Questions about Sync3

Ford Discussion
1

Can Anyone PLEASE help as I am lost!!

Hi Everyone, First time posting here so go easy on me-When it comes to updating firmware of things I AM no dummy as I have open source RC radios I update all the time, HOWEVER when it comes to SYNC I AM no pro, and cannot find answers to a few questions I have about the system and updating it.

Anyway, I have a 2022 Torneo Custom with 8" screen, Non-Nav APIM and my van was imported to NZ direct from Ford UK brand new, so as soon as it arrived in NZ I had to get Ford to change the Region as the clock was always wrong etc.

Anyway they changed the Region to ANZ - Awesome, fixed the annoying clock time issue plus they also updated SYNC (Apparently) to 2.4.21194 at the same time. Awesome!

I recently got a letter from Ford advising me that I had to take it in for a recall task to be performed (Changing the vehicle modem so that it no longer detects 3G cell phone network, only 4G or above. At the same time it was there I made them aware that I had been notified by email that there was a SYNC update too that needed doing for months (3.4.23188 i think it is-latest one). Anyway I downloaded the file direct from Ford as per the instructions on the website to update SYNC from USB Several months ago and it would not accept the update no matter how many times I tried, Hence I told them at Ford it still needed doing and could they do it please since they were going to have it hooked up to carry out the recall.

When I got the vehicle back they had not updated SYNC, only the required Modem firmware recall had been done, and when I asked why they did not do it it sounds like they had the same issue as me, as the service tech said he could not get it to update under any circumstances regardless of which of the Ford USB sticks he tried, so I have a few Questions from the more experienced members in this area as I am not a firmware/software guy, I AM a Mechanical/Design Engineer and I can’t find anything like a “SYNC updating ( and possible issues encountered complete with fixes) for dummies” style blog:

NON NAV UNIT FITTED TO VEHICLE OK:

1)Why can I not update SYNC to latest version without the update failing (including having the dealer ultimately having the same problem when they tried to update it also)?

  1. Is there really any benefit to update from 3.4.21194 or should I just leave it as it is, even though I AM noticing issues with interaction with certain apps in carplay

3)What is Gracenote, and is it necessary, as I have read about people uninstalling it to get an update to work then re-installing it later

  1. Anybody have any idea why my battery goes flat To the point it is almost impossible to start the engine if I haven’t run the engine for a week (This is actually worse since the modem update, Before that I only had issues if I left the vehicle unlocked on the drive for a couple of days without driving it (Which I found out after extensive research is due to all the systems left active if you don’t lock the vehicle including the LED interior light power module, APIM, bluetooth, The vehicle trying to find the key etc etc-I also discovered at the same time the “Smart Alternator” Fitted to the vehicle only charges the batteries to 80% unless you turn off the auto start/stop Before you start the engine-This switches the alternator to act like a traditional one and charge the batteries to 100% just FYI).

  2. How do you REALLY 100% deactivate the DSP feature in the SYNC system because even if i select OFF it still adjusts the sound and tries to equalise the volume of the low/mid/high ranges of the music playing ? SURELY WE CAN SHUT IT OFF?? If so, HOW??

I do have “FORSCAN” and also the required OBD cable as I have used the cable on my Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo (pre-Sync, aussie/nz market vehicle only) with Diagnostic software for that vehicle for 17 years.

Thanks to anyone/everyone for reading this, and for any help/advice/knowledge they can share with me. Am still looking into how to use FORSCAN best and what i can do with it, but meanwhile if i can fix the SYNC issues it would be a big help.

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You should know that updating the Sync software is not updating firmware. You should also know that it is not called Firmware for Ford but is known as Calibrations.

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Thanks for the “terminology correction”, firmware/software/operating system/program, whatever you (anyone in particular) out there want to call it I am just after some help if anyone can lend some advice. In the case of my RC Radio the “operating system that is updated with new features” is called “firmware” because it is written to ROM not RAM, hence why I also used the term here. End of the day I AM just after some help if anyone can assist? God I hate new technology in cars/vans/SUV’s etc, this thing has to be started up once a week or the battery drops to barely enough to spin the engine 1/2 a turn when I try to start it! I left the thing unlocked too on my driveway for the weekend (all doors closed) and within 36 hours it had the same issue!!! Found out the problem, and how the “Smart” alternator/generator/whatever-thing that charges the batteries (different people call it different things) only charges the batteries to 80% charge unless you disable it using the “secret button press Ford don’t tell you in the owners manual that comes with the vehicle”! ANYWAY, if anyone can help I would greatly appreciate it👍

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Sync is actually an app, its not firmware, the underlying OS on the APIM is Blackberry QNX Auto.
The dealer should be able to get you to 3.4.23188 using FDRS instead of simply plugging in a USB for that (they have to do that as well), here in NA there a CSP program for this.
GraceNotes is a album art database, its used when you use a USB with FLAC, mp3, etc on it if you don’t have a jpg of the album cover art on the USB.

Did you follow the instructions for the update, good quality USB drive formatted as exFAT and nothing at all plugged into the other USB port? The update from 3.4.21194 to 3.4.23188 should take about 40 minutes due to the size of the voice files and number of languages supported (NA market is faster because the number of supported voices is smaller and yes you need to use the update for your region).

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Hi Warlock, thanks heaps for the very helpful Reply it is much appreciated!!

I have to go in to see the dealer anyway as they had the computer hooked up to the van to update the Modem hence I asked them to do the sink update at the same time, I can’t believe they didn’t just do it using the computer when they had it plugged in which is exactly what they did when they changed the region for me (Used their computer they hook into the OBD port), I guess some people don’t have much common sense I mean why would you use the computer to update the modem then unplug it and try to update The entertainment system using what is a more primitive way of doing it by comparison??

Something else I would like to find out if you’re able to answer Is regarding The DSP/Sound levelling or whatever you call it - there’s nothing more annoying then having this thing equalising each of the sound channels to maintain the overall volume I guess and prevent the base being dominant for example-I can apparently set it to high medium low or off, And I can tell you now “Off” Definitely doesn’t turn it off, And as somebody who likes my music loud there’s nothing worse than Having the baseline taken out of your music and your eardrums pierced by the tweeters Thanks to this wondrous system that I can’t seem to turn off! My Ford falcon turbo has the same system in it but it is obviously not running any version of SYNC Being unique to Australia/New Zealand market and made in 2005, However when I turn it off in the falcon it really does turn it off-Not like the transit/Torneo Custom. Any ideas?? Thanks again for your help👍

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Sorry I also forgot to mention that yes I made sure nothing else was plugged into Either of the USB ports that will hook into SYNC When I was trying to update it, I must admit I can’t remember if I turned off the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi on my phone I know I did on the vehicle I just can’t remember if I did on my phone just to be sure. As for the USB stick itself yes I used the very good quality 2tb one Formatted as Directed and I downloaded the update direct from the Ford website I can’t remember what the error was it kept throwing up I’ll have to try it again then I can be a bit more specific with What the problem is and give you an actual error code which might help in diagnosing why it is refusing to let me update it. It gets a bit confusing reading these forums sometimes because I’ve read a post somewhere about having to Rollback the software to an older version than what I currently have installed to be able to update it to where I want it to be but like I said I don’t know much about the system as it is very new to me I only got the vehicle last year. Overall very happy with the system would just like to update it if I can-Which brings me to another question, Is there actually any benefit to Updating it I.E.does it address any major issues or give me new features etc or is it just a case of fixing known bugs that may occur or have occurred for a certain build In certain countries?

Again many thanks for your help it is very much appreciatedđź‘Ť

9

You can’t really turn the DSP off, the minimum you’ll get to is whatever Ford has the sound profile set to in the firmware.

The issue with not being able to upgrade due to space is largely an issue the started with 3.4.22251 where the RW data partition would fill due to logs not being auto deleted, this is resolved in 3.4.21388.

3.4.23188 has updated drivers (eg BT) some bugs fixes in it and updated voices, the other rock stable build if you don’t want to update that far is 3.4.21265.

1 Like
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Thanks dude for your very detailed and concise answer I really appreciate it that’s answered pretty much everything I wanted to know so I could get my head around everything, So a huge thanks for that.

As for updating I’ve downloaded the firmware file again From Ford onto my computer and I have put it on the USB in exactly the manner they told me to do Word for Word, So that’s going to be interesting to see what that does if it Works or not. I also put my Van data into The Cyanlabs Software and generated the same update on another USB identical to the other one with the OEM update on it to see if that one will work if the genuine Ford download doesn’t work again. I will be sure to get the actual error message this time so I can share a bit more info with What exactly the system is saying when trying to update it and it fails. I have not seen Ford yet but if it needs to be done using the manufacturers system they hook in via OBD I will be asking why they haven’t done it because they’ve charged me in the latest Service for In the computer even though it was part of the recall to update the modem software-I haven’t complained about it yet but I’m going to especially if they couldn’t update SYNC Yet they were able to do that In fact they openly admitted trying to use USB to update SYNC so yes I’m probably going to be having words with them.

Thanks for everything I really appreciate it you’ve answered all of the queries I had about what my issue is and how to fix it so let’s see if I can get somewhere with Ford or with my USB sticks!! :+1:

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Hi mate okay see what you make of this:

I Downloaded the update from The Ford website and put it on one USB. When I tried to install it I got MEM_ERRO1.

I also put the very same version update but using the Syncupdater on my PC To download it and put it on A different USB, When I tried to install it The install tender to run for about 3 to 5 minutes before returning MEM_ERR03

So I’m guessing the only option is Ford need to hook it up to a laptop via OBD and do it that way, Or I just leave it on 3.4.21194 And leave it like that?? Any suggestions? As usual I would like to Say thanks In advance if you can share any light on things.

Cheers

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Ok so I found this…any ideas??

I have also Emailed the Ford NZ Electrical system guru who changed the Region from UK to AU/NZ when I first got it as nobody at the dealership seemed to know how to do it!! Hopefully he can help, but in the meantime as I asked before, got any suggestions??

Thanks mate, I AM truly Grateful for all your advice and knowledge sharing.

Cheers

IMG_4461
IMG_44611290Ă—271 81.4 KB

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  1. have you tried running the interrogator utility against this car?
  2. Have you tried doing a full format (not a quick) of the USB as exFAT so that all of the bad blocks on the USB are de-allocated?
  3. Are you using any type of USB adapter?
  4. have you tried performing a master reset?
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Q1) No i have not…YET.

Q2) yes I did that to both USB cards 2x before using them.

Q3) no, just plugging the USB straight into the usb port.

Q4) have done that a number of times because interestingly I cannot get the “Fordpass” app to. Work either and bind to the car. I have not tried a master reset immediately before trying to update though if thats what you mean-should I??

Cheers

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FordPass has nothing to do with Sync, its all about getting the TCU to register.
All Sync does is provide an interface to accept a registration request and reset the TCU.

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I will give it one more shot this afternoon as I’ve got to go out this morning for a couple of hours when I get back I will do a master reset and then see if it will take the update. If it doesn’t I might just leave it and live with it until I hear back from the Ford Guru here in Auckland who came down specially to change the region on my vehicle. He also did the backend changes in the Ford dealer network so that they know that Vin number is in this Country etc. Short of doing that I don’t know what else to do like I said I might just have to live with it stuck on the version it’s on, Although I have noticed with a couple of apps It is slow to respond since the apps updated on my phone so I may even have to begrudgingly go back to using The native music player on my iPhone! Cheers

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Hi there, sorry for the delay coming back to you, been a bit busy here-apologies in advance for a bit of a long post but I want to give you as much info as I can so that you or anyone else can shed some light on the way forward ok.

Ok, so Yesterday I ran the interrogator log and also removed gracenotes,I have also spoke with the programming expert at Ford NZ again about my issue as he has worked on my van, long story short he says I will need to buy a new APIM that is Region specific from Ford, then update SYNC from there at a cost of about US$1k just for the APIM!! Let me explain very briefly history of the Vehicle too ok so things make sense in the logfile before I post the log file ok.

  1. Vehicle is 2022 Torneo Custom imported new by me from Ford UK thats been converted from factory to be a mobility van (I’m disabled you see, spinal injury), and Ford NZ at the time wouldn’t bring one in for me so I had to get it myself which annoys me because now they tell me it’s a “Grey” Import meaning they won’t warranty anything, Even though they know it’s brand-new!

  2. The vehicle arrived from the UK with SYNC 3.4 NON NAV on it but was set up for the UK, so the clock was always wrong, and a few other annoying things were always off due to the Van thinking it was still in the UK when it wasn’t, so I asked Ford NZ After looking on here if they would change the region code in the APIM for me and set it up up so it was no longer configured for the UK but for AU/NZ instead, hence their Senior programming guy came an hour down country to see me Specially to set it up. I don’t know exactly what he changed but when he had finished the clock was correct and all of the NZ radio stations set up in the system instead of the UK ones so :+1:

  3. the Vehicle was purchased BRAND NEW with NON-NAV APIM as I have apple carplay for maps, but as you will see from the Interrogator it is actually a 16gb APIM…with Map partitions for some reason!!

I removed Gracenotes as it was EU version plus i thought it might help with update to latest SYNC NON NAV version, but no, it still wont update!

So having told you all of that you know the situation thus far and why it may (Or may not-Remember I don’t know what the guy from Ford changed other than the region code) Still have UK software/firmware/Application packages (Whatever you wanna call it).

LOG DETAILS:

IMG_4690
IMG_46902193Ă—1645 501 KB

IMG_4693
IMG_46932193Ă—1645 711 KB

IMG_4692
IMG_46922193Ă—1645 670 KB

IMG_4691
IMG_46912193Ă—1645 706 KB

IMG_4694
IMG_46944032Ă—3024 1.71 MB

So Following this I guess I have a couple of questions:

  1. Is it possible to get rid of the map data and/or partitions taking up space on the unit that shouldn’t even be there? My suspicion is when it was serviced recently and I asked them to update SYNC At the same time they were doing a recall update on The modem/TMU/whatever you call it Because of The 3G cell phone network being switched off here. Apparently they tried a number of different USB sticks to update SYNC to the latest version but kept failing, Hence that maybe how the map partitions got on the APIM?

  2. I noticed it has a couple of different voice files on it with one significantly bigger than the other-I would imagine one of them is due to The same reason the unit appears to have a map partition or two-so can one be removed and if so which one, or am I better to remove both if its possible, then just install regional NON NAV voice package with the update?

  3. Short of cough up some money to Ford (Which I think is the easiest solution for them to sort the whole thing out from their perspective, whilst also making a few thousand bucks at the same time), has anyone got any Ideas with regard to sorting my APIM properly so SYNC is correct NON NAV version and I no longer have Map partitions or voices i don’t need taking up space, given everything I have read says the one thing I need to do to fix it (Reformat and reinstall SYNC on the APIM) I cannot do because its newer than 2020?

Thanks in advance for your help anyone that spends a bit of time going over it with me-If the worst comes to the worst I will just leave it as it is because at least it’s working which is the main thing at the end of the day, But it would be nice to have the latest update on there.

One day in the future I would like to hook it up to FORscan And make a couple Of small changes to the configuration of the Van, Namely deactivate the auto start/stop feature permanently, and make a permanent change to the flash screen when SYNC starts up/shuts down, but thats for another day.

Cheers

J

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  1. the map directory is part of the APIM OS (Blackberry QNX Auto) file structure, not SYNC3 (which is an APP running on it)
  2. Someone else can chime in about the potential to change the firmware to xxxx-14G375-C_ (ROW no NAV) from xxxx-14G375-A_ (EU no NAV).
1 Like