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.
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.
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 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.
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?
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…
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.
A friend’s 2018 Ford Explorer (non-nav) was exhibiting similar behavior after he downloaded an update from Ford. Every time he started the car, It would basically stay a black screen. There were a few times the screen would just come on after 10-20 mins.
He took it to the dealer and they told him he needed a new APIM.
I knew he had Sync 3.0, but I wasn’t able to use the interrogator usb at all to determine the precise version. Under the vehicle settings in Sync3 Updater, I manually set the installed Sync version to 3.0.. I then selected an upgrade version to the latest Sync 3.4 and it resolved the issue.
My suspicion is that one of the early 3.0 updates is buggy. Have you tried moving forward in the releases to 3.0.XXXX (something higher) to see if it resolves the issue?
Also, have you tried a hard reset: Press and hold both the Volume Down and Seek Right buttons for a few seconds. A Ford logo should appear if it worked.
Thank you for your reply. I ended up getting an APIM/Screen combo off Ebay and it works great. I will update the software to 3.0.23219 (or later) using the Syn3 updater, and hopefully all goes well.
I will also get the original Apim sorted out in time.
Once again, thanks for the assistance. Much appreciated.
I have had a similar issue with an Australian built Ford Territory(although it’s sync2) the Territory Has a master Fuse which is taken out/re-installed to give system a hard reboot the system, it then took the system(black screen)about 15mins to Reboot once fuse was reinstalled(but same symptoms as yours radio/ac/phone all worked, but no display) Ford Australia also recommended not disconnecting the Battery…the fuse was as the interior command centre system fuse…I’m not sure if your car has a similar fuse.
Thank you Peter. Any fuses to do with the Sync 3 system were pulled & replaced, yet no joy. I do think that it was a software issue with the Ford update (official) and I’ll be hesitant to use the Ford website again, as their is little to no support from them, and will give the Syn 3 updater a go. Thanks mate.
