When Sync works, it's fun and easy and cool. When it doesn't, it's infuriating.
Funny how the voice command system doesn't recognize #%$?%!
I've never had my iPod disconnect in any other car. You plug it in, you're good to go. But for some reason, when I use Sync in the Ford Focus, even though the cord doesn't come loose, Sync suddenly thinks I've disconnected my iPod. "USB" removed, it says, "Line In."
I press the media button. Sync says "Line In, please say a command."
I say, "USB."
Sync says, "Bluetooth"
I press the media button. Sync says "Line In, please say a command."
I say, "USB."
Sync, "USB." Then, nothing happens.
OK, I try again. I get a few seconds of music, then disconnect.
I press the media button. Sync says "Line In, please say a command."
You can imagine the rest.
Donna DeRosa, Managing Editor
robw64 says:
01:43 PM, 07/27/09
I'm not accusing anyone of anything, but with those water spots all over the sync logo and the surrounding plastic is it possible someone has caused some water damage to this connection?
jeepsrt says:
01:48 PM, 07/27/09
+1 robw, What's with the water spots??
wobbly_ears says:
01:49 PM, 07/27/09
@robw64
"...is it possible someone has caused some water damage to this connection?"
This is an Edmunds LT fleet vehicle. What do you think??? For all we know, someone probably took a garden hose & 'cleaned' it!
tcd223 says:
02:07 PM, 07/27/09
Everyone's cars get grimy. And I'm sure a garden hose wouldn't leave spots like that.
This happened in a 2010 mustang I ended up renting for a week while my car was in the shop. My iphone stopped working with the usb connection. I tried 3 different wires into the car's usb port and nothing. the bluetooth worked for a little while, then every 15 seconds the music would randomly cut out. Great functionality while it worked, infuriating when it didn't. Oh, and the car had a tick over 1,800 miles on it, so the car hadn't been abused at all yet.
subaru123 says:
02:09 PM, 07/27/09
Donna, nothing to do with the post but when you add a new car to the LT fleet you should have a "Guess what new car the Stig is in" and then you can see if we are good enough to guess the new car.
tarmacdaddy says:
02:16 PM, 07/27/09
the problem is not because of the waterspots, it is caused by who Sync is powered by...
carfreak8394 says:
02:44 PM, 07/27/09
Have you tried other iPods? The water spots are interesting, though.
the_big_al says:
03:17 PM, 07/27/09
hmmm... an Apple and a Microsoft product not co-operating?? That's a new one.
gregnv says:
03:48 PM, 07/27/09
Yep. Probably works flawlessly with a Zune.
vt8919 says:
04:55 PM, 07/27/09
Well, close the windows and open them again and see if that works. [/computer joke]
If you tell it to play NSync, does it get confused and say, "I'm already on"?
billt9 says:
05:27 PM, 07/27/09
dude you guys totally need to get a Zune!
g8gtnorth says:
05:49 PM, 07/27/09
Enunciate Donna.
My father had the same problem in his brand new Fusion. He has a pretty thick french accent so I told him to slow down and pronounce the words properly.
Now he won't touch the dash for anything else.
On a side note, I now understand people who say they won't buy a car without sync. It's ridiculous. I wouldn't go that far, personally, but it did get my dad out of an Acura and into a Ford.
dderosa says:
05:59 PM, 07/27/09
It usually understands me. It when it's already playing that it craps out. Maybe it doesn't like my singing. -- Donna
brn says:
07:33 PM, 07/27/09
I first thought Sync was silly, but like g8gtnorth, I keep running into people that buy Ford just for Sync.
I guess that's why I'm not in marketing.
g8gtnorth says:
08:07 PM, 07/27/09
That's odd Donna.
Granted we've only had the car for 5k km's (3k miles), but worry free so far.
Brn, for what it's worth, we got a fully loaded Sport model(AWD, big engine, leather etc...) and it's a very nice car. Sync made the move a certainty, but the car has a lot of good things going for it.
msdaisy says:
10:26 PM, 07/27/09
You should update your ipod firmware.
Most likely it's the Sync module at fault though.
You can try resetting Sync and/or updating it's firmware.
Do your USB ports work? If not it could be a hardware issue.
Is this guy's situation similar to yours?
http://www.f150online.com/forums/2009-2010-f-150/379832-sync-ipod-problems.html
http://getsatisfaction.com/ford/topics/ipod_connection_to_ford_sync_system_disconnects_itself
The symptoms you and Dan described today lead me to believe that it is.
Apparently it's a common problem with Sync.
mustangptm says:
05:53 AM, 07/28/09
@ g8gtnorth...Your Dad could set the language in french...it might understand him a lot easier and it takes no time at all to switch between languages..
brn says:
09:47 AM, 07/28/09
g8gtnorth, it sounds like a sweet ride. If I were in the market today, the Fusion would be right at the top of my list. A dressed up version like you guys got just is just that much better.
otaku says:
02:11 PM, 07/28/09
robw64, Considering how just about all of the automotive press has been, up to this point, 'figuratively' pissing all over the redesigned Focus since its debut...
Well, all I'm saying is that they may not be water spots.