2019 software update

[Old Norm]

I just updated to SYNC version 3.4.23088 via usb using Syn3 Updater. It updated and even changed the status of my vehicle on the Ford.com site to updated.

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[Arly]

Went camping over the weekend and drive there was enough time to get the software in. Update went without any grief. Thanks for the help!!!

 

[seanellaz]

in the electronics section of the forum, there are some threads detailing how to download the file to a computer (and the places to do it), put it on a thumb drive, and load it into the truck that way. still takes a minute, but it's faster than trying to download over wifi

WAY FASTER

 

[VAMike]

Dealer QUOTE " it must be undated via Wi-fi"

many dealers have no idea what they're talking about. never put "what the dealer said" above the documentation or consensus from this forum.

 

[VAMike]

Well that is what we tried doing serveal times, ask the dealer or leave it idling in the driveway. Takes to long... to much of a hassle.

there's never any reason to leave it idling. the wifi update process will work incrementally, and download a little bit every time you park. if you have a solid wifi connection it will just magically update one day once everything's been downloaded.

if you go the usb route just do it while on a long drive. for all those who say it's quick and easy: bull$!*%. If it works, great. Sometimes it just won't. The pages and pages of "things you need to do" are largely snake oil that will waste your time. Sometimes it'll work the first time. Sometimes after changing a bunch of things it will work eventually. Sometimes it just won't work. Spend a half hour getting it going before your long drive. If it hasn't worked by then, JUST STOP WASTING YOUR TIME.

But mostly, the number one thing is to just ignore it. set up the wifi, if it updates it updates. Nothing in the update will change your life, improve your tool size, grow your hair back, etc. I seriously don't understand why so many people stress themselves out over the nothing burger that is a sync3 update.

 

[VAMike]

My truck indicates everything is up to date, however, my Ford Pass app has an ugly red exclamation mark on the update section.

so what--just ignore it. ford's update process has been broken one way or another since the ranger was reintroduced.

 

[Arly]

there's never any reason to leave it idling. the wifi update process will work incrementally, and download a little bit every time you park. if you have a solid wifi connection it will just magically update one day once everything's been downloaded.

if you go the usb route just do it while on a long drive.

but mostly, the number one thing is to just ignore it. set up the wifi, if it updates it updates. nothing in the update will change your life, improve your love life, grow your hair back, etc. I seriously don't understand why so many people stress themselves out over the nothing burger that is a sync3 update.

have screen covered with a note "need connection for update" every time I'm driving away was enought to have the screen cracked with large rock. We were not going to leave that on.

 

[pboggini]

there's never any reason to leave it idling. the wifi update process will work incrementally, and download a little bit every time you park. if you have a solid wifi connection it will just magically update one day once everything's been downloaded.

if you go the usb route just do it while on a long drive. for all those who say it's quick and easy: bull$!*%. If it works, great. Sometimes it just won't. The pages and pages of "things you need to do" are largely snake oil that will waste your time. Sometimes it'll work the first time. Sometimes after changing a bunch of things it will work eventually. Sometimes it just won't work. Spend a half hour getting it going before your long drive. If it hasn't worked by then, JUST STOP WASTING YOUR TIME.

But mostly, the number one thing is to just ignore it. set up the wifi, if it updates it updates. Nothing in the update will change your life, improve your tool size, grow your hair back, etc. I seriously don't understand why so many people stress themselves out over the nothing burger that is a sync3 update.

Not sure I stressed about it at all but I will say that the latest update that I applied back in December fixed my "Ranger Daylight Time" problem so it was a win for me. Assuming you do the unzip right (using Ford's definition of right) then the USB process is simple and easy. Not all of us have our trucks parked close enough to WiFi for that to work. Heck, even my dealer couldn't make WiFi work and blamed "Ford's Servers".

 

[VAMike]

Assuming you do the unzip right (using Ford's definition of right) then the USB process is simple and easy

Except when it isn't. I've had the USB method work, and I've had it not work. Nothing was different on my part. So if someone is having trouble there's no reason to tell them that they're doing it wrong and it should be easy because sometimes it just doesn't work.

 

[pboggini]

Except when it isn't. I've had the USB method work, and I've had it not work. Nothing was different on my part. So if someone is having trouble there's no reason to tell them that they're doing it wrong and it should be easy because sometimes it just doesn't work.

That's true of everything. And "doing it wrong is subjective". I think Ford is "doing it wrong" when they don't create a proper zip image causing more issues. Honestly, if they created a standard zip that was, you know, unzipable in all the normal means like it's been for 30+ years it would likely be fine. But, telling folks to rely on WiFi isn't going to be more reliable to many too. It certainly has never worked for me and I have symmetrical Gigabit. Another issue I've seen with USB transfers in general is that they can be flakey and sometimes if you aren't using a quality stick it will be unreliable.

For me, USB, once I followed their rules, has worked much better than WiFi.

 

[Big Blue]

Except when it isn't. I've had the USB method work, and I've had it not work. Nothing was different on my part. So if someone is having trouble there's no reason to tell them that they're doing it wrong and it should be easy because sometimes it just doesn't work.

This is why I have given up on Fords method of updating. In 3+ years I have never had the WIFI method work. And their USB method is so complicated even a computer tech person has diffiuclty getting it right.

I have the Cyan Labs app downloaded on my computer. I insert my USB drive I have for the purpose, select the version I was to upgrade to, tell it I don't have NAV and it formats my drive and downloads the correct files and puts th onto the drive correctly. I then go out and plug it into the truck and take a short drive. 15-20 minutes later I'm updated. No muss, no fuss, I'm happy. And who cares if Ford knows I updated, theyll find out eventually.

 

[Arly]

Agian, the ford version on a USB wentt right in over the weekend. Maybe they had updated it?

 

[VAMike]

That's true of everything. And "doing it wrong is subjective". I think Ford is "doing it wrong" when they don't create a proper zip image causing more issues. Honestly, if they created a standard zip that was, you know, unzipable in all the normal means like it's been for 30+ years it would likely be fine. But, telling folks to rely on WiFi isn't going to be more reliable to many too. It certainly has never worked for me and I have symmetrical Gigabit. Another issue I've seen with USB transfers in general is that they can be flakey and sometimes if you aren't using a quality stick it will be unreliable.

For me, USB, once I followed their rules, has worked much better than WiFi.

my main advice is to try everything for a few minutes, then screw it because it's not worth the time

also, the trick to wifi updates is to turn them on and then ignore them. don't do anything special, don't try to force it, don't sit in a truck idling and getting angry. just ignore it. you just might end up with a happy accident: it might take a month or more, but one day you get a notice that the update happened. still won't change your life.

 

[VAMike]

Agian, the ford version on a USB wentt right in over the weekend. Maybe they had updated it?

sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you don't. if it works, just say "ok" and then go back to not worrying about it. I'm fairly certain ford hasn't suddenly fixed all the update problems on a dead product line after all these years.

 

[Old Norm]

I'm sure there are a lot of people who think like VA Mike. But I venture the typical person who buys an EV this early in the game is a little more adventurous and tech savvy than the typical ICE driver. I'm not letting Ford off the hook for their overly complicated update process. But I actually enjoy researching problems and figuring out solutions or work arounds. I've made software changes and up dates with Forscan and SYN3-Updater. I mean, who doesn't want a Raptor splash screen in the lowly XLT? I imagine most MME owners don't give up just because something is a little complicated. Afterall, where would we be if we gave up when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?

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