Troubleshooting Sync 3 Issues

[dho510]

I've recently purchased a Fiesta ST and the previous owner had no luck getting CarPlay or Android Auto to work.

The car was already on Sync 3 version 3.4.xx when I bought it but would not start up Android Auto when I connected my Pixel 10

I tried troubleshooting with the interrogator log utility as SandMan on cyanlabs forums suggested but after inserting the USB drive and waiting for over 5 minutes, nothing happened and no log was written

also, while driving USB device not recognized error would pop up randomly even with nothing plugged into the USB hub in the center console

and after googling around I see there was an issue with directly upgrading to 3.4 and skipping 2.2. So I set up a USB stick with the 2.2 files and insert it into the USB hub, give it 15 minutes with the car on, but nothing happens, no loading screen pops up, all I get is the Updating System Software message and nothing else

A day later, while driving, a message pops up that says system has updated and I check and it says it is now on version 2.2

I try plugging in my phone and no response. I tried a new USB A to USB C cable. I tried ordering a another HC3Z-19A387-F USB hub from eBay. Neither worked

In fact, when I plug into the new hub, I immediately get the USB device not recognized error again

So at this point I am not sure what next to do. Should I just update it back up to 3.4 and hope that does something even though Android Auto should be working with 2.2?

Is there a bad connection somewhere?

Would replacing the APIM do anything?

Thanks in advance

 

[RedlineRVA]

I'm interested in learning more about this too. I just picked up a 2016 FIST and downloaded the lastest version of SYNC directly from Ford on USB. It took 2 days of driving for it to finish the update. It's showing version 3 now. However I can not get my Pixel 8 Pro to bring up Android Auto. To my knowledge we don't have to install a new USB hub for Android to work. I've tried different cables and even the cable that I use daily for Android Auto in my 2020 Ranger and still nothing.

 

[Switchback]

What year Fiesta do you have @dho510 If you have a 2014-2015, it could also be the adapter cable that changes the power supply endpoint to fit the new USB Hub power input. Honestly it sounds like your device or the hub isn't getting enough power and is failing to initialize the connection. 3.4 should work for AA/Carplay (granted I've only tested Carplay), if you know someone with an iPhone I'd also have them try initializing carplay. If Carplay works and not AA, then it could be failing APIM. If it doesn't work, your issue likely lies in that wiring path.

If you take off the cowl that covers the APIM and display, there's a USB cable there. Make sure its plugged into the correct slot as there are two available. Also, in the center console on the passenger side there's a USB connection, try reseating that one as well. Lastly, I'd also reset the APIM to defaults.

I have also heard of counterfeit USB Hubs floating around on eBay, hopefully you didn't get a defunct one. Not sure how to test or identify real vs fake though, sorry.

I'm interested in learning more about this too. I just picked up a 2016 FIST and downloaded the lastest version of SYNC directly from Ford on USB. It took 2 days of driving for it to finish the update. It's showing version 3 now. However I can not get my Pixel 8 Pro to bring up Android Auto. To my knowledge we don't have to install a new USB hub for Android to work. I've tried different cables and even the cable that I use daily for Android Auto in my 2020 Ranger and still nothing.

Any reason you haven't used the Syn3updater to go up to 3.4? 2 days to finish an update is a long time, when I did the update on my 2016 back in the day it took about 1 hour from what I remember to upgrade to 2.2.

 

[RedlineRVA]

I downloaded the updated SYNC file for my VIN # from Ford.com I didn't know there was another resource. Ford.com had me download version 3.

[/QUOTE]Any reason you haven't used the Syn3updater to go up to 3.4? 2 days to finish an update is a long time, when I did the update on my 2016 back in the day it took about 1 hour from what I remember to upgrade to 2.2.[/QUOTE]

 

[SteveS]

Version 3.4 is a hack. Ford officially only updates Fiestas to version 3.

 

[Switchback]

I wouldn’t call it a hack, I think it’s the same hardware. Ford doesn’t upgrade all their vehicles because they are “end of life” to use it as an excuse for consumers to buy new vehicles. Plus stuff like maps etc.

 

[SteveS]

It's not really that. The Sync system was designed by Microsoft and was designed to integrate best with Windows phones. I used to use Windows phones, and it worked way better with the phone than AA or Carplay do. But then Microsoft decided to ditch their mobile department and Ford was left with a system that was obsolete. The 3.4 came from other cars which had come new with it, and the people at Cyan Labs adapted it (hacked) to be installable on the Fiesta ST.

 

[Intuit]

Does this mean non-nav version?

If so, you were fortunate just have not bricked the thing.

 

[Switchback]

It's not really that. The Sync system was designed by Microsoft and was designed to integrate best with Windows phones. I used to use Windows phones, and it worked way better with the phone than AA or Carplay do. But then Microsoft decided to ditch their mobile department and Ford was left with a system that was obsolete. The 3.4 came from other cars which had come new with it, and the people at Cyan Labs adapted it (hacked) to be installable on the Fiesta ST.

The APIM Hardware had a few iterative changes but the core architecture was the same, which is why 3.4 loads on APIMs that originally could only use 3.0 stock. Ford never installed the "new" APIMs in the Fiesta because they killed off the production lines before the new APIMs made it out. That being said, the CPU was identical.

Cyan Labs found/were told about the "wipe and install" method of updating the head units, which got around the major problem of there not being enough space on the first few generations of APIMs from having the full 3.4 software load and 3.0. (From what I can gather from the software itself it keeps both versions loaded until the new image loads) I do not think the 3.4 software is changed/modified by the Syn3updater as it downloads the software directly from Ford's website. I think the only change is to the loading method, which you can still select the "official" load method.

Also I do want to point out Sync 3 is still in use, for example the 2024 Ford Maverick uses Sync 3 for some of the lower end models. Even if Microsoft isn't supporting the product anymore, Ford is maintaining the codebase.