up my ears since when the saleswoman was showing us everything it was being funky about locking and unlocking the doors. So emailed her and she emailed back with the "talked to service and they don't think it's anything etc.etc." but a little while later the service writer called and left a msg on my cell to bring it in and I could get a loaner and they would scan and do all the updates. Hello? Why didn't they do this while they had it for a week. The saleswoman claimed it didn't show up in test drives or in the shop . . . maybe so. I'm pleased that the service writer was pro-active in calling me and offered the fix and the loaner without trying to put me off. My son is a technician and he says a service writer can keep or lose customers better than anyone else at a dealership. So far so good. I'm picking it back up tonight.

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writer49090

· #17 · Aug 28, 2015

LittleRedJeep said:
Hrm... okay then... Now the question to ask myself; do I keep calling back until I get someone who either (A) gives-a-hoot or (B) gives me a different answer. Or do I swing by one day just "to visit" and bring this up with my sales guy instead...

Or... Do I call one of the bigger Fiat/Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep dealers in my area... Based on the window-sticker my Renny came with, it actually came from one of the other dealers in my area.

Be nice if there was just a mailing list you could sign up for that would notify you when they release software updates.

If you didn't talk to the service writer, I'd ask for him. Mention you've seen stuff on the Jeep forums. Say you want it scanned and updated. That's my $.02 worth.

Reactions: 1

jquest21

· #18 · Aug 29, 2015

I have a question about these updates?
I asked my dealer about them, and they said they don't do any updates unless you have a specific complaint about something, then they would check for updates regarding that specific issue.

Only thing is, how am I to know what the updates being put out address?
I mean maybe I don't know I have an issue....but one of these updates may address something I don't even know about....or perhaps better optimize something.

Is this normal practice?

Guess being that I work in IT, it is normally more proactive on patching. ie don't wait for something to break before fixing.

Reactions: 1

LittleRedJeep

· #19 · Aug 31, 2015

jquest21 said:
Guess being that I work in IT, it is normally more proactive on patching. ie don't wait for something to break before fixing.

I'm right there with you. We treat the servers in our data center the same way; proactively applying patches to avoid downtime. So I have a hard time grasping the way the automotive industry handles this.

If the engineers bothered writing an update, that alone should be a clue they are trying to solve a problem... To not proactively apply the updates if you have the vehicle available to work on is kind'a like WTH... They'd rather something break down first? So they then have to send out a tow, make you wait for a bay to clear out, and have to deal with an annoyed customer?

MjA

· #20 · Aug 31, 2015

I just bought my Renegade Limited on Saturday, hopefully they updated whatever needed to be as I sat there over 2 hours before they handed it to me saying they were cleaning it. Would these "updates" show up on Jeep site as a recall?? How will I ever know if there is an update needed?? I'm in Canada by the way. Hopefully it doesn't turn out to be a lemon.

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