SYNC 3 “Updates Disabled” but why?

[Feldgary53]

My 2023 Lariat SYNC 3 was updated to version 3.4.23188 in March ‘24 via USB. I tried to upload the log file on Ford website as requested but there was none and got an error message “It appears there is an issue with the uploaded log file. Our team will review shortly and update your account to reflect the current version of SYNC in your vehicle. We recommend using WI-Fi updates where available for your vehicle.”
As if now there is no change in status and shows “updates disabled” and “This vehicle does not have OTA updates. Please select another vehicle or visit our SYNC updates page for more information for this vehicle.”
Dealer says all modules are updated and communicating with Ford servers. Customer Service via chat and phone was of no help. I sent a letter to Ford Corporate and no response. I’m feeling like I am blacklisted for some reason. Anyone else have a similar long term update issue?
I have seen short term issues posted but 9 months is crazy. My SYNC 3 has and always had auto updates and wifi enabled as well as connected services.

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[bbhaag]

Your GWM might me "stuck". Have you tried disconnecting the 12v battery for around 10 minutes then reconnecting to see if you can reconnect to connected services?

If your dealer is being stubborn about checking or diagnosing the issue you can purchase a 2 day FDRS license for around $50. Purchasing this license will allow you to see what updates are available for your Maverick and the last time it was able to connect to Ford servers.

EDIT: Also, I was under the impression that only Synce4 equipped vehicles were able to receive OTA updates but perhaps I am wrong.

 

[Feldgary53]

I haven’t tried disconnecting the battery yet , thanks for the tip!
Not sure what FDRS is, ForScan??
I have had a ForScan license for a few years and used it on previous Rangers but haven't used it on the Mav yet.

 

[bbhaag]

I haven’t tried disconnecting the battery yet , thanks for the tip!
Not sure what FDRS is, ForScan??
I have had a ForScan license for a few years and used it on previous Rangers but haven't used it on the Mav yet.

FDRS is not like ForScan. FDRS is Fords Diagnostic and Repair System. It is what dealers and independent shops use to perform software updates to individual modules on Ford vehicles. You create an account at https://www.motorcraftservice.com/. Then purchase the license as needed.

I might be able to check the VIN for your vehicle if you are willing to share it. If you are not comfortable sharing your VIN publicly then DM it to me and I'll see what I can do.

 

[Feldgary53]

FDRS is not like ForScan. FDRS is Fords Diagnostic and Repair System. It is what dealers and independent shops use to perform software updates to individual modules on Ford vehicles. You create an account at https://www.motorcraftservice.com/. Then purchase the license as needed.

I might be able to check the VIN for your vehicle if you are willing to share it. If you are not comfortable sharing your VIN publicly then DM it to me and I'll see what I can do.

I tried the battery disconnect route and did not notice any change. I also did a master reset of the SYNC. I know Ford takes forever to update info on the servers so who knows if anything will change.
I was on the Ford website viewing the vehicle dashboard and as always it shows "Updates Disabled" and I clicked on one of the links included "View Release Notes History" and got this message:
"Your vehicle does not feature the technology to receive the type of software updates reported here. Please reference our SYNC and Navigation page to learn about about the capability of your system and any available updates:”
My SYNC 3 received updates previously via USB and WIFI before it was updated to 3.4.23188. I was always able to check for map updates as well but no more. On my truck Automatic Updates are and have always been enabled and Connected Services are and always have been enabled.
I know that this issue is minor but is the one frustrating constant irritant I have had other than occasional FordPass notices about Battery Saver Mode which I just ignore.

 

[bbhaag]

Here is the info I was able to get regarding your VIN via FDRS. If I had to guess it might be an issue with the APIM since it throwing a DTC. Might be an issue with the low SOC on the 12V battery as well. Sometimes connected services can get a little wonky when the 12V gets to low.

The powertrain updates and DSP update would not affect connected services so it wouldn't be either of those.

Says the Sync is already at the latest rev. There has been a DTC thrown for the APIM "Private Communication Network", which I see a lot on vehicles that have XM Sirius radio subscriptions or issues with that. But that's really all I see.

PTS says this vehicle has no active subscriptions for anything. Which is entirely possible given that it's s Sync 3 system vehicle.

There's a set of powertrain updates available for his truck (hybrid stuff) and one update for the DSP. But that's it.

12V Battery was reported at only 59% SOC when the truck reported in on the 28th.

 

[colinl]

Your GWM might me "stuck". Have you tried disconnecting the 12v battery for around 10 minutes then reconnecting to see if you can reconnect to connected services?

If your dealer is being stubborn about checking or diagnosing the issue you can purchase a 2 day FDRS license for around $50. Purchasing this license will allow you to see what updates are available for your Maverick and the last time it was able to connect to Ford servers.

EDIT: Also, I was under the impression that only Synce4 equipped vehicles were able to receive OTA updates but perhaps I am wrong.

sync4/4a do not have a usb option. they are over-the-air only. my understanding is that even a dealership using FRDS updates them via wifi or cellular modem.

sync3 can be OTA or usb. there looks to be a bug or similar issue in the sync3 update right now; my truck shows the same as the OP. it might be that they're just poking at the webservers, or it might be that they're about to release an update.

even though in the Maverick only the 22-24 with B&O sound are using sync3, it's in millions of other Ford vehicles. it was the standard until 2021 when sync4 vehicles first arrived. every Ford vehicle with sync3 is currently on 3.4.23188.

 

[bbhaag]

sync4/4a do not have a usb option. they are over-the-air only. my understanding is that even a dealership using FRDS updates them via wifi or cellular modem.

sync3 can be OTA or usb. there looks to be a bug or similar issue in the sync3 update right now; my truck shows the same as the OP. it might be that they're just poking at the webservers, or it might be that they're about to release an update.

even though in the Maverick only the 22-24 with B&O sound are using sync3, it's in millions of other Ford vehicles. it was the standard until 2021 when sync4 vehicles first arrived. every Ford vehicle with sync3 is currently on 3.4.23188.

Thanks! I don't know much about Sync3(I use 4)but it sounds like the OP just needs to ride it out for now and see if Fords gets it figured out on their end correct?

 

[Nw_adventure]

Tracking- Seems on Ford.Com mine also says software updates disabled. Hmm-

 

[colinl]

Thanks! I don't know much about Sync3(I use 4)but it sounds like the OP just needs to ride it out for now and see if Fords gets it figured out on their end correct?

yep. if they release an update, they tend to do it in batches by vin so that something less than 5 million vehicles try to pull the update at once. I don't know how that timing works for OTA vs when they put it on Ford.com to be able to load it via usb thumbdrive, but I can tell you that when they do an update I am going to get it installed as soon as I can.

Android Auto sucks for me right now. Google Maps crashes often and I tried switching to Waze, and it looks like it crashes about half the time when pulling current traffic for an upcoming turn/exit. Awesome.

 

[Feldgary53]

Here is the info I was able to get regarding your VIN via FDRS. If I had to guess it might be an issue with the APIM since it throwing a DTC. Might be an issue with the low SOC on the 12V battery as well. Sometimes connected services can get a little wonky when the 12V gets to low.

The powertrain updates and DSP update would not affect connected services so it wouldn't be either of those.

Thank You!!
I appreciate your help with this. The SOC is not surprising being a hybrid that doesn’t get used every day or for long drives often. The weird thing is that whenever I get a battery saver alert I check the battery voltage and it is always above 12v.

 

[colinl]

Thank You!!
I appreciate your help with this. The SOC is not surprising being a hybrid that doesn’t get used every day or for long drives often. The weird thing is that whenever I get a battery saver alert I check the battery voltage and it is always above 12v.

that's unfortunately different. if/when they have a battery drain fix, it will require a dealership tech to use frds and connect to the obd2 port on the truck to update (reflash) the various modules in the truck. likely same for the backup camera.

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