An antenna in a car means an active radio connection. But how do you replace the antenna cable on a Dodge Ram? What can the antenna do for you? Relax! We've researched the answers for you.
Replacing a Dodge Ram antenna cable can be difficult since access to the port is narrow. However, you can do the steps below:
- Remove the antenna first by twisting it with your hand.
- Remove the cover between the door and the seat on the right side of the car.
- Use a flashlight to find the antenna cable on the inside corner of the door. The cable is usually labeled with a white sticker.
- Unclip the cable from its terminal. You should then go back to the antenna housing and push it down the hole.
- Get inside the car and pull the cable's other end. You should be able to pull the entire old cable out.
- Place the new cable the same way the old cable was removed.
- You should connect the clip to the terminal while you insert the antenna port through the hole.
- You can now attach the new antenna by tightening its port.
By the end of this article, you'll learn the step-by-step procedure for replacing the antenna cable on a Dodge Ram. We'll discuss how an antenna works and what antenna to choose. Of course, we'll talk more about relevant matters you should be aware of. So keep reading!
How to Replace a Dodge Ram Antenna Cable
Ram has a variety of models ranging from half-ton trucks to full-size ones. Generally, a car antenna serves as a signal receptor to activate the radio and let you listen to, for instance, live news coverage.
The antenna is powered by the car's electricity, requiring your car to have a sufficient battery load. The cable that transmits the electricity is usually 32 inches long or approximately 3 feet long. So a faulty cable may result in a signal interruption.
To help you visualize the steps we provided, you can watch a demo video here:
Does a Car Antenna Drain the Battery?
The car antenna consumes a very small amount of electricity. It should not drain the battery, as the antenna is not the same as major components like a speaker, dashboard, and lights that consume a high quantity of electricity. Rather, the radio may consume 12 watts of energy during normal use.
However, leaving a broken antenna for a very long time can cause damage in general. That's why you should dispose of an old and broken antenna or replace it with a new one.
What to Consider in Choosing an Antenna?
Car antennas do not differ much when it comes to signal reception quality as it comes from the network provider. Instead, antennas vary in casing, length, and price. We elaborated on a few things you can consider when choosing the right antenna for your car. Refer to the list below.
Type
Some common types of antennas are copper and aluminum. Copper tends to have a conductivity level of 106, while aluminum only has 45. Conductivity means the ability of the material to carry and transfer electricity from one end to another. T
hat's why you can choose an antenna with a high conductivity level for better signal reception.
Length
The length of the antenna has a role in utilizing the signal. A smaller antenna has better reception since it's focused on receiving higher frequencies, unlike a longer antenna that receives even the weakest signal to power up the radio.
However, the local network provider may not detect a short antenna if it's too far from the network's tower.
Price
An antenna replacement may cost you around $140 or higher. However, the given price depends on whether the installer will provide the actual antenna or just for the replacement service. If you're planning to purchase an antenna from the market, expect to spend from $7 to $60.
How to Improve Signal Reception in a Vehicle
It's important to have a good signal reception for your vehicle. We're sharing with you some techniques to enhance the signal reception. See such techniques below.
Install a Signal booster
An antenna booster helps strengthen the signal it receives. It will make the antenna detect signal farther than its usual reach. You should notice an essential change in your radio after installing a signal booster. Otherwise, you can check the cable wire and the radio itself if there's a need to repair.
See this signal booster on Amazon.
Tighten the Antenna
You can also tighten the antenna and make sure it's installed properly. A loose antenna can cause the signal to warp. You can use a pair of pliers to tighten the antenna jack. If you cannot tighten it, then it's possible that you need to change the antenna itself.
Is WiFi Available in the Dodge Ram?
It's common for modern cars to have WiFi. Ram has a Ram Connect program that offers a subscription plan to gain access to various online platforms. It has a 4G WiFi hotspot to let you stream music, browse the internet, and access other entertainment websites while driving.
The subscription plan allows you to connect up to eight devices simultaneously. You'll also get a free 1 GB of data during the 3-month trial period. The price starts at $20 and may vary based on location and availability of service. There's an allotted 22GB of data every month.
Check below the following subscription plans and choose the one that suits your needs.
Safety and Security Package
This package grants you the privilege of heightened security. It's activated by GPS technology and allows you to trace your car if it's stolen.
You'll even get an alert when someone is trying to steal your car. Included also are automatic SOS calls, assisted calls, and other features. This package includes at least 10 years of free trial.
Vehicle Performance Package
This package will give you reports and updates regarding your car's health status. This helps improve your driving experience by reviewing your car's past performances.
You can use those reports as a reference for repairing the car parts and monitoring the engine functions every time you ride. You're allowed a free trial of at least five years.
Assistance and Navigation Package
This package lets you stay connected to advanced assistance and navigation services. This is ideal for frequent driving on different routes, as the navigation platform will send you the destination and traffic updates.
Furthermore, you can utilize convenience with the Alexa built-in and Google technologies. This package has a 3-month free trial.
How to Set Up Ram WiFi
Setting up the wifi is easy. You just need a few clicks to do so. Simply follow the steps below:
- Go to the apps widget, then select the WiFi icon.
- Press the WiFi hotspot and change your password.
- Go back to the screen and click the checkmark on "enable WiFi."
- On your phone, turn on the WiFi and find your vehicle to connect to.
- Input the password. You can now browse the internet with your phone.
You can watch a video here regarding the steps:
Does the Ram Come with a Key Fob?
A key fob is a handheld remote control that lets you navigate basic functions, such as locking and unlocking the door. You can program your key fob by following these steps:
- Turn on the key to RUN mode, and wait for the lights and chimes to activate.
- Press and hold the UNLOCK button for at least 10 seconds.
- While you release the hold, simply press the PANIC button once. You should hear a sound indicating that the program is successful.
- Press any button on the fob to finish the process.
- Start using the key fob.
Conclusion
In this article, we learned how to replace the antenna cable in a Dodge Ram with a step-by-step guide and a video for the demo.
We briefly discussed what an antenna does for your car. Then we shared some factors to consider when choosing a new antenna. Keep in mind that the quality of the signal may differ on location.
Also, we learned that Ram has WiFi. We provided instructions on how to set up the WiFi and even explained the various subscription plans available.
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