Is your Android-based smartphone acting up on a Ford Sync hands-free system? Then you might need this "workshop" in your vehicle to get the system working better.
Many Ford vehicles have the Microsoft Sync system installed for hands-free infotainment access. The system works well with most phones. However, if some phones - especially Android-based and Blackberry phones - are "paired" incorrectly, then they might not work well or they might not work at all.
Android based cell phones require a different "pairing process".
For those who have already paired your phone, then consider doing a "Clean pairing." This means going to the Phone Menu (displayed on the LED screen in the center console or on the Touch Screen navigation window). Select System Settings, Bluetooth Devices, Delete Device. Select your phone, and then push the OK button on steering wheel or dash to delete it. Then go to the phone, to its Settings folder, Bluetooth Settings, Connected Devices, and then "delete" the phone.
As an added measure, turn your vehicle off, and raise the hood. Then loosen and pull the black battery cable clamp assembly off the battery post for about a minute. Then replace it and retighten it. Close your hood and return to the vehicle. Turn it on. Let it run for about 5 minutes. Then turn the vehicle off, and open the door to make sure everything is powered down. Then restart the vehicle. This completes the initial part of the "Clean Pairing" process.
Here are instructions to "Pair" a phone for the first time, or to continue the "Clean Pairing" process. Turn on your vehicle. Turn on your radio. Be sure your phone is turned on. Now go to the Phone Menu on your vehicle's center console. Select System Settings, then Bluetooth Devices, then Add Bluetooth Device, then push OK to begin pairing and the system will come back with a 6-digit PIN. For those of you with the LED screen on your center console, turn the tuning knob until it says Special PIN, hit OK, and it usually comes up with "0000" (or the alternate"1234"). Then go to your phone, to the Settings, turn Bluetooth on. Set the phone in Discovery Mode. Go to Add New Devices and push Add Device. When it recognizes the Sync system, it may initially say something like "Handsfree device." Wait until it shows "Sync." Then tap the Sync button on the phone. Usually, after a few seconds, it will come back and prompt you to enter the PIN number. Enter the "0000" (or the "1234" number) and then push Pair on the phone. For those with the Touch Screen NAV system, you have to use the 6-digit PIN. Some Android smartphones assume the PIN is "0000" and enters those numbers automatically.
Be sure to watch, some Android phones come back with a sub-menu that asks you if you want to keep the Bluetooth "Always On" -- tell it OK. The Sync system will then ask if you want to make this the Primary Phone, push OK on the steering wheel or console. Tell it OK on the 911 Assist. When it asks to Download Phonebook, now you can push OK, and OK again, and it will download the phone contacts.
The 6-digit PIN sometimes gets an Android phone confused so the Phonebook does not download completely, or at all. The 6-digit PIN works fine with the Apple iPhone. Using the 4-digit PIN corrects that and it seems to hold the Bluetooth signals better so it doesn't drop calls or shift back into Privacy Mode.
Another thing to do is to register an account on Ford's SyncMyRide website. This site is a resource for all Sync users and has a wealth of resource information and videos. Check to see if there is a software upgrade - you can download them from the website. A common problem with outdated Sync software is to have the system randomly switch to Privacy Mode. Or sometimes if it seems the vehicle's microphone cannot "hear you," then it is usually due to old software that needs to be updated. Also, about once a week, be sure to power down your phone. Then restart it. Also, check to see if the firmware on your phone is current.
Vince Hennigan is a certified Sync Specialist for Ford. In-vehicle technologies are expanding every day. Sometimes you may need to do some research, so visit my blog at http://www.fordtechlane.com/. Questions? Contact me at fordtechlane@gmail.com
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