Radio in 09 grand caravan freezes up/restarts
 

Can someone help me with this issue. I just bought a 2009 Grand Caravan 25th Anniversary edition, I love it! The problem is, the radio/computer screen will freeze up, can't change the radio media, station, volume, nothing. It's like when a computer freezes up and you have to push ctrl-alt-del to reset it. Sometimes it will randomly restart, which is usually welcome because you have a few minutes to change the station or adjust the volume. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it....Also, when it is fixed, I would like to download songs to it from my daughter's IPOD but I can't find the 16 port hookup the manual says is in the glove box? If anyone has had the above problem, please help, it gets very irritating when driving long distances.

Welcome to DF
Check with your dealer to find out if the TSB that i am posting is still covered under warranty.


SUBJECT:
Radio May Shut Down And Reset Intermittently
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves updating the REW radios navigation map database software.
MODELS:
2007 - 2011 (JK) Wrangler (International Only)
2007 - 2011 (JS) Avenger / Sebring (International Only)
2007 - 2011 (KA) Nitro (International Only)
2007 - 2011 (KK) Liberty (International Only)
2007 - 2010 (LE) Chrysler 300 (International Only)
2007 - 2011 (MK) Compass/Patriot (International Only)
2007 - 2011 (PM) Caliber (International Only)
2007 - 2011 (RT) Caravan / Town & Country (International Only)
2007 - 2011 (WK) Grand Cherokee (International Only)
2007 - 2010 (WH) Grand Cherokee (International Only)
2007 - 2010 (XH) Commander (International Only)
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles built with an AM/FM/CD/DVD/HDD/MP3 Radio
(sales code REW).
NOTE: There are approximately 350 vehicles that were updated with a navigation
update disc that require this Service Action to be performed.
NUMBER: 08-029-11
GROUP: Electrical
DATE: June 14, 2011
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The REW radio may shut down and reset intermittently when operated in specific areas of
Europe.
Updating the Navigation system will correct this condition.
DIAGNOSIS:
If a customer’s VIN is listed in VIP on or your RRT VIN list, perform the repair.
PARTS REQUIRED:
NOTE: Two Navigation Map Update disc were mailed to each dealer involved in the
campaign free of charge. Both discs are the same, two were shipped to each
dealer in the event one is lost or damaged. If additional discs are needed visit
www.navteq.com/chryslerrewrrt to order discs.
REPAIR PROCEDURE:
NOTE: If the software update process is interrupted/aborted, the process should be
restarted.
1. Turn ignition to the RUN position
2. Turn the Radio on.
3. Press the MENU key (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 Radio Face Plate
1 - MENU Key
4. Press System Setup (Fig. 2).
08-029-11 -2-
Fig. 2 Radio Face Plate
1 - System Setup
5. Press System Information (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3 Radio Face Plate
1 - System Information
6. Are the last 3 digits of the database 3.1.2 (Fig. 4)?
a. No >>> return the vehicle to the customer. The navigation database does not
require an update.
-3- 08-029-11
b. Yes >>> proceed to Step #7 .
Fig. 4 Radio Face Plate
1 - Database version
NOTE: Install a battery charger to ensure battery voltage does not drop below 13.2
volts.
NOTE: The Navigation radio will not be functional during this update.
NOTE: If the vehicle is equipped with Keyless Go (sales code GX4), apply parking
brake and shift vehicle into neutral. Key on engine off, this wil prevent the
ignition from timing out.
7. An Activation Key is required and must be obtained by going to
http://www.navteq.com/chryslerrewrrt. You must have the vehicle VIN before you can
obtain a functional activation key.
NOTE: If the VIN is not in VIP the activation key will be restricted.
8. Insert the Navigation Map Update disc into the radio by pressing OPEN/CLOSE and
inserting the update disc.
NOTE: If the vehicle is turned off during the update, the update process will resume
where it left off, when the vehicle is turned back on.
9. The radio will read the contents of disc and will prompt the user to select "OK" or
"CANCEL" as shown in the screen below. It may take approximately 2 minutes for this
prompt to display (Fig. 5).
08-029-11 -4-
Fig. 5 Radio Face Plate
1 - Press OK
10. Press "OK"(Fig. 5) .
11. The next screen will display the current and new version of the Navigation Map
database software.
Fig. 6 Radio Face Plate
1 - Press Yes
12. Press YES (Fig. 6).
-5- 08-029-11
13. When prompted by the radio enter the activation key obtained in Step #7.
Fig. 7 Radio Face Plate
1 - Activation Key
14. After successful entry of the activation key, the following screen will be displayed (Fig.
8).
Fig. 8 Radio Face Plate
1 - Press OK
15. Press "OK" and the update process will begin.
08-029-11 -6-
16. The following screen will be displayed (Fig. 9).
Fig. 9 Radio Face Plate
1 - System Reboot
17. After the radio resets, the following screen will be displayed (Fig. 10)
Fig. 10 Radio Face Plate
1 - Status
18. After successful update, the following screen will be displayed (Fig. 11)
-7- 08-029-11
Fig. 11 Radio Face Plate
1 - Success
19. The radio will reset and return to normal operation.
20. Retrieve the Navigation Map Update disc by pressing the OPEN/CLOSE button,
remove the disc and close the radio display by pressing the OPEN/CLOSE button, and
remove the key from the ignition.
NOTE: If the update disc is not ejected immediately, the radio may re-read the disc
and prompt the user to update again. Select "CANCEL".
POLICY:
Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.

Basically you need to go to the dealer for software update. Some dealers will have these CD laying around and might do it for free. Some dont, and you might pay a little.
regarding the Ipod Cable, these van do comes with one in the glove box when they are new, I guess the previous owner lost it. So you will have to go with the conventional USB jump drive route for song uploading.