Sync 3 update and connectivity issues.

[BWarnedST]

Hey everyone! I'm having trouble updating my SYNC 3 system to the latest version 3.4.23188 and could use some advice. I've tried multiple USB drives and even attempted connecting to Wi-Fi at home, via mobile hotspot, and Starbucks, but the vehicle won't connect to any network. When I use the USB drive, it says "Updating vehicle software" for over an hour, but nothing progresses. When I remove the USB, it says "Download paused and will resume when USB is plugged back in" I plug it back in and its still stuck on "updating software for another hour and 22 minutes. I suspect there might be an APIM issue. Has anyone else encountered this? Any suggestions or tricks to update SYNC 3 if Wi-Fi and USB aren't working? Thanks in advance!

 

[powerboatr]

This usb...you downloaded from ford sync website correct?

Car will not do ota updates via wifi connection,


I would format the USB drive
Re download, pay extra attention to the steps

Check for DTC codes via forscsn, or the like
Then try uploading to vehicle again

If it does not work
Try the buy the USB option, it comes ready go

 

[Cdubya]

Unfortunately, when you are really out of memory, the APIM won't update. Back when this was happening, people used to do a master reset right before sticking the upgrade USB in. If Master reset hangs, try three soft resets (PWR + FFD) and immediately stick in the USB upgrade. The 23188 should not take over 30 minutes. If it is longer than that, it probably is not going to work so don't waste your time. I believe there is a customer satisfaction bulletin out there on this but I don't know if you have to still be under warranty which many 2020-2021s are not. Of course, the dealer can always just say it's not the SYNC (which it most certainly is) and say your APIM needs replacing. If some of the methods above don't work, maybe try Cyanlabs Sync3updater--I think they have an option where you can just clear the memory without updating--after which you can use the factory update USB.

 

[BWarnedST]

Hey Powerboatr,

I appreciate the reply. Correct, I have deleted and redownloaded the Sync update a few times to ensure we followed the directions exactly! I also went and bought two new USBs, one 32 GB and one 64 GB, and tried both of those (both formatted for exFAT). As far as OTA updates, I have tried connecting to 8 or 10 different WiFi networks, mobile hotspots, and more, but it always fails after trying for a minute or so. I'm also having problems with the FordPass app where it connects and works for a day or so, then when I try to unlock it (with the app), I'll get the loading wheel for 5 minutes or more. I have also pulled the negative terminal for a few minutes, then did a master reset and tried again with the same "Updating software" with nothing happening. Is it possible to have the APIM read with an OBD2 reader?

 

[BWarnedST]

Unfortunately, when you are really out of memory, the APIM won't update. Back when this was happening, people used to do a master reset right before sticking the upgrade USB in. If Master reset hangs, try three soft resets (PWR + FFD) and immediately stick in the USB upgrade. The 23188 should not take over 30 minutes. If it is longer than that, it probably is not going to work so don't waste your time. I believe there is a customer satisfaction bulletin out there on this but I don't know if you have to still be under warranty which many 2020-2021s are not. Of course, the dealer can always just say it's not the SYNC (which it most certainly is) and say your APIM needs replacing. If some of the methods above don't work, maybe try Cyanlabs Sync3updater--I think they have an option where you can just clear the memory without updating--after which you can use the factory update USB.

Hey Cdubya,

I appreciate the response! I responded to another user above with a little more information, but how do I know if it's a memory issue since I'm not getting any errors, just the drop-down notification that says "Updating Vehicle Software," and that will stay up there for hours? I forgot to mention it did fail on one of the attempts, so I turned off the car, got out, locked it, and started it back up, and it said update complete and would "do whatever" when you restart the vehicle. Unfortunately, when I restarted the vehicle and checked the system, it was still the older version of the Sync software 3.4.21098.

 

[BWarnedST]

This usb...you downloaded from ford sync website correct?

Car will not do ota updates via wifi connection,


I would format the USB drive
Re download, pay extra attention to the steps

Check for DTC codes via forscsn, or the like
Then try uploading to vehicle again

If it does not work
Try the buy the USB option, it comes ready go

Hey Powerboatr,

I appreciate the reply. Correct, I have deleted and redownloaded the Sync update a few times to ensure we followed the directions exactly! I also went and bought two new USBs, one 32 GB and one 64 GB, and tried both of those (both formatted for exFAT). As far as OTA updates, I have tried connecting to 8 or 10 different WiFi networks, mobile hotspots, and more, but it always fails after trying for a minute or so. I'm also having problems with the FordPass app where it connects and works for a day or so, then when I try to unlock it (with the app), I'll get the loading wheel for 5 minutes or more. I have also pulled the negative terminal for a few minutes, then did a master reset and tried again with the same "Updating software" with nothing happening. Is it possible to have the APIM read with an OBD2 reader?

 

[Cdubya]

Not sure if Sync version 21098 is affected. Most were on the previous 22251 and started getting a whole host of issues a few months later that included Navigation screen showing only 1/2, FordPass not working, Sync settings not saving, Wifi connection not working, etc. If you have any of these things, chances are you ran out of memory. Cyanlabs has a Sync3Interrogator. You load it up on USB, stick it in your car, and it will say "updating software" and shortly say completed. It will produce a file on the USB that is a diagnostic and will show how much memory is left on your APIM. As others have said, do not even try connecting to wifi. If you are able to do a master reset, that's a good sign and you should be able to update. If you've never done a USB update before, could be you are not extracting the downloaded zip file correctly to USB.

 

[powerboatr]

I left out
If by some weird event your vehicle does an over the air update..it uses cell , not wifi