Oh, Technology....

"JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t" (jawzx2)
07/17/2014 at 08:54 • Filed to: None

I had to reboot SYNC in my FieSTa by pulling the fuse this morning after my commute. The radio was stuck on, no response from any HVAC or ENT related buttons, not even the volume knob... I mean it IS a Windows product, so I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that it required a cold-reboot after nearly the 6 months of uptime since I installed the last software update. Still... Does anyone know if there's a "three finger salute" for SYNC so I can avoid pulling that tiny, hard to locate, hard to reach mini-fuse behind the glove box if (when) this happens again?

DISCUSSION (13)

mr_gofast > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
07/17/2014 at 08:57

http://support.ford.com/sync-technolog…

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > mr_gofast
07/17/2014 at 09:03

Oh yeah, I know about the master reset, but I've got radio perests, downloaded phone books, and 64GB of already-been-indexed-for voice control MP3s (good lord, that took HOURS and HOURS to finish!), I don't want to do a data clear, I just want to hard-power-cycle the damn thing without having pull all the crap out of my glove box and reach into the abyss to pull the fuse. I can deal with the the 30-second hard reboot, if I have wait for the stupid thing to re-index 64GB of MP3s again, I might go insane.

yamahog > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
07/17/2014 at 09:08

Now I don't feel like such a Luddite for rejecting fancy radios in my upcoming purchase.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > yamahog
07/17/2014 at 09:14

In all fairness, the much-simpler radio in my 2011 Hyundai did a similar thing, refusing to play any media files from any source (even CD) or read any USB devices. Other functions worked fine. Pull the fuse, reboot the radio, all's fine. That had no touch-screen, no voice control, nothing like that... Well, at least the Hyundai radio didn't also cause the HVAC system to stop responding, and it would still turn on and off with the power button...

yamahog > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
07/17/2014 at 09:19

Well shit.... I just want an AUX input, functioning AM/FM, and all the speakers working and I'll be fine.

jariten1781 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
07/17/2014 at 09:39

If you've got an access port it reboots sync when you flash a new map. I tried using the voice commands a grand total of one time to adjust the temperature and it caused sync to totally futz up. Reflashed and was back in business.

Giles007 > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
07/17/2014 at 11:22

Some guys have wired a button in their glovebox from the MFT fuse. Just press to reset!

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Giles007
07/17/2014 at 11:29

hmm, that might be worth considering if it acts up too regularly... an external fuse carrier, a hacked mini-fuse as a plug and I have more switches laying around than I know what to do with...

pitstop_pitowski > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
07/17/2014 at 11:42

The FoST did the same thing to me this morning. Took about half of the commute to "install updates". No idea when that came about since it is my DD and I used it last night.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
07/17/2014 at 12:02

Sync is a great system. When it works. Too bad that isn't often.

My favorite shitty Sync story is from when my father and I were driving back from Pittsburgh to South Jersey. He asked for directions, and the system got wonky and told us to make a left turn. For the next 350 miles!

I love technology.

geolemon > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
07/18/2014 at 09:23

I'd install a switch. Behind that fuse is a wire - the wire going to either leg of the fuse would be fine. Cut the wire and solder/heat shrink a same gauge wire, and install a switch or momentary button like are used with car alarm options.

Any car audio shop could do that work for you in less than an hour, and likely just charge you for the labor, because they'll be swimming in those switches in discard bins from alarms that they didn't install all the options on.

Now, if you have a problem, you can just press the button. Or if you don't want to actually mount the switch, reach up under the dash to where the switch is tied up and press what is basically a reset button.

I'm surprised cars don't come with these as it is.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > geolemon
07/18/2014 at 09:28

Oh, I'll do the work myself, if thats the route I travel. I used to work in car stereo install years ago. automotive electronics don't scare me ;)

I was just hoping there was was "soft hard" reset, like "press and hold the power button and the voice button simultaneously while turning the volume knob counter-clockwise"

geolemon > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
07/18/2014 at 09:35

Gotcha.

My thought on that is - a button would be easier when needed - but also:

If something like that existed, and was NOT in the owner's manual, that's a crime.

It might still be good to ask at the dealer though - go right back to the service desk, generally those guys are very helpful - if you asked them the very straight question of "my Sync locked up - had to pull the fuse which I don't want to have to do if it happens again - can you tell me if there's any hidden button or sequence to reset it more easily?" I bet they'd help... at least you'd get an answer to the question (my guess is no).