I'm not sure how many others have had the same problem that I did, but last year when I bought my 2010 T&C with the RBZ radio and the back-up camera, I was quite disappointed in the performance of the camera.

At night, or on dark, cloudy days, the camera was useable..., at least to some degree, but in full daylight and bright sunny days, the image on the screen on the dashboard was useless! It was too dim to see anything.

I took it back to the dealer and was told that was how they all worked. I guess I should have pushed the issure a little, but I didn't have any other problems with the vehicle and it was really a minor inconvenience. I had never had anything like that before and had been backing up by looking and using the mirrors all the nearly fifty years that I have been driving.

Recently, the radio started manifesting a problem in that it would occasionally not boot up all the way when I started the van, and would occasionally just shut off completely while driving. Usually I would just shut off the van and restart it, and then it would work just fine for a week or two before doing it again.

I finally became tired of the problem and took the van back to the dealer. On the first visit, I was told they couldn't duplicate the problem and couldn't find anything wrong. I wasn't terribly happy with that answer, so I went home and did some reading on the internet.

I found several references to similar problems with other Chrysler vehicles with the RBZ and some other radios, and that there was a Technical Service Bulletin that had been sent to dealers about the problem and that it could usually be fixed with a software update.

I went back to my dealer with a printed copy of the TSB, and at first was told that they had never heard anything about this. I finally had had enough and told them that I was going to contact Chrysler and complain about this dealership to them. They then agreed to look into it, and lo and behold, they finally managed to find this TSB on their computers. I was told they would have to order the DVD as they didn't have it on hand.

A few days later, they called and said they had the DVD and if I brought the van in, they would do the update while I waited.

I took the van in and the update took about thirty minutes.

Well, the radio has gone off once in the past couple of weeks since they did the update, but..., the performance of the back-up camera has improved markedly! I can now see things quite clearly on the screen in bright sunlight and it has really become a useful item when backing up!

The dealer now says if the radio goes off again or doesn't boot up fully again, they will replace it.

Anyway, my main point is that if you are disappointed in the performance of the back-up camera, or are having problems with your radio, take it to the dealer and ask for the software update. Following is a posting from a Dodge Challenger Forum that describes the TSB:

SUBJECT:
RBZ Radio Software Enhancements


NUMBER: 08-028-10 REV. A
GROUP: Electrical
DATE: November 02, 2010
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
· The display may appear to be dimly lit when in backup camera mode (if equipped).
· Screen fonts to small or unclear.
· Video playback, display to bright.
· Audio playback, sound quality/frequency response could be improved.
· Hands free call information does not display caller ID.
· Bluetooth streaming audio information is incomplete.
DIAGNOSIS:
If the customer experiences any listed Symptom/Condition(s) perform the following:
1. Check the radio software version.
a. Press “Menu” button on the radio.
b. Press “System Setup” touch screen soft key.
c. Press “System Information” touch screen soft key.
d. The software level is the number reported after the word “Application”.
2. Is the radio software version at 8.05, or greater?
a. YES >>> This service bulletin does not apply. Further diagnosis may be required.
b. NO >>>> Perform the repair procedure.
PARTS REQUIRED:
Qty. Part No. Description
AR (1) 68092693AA Software Disk
REPAIR PROCEDURE:
NOTE: If the software update process is interrupted/aborted, the process should be
restarted.
1. Start the vehicle.
2. Install the software disk into the radio CD drive and follow the instructions on the
screen.
NOTE: Do not cycle the ignition during the update process.
3. Once the update is completed eject the disk.
4. Verify that the radio software version is at 8.05.
a. Press “Menu” button on the radio.
b. Press “System Setup” touch screen soft key.
c. Press “System Information” touch screen soft key.
d. The software level is the number reported after the word “Application”.
5. Using wiTECH clear any DTC's that may have been set in other modules during
software upgrade .
POLICY:
Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty