SOFTWARE ISSUES ON SYNC??

[acsnowrider]

I use a USB primarily for my tunes--MP3 format, and occasionally, have had the clock gain two hours-- First thought it was "daylight saving time " adjustment, but definitely not the case--Then, came back from a two hour hike, and the audio system wouldn't recognize the USB at all--Was stuck on radio only, and the Voice Command feature also would not work--Shut down engine/remove key/open door--tried restart--audio unit came up, but displayed "double bars" in the center, and no control of system--Third time was a charm, as system came back up, and function was normal--Anyone else experiencing these issues?

 

[sgtsandman]

Mine has worked fine thus far. I have the smaller, XL sync system without the touch screen. I had to set the time myself for the time change and it has kept time just fine.

 

[acsnowrider]

Thxs!--Same system in my truck. Worked as Ford Tech, specializing in Electronics/Driveability diag, for 40 years--First impression of issue is "software"

Clock issue happened twice--reset the time back to current, and later, lost the two hours when "glitch" cleared up!! Everything else good, but the loss of the control/USB was a bit more bothersome.

 

[fastpakr]

One possibility with the time change is RDS - radio data system. I don't know what the defaults are on the newer Ford radios, but RDS can transmit time data and some radios can automatically set their clock based on that incoming time signal. A few years ago I experienced this with a JVC radio that kept switching time after I'd reset it. Every time it was a consistent amount off of the correct time and once I disabled that automatic time setting on the radio the problem went away. Apparently one of the stations I occasionally listened to was broadcasting a totally incorrect time.

 

[sgtsandman]

I’m not 100% sure but I think there was an update that was available just after I got the truck. I waited until I was able to connect with the wi-fi at the house and let it download and do the update. This was maybe a month ago. Perhaps, that is why I haven’t had an issue?

 

[acsnowrider]

Thxs!--already checked, currently, no updates available. May contact Ford, if happens again.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I had the system freeze once when I was listening to music on the flash drive I keep plugged in. I posted about it in the Loan Ranger thread.

I also had the navigation screen go white on me once and not work. Both cleared up after shutting the truck off. Those were the only incidents I had in 26,000 miles, and 6 months.

 

[adsm08]

I agree, software is at fault here.

Hold the Seek up and power buttons on the FCIM for 10 seconds to reboot the APIM.

 

[acsnowrider]

THXS!! Reboot info, very much appreciated!

 

[HenryMac]

I agree, software is at fault here.

Hold the Seek up and power buttons on the FCIM for 10 seconds to reboot the APIM.

I'm new to hi-tech Ford's (I've got a '31 and a '27). What exactly is the "Accessory Protocol Inferface Module"?

 

[adsm08]

I'm new to hi-tech Ford's (I've got a '31 and a '27). What exactly is the "Accessory Protocol Inferface Module"?

Short answer: Garbage.

Long answer: The APIM is effectively the "Sync Module". It houses all the software for the Sync system, it processes the signals from the media hub (USB, RCA/Aux jacks, and SD cards if equipped), and sends it all along to the touch screen, which is a module in it's own right. It also processes signals between the radio head unit and touch screen unit and houses the hardware for Bluetooth connectivity. They have been a huge problem from day one, in no small part owing to Microsoft writing their software.

Early ones would actually physically cook the module due to software issues, and often during software updates.