Replaced microphone, quality is better

colinl · Apr 15, 2023

This is not a modification for the inexperienced and there's a decent chance you may not have a working mic, stock or replacement, when you're done. The wiring harness has very little slack and it's tiny, maybe 28awg, so it's very difficult to work with.

So far it seems to be a significant improvement but my wife commented that she wished it were a bit louder. I'm not sure if there is a gain for the mic anywhere in my phone settings. But the static is gone, she says. The factory mic is just about unusable. I've never had this issue before and I've had cars with Bluetooth mics.. 15 years? Maybe close to 20. The mic looks rather unimpressive.

$8 mic from Amazon.
https://a.co/d/5tFG8yW

It didn't seem feasible for me to remove the connector from the factory mic or disassemble the connector on the cable, but I'm sure someone could manage. If you can find the mic side connector and solder on your replacement mic that would make this much, much easier.

In the pic where I'm holding the factory mic, I'm pulling on it. That's all the wire you get to work with, good luck.

Yellow is positive and blue is negative. On your 3.5mm mic the tip is positive and the rear is negative. I didn't want to solder into that plug so I cut it off and the core is the positive. Even more tiny wires than what's on the truck.

Ford Maverick Replaced microphone, quality is better PXL_20230415_200613562

Ford Maverick Replaced microphone, quality is better PXL_20230415_221853779

Ford Maverick Replaced microphone, quality is better PXL_20230415_234754439

Ford Maverick Replaced microphone, quality is better PXL_20230415_234809572

S Fox · Apr 16, 2023

I purchased a standalone Bluetooth that clips on the sun visor. Everyone agrees the $39 Bluetooth speaker and microphone are better than the Ford unit.
It's a cheap way to have a better microphone until the Maverick's changed.

Hardening2753 · Apr 16, 2023

colinl said:
This is not a modification for the inexperienced and there's a decent chance you may not have a working mic, stock or replacement, when you're done. The wiring harness has very little slack and it's tiny, maybe 28awg, so it's very difficult to work with.

So far it seems to be a significant improvement but my wife commented that she wished it were a bit louder. I'm not sure if there is a gain for the mic anywhere in my phone settings. But the static is gone, she says. The factory mic is just about unusable. I've never had this issue before and I've had cars with Bluetooth mics.. 15 years? Maybe close to 20. The mic looks rather unimpressive.

$8 mic from Amazon.
https://a.co/d/5tFG8yW

It didn't seem feasible for me to remove the connector from the factory mic or disassemble the connector on the cable, but I'm sure someone could manage. If you can find the mic side connector and solder on your replacement mic that would make this much, much easier.

In the pic where I'm holding the factory mic, I'm pulling on it. That's all the wire you get to work with, good luck.

Yellow is positive and blue is negative. On your 3.5mm mic the tip is positive and the rear is negative. I didn't want to solder into that plug so I cut it off and the core is the positive. Even more tiny wires than what's on the truck.

How does it look with new mic?

colinl · Apr 16, 2023

S Fox said:
I purchased a standalone Bluetooth that clips on the sun visor. Everyone agrees the $39 Bluetooth speaker and microphone are better than the Ford unit.
It's a cheap way to have a better microphone until the Maverick's changed.

Can you still use wired carplay or android auto using that device?

Maverick Grabber · Apr 16, 2023

what is the difference or advantage to doing this

Deleted member 7089 · Apr 16, 2023

I'm not sure replacing a cheap mic with another cheap mic is the way to go, certainly not for all that trouble.

colinl · Apr 16, 2023

Hardening2753 said:
How does it look with new mic?

Maverick Grabber said:
what is the difference or advantage to doing this

Montevilla said:
I'm not sure replacing a cheap mic with another cheap mic is the way to go, certainly not for all that trouble.

It looks stock. Also took a pic of what it looks like inside.

It has double stick tape holding the outer edge of the mic to the clips molded into the factory cover. The original mic clips in here but there's not an easy way to do that, so it's tape. There is a black wire tie as a secondary; if the double stick tape failed, the wire tie will keep the mic from falling down away from the mounting area.

Also there's a similar but not same part for the late-model Escape microphone. I'm curious if it has the same connector. If so it could be easily swapped... But not sure if it's much better.

Regarding cheap mic look at what I installed and compare to the stock mic which is a little silver button mic. The one I picked on Amazon is highly rated and I didn't see any reason to try one that's $20-30+ unless it was Bluetooth. But I wanted this wired if possible so that I can use it the same as a stock system. Steering wheel button, integrated to Android Auto and Carplay, etc.

Ford Maverick Replaced microphone, quality is better PXL_20230416_140626404

Ford Maverick Replaced microphone, quality is better PXL_20230416_140535256~2

S Fox · Apr 16, 2023

Utilizing the secondary $39 Bluetooth unit is simple. It charges with an android charger and lasts about three weeks (I use my phone about an hour live per day) before rechanging it.
It works both with Android and Apple Car Play. You will sometimes see a screen message indicating the audio is used by another device, but it only uses the $39 unit on Phone calls. I use Waze everyday and it utilizes just the Ford speakers. I am happy with my temporary fix. You can alternate between the two devices on your call. Interesting... when you get a call waiting., you hear it via the Ford and can answer 2nd call on the Ford. When you SWAP or hang up the 1st call, the 1st call is on the standalone Bluetooth.
Now the Bluetooth is cheaper on Amazon.

Besign BK06 Bluetooth 5.0 in Car Speakerphone with Visor Clip, Wireless Car Kit for Handsfree Talking, Motion Auto On, Siri Google Assistant Support, Dual 2W Speakers https://a.co/d/i6nSZVT

$25.99

BlueSnake77 · Apr 17, 2023

I can't understand why Ford chose to put the microphone in that location. When the window is open, the air turbulence distorts the sound so that listeners on the other end have a hard time understanding you. All my other Fords had the microphone located in the center of the roof liner near the sunglass holder/map lights.

colinl · Apr 17, 2023

BlueSnake77 said:
I can't understand why Ford chose to put the microphone in that location. When the window is open, the air turbulence distorts the sound so that listeners on the other end have a hard time understanding you. All my other Fords had the microphone located in the center of the roof liner near the sunglass holder/map lights.

several people on a FB post I made stated that their microphone quality is good and that people have never complained. I am not sure if there's a good batch of mics, or something else is different about their trucks (headliner installation? who knows), or what the explanation might be.

I am sure there are many, many Mavericks on the road with very poor handsfree calling quality based on my experiences with 2 trucks, and how many have reported they have quality issues as well. one person stated it sounded like driving with a window down, but the windows are up.

CuriousGary · Apr 17, 2023

colinl said:
This is not a modification for the inexperienced and there's a decent chance you may not have a working mic, stock or replacement, when you're done. The wiring harness has very little slack and it's tiny, maybe 28awg, so it's very difficult to work with.

So far it seems to be a significant improvement but my wife commented that she wished it were a bit louder. I'm not sure if there is a gain for the mic anywhere in my phone settings. But the static is gone, she says. The factory mic is just about unusable. I've never had this issue before and I've had cars with Bluetooth mics.. 15 years? Maybe close to 20. The mic looks rather unimpressive.

$8 mic from Amazon.
https://a.co/d/5tFG8yW

It didn't seem feasible for me to remove the connector from the factory mic or disassemble the connector on the cable, but I'm sure someone could manage. If you can find the mic side connector and solder on your replacement mic that would make this much, much easier.

In the pic where I'm holding the factory mic, I'm pulling on it. That's all the wire you get to work with, good luck.

Yellow is positive and blue is negative. On your 3.5mm mic the tip is positive and the rear is negative. I didn't want to solder into that plug so I cut it off and the core is the positive. Even more tiny wires than what's on the truck.

Let sleeping dogs lie.

Chris_G · Apr 17, 2023

CuriousGary said:
Let sleeping dogs lie.

Ford Maverick Replaced microphone, quality is better 1681765238014

NJBob · Apr 18, 2023

S Fox said:
I purchased a standalone Bluetooth that clips on the sun visor. Everyone agrees the $39 Bluetooth speaker and microphone are better than the Ford unit.
It's a cheap way to have a better microphone until the Maverick's changed.

I have used many of those Clip on Bluetooth mic/speakers. They are ok when your car does not have that capability. But for me at least the one in the Mav works fine.

aspect · Apr 19, 2023

Maverick Grabber said:
what is the difference or advantage to doing this

A guy's wife on the internet says it sounds better

colinl · Apr 19, 2023

aspect said:
A guy's wife on the internet says it sounds better

As has everyone else I've called since making the change.

Replaced microphone, quality is better

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