Sync update weirdness

[07EddyB]

I decided to try to update SYNC tonight - haven't done it since we bought the Explorer two years ago.
I have WiFi in the garage so I hook up a battery tender and get to work.
Hmmm - it's already connected (I seem to vaguely recall we hooked it to the WiFi shortly after buying it) and auto updates is on. OK - check for updates. Current version is 21194_PRODUCT. I think it came with that but checking for updates results in it saying I'm up to date.
Create an account on the Ford site - check for update there and it says one is available. When I select update by WiFi it just gives me instructions on how to do that. I go through it again and it still says it's up to date. Was hoping going through the web site would push it out but that doesn't seem to be the case. Not sure why the web site says an update is available but it won't pick it up.
To top it off - at some point during this process my lights started staying on. Well - that's weird. I opened the garage door and started it hoping that would reset things but no luck. Checked the light switch - maybe I hit it with my knee? It was on the automatic setting - turned it to the off setting and nothing happened - turned it back to the automatic setting and the lights went off.
Nothing in SYNC seems to be broken so I'm just going to let it be. I'll check it occasionally and see if it updates on it's own.

Edit - I think I did accidentally hit the switch - hard to explain the sequence of events there but I no longer believe any gremlins were present.

 

[Dale5403]

I think you wold be better off updating using a flash drive from the website. I have had no luck using WiFi. What year is you Explorer? Newest SYNC is 23188

 

[07EddyB]

I think you wold be better off updating using a flash drive from the website. I have had no luck using WiFi. What year is you Explorer? Newest SYNC is 23188

Likely - but I've read the stories here on that and the extra step involved in reporting your current version back to Ford. It's something I'd do if we were having issues but we aren't so I'm not really solving any problems - just thought I'd give it a try. It's a 2022 model.
I am behind on map updates and I seem to have only one option there according to the web site - and that's using a USB drive. I'll do that at some point and see how it goes as I consider it more important than the incremental SYNC update.

 

[peterk9]

Likely - but I've read the stories here on that and the extra step involved in reporting your current version back to Ford. It's something I'd do if we were having issues but we aren't so I'm not really solving any problems - just thought I'd give it a try. It's a 2022 model.
I am behind on map updates and I seem to have only one option there according to the web site - and that's using a USB drive. I'll do that at some point and see how it goes as I consider it more important than the incremental SYNC update.

In your first post you mentioned hooking up a battery tender. Just wondering why that was done? Unlike using a USB to update SYNC, WiFi updates will happen if the vehicle is OFF. My 2020 Aviator updated SYNC and maps via WiFi. The maps took a few days since I used the vehicle during the process so the update had to pick up from where it left off.

Peter

 

[07EddyB]

I hooked up the battery tender just to make sure I didn't run the battery down while I was messing with it in accessory mode. It's the wife's vehicle and she makes mostly short runs in it so better safe than sorry.

 

[2020Explorer]

So like 07EddyB, I too am trying to do an auto system update & installed a battery tender. I was not aware that the car would do this with the power off! [I currently have it in Accessory mode] My questions/concerns:

• how do I keep the car from turning off? [this may be a moot point based on it updating with power off, but it would be nice to know]
• when it does shut off & I turn back on & go back into the Wifi setting, the vehicle is disconnected from Wifi & it does NOT remember the password I entered an hour earlier.
  

Appreciate any information you all might have.

 

[peterk9]

So like 07EddyB, I too am trying to do an auto system update & installed a battery tender. I was not aware that the car would do this with the power off! [I currently have it in Accessory mode] My questions/concerns:

• how do I keep the car from turning off? [this may be a moot point based on it updating with power off, but it would be nice to know]
• when it does shut off & I turn back on & go back into the Wifi setting, the vehicle is disconnected from Wifi & it does NOT remember the password I entered an hour earlier.

Appreciate any information you all might have.

As you discovered, updates do not require the vehicle to be ON or in accessory mode as long as you have a good WiFi signal. As for being able to leave the vehicle running, I'm not sure what length of time you are looking for. There are various time options available in the settings. Also, if the battery gets below a set threshold, the vehicle will shut off. That is also covered in the manual.
I'm not sure about your 2nd point. That doesn't seem to be normal from my experiences. Are you sure you saved the information?

Peter

 

[2020Explorer]

As you discovered, updates do not require the vehicle to be ON or in accessory mode as long as you have a good WiFi signal. As for being able to leave the vehicle running, I'm not sure what length of time you are looking for. There are various time options available in the settings. Also, if the battery gets below a set threshold, the vehicle will shut off. That is also covered in the manual.
I'm not sure about your 2nd point. That doesn't seem to be normal from my experiences. Are you sure you saved the information?

Peter

Thanks Peter. I do not recall this disconnecting from WiFi before either. What prompted me to check for updates is that the vehicle does not "remember" when we turn off the radio & the next day start the car, the radio is back on. I thought I should check for latest software version.
Dave

 

[themishmosh]

I strongly encourage you to do the update with USB. The memory issues with the previous Sync version also disrupted Ford PASS, auto update, etc. USB may be the only way.

 

[2020Explorer]

I strongly encourage you to do the update with USB. The memory issues with the previous Sync version also disrupted Ford PASS, auto update, etc. USB may be the only way.

Bummer - our only computer is my work laptop that is locked down and password-protects any thumb drive plugged in. I’ll have to download at my son’s house.
Is there a fee from Ford to download the software updates via their website?

 

[Dale5403]

The SYNC updates are free so far. The newest one is 23188. The download to a USB is the way to go.

 

[2020Explorer]

The SYNC updates are free so far. The newest one is 23188. The download to a USB is the way to go.

Per the Ford website, our Sync is running ver. 3.4.23188, so that is up to date.
I then plugged in our VIN on their site and I got this message:
Your vehicle is eligible for a SYNC® 3 Navigation Map update. Please see the available options for a one-time USB or Digital Download below. 5-year subscriptions are no longer available.
$149 to purchase a USM or $109 to download to my own stick. Wow!
I assume if I only use CarPlay/Waze, I can forget I ever saw this??

 

[Dale5403]

Per the Ford website, our Sync is running ver. 3.4.23188, so that is up to date.
I then plugged in our VIN on their site and I got this message:
Your vehicle is eligible for a SYNC® 3 Navigation Map update. Please see the available options for a one-time USB or Digital Download below. 5-year subscriptions are no longer available.
$149 to purchase a USM or $109 to download to my own stick. Wow!
I assume if I only use CarPlay/Waze, I can forget I ever saw this??

That's what i do is ignore the map update. I run Google maps for free. Car play running Waze is the same I'm sure.

 

[mikeyinokc]

You may have your system updated by now...I have recently updated my 2018 Explorer to version 3.4 using the info from this YouTube video..
There are other videos as well. I used the method for a Mac computer, looks like the method for a Windows computer is even easier.

 

[peterk9]

You may have your system updated by now...I have recently updated my 2018 Explorer to version 3.4 using the info from this YouTube video..
There are other videos as well. I used the method for a Mac computer, looks like the method for a Windows computer is even easier.

Do you have build 23188? I believe that is the current one.

Peter

 

[mikeyinokc]

You may have your system updated by now...I have recently updated my 2018 Explorer to version 3.4 using the info from this YouTube video.. There are other videos as well. I used the method for a Mac computer, looks like the method for a Windows computer is even easier.

Do you have build 23188? I believe that is the current one.

Peter

Yes, it is 23188