2ND USB Port on SYNC
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
Was it an AC powered USB hub?
Some hubs can be powered by the USB port for low voltage devices but many need their own power source.
This happens with smaller laptops where people try to charge their blackberry while the laptop is on battery.
Windows will report "the usb device is currently drawing too much power..." and will shut the port down.
The older blackberry devices required the 90 watt PSU to be plugged in or the cable included had two USB type-A plugs to draw more power from the USB bus.
Now I guess it is always possible Ford has programmed into the SYNC system to only allow two active USB devices, somehow.
I would gladly test the powered hubs idea with what I have but I don't have SYNC.
Some hubs can be powered by the USB port for low voltage devices but many need their own power source.
This happens with smaller laptops where people try to charge their blackberry while the laptop is on battery.
Windows will report "the usb device is currently drawing too much power..." and will shut the port down.
The older blackberry devices required the 90 watt PSU to be plugged in or the cable included had two USB type-A plugs to draw more power from the USB bus.
Now I guess it is always possible Ford has programmed into the SYNC system to only allow two active USB devices, somehow.
I would gladly test the powered hubs idea with what I have but I don't have SYNC.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
From: Maryville (Mur Vul), TN
I too would not like wires strung all over the place. There are 2 port hubs, powered by the USB port, and they look like a thumb drive. I would be surprised if Syn did not have enough power at the USB port for it to work.
IMO
IMO
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 719
Likes: 17
Doesn't work. 
And conceivably can't work... Hubs aren't supported in Sync, and she tells you so. If it was just for powering/recharging devices, there wouldn't be an issue... but other devices that play music, Sync won't know from which port to pull the music from... remember, each drive plugged in becomes a drive. USB and USB2 could be G: and H: for example... USB is assigned to G:, and USB2 to H:, so it is a one to one relationship. A hub adds an I:, J:, K:, and L: drives, leaving no USBx designation.
The way the technology is evolving, I have no doubt hubs will be supported someday, and hopefully Ford is forward thinking enough to allow us to just affordably upgrade our Sync modules. Their easily accessible locations makes me wonder if that may be coming...
And conceivably can't work... Hubs aren't supported in Sync, and she tells you so. If it was just for powering/recharging devices, there wouldn't be an issue... but other devices that play music, Sync won't know from which port to pull the music from... remember, each drive plugged in becomes a drive. USB and USB2 could be G: and H: for example... USB is assigned to G:, and USB2 to H:, so it is a one to one relationship. A hub adds an I:, J:, K:, and L: drives, leaving no USBx designation.
The way the technology is evolving, I have no doubt hubs will be supported someday, and hopefully Ford is forward thinking enough to allow us to just affordably upgrade our Sync modules. Their easily accessible locations makes me wonder if that may be coming...
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
I tried a bunch of different solutions, and ended up ordering the Ford spare parts cable you would use to replace the port in the dash. I had to take the dremel tool to it in order to get it to fit the 2nd port on the SYNC module in behind the glovebox, but now I have a regular USB female socket inside the glovebox so I can connect my iPod, my Zune, etc. It also preserves the original in-dash USB connector for a guest, etc.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Not to derail the thread... but I've addressed the issue of wires running all over the place -- I've been streaming Pandora music via bluetooth from my phone more than I've used both of my USB ports 
I switch over to my USB ports + ipod/flash stick in areas when there's no cell coverage.
Well, it's not 100% wireless since the problem shifts to running my phone battery down...and I'm back to hooking up a
USB cable to charge it.
I switch over to my USB ports + ipod/flash stick in areas when there's no cell coverage.
Well, it's not 100% wireless since the problem shifts to running my phone battery down...and I'm back to hooking up a
USB cable to charge it.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 538
Likes: 45
From: Lansing, MI
I bought the factory usb cable from Ford. The same one that is used for the dash mounted usb port. I switched the original cable to usb port 2 and used the new cable on usb port 1. I have a flash drive plugged into port 1 and leave it in the glove box. The dash port is free for whatever device I want to use it for. Note that you will have to file down one corner of the existing cable end so it will fit into port #2.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,326
Likes: 18
From: Gilbert
Thanks for the info on the factory cable. Mine just showed up today (bought from partsguyed). I also bought a USB extension cable to run (under the carpet) to the back of the center seat/console so the kids can charge stuff as needed. I haven't decided on permanently mounting it on the lower backside of the center seat or just leaving the cable loose. I'll need something to charge my phone on longer trips when the kids are tethering laptops/tablets/etc to it so this is a good solution for me.... I hate when cables are hanging all over the place so anything I can hide out of the way is a bonus for me.
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: AUSTRALIA
I bought the factory usb cable from Ford. The same one that is used for the dash mounted usb port. I switched the original cable to usb port 2 and used the new cable on usb port 1. I have a flash drive plugged into port 1 and leave it in the glove box. The dash port is free for whatever device I want to use it for. Note that you will have to file down one corner of the existing cable end so it will fit into port #2.
Ron
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 719
Likes: 17
Any USB B male to USB female is going to work, although they are a little difficult to find. I had to use a USB B male mini to USB male, and then put a gender changer in play... Not sure what Ford is charging for that cable, but my parts cost five bucks, plus, shipping, of course.
This is the cable I got... no shaving it down required:
Amazon.com: Cables To Go 27005 USB 2.0 A to Mini-B Cable, Black (2 Meter/6.56 Feet): Electronics
Here is the gender changer (mine came in black):
Amazon.com: USB Gender Changer, A Female To Female: Electronics
I also bought this after the fact... it fit right in the slot without an issue, and no gender changer required:
Amazon.com: USB 2.0 Type A to Mini USB 5-Pin Type B Female / Male Adapter: Electronics
However, with that last piece, you still have to reach behind the glovebox to swap out cables if you're swapping out your device or plugging in a memory stick.
This is the cable I got... no shaving it down required:
Amazon.com: Cables To Go 27005 USB 2.0 A to Mini-B Cable, Black (2 Meter/6.56 Feet): Electronics
Here is the gender changer (mine came in black):
Amazon.com: USB Gender Changer, A Female To Female: Electronics
I also bought this after the fact... it fit right in the slot without an issue, and no gender changer required:
Amazon.com: USB 2.0 Type A to Mini USB 5-Pin Type B Female / Male Adapter: Electronics
However, with that last piece, you still have to reach behind the glovebox to swap out cables if you're swapping out your device or plugging in a memory stick.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: AUSTRALIA
I live in Aus and I have been trying to track this part down but with no luck so where did you buy it
Ron
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,326
Likes: 18
From: Gilbert
www.partsguyed.com, he's a sponsor here on FTE. I'm not sure if they ship to Aus though, you'd have to check.
Edit - looks like they do. From their site:
International orders do cost more and we will have to get a quote to you for any shipments overseas.
Edit - looks like they do. From their site:
International orders do cost more and we will have to get a quote to you for any shipments overseas.
Last edited by 2000silverbullet; Apr 7, 2011 at 08:58 AM. Reason: Added shipping info from their site
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 538
Likes: 45
From: Lansing, MI
Any USB B male to USB female is going to work, although they are a little difficult to find. I had to use a USB B male mini to USB male, and then put a gender changer in play... Not sure what Ford is charging for that cable, but my parts cost five bucks, plus, shipping, of course.
This is the cable I got... no shaving it down required:
Amazon.com: Cables To Go 27005 USB 2.0 A to Mini-B Cable, Black (2 Meter/6.56 Feet): Electronics
Here is the gender changer (mine came in black):
Amazon.com: USB Gender Changer, A Female To Female: Electronics
I also bought this after the fact... it fit right in the slot without an issue, and no gender changer required:
Amazon.com: USB 2.0 Type A to Mini USB 5-Pin Type B Female / Male Adapter: Electronics
However, with that last piece, you still have to reach behind the glovebox to swap out cables if you're swapping out your device or plugging in a memory stick.
This is the cable I got... no shaving it down required:
Amazon.com: Cables To Go 27005 USB 2.0 A to Mini-B Cable, Black (2 Meter/6.56 Feet): Electronics
Here is the gender changer (mine came in black):
Amazon.com: USB Gender Changer, A Female To Female: Electronics
I also bought this after the fact... it fit right in the slot without an issue, and no gender changer required:
Amazon.com: USB 2.0 Type A to Mini USB 5-Pin Type B Female / Male Adapter: Electronics
However, with that last piece, you still have to reach behind the glovebox to swap out cables if you're swapping out your device or plugging in a memory stick.
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 719
Likes: 17
I use numerous Western Digital My Book USB drives on my servers... Because I swap out drives weekly, I have a bunch of extra power supply and USB cables laying around... those USB cables do the task, also. I remembered those extra cables after I ordered the one from Amazon. Nice to have a spare... even though it is neatly tucked away in the glove box, ya never know when it may jump out and get stomped on.
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