Synch 3 Wifi update

[chuck s]

Got 2.3 installed but unable to tell Ford I got it installed as the file they want me to send shows it's on "fakedrive" or something similar.

Installation in the car took less than 20 minutes. Download to my PC took much longer. Would be nice if there was a map update!

Not sure why Ford wants a 32G USB drive as the file is transfer file is less than 2GB.

-- Chuck

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Got 2.3 installed but unable to tell Ford I got it installed as the file they want me to send shows it's on "fakedrive" or something similar.

Installation in the car took less than 20 minutes. Download to my PC took much longer. Would be nice if there was a map update!

Not sure why Ford wants a 32G USB drive as the file is transfer file is less than 2GB.

-- Chuck

Chuck,

I used a 16 gig flash drive for mine, it took an hour to do it and stupid me pulled out the flash drive before it wrote the XML file. I may try to do it again tomorrow.

Did you notice any differences?

 

[LokiWolf]

I got it done in the Edge, but it won’t finish in the Expy. Too cold to spend time sitting in the drive way. I haven’t noticed any glaring differences so far.

The instructions(32GB) are based off a full update of the OS. It uses the flash drive for swap space. On the non-nav Sync 3 units it is more of an issue as they have VERY little empty storage space. This time, based on the file size it is a partial. I have done previous updates with an 8GB. Most of the time I use one of my older 16GB, and that is what I am using this time.

 

[mossback]

Got 2.3 installed but unable to tell Ford I got it installed as the file they want me to send shows it's on "fakedrive" or something similar.

Installation in the car took less than 20 minutes. Download to my PC took much longer. Would be nice if there was a map update!

Not sure why Ford wants a 32G USB drive as the file is transfer file is less than 2GB.

-- Chuck

I noticed the same odd "fakedrive" file path. Very odd.

I commend Ford for having an update workflow and helping us to keep the vehicle systems up to date. But the process seems a little rough around the edges. Things like the "fakedrive" path, the lack of any kind of progress indicator- it would be nice to get that stuff taken care of.

nick

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

I noticed the same odd "fakedrive" file path. Very odd.

I commend Ford for having an update workflow and helping us to keep the vehicle systems up to date. But the process seems a little rough around the edges. Things like the "fakedrive" path, the lack of any kind of progress indicator- it would be nice to get that stuff taken care of.

nick

I wonder if that fakedrive path is a temp file that hasn't been erased after the update.

 

[mossback]

Andy, I wish I had a screen grab of that page. It wasn't a file name but rather a directory path that should have shown where the XML file is located, but it was wrong. In other words:

- when the update in the vehicle finishes successfully it writes the XML file so that you can go back to your computer and upload it to the Ford server
- but when I attempted to do so, by selecting the file on the USB stick, the upload box on the Ford web site showed something like: C:/fakedrive/6678678689xxx1006.xml
- the C:/fakedrive was totally wrong, and nothing I did would change it.
- even if I copied the file to the desktop, or some other folder and then navigated to it, the Ford web page still showed the fakedrive path.

So in my case, I was never able to upload it. But in the vehicle, when I checked for any updates over WiFi, there was a small one which it installed. I say it was a small update because it downloaded and installed it quickly. And then, after that, the Ford Owners site indicated that I had the latest Sync version and updated the last confirmed date, etc.

Just kind of a strange upgrade altogether.

nick

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Nick, it almost sounds like the file was on the system in the truck and the update was the upload of the file to the Ford system.

It's just a thought.

 

[mossback]

Interesting- that could be.

 

[LokiWolf]

If you do the update check, it will contact Ford, and do the same thing the file accomplishes. I never do the file step, just Check update and then good to go.

 

[powerboatr]

the fake file seems to hang, then if you select the load, it came back on my owner login page as uploaded and complete. even when the fake file stayed on the web page. it reset my ambient lighting to orange ?

 

[LokiWolf]

the fake file seems to hang, then if you select the load, it came back on my owner login page as uploaded and complete. even when the fake file stayed on the web page. it reset my ambient lighting to orange ?

These updates always reset my dash dimmer to default, and my ambient light to off. I have to select a color.

 

[chuck s]

Will check the dimmer and ambient lights but there was no startling difference last night (I did the update in the morning). The cup holders (the only "ambient light I recall) are properly red.

The on-line instructions specify the engine should be running and how I did mine. I used a USP thingie with a big red light on it. It flashed for a while, then when I went back out it was not illuminated and there was a "upgrade completed" (or similar) on the display. Shut off and restarted.

JL1T-14G381-AJ
This software release is the latest update in our continued efforts to improve system performance, device connectivity, and the overall SYNC experience.

This software contains all previous enhancements, so there is no need to install any other updates. The installation of this update will take up to 60 minutes to complete. DO NOT remove your USB drive or turn off your vehicle. You must wait until Installation Complete is displayed on the center screen before removing your drive or turning your vehicle off.

While the update is loading, SYNC will not recognize your mobile phone or media device. Be sure your vehicle engine is running (not in accessory mode) throughout the entire installation process. Although your vehicle must be in park when you initiate the installation process, once the download process has begun, you may drive your vehicle.

When I re-entered the Ford update site it noted I had version 2.3 in the car so the update confirmation happened somehow. The car is connected to my home wife/internet.

Date Confirmed: Nov 11, 2017
Version: SYNC3 v2.3

Is there a list of what changes/improvements are in this version?

-- Chuck

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

Will check the dimmer and ambient lights but there was no startling difference last night (I did the update in the morning). The cup holders (the only "ambient light I recall) are properly red.

The on-line instructions specify the engine should be running and how I did mine. I used a USP thingie with a big red light on it. It flashed for a while, then when I went back out it was not illuminated and there was a "upgrade completed" (or similar) on the display. Shut off and restarted.



When I re-entered the Ford update site it noted I had version 2.3 in the car so the update confirmation happened somehow. The car is connected to my home wife/internet.



Is there a list of what changes/improvements are in this version?

-- Chuck

Chuck,

I haven't been able to find a list yet of the changes.

 

[mossback]

Just a guess, but I'm thinking the lack of any release notes means this version is bug fixes and other little improvements.

 

[LokiWolf]

Chuck,

I haven't been able to find a list yet of the changes.

My sources are telling me that one of the Major reasons for the update was to fix the KRAK WiFi vulnerability, but I haven’t seen it in writing from Ford.

 

[ExpeditionAndy]

My sources are telling me that one of the Major reasons for the update was to fix the KRAK WiFi vulnerability, but I haven’t seen it in writing from Ford.

Not to show my ignorance but what is the KRAK WiFi vulnerability? I haven't heard anything about that.

 

[LokiWolf]

Not to show my ignorance but what is the KRAK WiFi vulnerability? I haven't heard anything about that.

Sorry Andy.

Here is a good article to explain:

https://www.pcworld.com/article/3233308/security/krack-wi-fi-security-flaw-faq-tips.html

This is what I do for a living and sometimes I forget that.

 

[bobmbx]

Here's something interesting. A few minutes ago, I went to the store. When I started the truck in my driveway, Sync 3 flashed a message at the top of the screen that said "Performing System Update" or something similar. As I backed down the driveway, the message went away. When I returned, it showed up again.

I'm assuming its downloading a WiFi update from my home network, although Ford says they aren't doing Wi-Fi updates anymore. My current version is 2.2. I'll check to see if it updates itself to 2.3.

 

[powerboatr]

its not the sync update via wifi. there was a push last week as i got the update message, and then of course ambient lights a full speed, it was like a refresh or some weird normal small file.
the big one this week takes a while to load up
i spent the hr, opening and closing the sun roof, the rear vent windows and rear windows as these pretty much sit unused

 

[Michael McC]

I just followed the instructions on this thread and on Ford website. I had a similar experience to one other. Here's what happened. (I have a 2016 King Ranch delivered 4/16 with Sync 1.0.)

1. Purchased PNY 2.0 32GB Flash drive from Best Buy for $7.99.
2. Formatted flash drive to EXFAT using the erase feature on disk utility.
3. Downloaded file from Ford.com and followed instructions to put on flash drive.
4. Ensured my Sync is connected to home wifi (not sure if this matters).
5. Started car. Did hard reset on Sync by holding down fast forward and power for 6 seconds.
6. Plugged flash drive into usb hub in console.
7. Left car running for 30 minutes...System Updating at top of screen...checked 30' later...System Updating...Checked 30' later...System Updating.
8. Sequence of events is fuzzy after this, but I removed the disk, did two hard resets in a row, checked version...still 1.0. Got frustrated. Asked my son who is home from his job at Google to look over my shoulder...we noticed a difference in what Ford showed as an example of downloaded files on their instructions for download page and what was on my disk. Ford shows 2 files and one folder. First file is autoinstall.list. Second is install.list. Then there is the SyncMyRide folder. In my case the second file is called DONT INDX.MSA, not install.list, and that file has zero bytes.

Frustrated, I went back out to the car because an earlier poster had a similar experience and found later that his install actually worked. Lo and behold, I have version 2.3 now. All my previously connected phones are listed. Not sure what the heck is going on. No file on the USB to send to Ford.

My son's comment: Aren't you glad all these companies are doing their own software work instead of hiring professionals?

Moral of the story: Plug in the usb, let it run for an hour, then go about your day. Don't worry about what the screen says. Check later to see if it installed.