Synch 3 Wifi update

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

NorthGeorgia

Full Access Members
Joined
Oct 10, 2017
Posts
109
Reaction score
21
Location
United States
I just did the 2.3 update with some hesitation. It was not until today that I saw this thread about it....wished I had seen this first. But......even tho the install did not go the way it was described at the web site it seems to be OK? One does not need to have the engine running during the install. The web site had a video showing how to do the install and the instructions on it were slightly different than what was written/noted in the web page about the install. The video noted one did not have to have the engine running. I was apprehensive about the number of folks in this thread that have experienced problems. But, it appears I may be one of the lucky ones. Touch screen works fine, Voice works fine, Maps work fine; I just hope I have not missed anything to check/double check? Did not have to reconnect the phone, all lights and presets are as they were. Guess I am lucky?? Did no hard reboots either?but maybe I should? I'm showing 2.3 on my screen and Ford site says that's what I have too.....
 

East-TN

Full Access Members
Air Force
Joined
Jan 4, 2018
Posts
533
Reaction score
269
Location
TN
I know this thread is over a month old, but thought I would bump it with my experience.

No thumb drive required to update from 2.0 to 2.3, I used the Wi-Fi update feature and it worked fine. As mentioned by others, you don't have to have the engine running and you don't have to stay in the Expy for the update to complete. Once update starts you can leave the Wi-Fi area and the update will continue when it reconnects...be patient, it may take a couple of days if you are moving to/fro a Wi-Fi area. I did mine in my driveway and it took 20 minutes.
 

LokiWolf

Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Apr 2, 2016
Posts
3,971
Reaction score
2,837
Location
Richmond VA
I know this thread is over a month old, but thought I would bump it with my experience.

No thumb drive required to update from 2.0 to 2.3, I used the Wi-Fi update feature and it worked fine. As mentioned by others, you don't have to have the engine running and you don't have to stay in the Expy for the update to complete. Once update starts you can leave the Wi-Fi area and the update will continue when it reconnects...be patient, it may take a couple of days if you are moving to/fro a Wi-Fi area. I did mine in my driveway and it took 20 minutes.

Nice to hear. I have heard of several people on different other Fords that have gone from 2.2 to 2.3 via wireless, and a few like you that have gone from 2.0 to 2.2 or 2.3. Based on the data I saw mine(Edge) pull from 2.2 to 2.3 it is an incremental. As in it pulls a much smaller update to only change what it needs to, vs the download to USB which is MUCH larger.

What I have not heard or seen is the update from a 1.0/1.1 to anything 2.0 or above via WiFi. I think the update is too large and the earlier versions lack the refinement/bug fixes to allow it to work properly.
 

jrc50

Full Access Members
Joined
Aug 28, 2017
Posts
82
Reaction score
21
Location
Mobile, Al.
My dealer experience was it took them close to 2 hours with their laptop hooked to vehicle, so a complete upgrade from 2.2 to 2.3 for a non dealer tech likely will be at least that time, a lot more than that likely, or worse an incomplete transfer and SYNC disfunction. It should not be but till Ford simplifies their process and updates their websites to at least an internet standard for download to USB flash drive it will remain awkward. Hopefully they will not have to upgrade the SYNC 3 systems to SYNC 4 in the 2019's to do this.
And this is with Ford trying to hang their hat on being a mostly electric and self driving vehicle company in several years.....Something miniscule like this upgrade should be a 5 minute flash drive process today or their self driving vehicles will not make it out of the driveway!
 

LokiWolf

Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Apr 2, 2016
Posts
3,971
Reaction score
2,837
Location
Richmond VA
My dealer experience was it took them close to 2 hours with their laptop hooked to vehicle, so a complete upgrade from 2.2 to 2.3 for a non dealer tech likely will be at least that time, a lot more than that likely, or worse an incomplete transfer and SYNC disfunction. It should not be but till Ford simplifies their process and updates their websites to at least an internet standard for download to USB flash drive it will remain awkward. Hopefully they will not have to upgrade the SYNC 3 systems to SYNC 4 in the 2019's to do this.
And this is with Ford trying to hang their hat on being a mostly electric and self driving vehicle company in several years.....Something miniscule like this upgrade should be a 5 minute flash drive process today or their self driving vehicles will not make it out of the driveway!

I am sorry, but the Techs were one or multiple of the below:

1). Inexperienced with the update.
2). Not Trained
3). Idiots
4). Their internet connection was lacking

A combo of 1, 2, and 4 is probably the most likely scenario. Doing the update via Ford’s diva system from what I heard is in no way intuitive. The USB or WiFi process is supposedly better.

I have done it many times, and in general after a reboot, I have not had any issues.
 

LokiWolf

Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Apr 2, 2016
Posts
3,971
Reaction score
2,837
Location
Richmond VA
Will be interesting to see how the rev to 3.0 goes. I’m guessing a USB drive update for sure.

That is what I am thinking. It is the update I have had the most trouble with yet. Now the copy I have is preproduction, so I am sure that is part of it!
 

Bigbadbull

Full Access Members
Joined
May 16, 2017
Posts
58
Reaction score
6
Location
Hoover Al
yeah I had some issues with the car play adapter, and the tech reflashed it in like 5`10 minutes 2-3x while diagnosing it.
turned out it was a bad cable to the car play which shorted out.
So both got replaced.
 

outsideDad

Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2018
Posts
5
Reaction score
3
Location
US
Hi new here. Just wanted say I did the sync v2.3 update using a flash drive
On my 2016 EL limited. Then swapped the USB hub. Glad to say Everything went smoothly. I used a 2.0 32gb flash drive and downloaded the update from the ford owner site. I was a little nervous with the stories of uncompleted updates.
But glad I found this forum and this thread gave me the confidence to tackle this and anything that arose. Just got my truck in September and love it n

Sent from my TM785M3 using Tapatalk
 

mossback

2017 Limited EL
Joined
Oct 9, 2017
Posts
359
Reaction score
176
Location
WA state
Guys, the Sync3 v3.0 update is now available. I'll be installing this first thing tomorrow morning and look forward to seeing what's new.

S3.png
 

ExpeditionAndy

Full Access Members
Joined
Aug 31, 2013
Posts
3,708
Reaction score
1,130
Location
Fort Wayne, Indiana
This one is supposed to have Waze integrated, or at least support for iOS versions of Waze.

What's included in this update?

JR3T-14G381-AL SYNC3 v3.0


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.
 

bobmbx

Full Access Members
Joined
Jun 11, 2017
Posts
1,200
Reaction score
627
Location
Virginia
Hmmm...already on the 2nd attempt to install. The Sync system isn't recognizing the thumb drive. Its never easy, is it?

Edit: We've connected...."Software Update In Progress"
 
Last edited:

mossback

2017 Limited EL
Joined
Oct 9, 2017
Posts
359
Reaction score
176
Location
WA state
There are some pretty specific requirements for this update. I believe they call out a 32GB USB drive. And other things like waiting a full five minutes with the vehicle switched off before restarting. Worth a look at the installation notes if you haven’t already.
 

bobmbx

Full Access Members
Joined
Jun 11, 2017
Posts
1,200
Reaction score
627
Location
Virginia
There are some pretty specific requirements for this update. I believe they call out a 32GB USB drive. And other things like waiting a full five minutes with the vehicle switched off before restarting. Worth a look at the installation notes if you haven’t already.
Seems like it took an extraordinarily long time to find the thumb drive, but after about 3-4 minutes of nothing, the "update in progress" message popped up. I seem to recall when updating to 2.2 it found the thumbdrive nearly instantly. I think I stopped on the first attempt before it connected.
 
Top