I purchase a brand new 2021 F150 XL. SYNC4 will not auto software updates. I tried manually setting but, the scheduled day and time clears itself at the touch screen after a few minutes. Automatic updates on Android Ford app will not set to on positions. Wifi signal is good. It displays location, tire pressure, oil life... I tried resetting by disconnecting negative cable for an hour. didn't help. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

You say you purchased a BRAND NEW 2021? I’m assuming it’s used right? It’s possible that the battery is low and it’s not allowing updates or it’s so behind on updates it may require to have to do it manually.

 

Go to the "about sync" page in your touchscreen settings under general. What Sync version do you see? It is a 5 digit number that starts with a 2.

 

Welcome to the forum. Let's see the truck.

 

I bought in 2021.

 

Software Version: is blank
Revision: Ford Motor Company
System Update lists letters,numbers and colons,and vehicle info.

 

Ooof. That's what I was afraid of. I made a thread on another forum that explain the issue (go to the first post; not sure why the link takes you to the last page on the thread):

https://www.f150gen14.com/forum/threads/if-you-own-a-2021-f150-and-youre-on-sync-20262-20301-20312-or-your-sync-version-is-blank-and-cannot-turn-on-auto-updates-this-thread-is-for-you.30652/

If you have an extended warranty the dealer would need to replace your APIM. The APIM (accessory protocal interface module) is the module that controls your touchscreen. Many early build 2021 trucks got bad software in that module that breaks the OTA and manual update process. There is a way to fix it, but it requires FDRS and a lot patience waiting for the USB update method to kick off and work. Even then, it is not 100% guaranteed to work. If you no longer have warranty, then you would either have to swap out the APIM yourself and use FDRS to program it, or use FDRS to create the USB update you need to try and get it to update. FDRS (Ford Diagnostic & Repair System) is the software that Ford dealer techs use to diagose issues and program/update modules on all newer Ford vehicles. You can use it yourself, but it requires a relatively expensive cable ($575 new or $300-$400 if you can find a used one on ebay) to use FDRS.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but without addressing the bad software in your APIM, your truck will never get updates.

 

Thank you for sharing. Do you have an idea what a dealer charge to do the update?

 

The dealer will have no idea how to fix this other than by swapping out the APIM. They don't know of the USB method. That I think was discovered by accident on the forums. Either by accident, or by one of the gurus on the other forum.

I assume a new APIM parts and labor would be at least $2k.

 

Thank you, Rudgedraw, for taking the time to respond. Got it.