I feel my son and I may have discovered part of the sync issue problem on the F-150's he is a EE and I a System Engineer. We feel the problem is low voltage to the Module where Sync is handled. If you look at the Voltage feed to this Module it is supplied through a 15 amp fuse, 18 gage wire (which is too small) and at least 7 terminations. The results of this can cause you to have voltage down to 9 volts for short periods this will damage components, scramble memory and other strange occurrences. We feel there is a resolution at hand it will be several weeks before we can get it installed and tested if things are fine we will post a drawing.

 

Following this, but my only problem with sync seems to be my old iphone doesn't like to connect. IU blame the phone as my wife's works fine.

 

Hi, bakon -

Some iPhones hold the best connection when their reverse paired.

I'll provide instructions for this process, which SYNC system is your truck equipped with? Here's a description of each one:

Support Topics: SYNC Technology | Ford.com

Jaclyn

 

As a rule it is best to have only one phone at a time programed into your sync system. To make it simple completely remove your wife's phone then make your phone the primary phone with no secondary phone. Good Luck!

 

I am primary phone and still finds hers first. No better with her removed. Not big deal, phone being replaced soon and I am taking her old one.

 

I generally have only two problems with Sync (note sarcasm font ):

- when the vehicle is started, the Sync system often (about 65%, I counted) initializes on some random AM or FM station. How hard is it to have it boot up and play the last thing played whether it's FM or Sirius/XM or USB or nothing?

- The Sync system randomly decides not to recognize my USB stick. Just whenever, it doesn't know it's there. I have to remove the stick and pick my cellphine as the play medium. Then plug the stick back in and select USB. Twice out of 6 or 7 times that didn't work and I had to pull the battery cable to "reset" Sync. What a giant PITA>

So what says EE and Systems Engineer? Is your "fix" going to fix my problems? I also hope "if things are [not] fine" you will come back & post anyway rather than leaving we hopeful and defeated hanging.

 

We feel the problem that both of us have is caused by Low Voltage and Voltage Spikes. The software should have some means of clearing itself of course Ford did not think so. Just to let you know where we are coming from if the voltage at the Sync module remains about 13 volts and you never crank the truck or turn it off the Sync module will continue to operate great ounce you have it operating. I find it hard to meet these requirements!

 

Maybe the answer is simple- an UPS just for Sync, not unlike the battery backup units for various computers at my worksite.

 

That Idea is on the table thanks! The one killer of this hole affair is the fact that the Sync System over time drains your battery just the way it is. So you have to wade Alligators to keep the battery alive.