USB-A vs USB-C port on the center console

[austinzone]

The maverick has two data USB ports on the center console - USB-A and a USB-C port.

I popped the bottom of the center console off to run a wire - and was partly concerned about what ford has done with the USB-A port.

Both ports have individual harnesses.

The USB-C port uses a decent sized, solid plastic connector.

The USB-A port however - when you unclip its harness - has a USB-Mini B connector. That connector apparently plugs into the USB-A port on the backside.

Now - in my world - I would never use a USB adapter when doing carplay. Ever. It reduces the effectiveness of the connection.

So for those of you with intermittent carplay performance - you might want to look for an USB-C to lightning cable instead of using the USB-A port.

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[mamboman777]

The maverick has two data USB ports on the center console - USB-A and a USB-C port.

I popped the bottom of the center console off to run a wire - and was partly concerned about what ford has done with the USB-A port.

Both ports have individual harnesses.

The USB-C port uses a decent sized, solid plastic connector.

The USB-A port however - when you unclip its harness - has a USB-Mini B connector. That connector apparently plugs into the USB-A port on the backside.

Now - in my world - I would never use a USB adapter when doing carplay. Ever. It reduces the effectiveness of the connection.

So for those of you with intermittent carplay performance - you might want to look for an USB-C to lightning cable instead of using the USB-A port.

Weird that there's an adapter in there, but I think that type of adapter is just essentially running cables; a pass through.

That said, I'm sure someone smarter will come along and support or reject this. And, if you want to get a USBC-Lightning, more power to you. Not my money. In 2 years, everything is going to be USBC, anyways.

 

[austinzone]

Here is the back of the USB media connector for reference (USB-C is the 4 pin on the left, USB-A is the USB mini B port on the right.:

USB-A port harness:

USB-C port harness:

 

[Sagara]

Weird that there's an adapter in there, but I think that type of adapter is just essentially running cables; a pass through.

That said, I'm sure someone smarter will come along and support or reject this. And, if you want to get a USBC-Lightning, more power to you. Not my money. In 2 years, everything is going to be USBC, anyways.

From a quick glance at the 'Service Manual' that seems to be the case.

The mini-B port goes to the ACM (non-SYNC) or APIM (Sync 3). One of the tests for checking if the front ports is operational for data is plugging in a USB-A to mini-USB adapter.

The 4 pin connector seems to be used for supplemental power to the media port as service data says to check the connector for 11+V. In addition to providing the necessary power for the LED surrounding the media hub.

 

[austinzone]

From a quick glance at the 'Service Manual' that seems to be the case.

The mini-B port goes to the ACM (without) or APIM (Sync 3). One of the tests for checking if the front ports is operational for data is plugging in a USB-A to mini-USB adapter.

The 4 pin connector seems to be used for supplemental power to the media port as service data says to check the connector for 11+V. In addition to providing the necessary power for the LED surrounding the media hub.

awesome appreciate the insight!

 

[nathan.wright]

From a quick glance at the 'Service Manual' that seems to be the case.

The mini-B port goes to the ACM (non-SYNC) or APIM (Sync 3). One of the tests for checking if the front ports is operational for data is plugging in a USB-A to mini-USB adapter.

The 4 pin connector seems to be used for supplemental power to the media port as service data says to check the connector for 11+V. In addition to providing the necessary power for the LED surrounding the media hub.

So, if I understand this correctly, you are saying both usb ports share the same connection (the mini-b port) and the other 4 pins are just supplemental power. Therefore, it does not matter which USB we choose to plug into?

 

[nathan.wright]

Here is the back of the USB media connector for reference (USB-C is the 4 pin on the left, USB-A is the USB mini B port on the right.:

USB-A port harness:

USB-C port harness:

When you say center console, do you mean the ones up near the front of the dash under the radio where the phone tray is, or do you mean the center console where the arm rest is and the possible USB for the rear seat?

 

[cneth]

Weird that there's an adapter in there, but I think that type of adapter is just essentially running cables; a pass through.

Exactly. There is no 'logic' or chip in USB cables, or in this adapter. It's just wires/connectors.

I am pretty sure the USB-A connector in our 2016 Escape also has this same kind of 'adapter' and it's been rock solid. (The 2016 Escape did not initially support Carplay; I had to swap out the port to one that supported USB on-the-go when they upgraded Sync3 to support CarPlay, so I had this all apart).

I don't think this is likely to be a problem. I guess we'll find out 100K miles from now!

 

[TheWizziard]

Here is the back of the USB media connector for reference (USB-C is the 4 pin on the left, USB-A is the USB mini B port on the right.:

USB-A port harness:

USB-C port harness:

So they both use a connector but the USB A used a standard USB connector and the USB C uses an non standard 4 pin connector.

The USB mini connector as a rated live of 5,000 cycles.
In most owners case it will be only connected once.

It sounds like a problem not waiting to happen.

 

[Shesmin]

Do they make a splitter to plug into the usb-c rear connector?

 

[Space]

The maverick has two data USB ports on the center console - USB-A and a USB-C port.

I popped the bottom of the center console off to run a wire - and was partly concerned about what ford has done with the USB-A port.

Both ports have individual harnesses.

The USB-C port uses a decent sized, solid plastic connector.

The USB-A port however - when you unclip its harness - has a USB-Mini B connector. That connector apparently plugs into the USB-A port on the backside.

Now - in my world - I would never use a USB adapter when doing carplay. Ever. It reduces the effectiveness of the connection.

So for those of you with intermittent carplay performance - you might want to look for an USB-C to lightning cable instead of using the USB-A port.

I have had trouble using the A USB and no problems with the C. And now I will stop trying to use the A USB. Thanks!!!

 

[DawnH]

When you say center console, do you mean the ones up near the front of the dash under the radio where the phone tray is, or do you mean the center console where the arm rest is and the possible USB for the rear seat?

Yes it is under the dash heater and to the left of the cigarette lighter.

 

[broman52]

Weird that there's an adapter in there, but I think that type of adapter is just essentially running cables; a pass through.

That said, I'm sure someone smarter will come along and support or reject this. And, if you want to get a USBC-Lightning, more power to you. Not my money. In 2 years, everything is going to be USBC, anyways.

Mini USB has less throughput than USB C, from google:
"
throughput of usb c vs mini usb





+8





The maximum throughput of USB-C ranges from 10 Gbps up to 80 Gbps (or more) depending on the specification, whereas Mini-USB tops out at 480 Mbps. USB-C is up to 160 times faster and enables advanced features like video output and rapid charging, which Mini-USB does not support."

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