Audio going bonkers occasionally. (SYNC 3)

[New2AZ]

I'm not sure if this one's been addressed before, and apologies if so, but my audio has been going kinda wonky the last week or so. By wonky, I mean that I will turn on the vehicle and the stereo is at full blast but seemingly only cranking out of the front center speaker, and in a level of clarity that sounds like AM radio playing through a puddle of water. It's truly awful. (My GF opened the door and jumped out). I have never had volume up past 8 or 9 when driving, and always turn it low, if not completely off when I exit the truck. So this surprise was similar to if a ghost hopped in your truck and messed with stuff just to F___ with you!
I was able to turn down the volume, but audio quality continued to be horrible. Took a couple hard resets and about 10 minutes for things to sort out. This is a Lariat Lux and XM is all I listen to. Though while things were buggy, streaming from my phone didn't seem to make the problem go away.
It's just odd how it will randomly do this and the only cure seems to be reboots and waiting. It was fine up until maybe a week ago.

Sponsored

 

[MostlySafeBear]

I think I've read of similar (though not exactly the same) audio issues on the F-150 forum for '21 and newer F-150's, though they have Sync 4, whereas we have Sync 3.

It seems like for them, the problem was more or less isolated to a bad amplifier, but I don't know if they were physically bad, or just had bad software.

For them, they'd get in at startup, the radio would crank up to max volume and make a nasty very loud and continuous sound for minutes at a time, and be unresponsive to controls. Pulling the fuse for the amp stopped it.

 

[New2AZ]

I think I've read of similar (though not exactly the same) audio issues on the F-150 forum for '21 and newer F-150's, though they have Sync 4, whereas we have Sync 3.

It seems like for them, the problem was more or less isolated to a bad amplifier, but I don't know if they were physically bad, or just had bad software.

For them, they'd get in at startup, the radio would crank up to max volume and make a nasty very loud and continuous sound for minutes at a time, and be unresponsive to controls. Pulling the fuse for the amp stopped it.

Thanks for this! I'd guess problem is in the software, as once the oddness stops things go back to sounding fine. I'll give the fuse yank a try and see if it happens again.
It is an infrequent and random thing but unsettling for sure. Especially when you hopin your truck in the early hours of the day just to move it.

 

[MostlySafeBear]

Thanks for this! I'd guess problem is in the software, as once the oddness stops things go back to sounding fine. I'll give the fuse yank a try and see if it happens again.
It is an infrequent and random thing but unsettling for sure. Especially when you hopin your truck in the early hours of the day just to move it.

At least for the F-150 owners with this issue, they found that they needed to keep a short/low profile fuse puller in the fuse panel area (maybe secure with a piece of tape?), as the noise was incredibly distracting, and having to dig for a puller right then is the worst possible time.

Also, looking up which fuse it is ahead of time - since it seems like a known issue - might be prudent.

 

[The Weatherman]

I had an issue with mine and found that the software was way out of date compared to even my older Mav.

I got on WiFi and updated the system. Problem solved. And oh by the way the software update so fast that by the time I went from login in to selected update it was done.

 

[New2AZ]

I had an issue with mine and found that the software was way out of date compared to even my older Mav.

I got on WiFi and updated the system. Problem solved. And oh by the way the software update so fast that by the time I went from login in to selected update it was done.

Just need the truck connected to your home wifi for that right? I've only ever done the updates to my old escape with a usb stick. It was painful

 

[The Weatherman]

Yes! Plus make sure you have Auto Update selected in the Setup system.

 

[New2AZ]

I update everything (phone/watch/pad) the day the new releases come out. Why am I so bad with the vehicle?? Lol
Thank you for the responses!

 

[Ford Motor Company]

I'm not sure if this one's been addressed before, and apologies if so, but my audio has been going kinda wonky the last week or so. By wonky, I mean that I will turn on the vehicle and the stereo is at full blast but seemingly only cranking out of the front center speaker, and in a level of clarity that sounds like AM radio playing through a puddle of water. It's truly awful. (My GF opened the door and jumped out). I have never had volume up past 8 or 9 when driving, and always turn it low, if not completely off when I exit the truck. So this surprise was similar to if a ghost hopped in your truck and messed with stuff just to F___ with you!
I was able to turn down the volume, but audio quality continued to be horrible. Took a couple hard resets and about 10 minutes for things to sort out. This is a Lariat Lux and XM is all I listen to. Though while things were buggy, streaming from my phone didn't seem to make the problem go away.
It's just odd how it will randomly do this and the only cure seems to be reboots and waiting. It was fine up until maybe a week ago.

Hello! Could you privately message us with your VIN and the name and location of your Ford dealer so I can look into this audio concern for you? Thank you!

Sponsored