I bricked my sync3 using the updater... What do I need to replace?

Ford SYNC 3 Support
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1

I recently traded my vehicle for a 2016 Ford Flex. The car came with the Sync3 navigation system and everything on it was V1.0. After plenty of headaches and googling, I was able to update the system to 2.216280.

Prior to using the cyanlabs tool, I tried using Ford’s updater again, but to no avail after 5 hours of driving around with the updater USB inserted.

Just trying to justify my stupidity here, but I was super fed up and on the massive warning screen that tells you that you’re going to brick your system if it’s version MY20, I just assumed that it wasn’t due to how old the vehicle is and the fact that it came equipped with V1.0 software.

Anyways, I downloaded the correct updater version and everything from the Cyanlabs tool, and then inserted the USB into my car, turned it on, got a black screen, and it’s stayed that way since.

I tried the soft reset (Power+Next song) and it did nothing. I tried the interrogator tool, but it didn’t receive any info. When I plug my phone into the USB ports, it does charge, but it doesn’t enter android auto (which was working prior to trying to update from 2.2).

It seems like this is a common issue, so I’m just wondering if someone can give me the quick and dirty of what exactly I need to replace. I have a forscan tool being delivered this evening, if that’s going to be required to diagnose the issue as well.

SYNC Region: North America & Canada

Navigation Variant: Yes

Install Type: Stock (Original Unit)

Old SYNC Version: 2.2.16280

New SYNC Version: 3.4.20220

Do you have a error message, if so what is it?
Black screen

Update Method: CyanLabs Syn3 Updater

Syn3 Updater Version: Newest

Syn3 Updater Documentation Read: Yes

Syn3 Updater Log File

CYANLABS - SYN3 UPDATER - V2.11.4.0
Branch: Stable
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro (2009)

PREVIOUS CONFIGURATION
Version: 2.2.16280
Region: NA
Navigation: True
Install Mode: Auto-Detect (reformat)
Install Mode Overridden: False
My20 Protection Enabled: Auto-Detect

DESTINATION DETAILS
Mode: Drive
Model:  USB  SanDisk 3.2Gen1 USB Device
Size: 114.6GB
FileSystem: exFAT
Partition Type: MBR

REFORMAT.LST
GRACENOTES=4U5T-14G423-CC_1615429225000.TAR.GZ
APPS=5U5T-14G381-EZ_1652218180000.TAR.GZ
VOICE=5U5T-14G391-CR_1644007976000.TAR.GZ
MAP=4U5T-14G421-CAE_1644006917000.TAR.GZ
VOICE_NAV=4U5T-14G422-CCK_1644009966000.TAR.GZ
VOICE_NAV=4U5T-14G422-CBK_1644010207000.TAR.GZ
VOICE_NAV=4U5T-14G422-CAK_1644007869000.TAR.GZ
MAP=4U5T-14G421-CHE_1644007810000.TAR.GZ
MAP=4U5T-14G421-CGE_1644007746000.TAR.GZ
MAP=4U5T-14G421-CJE_1644007404000.TAR.GZ
MAP=4U5T-14G421-CFE_1644007219000.TAR.GZ
MAP=4U5T-14G421-CEE_1644007167000.TAR.GZ
MAP=4U5T-14G421-CDE_1644007104000.TAR.GZ
MAP=4U5T-14G421-CCE_1644007033000.TAR.GZ
MAP=4U5T-14G421-CBE_1644006981000.TAR.GZ
MAP_LICENSE=4U5T-14G424-CE_1644243346000.TAR.GZ


AUTOINSTALL.LST
; CyanLabs Syn3Updater 2.11.4.0 Stable - reformat  Mode - Sync 3.4.22110 NA

[SYNCGen3.0_ALL_PRODUCT]
Item1 = REFORMAT TOOL  - 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz
Open1 = SyncMyRide\1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz
Options = AutoInstall

FILES (17)
1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz (8.5MB)
4U5T-14G423-CC_1615429225000.TAR.GZ (564.2MB)
5U5T-14G381-EZ_1652218180000.TAR.GZ (869.8MB)
5U5T-14G391-CR_1644007976000.TAR.GZ (385.5MB)
4U5T-14G421-CAE_1644006917000.TAR.GZ (1GB)
4U5T-14G422-CCK_1644009966000.TAR.GZ (536.9MB)
4U5T-14G422-CBK_1644010207000.TAR.GZ (774.8MB)
4U5T-14G422-CAK_1644007869000.TAR.GZ (1.3GB)
4U5T-14G421-CHE_1644007810000.TAR.GZ (997.4MB)
4U5T-14G421-CGE_1644007746000.TAR.GZ (1.1GB)
4U5T-14G421-CJE_1644007404000.TAR.GZ (668.1MB)
4U5T-14G421-CFE_1644007219000.TAR.GZ (1.1GB)
4U5T-14G421-CEE_1644007167000.TAR.GZ (1.1GB)
4U5T-14G421-CDE_1644007104000.TAR.GZ (1.3GB)
4U5T-14G421-CCE_1644007033000.TAR.GZ (1.1GB)
4U5T-14G421-CBE_1644006981000.TAR.GZ (1.1GB)
4U5T-14G424-CE_1644243346000.TAR.GZ (1.6KB)

LOG
[2022-08-22 11:02:28 AM] Selected Region: NA - Release: Sync 3.4.22110 - Map Version: 2.21 (2021) - NA 
[2022-08-22 11:02:28 AM] Install Mode: Auto-Detect (reformat) Forced: False 
[2022-08-22 11:02:28 AM] MY20 Protection: Auto-Detect 
[2022-08-22 11:02:28 AM] Formatting USB drive
[2022-08-22 11:02:28 AM] Re-creating partition table as MBR and formatting as ExFat on selected USB drive
[2022-08-22 11:03:11 AM] Checking Existing File: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz 
[2022-08-22 11:03:11 AM] Validated: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz (Skipping Download) 
[2022-08-22 11:03:11 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G423-CC_1615429225000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:03:13 AM] Validated: 4U5T-14G423-CC_1615429225000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[2022-08-22 11:03:13 AM] Checking Existing File: 5U5T-14G381-EZ_1652218180000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:03:15 AM] Validated: 5U5T-14G381-EZ_1652218180000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[2022-08-22 11:03:15 AM] Checking Existing File: 5U5T-14G391-CR_1644007976000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:03:16 AM] Validated: 5U5T-14G391-CR_1644007976000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[2022-08-22 11:03:16 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CAE_1644006917000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:03:19 AM] Validated: 4U5T-14G421-CAE_1644006917000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[2022-08-22 11:03:19 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G422-CCK_1644009966000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:03:20 AM] Validated: 4U5T-14G422-CCK_1644009966000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[2022-08-22 11:03:20 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G422-CBK_1644010207000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:03:23 AM] Validated: 4U5T-14G422-CBK_1644010207000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[2022-08-22 11:03:23 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G422-CAK_1644007869000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:03:26 AM] Validated: 4U5T-14G422-CAK_1644007869000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[2022-08-22 11:03:26 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CHE_1644007810000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:03:29 AM] Validated: 4U5T-14G421-CHE_1644007810000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[2022-08-22 11:03:29 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CGE_1644007746000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:03:32 AM] Validated: 4U5T-14G421-CGE_1644007746000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[2022-08-22 11:03:32 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CJE_1644007404000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:03:34 AM] Validated: 4U5T-14G421-CJE_1644007404000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[2022-08-22 11:03:34 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CFE_1644007219000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:03:37 AM] Validated: 4U5T-14G421-CFE_1644007219000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[2022-08-22 11:03:37 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CEE_1644007167000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:03:40 AM] Validated: 4U5T-14G421-CEE_1644007167000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[2022-08-22 11:03:40 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CDE_1644007104000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:03:43 AM] Validated: 4U5T-14G421-CDE_1644007104000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[2022-08-22 11:03:43 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CCE_1644007033000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:03:46 AM] Validate: 4U5T-14G421-CCE_1644007033000.TAR.GZ (Failed!, Downloading)
[2022-08-22 11:03:46 AM] Downloading: 4U5T-14G421-CCE_1644007033000.TAR.GZ
[2022-08-22 11:03:57 AM] Validating: 4U5T-14G421-CCE_1644007033000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:04:00 AM] Downloaded: 4U5T-14G421-CCE_1644007033000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:04:00 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CBE_1644006981000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:04:00 AM] Downloading: 4U5T-14G421-CBE_1644006981000.TAR.GZ
[2022-08-22 11:04:12 AM] Validating: 4U5T-14G421-CBE_1644006981000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:04:15 AM] Downloaded: 4U5T-14G421-CBE_1644006981000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:04:15 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G424-CE_1644243346000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:04:15 AM] Downloading: 4U5T-14G424-CE_1644243346000.TAR.GZ
[2022-08-22 11:04:16 AM] Validating: 4U5T-14G424-CE_1644243346000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:04:16 AM] Downloaded: 4U5T-14G424-CE_1644243346000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:04:16 AM] Preparing USB drive
[2022-08-22 11:04:16 AM] Checking Existing File: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz 
[2022-08-22 11:04:16 AM] Copying: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz 
[2022-08-22 11:04:16 AM] Validating: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz 
[2022-08-22 11:04:16 AM] Copied: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz 
[2022-08-22 11:04:16 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G423-CC_1615429225000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:04:16 AM] Copying: 4U5T-14G423-CC_1615429225000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:04:27 AM] Validating: 4U5T-14G423-CC_1615429225000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:04:31 AM] Copied: 4U5T-14G423-CC_1615429225000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:04:31 AM] Checking Existing File: 5U5T-14G381-EZ_1652218180000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:04:31 AM] Copying: 5U5T-14G381-EZ_1652218180000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:04:49 AM] Validating: 5U5T-14G381-EZ_1652218180000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:04:56 AM] Copied: 5U5T-14G381-EZ_1652218180000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:04:56 AM] Checking Existing File: 5U5T-14G391-CR_1644007976000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:04:56 AM] Copying: 5U5T-14G391-CR_1644007976000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:05:09 AM] Validating: 5U5T-14G391-CR_1644007976000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:05:12 AM] Copied: 5U5T-14G391-CR_1644007976000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:05:12 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CAE_1644006917000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:05:12 AM] Copying: 4U5T-14G421-CAE_1644006917000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:05:44 AM] Validating: 4U5T-14G421-CAE_1644006917000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:05:53 AM] Copied: 4U5T-14G421-CAE_1644006917000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:05:53 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G422-CCK_1644009966000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:05:53 AM] Copying: 4U5T-14G422-CCK_1644009966000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:06:09 AM] Validating: 4U5T-14G422-CCK_1644009966000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:06:14 AM] Copied: 4U5T-14G422-CCK_1644009966000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:06:14 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G422-CBK_1644010207000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:06:14 AM] Copying: 4U5T-14G422-CBK_1644010207000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:06:51 AM] Validating: 4U5T-14G422-CBK_1644010207000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:06:58 AM] Copied: 4U5T-14G422-CBK_1644010207000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:06:58 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G422-CAK_1644007869000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:06:58 AM] Copying: 4U5T-14G422-CAK_1644007869000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:08:01 AM] Validating: 4U5T-14G422-CAK_1644007869000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:08:12 AM] Copied: 4U5T-14G422-CAK_1644007869000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:08:12 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CHE_1644007810000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:08:12 AM] Copying: 4U5T-14G421-CHE_1644007810000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:09:02 AM] Validating: 4U5T-14G421-CHE_1644007810000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:09:10 AM] Copied: 4U5T-14G421-CHE_1644007810000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:09:10 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CGE_1644007746000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:09:10 AM] Copying: 4U5T-14G421-CGE_1644007746000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:10:06 AM] Validating: 4U5T-14G421-CGE_1644007746000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:10:15 AM] Copied: 4U5T-14G421-CGE_1644007746000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:10:15 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CJE_1644007404000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:10:15 AM] Copying: 4U5T-14G421-CJE_1644007404000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:10:49 AM] Validating: 4U5T-14G421-CJE_1644007404000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:10:54 AM] Copied: 4U5T-14G421-CJE_1644007404000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:10:54 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CFE_1644007219000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:10:54 AM] Copying: 4U5T-14G421-CFE_1644007219000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:11:48 AM] Validating: 4U5T-14G421-CFE_1644007219000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:11:57 AM] Copied: 4U5T-14G421-CFE_1644007219000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:11:57 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CEE_1644007167000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:11:57 AM] Copying: 4U5T-14G421-CEE_1644007167000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:12:52 AM] Validating: 4U5T-14G421-CEE_1644007167000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:13:01 AM] Copied: 4U5T-14G421-CEE_1644007167000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:13:01 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CDE_1644007104000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:13:01 AM] Copying: 4U5T-14G421-CDE_1644007104000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:14:07 AM] Validating: 4U5T-14G421-CDE_1644007104000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:14:18 AM] Copied: 4U5T-14G421-CDE_1644007104000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:14:18 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CCE_1644007033000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:14:18 AM] Copying: 4U5T-14G421-CCE_1644007033000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:15:13 AM] Validating: 4U5T-14G421-CCE_1644007033000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:15:22 AM] Copied: 4U5T-14G421-CCE_1644007033000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:15:22 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G421-CBE_1644006981000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:15:22 AM] Copying: 4U5T-14G421-CBE_1644006981000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:16:18 AM] Validating: 4U5T-14G421-CBE_1644006981000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:16:27 AM] Copied: 4U5T-14G421-CBE_1644006981000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:16:27 AM] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G424-CE_1644243346000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:16:27 AM] Copying: 4U5T-14G424-CE_1644243346000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:16:27 AM] Validating: 4U5T-14G424-CE_1644243346000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:16:27 AM] Copied: 4U5T-14G424-CE_1644243346000.TAR.GZ 
[2022-08-22 11:16:27 AM] Generating reformat.lst
[2022-08-22 11:16:27 AM] Generating autoinstall.lst
[2022-08-22 11:16:28 AM] ALL FILES DOWNLOADED AND COPIED TO THE USB DRIVE SUCCESSFULLY!
2

It appears that the APIM (Sync unit) in the vehicle may not the original unit, but might have been replaced with a Ford service unit. You can verify this when you get your adapter and connect to the vehicle with FORScan.

Read the instructions for using FORScan:
Latest Ford/Information topics - CyanLabs Official Community

Also see this thread:
Update fail, Black screen - Ford / Help & Support - CyanLabs Official Community

3

Hey there, thanks for the reply! I’m still waiting for my forSCAN adapter to arrive, but i’ve got some good news and some bad news…

I got the APIM out of the vehicle to check the MFG date… Both the screen and the APIM were manufactured in 2016. So, the good news is that the components aren’t “obviously” bricked. The bad news is, I have no clue what happened now…

1 Like
4

Might need to reflash the calibration

5

Do you have a link to some instructions on how to do this?

1 Like
6

Did you by chance get the APIM part number off of it while you had it out?

7

Can you please post images of both stickers?, the one on the APIM and the one on the screen.

8

20220824_155544
20220824_1555441920×4260 963 KB

9

20220824_155553
20220824_1555531920×4260 782 KB

10

UPDATE: My forscan just showed up. What can I do with it to help diagnose the issue?

1 Like
11

What adapter did you purchase? OBDLink or vLinker?

12

I got the vLinker bluetooth adapter

13

Just FYI, If you need to flash firmware you must use a USB adapter…The BT vLinker will work for the asbuilt data.

Make sure you load the drivers for the pc…the procedure is similar to the USB setup.

Updating Firmware and Initial Setup – Vgate vLinker FS in FORScan - Ford / Information - CyanLabs Official Community

Then read these tutorials…

FORScan Tutorial Links - Ford / Information - CyanLabs Official Community

1 Like
14

GA8T-14G370-CL is an old but original unit for a 2016. It is NAV 32GB. The screen is also original to that vintage APIM.

15

When you upgraded to Sync 2.2.16280, you used the Ford script autoinstall file. Did it look like this?

[SYNCGen3.0_ALL]
Item1 = HB5T-14G386-TCB
Open1 = SyncMyRide\HB5T-14G386-TCB.tar.gz
Item2 = HN1T-14G391-CC
Open2 = SyncMyRide\HN1T-14G391-CC.tar.gz
Item3 = HN1T-14G423-CA
Open3 = SyncMyRide\HN1T-14G423-CA.tar.gz
Item4 = HN1T-14G381-LG
Open4 = SyncMyRide\HN1T-14G381-LG.tar.gz
Item5 = GB5T-14G386-AA
Open5 = SyncMyRide\GB5T-14G386-AA.tar.gz
Options = Delay’AutoInstall

16

I’m not 100% sure, but I believe this is the file I used https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=!AHxq3PdupRiOQxU&cid=6301F3780584C35D&id=6301F3780584C35D!281201&parId=6301F3780584C35D!274323&action=defaultclick

After a lot of searching, I found some people saying that I needed to update to 2.2 before I could update to the latest firmware. So I found one of the help forums with a link to the 2.2 update and downloaded it from there.

17

Question: is the unit operative besides the black screen?.
Do you hear any audio?

18

The audio is working yes. The USB ports are lighting up, and the screen is turned on but it’s a black screen (the backlight is obviously working on the screen)

19

OK, that is similar enough and removes the overlay. Although, if you just use the reformat tool it does the same thing but will upgrade to Sync 3.4. Try updating to Sync 3.0.20204 to see if there is just an issue with the Sync 2.2.16280 installation. This is obviously an issue with the screen drivers.

The early Gxxx models are very temperamental.

20

Um… so the unit is operative with a black screen…
Do it seems it never got into the reformat phase…