Sync quirks...tips and tricks?

[carymccarr]

So there’s some stuff that I’ve noticed about sync and some others picked up on by others that we could log them and if anyone has work arounds etc they could share. Seems the expedition has some sync quirks that other fords using sync don’t have too...interesting.

1) XM/mobile apps (weather etc) seem to disappear once your phone is plugged in?
2) favorites/preset list of stations can only be from a single source (as opposed to a merged favorites list)
3) the preset/favorites screen locks you into an endless loop of only 6 stations. Using the ‘next’ button only brings you to the ‘next’ station but won’t move to the ‘next screen’ when you’re on the 6th station.
4) voice search. Seems that if your phone is plugged in the ‘voice’ button wakes Siri as opposed to the sync search. Is there a way to keep Siri from being the default assistant when a phone is plugged in?

 

[aggiegrad05]

So there’s some stuff that I’ve noticed about sync and some others picked up on by others that we could log them and if anyone has work arounds etc they could share. Seems the expedition has some sync quirks that other fords using sync don’t have too...interesting.

1) XM/mobile apps (weather etc) seem to disappear once your phone is plugged in?
2) favorites/preset list of stations can only be from a single source (as opposed to a merged favorites list)
3) the preset/favorites screen locks you into an endless loop of only 6 stations. Using the ‘next’ button only brings you to the ‘next’ station but won’t move to the ‘next screen’ when you’re on the 6th station.
4) voice search. Seems that if your phone is plugged in the ‘voice’ button wakes Siri as opposed to the sync search. Is there a way to keep Siri from being the default assistant when a phone is plugged in?

On 4...if you press and hold (for several seconds) the voice button while on CarPlay, it will bring up the Sync prompt. And vice versa...if you don’t have your phone plugged in and hold the voice button for several seconds, it will bring up Siri.

 

[carymccarr]

On 4...if you press and hold (for several seconds) the voice button while on CarPlay, it will bring up the Sync prompt. And vice versa...if you don’t have your phone plugged in and hold the voice button for several seconds, it will bring up Siri.

Interesting. So a quick press brings up sync, long press Siri? Will have to try. Good info!

 

[LokiWolf]

Interesting. So a quick press brings up sync, long press Siri? Will have to try. Good info!

Or the reverse if CarPlay is active. Siri becomes default under those circumstances.


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[LokiWolf]

1)There is a setting for that. Apps while on USB, can’t remember what screen, but it is in there. Also, if CarPlay/AA is active, Sync Apps no longer are active. One or the other.


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[LokiWolf]

2/3) Are the same problem. I think I figured out what the issue is. Our new 2020 Expedition does the way you describe and it came with 3.4 from the factory. My Explorer ST with the 10 Inch does opposite, multi sources across multiple pages. I honestly think it is a FORSCAN setting but too busy tuning on the ST to dig.


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[Fozzy]

2/3) Are the same problem. I think I figured out what the issue is. Our new 2020 Expedition does the way you describe and it came with 3.4 from the factory. My Explorer ST with the 10 Inch does opposite, multi sources across multiple pages. I honestly think it is a FORSCAN setting but too busy tuning on the ST to dig.


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Does your ST have the portrait screen or landscape? I wonder if it is related to the size of the new screens. We have a new Aviator and it lets you have multiple sources on multiple pages. The Aviator screen is landscape. And it’s a rocket ship for its size. Tuning it would be to much fun.


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[LokiWolf]

Portrait. Same size as yours just different orientation.

4.23 Dragy confirmed 0-60 on a 93 Tune. Working on E50 now. SO MUCH fun!


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[Snoozdoc]

Plugging in my iphone fails intermittently. I’ve not been able to pinpoint any other variables that predispose to the failure. It’s super annoying. A web search alluded to perhaps doing a factory reset by way of the touchscreen. But I’ve tried to avoid that unless the intermittent issue issue becomes more consistent. Ideally I’d like it to happen when I have a friend shotgun who has an iphone as well. But hasn’t happened yet.

 

[AKentPhoto]

@Snoozdoc

Not to be too obvious but have you tried a different cable?

 

[Lou Hamilton]

Plugging in my iphone fails intermittently. I’ve not been able to pinpoint any other variables that predispose to the failure. It’s super annoying. A web search alluded to perhaps doing a factory reset by way of the touchscreen. But I’ve tried to avoid that unless the intermittent issue issue becomes more consistent. Ideally I’d like it to happen when I have a friend shotgun who has an iphone as well. But hasn’t happened yet.

I've come across two scenarios where CarPlay won't connect.

1.) The phone is locked when you plug it in. Bizarre, but it happens often. I now, do a quick unlock before I plug it in and it connects no issue.

2.) I've noticed this issue more lately when I first get in to drive. I am thinking it has something to do with the battery level. Once the car runs for a few minutes, CarPlay boots right up although the phone has been sitting there connected and not touched the entire time.

I thought it was the OEM versus aftermarket cables, but that doesn't matter. The cable in the Expy lives there and is only 6 inches. I plug in my phone, put it in the cubby, and use the SYNC screen to control everything else. Never really need to pick up the phone.

 

[Gumby]

I've come across two scenarios where CarPlay won't connect.

1.) The phone is locked when you plug it in. Bizarre, but it happens often. I now, do a quick unlock before I plug it in and it connects no issue.

2.) I've noticed this issue more lately when I first get in to drive. I am thinking it has something to do with the battery level. Once the car runs for a few minutes, CarPlay boots right up although the phone has been sitting there connected and not touched the entire time.

I thought it was the OEM versus aftermarket cables, but that doesn't matter. The cable in the Expy lives there and is only 6 inches. I plug in my phone, put it in the cubby, and use the SYNC screen to control everything else. Never really need to pick up the phone.

On #2, I get this as well. I connect my phone (via Apple cord) and it is not responsive for a minute or two then CarPlay kicks in. I previously was using a knock off cable and thought maybe that was the issue so went with an OE one and get the same. Not a huge deal, but a minor annoyance.

 

[Snoozdoc]

It’s a fair question.
But yes, many. And cleaned out the iphone’s charging port as well. Usually when this happens, as soon as I get to where I’m going, I plug in the phone and it charges up fine. One thing I haven’t tried, but will, is to try a non-Sync3 USB in the vehicle when the Sync3 hub fails. That would be quite revealing.

 

[wakeboarder]

I have had carplay connection issues twice in the past 6 months. It worked reliably again after a master reset of my sync.

 

[carymccarr]

1)There is a setting for that. Apps while on USB, can’t remember what screen, but it is in there. Also, if CarPlay/AA is active, Sync Apps no longer are active. One or the other.


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So I can’t have my iPhone plugged in AND have the XM weather map/app up on the screen?

That can’t be right. Why would they disable a native weather app just because you have a phone plugged in?

 

[carymccarr]

On 4...if you press and hold (for several seconds) the voice button while on CarPlay, it will bring up the Sync prompt. And vice versa...if you don’t have your phone plugged in and hold the voice button for several seconds, it will bring up Siri.

Pressing and holding the sync button on the steering wheel still only brings up Siri for me. Quick press does the same. If I unplug phone then sync comes up when pressed.

 

[aggiegrad05]

Pressing and holding the sync button on the steering wheel still only brings up Siri for me. Quick press does the same. If I unplug phone then sync comes up when pressed.

Maybe it's a version thing? Or maybe mine is glitchy and not supposed to work this way, ha!

If I have my iphone plugged in (CarPlay is active), a short press wakes up Siri and a long press gets me Sync.

If I have nothing plugged in (no CarPlay), a short press gets me Sync and a long press wakes up Siri (although it does take a long time).

Although I don't ever want to talk to Sync so this is only useful if I dont have my phone plugged in and need to talk to Siri.

 

[carymccarr]

Maybe it's a version thing? Or maybe mine is glitchy and not supposed to work this way, ha!

If I have my iphone plugged in (CarPlay is active), a short press wakes up Siri and a long press gets me Sync.

If I have nothing plugged in (no CarPlay), a short press gets me Sync and a long press wakes up Siri (although it does take a long time).

Although I don't ever want to talk to Sync so this is only useful if I dont have my phone plugged in and need to talk to Siri.

Yeah sync isn’t of any real use to me just trying to figure everything out. Thanks

 

[LokiWolf]

So I can’t have my iPhone plugged in AND have the XM weather map/app up on the screen?

That can’t be right. Why would they disable a native weather app just because you have a phone plugged in?

XM Weather is not using your phone, so it works. The apps like Accuweather, and Pandora will not work via Sync when CarPlay/AA is active. You can have your phone plugged in with out Carplay/AA being active by disabling that particular phone in the CP/AA heading under settings. Then the Sync based phone apps will work, if you have the use apps over USB turned on.

 

[carymccarr]

XM Weather is not using your phone, so it works. The apps like Accuweather, and Pandora will not work via Sync when CarPlay/AA is active. You can have your phone plugged in with out Carplay/AA being active by disabling that particular phone in the CP/AA heading under settings. Then the Sync based phone apps will work, if you have the use apps over USB turned on.

So carplay has to be completely disabled in settings to view the weather app? You can’t just pop out of carplay and check the weather?