Bought my 2018 F150 5.0 used, 40,000 mi on it now. Sometimes sync works w/ Iphone, sometimes not. Zero consistency. Sometimes black screen, sometimes system locks and cant adjust ANYTHING, cant shut off or turn on. Then while driving I hear my little trumpet and theres the system working with the Iphone. Then nothing….

My version is Sync3 ver 2.3 Ive attempted to download from my house wifi 3x, went to Owner.Ford.com followed directions to my upgrade and downloaded via PC to a memory stick 2x. My CSR at Ford said software was working properly- she checked it out during phone call. I dont even know if I have maps, sometimes it shows during success w/Iphone connectivity.
local Ford garage wants $120/hr to diagnose. They wont know if its a warranty item. What the heck is left? Could I need to replace USB ports?
can I switch USB ports in back to front to diagnose? Id rather drop $65 to out in new ports if thats all it is…….

Thanks for reading and any advice.

Frustrated in Pa.

 

I had the intermittent phone connectivity with the front USB ports. Turned out the module was bad.
Previous owner spilled what appeared to be soda into the holes.
I picked one up from Amazon. Takes like 5 minutes to swap out.

 

There are two separate issues:
1. Intermittent CarPlay. Replace USB ports and report back.

2. Your Sync 3 version. So you updated with a USB stick or not? Check your current version in the Sync settings menu and provide the full version number.

You are not sure if you have maps? Do you have a tab along the bottom that says "Navigation" ?

 

Make sure your iphone cord is a quality one and clean both ends with rubbing alcohol.

 

I use the Bluetooth connection from the Android and never have any problems ever. Never ever ever. You guys that insist on using the cord deserve what you get quite frankly.

 

Thanks all. Ive tried downloading from the memory stick twice. Both times the truck idled for over 1-1/2 hrs. per Ford. While trying to download from home wifi- full signal, 2 hrs idling one time, then Ford garage told me it could take much longer. Yeah…. I let it idle for 4 hrs trying to download I didnt open any doors or operate the lock/unlock feature on my fob. Ive read several of the threads on here and Im figuring its either the usb ports or the entire system needs replaced, probably why the garage doesnt know if any of this is covered under Ford warranty. Nothing on the window stickers says I have NAV, only Sync3. The only time I see a map symbol is when I sometimes have connectivity to my Iphone, then it only works rarely. The version keeps coming up as Sync3 ver 2.3.
Btw- Ive gone through the same issues using bluetooth as well.

Its such a great vehicle, it has a couple minor issues, like drivers door mirror adjusts in only 3 directions, it really has me frustrated.

 

You are not using Car play or Android auto. You are just playing music off of your phone. Big difference.

 

Update
Ok so I go out to truck after restarting my phone. Sync says Iphone connected. My phone says it isnt, so I connected the phone to truck thru bluetooth. Then the screen says Im connected but to use Sync apps I NEED to plug phone into USB ports. It appears to be working properly for the moment.
I appreciate all the help

 

It's almost for sure the module. Just be cautious which one you get. There are two sizes. I would pop out the existing module and grab the part number to be certain you get the proper one. I took the opportunity to upgrade to the USB-C module and upgraded to Sync 3.4 at the same time. There's a thread on here with perfect instructions on how to do the 3.4 upgrade.

 

Awesome Thanks!