SYNC 4 does not detect USB update - FDRS APIM update won’t start (2023 Ford Ranger Platinum)

[BramG]

Hi everyone,


I’m hoping someone has experienced this before because I’m running out of ideas.


I have a 2023 Ford Ranger Platinum with SYNC 4. My current software version is:

• SYNC 4 Software Version: 23054_PRODUCT
• Revision: 751

The problem is that SYNC completely ignores every USB update I try.


Here’s what I’ve already done:

• Used several different USB sticks (USB 3.0 and USB 2.0).
• Formatted them as exFAT.
• Used the official Ford update files.
• Performed a factory reset of SYNC.
• Enabled Automatic Updates (they switch themselves off again after some time).
• Used Ford FDRS with a valid license.
• Performed the available PMI procedures successfully.
• FDRS also offers an APIM Software Update, but after creating the USB and inserting it into the vehicle, nothing happens.

What happens when I insert the USB:

• The USB LED flashes for a few seconds.
• Then the LED stays on continuously.
• SYNC never displays “Update Found” or any installation message.
• It seems to stop reading the USB after a few seconds.

There are no error messages on the screen.


Has anyone seen this before?

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[superj]

I have not but I never try anything like you are doing.

Yours is a new gen truck? 23 is an 5th gen so maybe the set up is different in that gen truck

 

[BramG]

My truck is new gen. Its a Platinum 3.0 Diesel

 

[lifeline]

When updating sync via FDRS, you go through the module update just ike you would with any other module update but it will at some point prompt you to insert a usb stick into your pc and if it likes the type of USB ( I use an old cheap one but made sure it was the minimum memory size, the first one I used was too small and it refused to download until I put a stick with sufficient memory into the pc) it will download the update to the usb and then prompt you to insert the usb to the the vehicle with the vehicle running( engine on) the update take a long time, around 30 minutes if I recall correctly. After the update is complete it will prompt you to shut the vehicle off for a certain period of time and then start it again when it will tell you the installation is complete and lastly, you confirm it was complete on the FDRS screen. The entire process took me around an hour I think. I am using FDRS with a fleet/dealer license but I dont think that should matter. I kept the obd cable connected and FDRS running throughout the entire process. All the instructions are displayed in FDRS and you must follow them exactly. I performed this on a US market 2024 RR.

 

[BramG]

When updating sync via FDRS, you go through the module update just ike you would with any other module update but it will at some point prompt you to insert a usb stick into your pc and if it likes the type of USB ( I use an old cheap one but made sure it was the minimum memory size, the first one I used was too small and it refused to download until I put a stick with sufficient memory into the pc) it will download the update to the usb and then prompt you to insert the usb to the the vehicle with the vehicle running( engine on) the update take a long time, around 30 minutes if I recall correctly. After the update is complete it will prompt you to shut the vehicle off for a certain period of time and then start it again when it will tell you the installation is complete and lastly, you confirm it was complete on the FDRS screen. The entire process took me around an hour I think. I am using FDRS with a fleet/dealer license but I dont think that should matter. I kept the obd cable connected and FDRS running throughout the entire process. All the instructions are displayed in FDRS and you must follow them exactly. I performed this on a US market 2024 RR.

Thank you for your reply. However, my problem is that SYNC doesn’t do anything when I insert my USB drive. It doesn’t display any message on the screen at all, even after 20 minutes with the engine running. My USB flash drive is 64 GB and formatted as exFAT.

 

[lifeline]

very strange. Mine initiated the process within seconds of inserting the stick. Good luck figuring this out, sorry I couldn't help.

 

[Loudpa]

IS the USB drive partition MBR or GPT? Can check in Windows under disk managment tool. Perhaps SYNC likes one and not the other.

 

[BramG]

IS the USB drive partition MBR or GPT? Can check in Windows under disk managment tool. Perhaps SYNC likes one and not the other.

The usb is MBR

 

[rugedraw]

Strange indeed. Usually if the USB update does not kick off, it will give some kind of USB error. It is possible that it could be the USB slot itself. Were you able to update any of the modules that require the USB before you got to the APIM one you are doing now, or is this the first update you do that requires the USB?

If your vehicle has both a USB and USB C slot, try using a USB drive in the other one.

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