Old Version of Sync 3 is not Working well

Lincoln says my version of Sync 3 is the latest and up to date. However, it is Version 3.0, build 17302 from 2014, yet when I login with my VIN to Lincoln it says I am up to date. When I go to update, it always says the previous scan was incomplete and try again later. There are later versions on line, but whether they are compatible with my vehicle, I would not know. I am familiar with Forscan and that process to change programming, etc. I have never been able to update anything in terms of the original Sync 3.0

LINCOLN IS NO HELP, THE DEALERSHIP IS NO HELP, YET I FEEL THIS IS PROBLEMATIC.

For example, if I use Waze while navigating, the speed displayed is 10-12 MPH higher than my true speed - nonsense like this that is apparently a function of outdated SYNC 3.

Thanks for any help you can give me. Mike Reisman (480) 694-4808

What do you get when you put your VIN into:
https://www.lincoln.com/support/sync-maps-updates/

As old as that build is you’re more than likely going to need to go to 2.2.x before trying to go to current.
Its not terribly surprising that the dealership can’t assist you on this, they are limited to whatever info is in Oasis.

Not sure where you get 2014 at. 17302 is from 302 days into 2017. Ford dealership will be no help because that is the latest one that Ford intended for your VIN. Going to a dealership and complaining you don’t have a new version will get you nowhere.

As far as updating SYNC past what Ford intended, well here you are, and this has nothing to do with Forscan.

I had already done that, and attached is that screen it shows.

Maybe I am mistaken, but this seems like just an excuse to do nothing, saying that the version from 2014 is the current one. Just don’t believe it, so that is why I am reaching out the community to see what you all know.

Thanks so much, Mike
Lincoln Sync 3 Version Screen

These are the screens from my vehicle + the version when I go on line with my VIN.

The 2014 was shown on the one screen - so my mistake there - just reading what was on the screen.

The dealership nor Lincoln are any help.

I only mentioned Forscan, because I have it and know how to use it for some other programming I did - like getting rid of a horn honk double tap that was a problem. It may provide ZERO help for this, and I mentioned it only in case there was some ability to program any of this with that - may be all BS and provide no assistance or applicability in this case.

My gut feeling is this Lincoln is nice, but over-
Lincoln Sync 3 Version Screen


engineered and it is the tech stuff that is always acting up. So I don’t know what I have. I never had this happen with any Lexus or Infinity that I owned.

I thought it was weird on a highway trip that when using Waze, my speed was 70 MPH, but the app said I was going 82, yet the app is updated regularly, the SYNC is not, and on line multiple people said it was the SYNC that was the culprit.

So here I am, not an expert like you, just saying what I observed and seeking some help. My apologies for the poor quality of my posting, but if you or anyone else can point me in the right direction and offer any solutions, I would be most appreciative.

Sincerely, Mike

What you’re running into is the deprecation of Sync 3.0 & Sync 3.4, both have hit end of life and are close to their probable end of support date.
Ford has shutdown a lot of the update tracking portion of the site in March for anything that came with a 3.0.x build (eg 2018MY which came with 2.2.x still show) since they have moved to Sync4. This is a bit like trying to get old Windows 7 patches out of Microsoft, support if any is based on what is currently running.
The other reason that you may not be offered something higher is that something in the car is not compatible with a higher build.

You can use the updater to get to the last (and probably final) released build of 3.0.x, that would be 3.0.23129

What’s the speedometer shows is what the PCM sees.
The speed in Waze/Google Maps/Sygic with some devices is driven by the accelerometer/GPS in the phone, not by Sync3.
Unplug the phone from Sync3, what speed does it show then?

You are great to help me and I am even happy to pay you for your assistance.

My cell is (480) 694-4808 too.

So do I download the updater and just go with the latest 3.0.23129? I don’t have to worry about that being brand or model specific - just get it and trust it?

Then how to I install it - put it on a USB stick and proceed normally or anything special?

In my model if I unplug the phone from the USB port (which is the only way the apps on it can connect, because my model was all wired, not wireless for those apps), then the speed wouldn’t even show on the screen, just the speedometer, since the app won’t display.

Thanks, Mike

Let me correct myself, you’re not going to be able to do that via the updater as that is built around going to 3.4.x
You’re going to have to hand create a USB, there’s plenty of info for this on here.
Here’s the app

And I would do the voices separately once you get the app installed, someone here can correct me if this is the wrong version for a 2019 native Sync 3.0 NAV.

If the app running just on your phone, not connected to Sync3 shows the wrong speed on your phone then the issue is with your phone or the version of the app.

If it is still incorrect with Waze, what does it show with Google Maps?

The updater will let you pick ANY level between the start level and the maximum level compatible with your unit.

That’s incorrect.
The updater will let you pick pretty much any current level, but when it comes to doing the lowest version update you’re limited to is 3.3.19052 which in this case requires a reformat as he’s on 3.0.x
The updater will not get him to 3.0.23219

“built around going to 3.4.x”

Incorrect, you can go to any intermediate level.

I’m not sure what’s being discussed here (or why even), but Warlock is right: the idea behind Syn3updater is primarily going to 3.4.x, the only non 3.4 build available in the updater is 3.3.19052.
19 out of 20 available builds are 3.4.x… so yeah, it’s built around going to 3.4.x…

Can a user get any intermediate 3.4?, sure… but it’s still 3.4.x as Warlock said.

Sorry, I was away for a few days because of the network problems with Verizon.

It shows correctly in Google Maps, but does not in Waze. I just went and double checked again.

So maybe I shouldn’t do anything to Sync 3 and leave it alone, but if it were your vehicle, you would upgrade to a later version of SYNC,
is that correct?

Given the comments from others with some disagreement of what version the updater goes to or not, as a novice with this, I need to make informed decisions on what to do to best maintain the most complete functionality of my vehicle.

  1. Am I best just living with what I have?
  2. I am not lazy, and certainly willing to perform the necessary steps to upgrade, but can you, probably warlock12118, since you seem to be the most experienced about all this, guide me through an exact sequence of what to download, and then what to do in the correct order?
  3. The last thing I want to do is screw this all up and create problems.

Thanks very much to all of you, and looking to do what you would do were this your own vehicle.

Most appreciated. Sincerely, Mike Reisman, Scottsdale, AZ

If it shows correctly with Google Maps, then its not a Sync3 issue, its a Waze issue with either the version on your phone, a setting for the app on your phone or the phone make/model.

Using an example of what I’ve run into when I had a OnePlus (which runs their customized build of Android) I had issues with Mitsubishi(s) when I had them as rentals, AA would disconnect at random and with Sync3 it would misbehave if I wasn’t using a true OnePlus cord.

One other question, if I upgrade my Sync 3, will Lincoln or the dealership have a problem with that and will there be potential repercussions from them, like accusing me of tampering with it, invalidating my extended warranty, or some other abusive nonsense? I know you cannot say exactly what they will or won’t do, but just trying to be as prepared as possible for any arguments or roadblocks from them.

The only thing that will happen if your APIM goes bad is that they will replace it with an APIM at the same level Lincoln currently shows for you.