Sync 3.4 Issues

[Drsobczakst]

First off, I did a search in the forum before I wrote this so please, if you think I missed a chat about this already... Post the thread link b/c I'll never claim to be the smartest guy and I could have missed it!

Here are my issues : 2021 ST
Issue 1. I tried to connect to FordPass and it keeps saying "on screen access denied" but, I have never see a message on the screen in the ST.
A. What I have tried so far -
1 - FordPass reset, master sync reset, deleted app and reloaded and reloaded car profile, called FordPass to ensure old user was not still linked to the car, talked with the in vehicle tech support team and nothing they have told me worked.
2 - Conclusion, take it to a dealer......

Issue 2. The sync software is stuck on an update from 08/04/21(Build 3.4.21098) updated needed is Build 3.4.23188.
A. What I have tried so far -
1 - Tried connecting to Wi-Fi to do the update. This did not work as my ST will not see any networks no matter what. The same happens when I manually enter in my Wi-Fi data, say it "could not connect".
2 - USB update. I have tried two different drives, two different downloads all from ford.com with two different 32gb, v2 and v3 drives, formatted to ExFat files. I let the first update go for 2 hours and it just said "updating system software" and nothing else. The second one I let go for 1:30 and again the same thing, just says "Updating system software" but nothing ever changes and not errors or messaged come up on the screen.
3 - Again called in vehicle tech support and they told me to try again and do another reset and if that didn't work take it to a dealer.

My wife drive a new 23' Timberline that I got a month ago on a steal of a deal b/c the dealer never sold it and it just sat. For the heck of it I tried connecting hers to Wi-Fi as well and it still wouldn't see any networks or connect once manually entered.
So this makes me feel like its a me problem and not a ford problem, I took my ST to another location where I know the Wi-Fi data and still, no such luck..... Now I'm thinking its a ford and a me problem LOL.

I called my local dealer and they told me they will look at it and update for free b/c its still under the base bumper to bumper and the truck was blue cert'd so there is an additional bumper to bump via Ford. I want to avoid that at all cost b/c of the current S**T show with CDK at dealers right now and not being able to properly work on cars. (if you don't know what I'm talking about, google CDK Hack and you will see the mess that I'm talking about)!

So, here I am looking to all of you to see if anyone has been up against it like I currently am and ask what you all have done that might have worked for you that I have not tired!?!?!?!?!

Thank you for your help and time here!

 

[Drsobczakst]

Update: So nothing has been fixed just yet however, I did notice something interesting. Maybe 1 out every 15 times I drive the vehicle for any length of time, i see the data up and down arrows in the upper right hand of the sync screen. When it is active, i can look at my hotspot data and FordPass connect data under the connectivity option. when the arrows are not there, it says hotspot is not active on this vehicle and the FordPass data times out and gives me an error message.

I tried connecting my FordPass account on my app while the arrows were there and it never gave me the access was denied message but it just says waiting to connect and to accept the message on the screen. Well....... that message never popped up so i still could not get the app to connect to the car. i tried this once today when i saw the arrows up however, when i shut the car off and came back from the store, the arrows have yet to come back even after driving to 3 more locations and having the vehicle off and on at each stop...

I'm starting to think i have a mad modem or module that is intermittently working. Again i bench marked this against my 2023 timberline and the arrows are there right away one start up and happen each time I drive that Explorer...

another thing I noticed was, if i try and look at the current sync system data, sometimes it shows the full list like build code for the current sync software and other supporting data and some times it doesnt give half the information and will say stuff like sync 3 and not sync 3.4.21098 for current software.

I made an appointment at the dealer for next week but thought I would provide the following update to see if this sparks any other ideas from people.


Thanks!

 

[Cdubya]

You cannot say anything about the hardware until you get on 23188, the latest Sync. Previous versions were plagued by loss of memory issues, including FordPass not working.

If you cannot get the Ford USB update to work, think about CyanLabs Syn3 updater. Just do not use the Syn3 Updater to do anything but a simple Sync 3.4 update--DO NOT UPDATE MAPS OR DO A FORMAT BEFORE UPDATE or you will brick you APIM.
https://cyanlabs.net/

 

[23 Explorer ST]

I feel your pain man. My 2023 ST is doing something similar.
I have my screen set on dark mode and it worked great for about a month and now every key on, it goes back to white screen, the radio goes from XM to FM and software updates toggle to the off position.
I did a hard reset and so far the screen stays dark but XM resets to channel 0 each time.
Following to see what the dealership does.
My dealership says nothing can be done.
I believe I’ll go to a different dealership. lol


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[Dale5403]

First off, I did a search in the forum before I wrote this so please, if you think I missed a chat about this already... Post the thread link b/c I'll never claim to be the smartest guy and I could have missed it!

Here are my issues : 2021 ST
Issue 1. I tried to connect to FordPass and it keeps saying "on screen access denied" but, I have never see a message on the screen in the ST.
A. What I have tried so far -
1 - FordPass reset, master sync reset, deleted app and reloaded and reloaded car profile, called FordPass to ensure old user was not still linked to the car, talked with the in vehicle tech support team and nothing they have told me worked.
2 - Conclusion, take it to a dealer......

Issue 2. The sync software is stuck on an update from 08/04/21(Build 3.4.21098) updated needed is Build 3.4.23188.
A. What I have tried so far -
1 - Tried connecting to Wi-Fi to do the update. This did not work as my ST will not see any networks no matter what. The same happens when I manually enter in my Wi-Fi data, say it "could not connect".
2 - USB update. I have tried two different drives, two different downloads all from ford.com with two different 32gb, v2 and v3 drives, formatted to ExFat files. I let the first update go for 2 hours and it just said "updating system software" and nothing else. The second one I let go for 1:30 and again the same thing, just says "Updating system software" but nothing ever changes and not errors or messaged come up on the screen.
3 - Again called in vehicle tech support and they told me to try again and do another reset and if that didn't work take it to a dealer.

My wife drive a new 23' Timberline that I got a month ago on a steal of a deal b/c the dealer never sold it and it just sat. For the heck of it I tried connecting hers to Wi-Fi as well and it still wouldn't see any networks or connect once manually entered.
So this makes me feel like its a me problem and not a ford problem, I took my ST to another location where I know the Wi-Fi data and still, no such luck..... Now I'm thinking its a ford and a me problem LOL.

I called my local dealer and they told me they will look at it and update for free b/c its still under the base bumper to bumper and the truck was blue cert'd so there is an additional bumper to bump via Ford. I want to avoid that at all cost b/c of the current S**T show with CDK at dealers right now and not being able to properly work on cars. (if you don't know what I'm talking about, google CDK Hack and you will see the mess that I'm talking about)!

So, here I am looking to all of you to see if anyone has been up against it like I currently am and ask what you all have done that might have worked for you that I have not tired!?!?!?!?!

Thank you for your help and time here!

I'm not sure if this will help but it might be worth trying.
Turn off the automatic updates on the Explorer.
Then reformat a flash drive and start a new download. And then try updating again.

 

[J368]

First off, I did a search in the forum before I wrote this so please, if you think I missed a chat about this already... Post the thread link b/c I'll never claim to be the smartest guy and I could have missed it!

Here are my issues : 2021 ST
Issue 1. I tried to connect to FordPass and it keeps saying "on screen access denied" but, I have never see a message on the screen in the ST.
A. What I have tried so far -
1 - FordPass reset, master sync reset, deleted app and reloaded and reloaded car profile, called FordPass to ensure old user was not still linked to the car, talked with the in vehicle tech support team and nothing they have told me worked.
2 - Conclusion, take it to a dealer......

Issue 2. The sync software is stuck on an update from 08/04/21(Build 3.4.21098) updated needed is Build 3.4.23188.
A. What I have tried so far -
1 - Tried connecting to Wi-Fi to do the update. This did not work as my ST will not see any networks no matter what. The same happens when I manually enter in my Wi-Fi data, say it "could not connect".
2 - USB update. I have tried two different drives, two different downloads all from ford.com with two different 32gb, v2 and v3 drives, formatted to ExFat files. I let the first update go for 2 hours and it just said "updating system software" and nothing else. The second one I let go for 1:30 and again the same thing, just says "Updating system software" but nothing ever changes and not errors or messaged come up on the screen.
3 - Again called in vehicle tech support and they told me to try again and do another reset and if that didn't work take it to a dealer.

My wife drive a new 23' Timberline that I got a month ago on a steal of a deal b/c the dealer never sold it and it just sat. For the heck of it I tried connecting hers to Wi-Fi as well and it still wouldn't see any networks or connect once manually entered.
So this makes me feel like its a me problem and not a ford problem, I took my ST to another location where I know the Wi-Fi data and still, no such luck..... Now I'm thinking its a ford and a me problem LOL.

I called my local dealer and they told me they will look at it and update for free b/c its still under the base bumper to bumper and the truck was blue cert'd so there is an additional bumper to bump via Ford. I want to avoid that at all cost b/c of the current S**T show with CDK at dealers right now and not being able to properly work on cars. (if you don't know what I'm talking about, google CDK Hack and you will see the mess that I'm talking about)!

So, here I am looking to all of you to see if anyone has been up against it like I currently am and ask what you all have done that might have worked for you that I have not tired!?!?!?!?!

Thank you for your help and time here!

Are you still under warranty? I just went thru this whole fiasco a while ago. Ford, not the dealer told me they put a block on updating the new version by Wifi. They finally told me they sent out a bad update. I won't even say what I said to them after that etc., but it wasn't very nice, and they are not very smart. My dealer couldn't update to the new version either as it would throw error codes. Per Ford when they get error codes they replace the whole APIM. Works perfect now, and I took it offline before I left the dealer. Dealer told me they are replacing these all the time lately after Ford basically wrecked them with a bad update. I guess Ford isn't smart enough to send out an update to fix the bad one they sent.

 

[Drsobczakst]

Are you still under warranty? I just went thru this whole fiasco a while ago. Ford, not the dealer told me they put a block on updating the new version by Wifi. They finally told me they sent out a bad update. I won't even say what I said to them after that etc., but it wasn't very nice, and they are not very smart. My dealer couldn't update to the new version either as it would throw error codes. Per Ford when they get error codes they replace the whole APIM. Works perfect now, and I took it offline before I left the dealer. Dealer told me they are replacing these all the time lately after Ford basically wrecked them with a bad update. I guess Ford isn't smart enough to send out an update to fix the bad one they sent.

Yes I'm still under factory warranty and finally set up an appointment for Wed this coming week. I'll report back as to what they tell me! The service advisor didn't seem to happy to talk to me about it so, im guessing like you said, they are seeing alot of these any are just over it so to speak LOL!

Thanks everyone for your input here. Hope everyone enjoyed a safe 4th!

 

[Drsobczakst]

Update - She is at Ford today being worked on. The service tech said if its the original software, I'm lucky anything works LOL!

They are working on it now.

 

[Drsobczakst]

Update 2.0 - The dealership said they could not get it to update or respond. They told me its either a bag APIM or TCU. I have to go into the office tomorrow and they are fresh out of loaners so they told me to come pick it up until they hear back from Ford on next steps and most likely parts to arrive...

Sounds like this is not an uncommon issue but the dealer still needs to wait on Ford....

 

[J368]

Update 2.0 - The dealership said they could not get it to update or respond. They told me its either a bag APIM or TCU. I have to go into the office tomorrow and they are fresh out of loaners so they told me to come pick it up until they hear back from Ford on next steps and most likely parts to arrive...

Sounds like this is not an uncommon issue but the dealer still needs to wait on Ford....

That's what happened to mine too. They replaced the APIM and all was good. My dealer had to order it, and it came in 2 days from Memphis. They had lots of them in stock. I strongly suggest after they replace it to disable automatic updates from Ford in your settings.

 

[hbalek]

That's what happened to mine too. They replaced the APIM and all was good. My dealer had to order it, and it came in 2 days from Memphis. They had lots of them in stock. I strongly suggest after they replace it to disable automatic updates from Ford in your settings.

This is where the extended warranty is helpful. I only have 4.5 months of powertrain left but 2.5 years of extended left. $100 deductible have yet to use it for year and half.

 

[Drsobczakst]

That's what happened to mine too. They replaced the APIM and all was good. My dealer had to order it, and it came in 2 days from Memphis. They had lots of them in stock. I strongly suggest after they replace it to disable automatic updates from Ford in your settings.

That's good to know the Apim fix worked! I have been friends with this Tech at my dealer for 13 years and this is my 5th Ford from them so I know I'm in good hands. Although he did tell me to bring gas and matches HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

He did note that the Apim might not be my only issue as there are other things going on with the truck that are controlled by the TCU (Telematics Control Unit). "The TCU collects telemetry data from the vehicle, such as position, speed, engine data, connectivity quality, etc., from various sub-systems over data and control busses".

The Apim is just for the Sync system only. It is why the system is slow, will not update, carplay stops working, songs don't show up on the cluster in some drive modes but does on others and the list goes on.

The TCU being bad is why the it wont update anything to FordPass (says my truck is always on, no vehicle health reports, no location GSP, cant use it to start, luck or unlock the truck) and why the data arrows I talked about in my second update come on every once in a blue moon. I have also discovered that the TCU is responsible for how your truck tracks vehicle speed, and driving efficiency. these two data sets are the inputs on the average MPGs that show up on the cluster. So, if your MPGs are out of sorts like I have seen on some other posts.... you might also have a bad TCU.

More to follow for sure!

 

[Drsobczakst]

This is where the extended warranty is helpful. I only have 4.5 months of powertrain left but 2.5 years of extended left. $100 deductible have yet to use it for year and half.

Not kidding right! The truck was Blue certified so I have a long extended on the Power train and I got a 4 year extended bumper to bumper as well that I paid for just for stuff like this! I also have till 9/21/24 on the factory in service bumper to bumper. additionally, the blue cert gives me 12 month or 12K miles from that date so, really i have a 5 year bumper to bump.

 

[Drsobczakst]

New update. Ford came back and told the dealership to try uploading the package again and see if the car will take it... After speaking with the tech in length, it sounds like there were 5 updates needed in the package they tried to update and it took 4 of the 5 and ultimately caused it to fail. I have not scheduled a follow up appointment due to my schedule and the dealerships loaner vehicles.

The reason he says that we are looking at an Apim and TCU is b/c there are a number of issues going on with the sync system and the fact that the communication between systems in the vehicle are not working correctly and that is what points to the TCU being bad.

More to follow but it sounds like Ford is not wanting to just start replacing parts right now without forcing the updates time over time.

 

[J368]

Keep us updated. I really want to know how this turns out. I hope it gets resolved soon for you.

 

[Drsobczakst]

Keep us updated. I really want to know how this turns out. I hope it gets resolved soon for you.

I think Ford Corp wants them to try again b/c they are having enough issues with getting the 2025 out right now. I live really close to one of the Midwest holding sites near Chicago and there are videos being posted on local pages with hundreds of 2025s just sitting in the lot waiting for some sort of safety fix that has been uncovered by the units that are out there already. the videos show employees walking a select number of units with the hazards on and nothing else. Who knows what's going on!!

I will for sure post up the end result and anything in between!

 

[hbalek]

I think Ford Corp wants them to try again b/c they are having enough issues with getting the 2025 out right now. I live really close to one of the Midwest holding sites near Chicago and there are videos being posted on local pages with hundreds of 2025s just sitting in the lot waiting for some sort of safety fix that has been uncovered by the units that are out there already. the videos show employees walking a select number of units with the hazards on and nothing else. Who knows what's going on!!

I will for sure post up the end result and anything in between!

I hope none of the engineers and QA staff who brought the 2020 to market worked on the 2025. They really messed up that launch.

 

[Drsobczakst]

I hope none of the engineers and QA staff who brought the 2020 to market worked on the 2025. They really messed up that launch.

LOL its always something right!! Heck, when I had my 2018 Audi S4 I had to have the darn dealer program my garage door opener b/c there was a TSB due to the fact that the front camera, rain sensor and door modules were all competing for signal and couldn't be done without turning other stuff off!! Like really, who messed that up.... and even after that, the door opener almost never worked unless i was inches from the door or in reverse pulling in the garage!

 

[Drsobczakst]

Okay so, next appointment is on the books for Wed the 23. They will have the truck until it is fixed or burnt to the ground LOL!!! (I say that as a joke b/c my friend is the tech working on the ST) I told him, "If it wont work, hook the battery terminals in reverse and continue to start the car till its a pile of ash" He laughed and called me stupid!

Hopefully it isn't some crazy fight with ford to fix it!

 

[bhunted1]

Just noticed this thread.
I went through this with my 21’ F150 Powerboost.
After many apts, calls, etc. Being pist!
I insisted we get a new apim and tcu per engineers. That fixed it.
What broke it was an ota update. Totally bricked the unit.
Good luck.


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