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” correctly 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 needs “maintenance” from time to time to keep their Sync system working properly.

If your synchronization system is not working well, you may need to perform a “Re-Pairing” procedure (also called a “Clean Pairing”). This is a multi-step process to clear your previous 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 enabled

low Bluetooth settingschoose detectable, and look for “Trusted devices”

If you see an icon or tab that says “Sync”, tap the circular icon or gear icon on the right, and then tap “forget device” or “Unpair device”.

Now completely power off your phone 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 move through the tracks.

Gonna 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 delete 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 ignite.

The pairing voice will say: “Press OK to start pairing a device.” Click OK.

The synchronization 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. Pairing of iPhone and most phones.

Go to the one on 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 devices.”

When you see a tab that says “Sync”, tap 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. Tap OK, OK, 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.

It will show “0000” 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 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 having to enter it.

Tap OK, OK, or Connect on your console and on the phone.

Once your phone is recognized by your Sync system, 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 “look 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 the “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?“Click OK twice.

Place”911 IGNITION ASSIST“Click OK twice.

The synchronization system will ask you if you want 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 phonebook. Choose Always Allow/Connect and check “Yes”.

On 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 “mouth and sound waves” icon to get the tone and the voice will say “Synchronize, indicate your command.”

Say Phone and the system should respond with “Phone, enter 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 okay, say “Dial“, after hearing the synchronization tone.

If the synchronization 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 over.

To answer an incoming call

Give the phone icon on the steering wheel a quick nudge.

However, you can also:

In a MyFord system, you will see the caller’s name or number on the center console display, along with the words “Accept” and “Finish.” Press the appropriate button below to Answer the call, or to “Reject” the call.

On a MyFord Touch screen, you’ll see the caller ID and a box with a green phone that says “Accept” or “Answer.” Or a box with a red phone 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 are 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 timing system is still not working and if your MyFord’s touch screen is not displaying correctly, 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, do not 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 Service Department for assistance.

Use the correct size wrench (can be 8 or 10mm), socket wrench, or adjustable wrench to loosen the clamp on the black battery cable. This is the pole of the battery marked with the sign “-” (negative). Just a few turns of the nut should loosen the cable clamp.

Twist and pull the entire battery cable clamp out and keep it off for about five minutes.

Now reattach the battery cable clamp and retighten 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. Allow Sync a few minutes to “reset” before going to your vehicle’s settings and resetting the time. Just 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).