Maintenance workshop: tips for better performance
Android phones are becoming more and more popular and sometimes Ford Sync users need to go to a service shop to get the best performance.
Sometimes Android phones just aren’t “paired” right from the start. This could distort the Bluetooth connection over time and this could result in poor performance. Just like a computer at home or in the office, the Sync owner at some point needs “maintenance” to keep their Sync system working properly.
If your sync system is not working properly, you may need to perform a “Re-Pairing” procedure (also called a “Clean Pairing”). This is a multi-step process to clear your old Bluetooth connection and re-establish a new connection.
This is a multi-step process for ongoing maintenance of your Sync hands-free system.
1. Start the “Re-Pairing” process by removing the devices from your phone:
Go to your phone Settings and turn bluetooth on
under Bluetooth settingschoose detectable, and look for “Trusted Devices”
If you see an icon or tab that says “Sync”, tap the circle icon or gear icon on the right and then tap “forget device” or “unpair device”.
Now turn off your phone completely for several minutes.
2. Continue with the “Re-Pairing” process by removing the devices from your pairing system:
Push the “phone icon” on the steering wheel, on a button on the center console (if equipped), press the “Phone” button on the MyFord system or touch the upper left corner of the MyFord Touch system.
This brings up the “phone menu” in the Sync display console.
Use the tuning knob (if equipped) or the up/down arrows to scroll through the tracks.
Anger System settingsthen press OK (on the steering wheel or on the console).
Now scroll through the menu to find bluetooth devicespress OK
Go through the menu to select remove devicespress OK
Find your phone name (or model number), press OK
The system will say “Confirm deletion,” click OK.
Go to the menu, select “Return,” click OK.
Now select “Add Bluetooth device” from the menu and press OK.
Turn on your mobile phone. Let’s fully power up.
The pairing voice will say: “Press OK to start pairing a device.” Click OK.
The sync system will display a 6-digit PIN; on most phones, this is what you’ll use. On Android based phones, go to Step 4.
3. iPhone and most phones pairing.
Go to your phone”System settings” (usually in the app with the gears, or in the “Toolbox” or “Connectivity” folder).
activate bluetooth (if not already activated).
Go to the Trusted Devices/Add Device area.
If you don’t see a “Sync” tab, then press “Search for devices.”
When you see a tab that says “Sync”, tap on it and a secondary screen will appear. Enter the 6-digit PIN displayed on the vehicle’s console. On some newer models, the Sync system will send a new number that matches the one you already received on your phone. Press Accept, Accept or Connect on your console and on the phone.
4. Android based phone pairing.
For Samsung Galaxy and other Samsung phones, for HTC, LG and other Android-based phones, please do as follows:
When you see the 6-digit PIN on the console, use the tuning knob (or up/down arrows) to select “special PIN,” click OK.
“0000” will appear on your console, now go to your phone’s system settings.
Activate Bluetooth (if it is not already activated).
Go to the Trusted Devices/Add Device area.
If you don’t see the “Sync” tab, press “Search for devices.”
When you see a tab that says “Sync,” tap it. When a secondary screen appears and enter the PIN “0000”. On some newer models, the phone will automatically accept the PIN “0000” without you having to enter it.
Press Accept, Accept or Connect on your console and on the phone.
Once your Sync system recognizes your phone, it will start asking questions like “Activate 911 Assistance?” Click OK or Yes.
5. The connection process
After entering the PIN (as described above), the Sync system will “search for your phone”.
Android-based phones can beep or sound an alarm, and you’ll be a screen on your phone momentarily.
Be sure to tap to check the box that says “Always connect.” Then press “pair” button on your phone for MAP access, PBAF access screen or other access protocol screens.
Your console will display questions, such as “Set as primary phone?“Press OK twice.
Place”911 Assistance ON“Press OK twice.
The synchronization system will ask you if you want to to download the phone book, then press OK or Yes.
During pairing, your Android phone may notify you that SYNC wants to access your messages and phone book. Choose Always Allow/Connect Y check “Yes”.
In the MyFord Touch system, a single screen with multiple questions will appear. Touch the screen to select and accept your choices.
After a few moments (sometimes up to two or three minutes), the console screen will display “Phonebook Downloaded.”
Then the screen may show “phone redial.” If so, press and hold the phone icon on the steering wheel for about five seconds and release.
The console screen should now be clear, or default back to the radio or media playing on your audio system.
Now try using the steering wheel controls to see if the system is working properly.
Make a call
Press the “Voice” button or the icon with the “mouth and sound waves” to get the tone and the voice will say “Synchronize, indicate your command.”
Say Phone and the system should respond with “Phone, please state your command.”
Then say, “Call + (a contact name and device)” from your phone’s contact list.
The Voice will respond with “Calling (your contact name and device).“
Or say, “Tick.” Then the Sync system will respond with “number please.”
In a normal tone and rhythm, say the full 10-digit phone number.
The Voice will repeat the number (and display it on the console screen).
If it’s ok, say “Dial“, after hearing the synchronization tone.
If the sync system does not respond with the correct information, press and hold the phone icon for a few seconds. Release the phone icon and press the “Voice” button again to start the process all over again.
To answer an incoming call
Give the phone icon on the steering wheel a quick nudge.
However, you can also:
On a MyFord system, you’ll see the caller ID number or name, along with the words “Accept” and “End,” on the center console display. Press the appropriate button below to Answer the call, or to “Reject” the call.
On a MyFord Touch screen, you’ll see caller ID and a box with a green phone that says “Accept” or “Answer.” Or a box with a red phone on it that says “Answer, End, or Decline.” Touch the corresponding box to answer or reject the call.
Rejected calls are sent to your phone’s voicemail.
When you’re done with a call, press and hold the phone icon on the steering wheel for about five seconds and release. Or, with the MyFord or MyFord Touch systems, you can press the “End Call” button on the console.
Troubleshooting tip:
If the sync system still doesn’t work, and if your MyFord’s touch screen doesn’t display properly, you should review this video to do a “Master Reset”.
If the Sync system still doesn’t work, then you can try this “hard reset” process.
Park your vehicle. Turn it off and remove the key from the ignition.
Open the hood. Locate the car battery. Be careful not to touch the positive and negative poles at the same time. Do not drop a metal tool through both posts. This could result in electric shock and/or fire. So be careful! Or, if you prefer, visit your Ford Dealer’s Service Department for assistance.
Use the correct size wrench (may be 8mm or 10mm), socket wrench or adjustable wrench to loosen the clamp on the black battery cable. This is the battery pole marked with the “-” (negative) sign. Just a few turns of the nut should loosen the cable clamp.
Twist and pull the entire battery cable clamp to remove it and keep it off for about five minutes.
Now replace the battery cable clamp and re-tighten the nut. Now close the hood.
Start the vehicle and let it run for at least three minutes or so. The radio may start on the AM band and the clock may have reset at noon. Please allow Sync a few minutes to “reset” before going to your vehicle’s settings and resetting the time. Simply press the FM radio buttons to return to your favorite radio channel.
In some cases, you may want to go through the entire “re-pairing” or “clean pairing” process again (the steps listed above).
