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Media Button stopped working

Teke

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Fishers
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2017 Fiesta
#1
So my fiancé’s sister just got a 2017 Fiesta a month ago. Last week her media button stopped working. You press the button and it goes to the sync media screen for like 1 second and then goes back to the radio. Anyone dealt with this? She said she pulled the fuse and disconnected the battery to try and reset it. I can’t seem to find anything on this issue. We can’t even get to the master reset on sync because it won’t on the sync page for more than a second. Any help is appreciated.
 

Handy Andy

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2018 Ford Fiesta SE HB
#2
That symptom, may indicate several things.

Did the USB stick get bumped - that can affect the seating and communication it has with your head unit? IF it is not seated - it can't tell the system something is there (I'm Here!)

If it's an iPhone or Android player, make sure you have the player on - the USB port can recharge, but the engine needs to be started - just can't put the key in or hit Start/Stop just to tun on ACC

Although nothing too serious as far as drivability the issue sounds more like what I call "French fry syndrome" - it's where dirt, debris or finger grease gets into the keypad and shorts out the key it's lodged by or underneath - forcing the entertainment system to "think" someone's holding a key down.

But if there is a chance that you have a stuck "ok" button key or some key on the pad both left or right side of the main volume control - just do a good cleaning with a mild soap (dawn or dishwashing type - not a lotionized or aloe based) weak solution on a simple dishwashing rag and wipe down the keypads thoroughly to try and free up the keys so you can check operation. Don't "soak" the keypad, just wipe it - and vacuum too if you have a unit that has a crevice tool or soft brush to try and pull out or reseat the keys on that pad properly. May have to repeat the process - even (no offense) body hairs and fingernails as well as the body oils, can affect the operation of the keypad - some body lotions are pretty aggressive when it comes to softening plastic.

Once that's done, also look for deformed trim around it - it may indicate a keyboard failure from physical damage onto the sunlight warping the dash keypads rendering them unusable.

If the USB port is still ok, and no physical damage to the socket - try a different USB "stick" to see if the SYNC system will try to recognize it. Although unlikely - a pulled fuse or interrupted "index" function by pulling the battery trying to attempt a reset - can damage the USB stick and if SYNC sees the "ID" and file system of the stick - it may think it's corrupted and not even try to use it. Skipping over the function and returns back to the previous one it defaulted to.

Just some ideas from a Sync user...
 
Last edited:

Vale94Esq

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Laredo
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Ford Fiesta 2016
#3
So my fiancé’s sister just got a 2017 Fiesta a month ago. Last week her media button stopped working. You press the button and it goes to the sync media screen for like 1 second and then goes back to the radio. Anyone dealt with this? She said she pulled the fuse and disconnected the battery to try and reset it. I can’t seem to find anything on this issue. We can’t even get to the master reset on sync because it won’t on the sync page for more than a second. Any help is appreciated.
Did you find a solution?
 

Handy Andy

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2018 Ford Fiesta SE HB
#4
There are other solutions, up to and including pressing a set of keys but if the SYNC unit is not powered up - like a blown fuse - it won't boot - the APIM console tries to switch over but it cannot. No communication.

Check your owners manual for there are several places that fuses are in that power SYNC or other devices SYNC uses - so if those fuses are bad, they may prevent SYNC from working to collect messages and process alerts and even control the VEHICLE SETTINGS in the APIM center console menu.

There have been upgrades to the SYNC unit especially since 2012-2013 model year, it's quite possible that the Fuse may have blown to a powered socket that SYNC shares to get power from.

So check the fuses and...
  • since there have been so many changes to the vehicles electronics, it changes the Fuse numbering
  • - it's become vehicle specific and your owners manual is the specific map to the answer on the condition and location of those fuses by number (F12 or F7 - used to be for TCS but it may mean something else in that trim line)
So it may need to have someone look at the Sync unit itself - see if it's physically damaged or the wiring to it has dislodged from the unit itself.

That SYNC unit is located under the Glovebox (USA) so that means you'll have to unfold and un-do the felt protector that covers the unit and keeps people from kicking it - possibly dislodging the wires to the unit. If your flexible and ambidextrous - you can release the felt and remove it to obtain access the SYNC unit. IT uses TORX screws to hold it to the cross-brace that is part of the front console panel. The connectors - like the USB are pinch in types (you pinch the tab to insert and remove it) or the power connector is a lift-tab and fold-tab over to pull the connector up and away - the fold over motions then lifts the arm to keep the pins on that connector straight and removes the arm so you can lift the connector straight away from it's socket and remove, by unscrewing the TORX screws, that SYNC for inspection.

Best results are done with the Sync bolted onto the cross-member - for removing the connector with all those pins can be done without damaging or bending pins. This is why it's important to inspect the unit for if the wiring to the connector is ok, is the SYNC housing damaged? You'd see this when you pull it out, but undo those wires first, keep the connectors off of it when you do remove it, in case the SYNC unit comes out in pieces (especially after an accident - the passenger may have slid into the cross-member - bending it and the SYNC unit on impact).
 


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