Black screen after official Ford update

Hi guys. I’m new to the forum but have done quite a bit of reading through some of the questions and is hoping that you could help me with the problem with my Sync 3 system (with Navigation).
I have recently downloaded (from the official Ford website) and updated the Sync 3 system on my 2017 Ford Kuga (2.2.16280 to 3.0.23219). The update via USB took more than 3 hours and eventually the system said that I could remove my USB & that the update would take effect when I start the vehicle up again.
Low & behold, as soon as I did that, the screen went black (lit up) without even showing the Ford logo. The Radio still works & my phone still connects to the system as I can make phone calls. The USB slots & cd slot are also lit up, which makes me believe that display drivers could have been corrupted during the update. Something else that I have also noticed is that the compass on the dash (behind steering) stays on N.

I have pulled & replaced the fuses & also disconnected the battery to see if the APIM reboot would help. No luck.
I will strip the top of the dash to see if the APIM is pre 2020, soon.

My questions are: If by using the Syn3 updater, would I be able to recover the system by doing an update to a newer version & can I do this update even when the screen is black? And if so, do I install from the original 2.2.16280 to 3.3 or newer, or do I try from 3.0.232.19 to a newer version? Or do a downgrade?

I really do not wish to go to a Ford dealership as it would probably cost me an arm & a leg.
Thanks in advance.


SYNC Region: EU

Navigation Variant: Nav

Manufacturer Year: Unknown

Install Type: OEM

Old SYNC Version: 2.2.16280

New SYNC Version: 3.0.23219

Do you have a error message, if so what is it?
No

Update Method: Official Ford

Hello.

Can you share the autoinstall.lst file that Ford sent you?.

Also, can you try creating and running an interrogator log against the unit?.

This is not related to MY20 hardware, Ford does not reformat their units.

Do you have Forscan and an adapter?.

Hi there. Thank you for the reply. I will get the autoinstall.lst as soon as I’m back home from work and upload it.
I’m still pretty new to Ford and the Sync system. I am looking for someone here in Northern Ireland with a Forscan that can help me but had no luck thusfar, apart from having to go to a Ford dealership. I am also not familiar how to run a interrogator log, sorry.

I have read up on the interrogator log, and will get it done as soon as possible. Thanks once again.

Contents of the Autoinstall.lst

; SYNC3 Consumer Assembly Upgrade - Release 3.0.25 - Only for Nav/EU assemblies.

[SYNCGen3.0_3.0.20204_PRODUCT]
Item1 = HB5T-14G386-THB
Open1 = SyncMyRide\HB5T-14G386-THB.tar.gz
Item2 = HB5T-14G386-TCC
Open2 = SyncMyRide\HB5T-14G386-TCC.tar.gz
Item3 = JR3T-14G391-AE
Open3 = SyncMyRide\JR3T-14G391-AE.tar.gz
Item4 = JR3T-14G381-AX
Open4 = SyncMyRide\JR3T-14G381-AX.tar.gz
Item5 = JR3T-14G423-AB
Open5 = SyncMyRide\JR3T-14G423-AB.tar.gz
Item6 = GB5T-14G386-AC
Open6 = SyncMyRide\GB5T-14G386-AC.tar.gz
Options = AutoInstall,Delay

I have run the interrogator tool on the unit in the car and sat for 10min with the engine running. I have no idea how long the process should take and with the black screen I can’t see any messages. There is no XML file on the usb when I plug it back into my laptop. The interrogator I used was GB5T-14G386-AA.

I will review the information later from home, but please do not spam multiple consecutive messages… If you want to add information, there’s an edit button, please use it…

I’ll merge your messages into a single one…

1 Like

I have created the interrogator usb, but I won’t know if the installation is complete as my unit has the “black screen”. I’ll give it a go in any case.

It may reboot the unit, so since your audio is still working, connect it once audio is being played… Once it stops, remove the USB…
It shouldn’t take long at all, we are talking about a minute, if so… You can also check the USB’s led, once it stops for a while it may have ran…

Problem is that in trying to reboot the APIM model, I disconnected the battery, so I lost all stations & I’m assuming that it went back to AM frequency, so there is just static coming through. The interrogator I used was: GB5T-14G386-AA. I sat in the car with the engine running for a good 10min but there is no XML file written to the usb.
autoinstall.lst (230 Bytes)

I did a soft reset and the usb is definitely being read as the LED flashes on it, and then just goes static.

That’s strange… I will double check the interrogator package later, but I think an -AA is the one… The thing is that if the unit does not run a simple interrogator package, maybe it would not even update either…

About Forscan, there’s a free edition you can get… The thing is that you need an adapter…

Thank you. I think that the Forscan will probably be the best. I will also run the car tomorrow for a bit with the interrogator and see if anything gets written on the usb. I will see if I can get an adaptor from ebay in the meanwhile, and will get back to you once I do. Thanks for the patience and help. I just don’t understand how the official Ford update could result in the black screen.
What’s even weirder is that I can make bluetooth calls from the system.

Interestingly, Ford wanted you to run the -AC interrogator if the update succeeded…

So… try that…

So I load that particular file into the interrogator builder (GB5T-14G386-AC) Am I correct? If so, I’ll definitely give it a go. Thank you. I will let you know what happens.

So I have done as suggested and the same happened as before. The interrogator won’t install. I also did check that the autoinstall.lst was correct.
autoinstall.lst (152 Bytes)

I did the update from Ford according to the VIN, but also checked the software version on the Sync system. This just leaves me flabbergasted.

I do apologize for all the questions, but what if build an update usb with the Syn3 updater from 3.0.23219 (which was the original update from Ford) to let’s say version 3.3.19052 and check if it runs in the vehicle?

Hi everyone.
As per my previous post on the forum:

I am still stuck with a blank screen, after attempting an official Ford update from Sync 3 version 2.2.16280 to 3.0.23219.
As stated before, the Radio still works & my phone still connects to the system as I can make phone calls.
I have attempted to run the Cyanlabs Interrogator and even though both USB ports are lit up, the interrogator won’t install/write the .xml file. I’m baffled as to why the USB slots aren’t reading any data, as they worked perfectly before I did the update.
I have also used Forscan (2 month extended license) reset, and ran a test on the APIM which had no errors. I will include pictures of the Autoinstall.lst (from Ford), APIM model as well as the APIM ASbuild values.

I am situated in the UK and aren’t getting any help or solution this side. Please, if anyone can help?


SYNC Region: EU

Navigation Variant: Nav

Manufacturer Year: Pre MY20

Install Type: OEM

Old SYNC Version: 2.2.16280

New SYNC Version: 3.0.23219

Do you have a error message, if so what is it?
No

Update Method: Official Ford



Try pulling the battery cable for ~35 minutes to force a full cold reboot of all the modules in the car.
Is ForScan throwing any DTCs for the APIM?

Thanks for the reply. I did the battery pull a few times in blind hope. No luck. No DTCs at all for the APIM. I also ran a test on the APIM with Forscan and the result was “No problems found.”

I wonder what was the idea to re-post / bump your issue… making people want to help you?..

I can’t speak for others, but I can assure you that has the exact opposite effect on me…

If you are in a hurry to solve your issue (which would be understandable) go and complain to Ford since they broke your unit, or have a shop fix it…
You are getting free support here, we do have a life and we may not know all the answers…

Anyways, I’ve merged your threads, please do not do that again…

Good luck.

I can assure you that it wasn’t my intention to upset anyone. I am well aware that the support is provided free. So apologies and thanks for the help thusfar.

I am looking at alternatives but would also like to get this unit fixed.