2019 Fusion Hybrid SEL Sync 3 Additional Climate Controls blank

[Wickedcoddah]

So my fusion recently updated itself to the newest version of sync3.  When it did that the button I used to use to adjust the climate controls when I was in apple carplay mode disappeared.  Does anyone else have this issue and is there a fix or work around?  its just takes more clicks to get to the climate controls which I feel is a driving safety issue.  Less focused on the road when trying to adjust the climate...  

 

Edited October 19, 2020 by Wickedcoddah

[Wickedcoddah]

just realized I left out some important information, haha.  This is a dash button but the menu that it brings up is empty.  Used to pretty much be the whole climate controls page.  

[CTDave]

I have the same issue on my 2019. Anyone get resolution?

[CTDave]

I have the same issue with my 2019. Any resolution?

[Always Ford]

I have a 2017 Fusion Hybrid.  Fantastic car, performance, fuel economy, handling, but with arrival of cold weather, I discovered that climate controls are not functioning properly.  Warm air only flows when the temp is set on High.  Cold air flows even at a setting of 84 degrees or lower.  Is this a programming issue with the computer or something more organic?

[Cobra348]

When car is running, try accessing Climate Controls from the Sync main screen.  From there, you should have a Menu button in the upper left.  Hit that and this screen should appear with a couple buttons for the Max Air and Max Defrost.  At least my '20 has them ... and my CC dash controls are same as yours.

 

If no buttons this way then I'm thinking you may wanna go see wht a dealer might say.  Sounds almost like a borked Sync update.

Edited December 20, 2020 by Cobra348

[Electriffic]

Sounds like a bad thermocouple. It's an $8 part that is easily accessible and replaceable. I noticed my outside temperature no longer displayed on my 2015 energi titanium, even after checking the Sync settings to make sure it was set to display. Other fusion owners report the same problem you experienced...it is due to the computer receiving bad outside temp data. I replaced my thermocouple (basically a thermometer) tonight and I can see the outside temp. Unlike most thermocouple failures my outside temp display didn't give bad data, it gave no data, and my climate control continued to work normally. It's possible I misdiagnosed my problem, but it does work now and only cost $8. Good luck and may it be an easy fix. 

[Sky14FFH]

On 10/16/2020 at 11:55 AM, Wickedcoddah said:

So my fusion recently updated itself to the newest version of sync3

How did it update itself? Kinda like how teslas use the cellular service to update? That's creepy IMHO and I sure wouldn't like to have sync 3.  I've been considering disconnecting the satelite radio antenna because I am somewhat concerned it is tracking where I am going considering I got mail from businesses whose parking lots I stopped in but never visited. 

[Sky14FFH]

On 12/14/2020 at 8:03 AM, Always Ford said:

I have a 2017 Fusion Hybrid.  Fantastic car, performance, fuel economy, handling, but with arrival of cold weather, I discovered that climate controls are not functioning properly.  Warm air only flows when the temp is set on High.  Cold air flows even at a setting of 84 degrees or lower.  Is this a programming issue with the computer or something more organic?

It's "organic" or rather a design defect of Ford's.  The grills are too large and the engine never gets up to proper operating temperature if temperatures are below 20 degrees out, even with grill blocks on.  I'm going to seal the sides of my grill blocks with packing tape since there is some gappage to see if that improves it.

[Waldo]

5 hours ago, Sky14FFH said:

How did it update itself? Kinda like how teslas use the cellular service to update? That's creepy IMHO and I sure wouldn't like to have sync 3.  I've been considering disconnecting the satelite radio antenna because I am somewhat concerned it is tracking where I am going considering I got mail from businesses whose parking lots I stopped in but never visited. 

 

That's a ridiculous theory.  The Satellite antenna doesn't have any location capability in it, and even if it did, it doesn't have any way of communicating that data back to anybody.  Only the newest Fusions (and the older Energis) have a modem, and on those you can easily select not to send any data back to the "cloud", so your privacy is 100% ensured.

[Sky14FFH]

4 hours ago, Waldo said:

That's a ridiculous theory.  The Satellite antenna doesn't have any location capability in it, and even if it did, it doesn't have any way of communicating that data back to anybody.

Yeah so "ridiculous" a "theory."
Techdirt Tue, Jan 17th 2017 Law Enforcement Has Been Using OnStar, SiriusXM, To Eavesdrop, Track Car Locations For More Than 15 Years

 

arstechnica -  January 8, 2020 - The majority of new model cars, from all automaker groups, now have some kind of onboard connectivity platform available to buyers. Those platforms—such as BMW's iDrive, Volkswagen's Car-Net, Ford's Sync, and General Motors' OnStar—have similar language disclosing the potential sharing of location data in their terms of service or privacy policies.
After things start as an interest to "Law Enforcement", contracts and agreements are gradually made to the point where they become of an interest to advertisers and other private parties - which is probably why I got mail from two different businesses, I have never gotten mail from before, within a week or two of stopping in their parking lot one to do a U-turn and the other for something else.

 

4 hours ago, Waldo said:

Only the newest Fusions (and the older Energis) have a modem

Do you even know what a modem is?  So does that answer my question?  You are downloading updates via the cellular network?  Like I said extremely creepy Pollyanna.
 

I read the compass uses GPS to determine what direction you're facing in and maybe the EV+ uses it too.  I take different routes home sometimes and even when I take an original one the EV+ kicks in when my proximity as-the-bird-flies to home is close but not my actual driving distance.

 

Quote

so your privacy is 100% ensured.

Extremely naive.  90% of what people "ensure" you about they go against and if the capability is there it will be abused.

Forbes - Microsoft Admits Windows 10 Automatic Spying Cannot Be Stopped.

Windows 10 Is Still “Spying” on Users Warns Security Analyst and Microsoft MVP

C|net - Microsoft says humans could be listening to your Skype calls
Cybersecurity Insiders - Microsoft is officially listening to the Skype calls of its customers
Skype [owned by Microsoft] is Spy Campaign

Microsoft Contractors Are Listening to Some Skype Calls

Eavesdropping Warning Issued To Millions of Skype And Cortana Users

Even if Ford is no longer partnered with Microsoft through SYNC it doesn't mean the capability isn't still there.

 

Edited January 30, 2021 by Sky14FFH

[Waldo]

In the context of the automotive world, a modem / telematics unit is something that allows 2-way communication with a vehicle.  If you're still talking about a 2014 FFH, you don't have a modem and thus your car has no physical way of sending any signals back to anybody.  Yes the GPS remembers where you live so that EV+ works, yes the Sirius can send signals to the vehicle to update software (not through the cell network) and you can even choose to connect the vehicle to your local wifi to download Sync updates at which point it might send some very simple data back to Ford to confirm updates (and again, only when you have manually connected to your wifi network), but that does not make it possible for anyone to send you advertising based on where you have been.  If anyone sent you something based on your location, they got that through your phone and not your car.  The only way somebody could get your GPS history from your car would be to physically connect through the OBD port.

 

Now on the newer Fords that do have a modem, it certainly is possible for them to sell your location data to advertisers.  In fact they've even been quite up front about that possibility but have made it very clear that if you don't want that, you can turn it off.  Ford is positioning itself to be the "most trusted" company so they are taking great care to ensure the privacy of their customers.  Companies are just like people, there are some you can trust and others you can't.  Just because something is possible doesn't mean it will happen.

[Sky14FFH]

That's quite a reversal from...

On 1/30/2021 at 12:21 PM, Waldo said:

That's a ridiculous theory. 

Seems like you're trying to 'splain here.  You must work for Ford.   I don't use a mobile phone in the car.

 

Why the resistance to removing the satellite antenna or whatever it is that tracks us?  I'm just not that interested in participating and shouldn't be forced to.

 

Another thing that made me suspicious once is the behavior of a Sirius representative when I phoned them because they kept sending me mail.  I asked them to take my address off their list.  They refused.  So I asked them just to enter a false address.  Then the guy exclaimed "that's fraud!"  How the f is it fraud if I am not paying you, you're not paying me nor doing business with you? What's fraud is you stealing my personal information and keeping it without my consent.  Why are they refusing to delete my car/vin/address/etc. from their accounts?  That's suspicious. I want NOTHING to do with Sync, Sirius and may even someday take the ford badging off my car.  I am NOT a billboard and once I buy something outright, it's mine, not yours and once you have failed to honor the warranty we have no amicable relationship with one another.  Period.  I drive my cars till they are dead, really dead so they'll never be sold to anyone else, so that's not an excuse either.  

7 hours ago, Waldo said:

Just because something is possible doesn't mean it will happen.

 

Because something is possible means it can happen and most likely in a world where most of the businesses can't be trusted means it is more likely to happen than not.  First it will get laughed at (ie. that ridiculous), then it will get denied (your above 'splaining), then it will be met with violent resistance and then it will be accepted as self evident, then it will get prosecuted.

Edited February 1, 2021 by Sky14FFH

[Waldo]

Let me be clear.  It's ridiculous to think that you were tracked through your Sirius antenna because your car doesn't have the hardware to make that possible.  You can go ahead and remove the antenna or anything else you want, but it would be totally pointless because it isn't doing what you think it is doing. 

 

I used to get all the Sirius junk mail as well, but then I moved and I didn't tell them my new address.  2+ years later and I don't get anything from them anymore, if they were really tracking me they would have figured out my new address by now since my car is parked in my driveway pretty much all the time.

 

 

[Sky14FFH]

Let me be clear.  I am not saying Sirius or even the hardware of Sirius satellite radio alone is tracking us because Sirius is not just satellite radio.  I am saying the hardware in our cars that includes Sirius, microsoft SYNC and includes the ability to connect to cellular services that have been on cars for at least 19 years is being used to "track us" or least allow others pinpoint where we are when they decide they want to as the Techdirt and Arstechnica articles explain that you appear to be contradicting.  So you think they are just making it up and that you alone know better? 

Quote

"Oh but but but they need a court order to do those things."

Oh yeah sure they do.

Quote

 

Techdirt Tue, Jan 17th 2017 Law Enforcement Has Been Using OnStar, SiriusXM, To Eavesdrop, Track Car Locations For More Than 15 Years

 

arstechnica -  January 8, 2020 - The majority of new model cars, from all automaker groups, now have some kind of onboard connectivity platform available to buyers. Those platforms—such as BMW's iDrive, Volkswagen's Car-Net, Ford's Sync, and General Motors' OnStar—have similar language disclosing the potential sharing of location data in their terms of service or privacy policies.

That said, however, Sirius isn't just a radio company—it offers a variety of "connected car solutions." Among those solutions is SiriusXM Guardian, which is available on the Fiat Chrysler Uconnect infotainment system. Cars that have telematics equipment installed by the manufacturer—in this case, Fiat Chrysler—can send data over mobile networks using Sirius' connected services. Those cars, Sirius said, are a small subset of the total number of vehicles that have satellite radios installed.

Sirius additionally told Ars that it sporadically works with law enforcement bodies to comply with valid vehicle-location court orders. The company stressed that it does so by remotely activating the installed telematics hardware in a car, rather than by interacting in any way with the actual satellite radio.

 

 

5 hours ago, Waldo said:

 

I used to get all the Sirius junk mail as well, but then I moved and I didn't tell them my new address.

Good move (to use a pun) but the squirrelyness of the Sirius company should give us reason to do a little more than pause.

Quote

A representative for Sirius was unable to say if the company was involved in any specific way in this particular case

I do not believe I am alone in being uncomfortable with this as a plethora of other articles describing people's concerns on top of that of warnings from white hat hackers that this should be addressed properly.

Edited February 1, 2021 by Sky14FFH

[Waldo]

15 hours ago, Sky14FFH said:

Let me be clear.  I am not saying Sirius or even the hardware of Sirius satellite radio alone is tracking us because Sirius is not just satellite radio.  I am saying the hardware in our cars that includes Sirius, microsoft SYNC and includes the ability to connect to cellular services that have been on cars for at least 19 years is being used to "track us" or least allow others pinpoint where we are when they decide they want to as the Techdirt and Arstechnica articles explain that you appear to be contradicting.  So you think they are just making it up and that you alone know better? 

 

 

Yes, I do know better.  Those articles you quote are very vague in their explanations of the situation.  If the situation involved a car with OnStar, which does include a modem, then yes, it's possible.  But let me say it one more time.  Your 2014 FFH DOES NOT HAVE A MODEM OR ANY CELLULAR CONNECTION so it is impossible for it to track you!!! 

[Sky14FFH]

On 2/2/2021 at 8:17 AM, Waldo said:

 

Yes, I do know better.  ...Your 2014 FFH DOES NOT HAVE A MODEM OR ANY CELLULAR CONNECTION

*sigh*  I don't think you do. Again do you even know what a "modem" is?  See from 2011 http://www.autosec.org/pubs/cars-usenixsec2011.pdf

Quote

 

Addressable channels.

Perhaps the most important part of the long-range wireless attack surface is that exposed by the remote telematics systems (e.g., Ford’s Sync, GM’s OnStar, Toyota’s SafetyConnect, Lexus’ Enform, BMW’s BMW Assist, and Mercedes-Benz’ mbrace) that provide continuous connectivity via cellular voice and data networks. These systems provide a broad range of features supporting safety (crash reporting), diagnostics (early alert of mechanical issues), anti-theft (remote track and disable), and convenience (hands-free data access such as driving directions or weather). These cellular channels offer many advantages for attackers. They can be accessed over arbitrary distance (due to the wide coverage of cellular data infrastructure) in a largely anonymous fashion, typically have relatively high bandwidth, are two-way channels (supporting inter- active control and data exfiltration), and are individually addressable.

 

 

Edited February 4, 2021 by Sky14FFH

[Waldo]

Here we go again with you quoting very good articles and completely misinterpreting them.  What is a modem?  My definition is a device that offers TWO-WAY communication  The quote you provide calls it "continuous connectivity via cellular voice and data networks".  Ford calls this module the TCU (Telematics Communication Unit).  The TCU is standard on every 2020 (and I think 2019) Ford sold in the US.  The TCU has been available on other Ford's back to I think around 2013 with the Fusion Energi and some of the BEVs.  But Ford's Sync system was around long before that and was designed around the concept of using a bluetooth enabled device to act as it's window to the cellular world.  So if you define a "modem" as being able to use your phone, then I guess you win the argument, but most people don't.

 

So let me say it again, and again, and again.  Without a TCU, the Ford Sync system has no way to communicate with the outside world.  The article you quote clearly is referring to versions of the Ford Sync systems in cars that do have a TCU or that are actively connected to a cell phone.  But your 2014 FFH does not have a TCU.  It just doesn't.  That's a fact.

 

From the 2014 Fusion workshop manual (note PHEV means plug-in  Hybrid, ie Fusion Energi only):

 

TCU - PHEV

The TCU uses a non-serviceable internal SIM card to connect to a mobile phone network in order to send and receive data. When a subscription is active, the SIM card is associated with the ESN of the TCU, and the TCU ESN is associated with the VIN. As a result, the TCU cannot be swapped from one vehicle to another. The TCU relies upon network messages to gather and send information and to perform certain functions based upon remote commands from the mobile phone application or MyFord® Mobile website. The TCU requires PMI when it is replaced.

 

If you've got a different definition of a "modem", please enlighten me.

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/samabuelsamid/2019/10/14/fordpass-connect-goes-fee-free-for-life/?sh=34bb908c185d

 

 

"Ford was relatively late to the party in adding telematics to its vehicles. Instead, Ford followed a bring your own device approach with SYNC that let people use their phones to run various apps and provide media. While some plug-in vehicles and Lincolns got it earlier this decade, it’s only been in the last three years that it has been spreading to everything in the lineup. By the end of 2019, every new Ford should have FordPass hardware built-in."

Edited February 4, 2021 by Waldo

[Jordan]

On 10/16/2020 at 10:55 AM, Wickedcoddah said:

So my fusion recently updated itself to the newest version of sync3.  When it did that the button I used to use to adjust the climate controls when I was in apple carplay mode disappeared.  Does anyone else have this issue and is there a fix or work around?  its just takes more clicks to get to the climate controls which I feel is a driving safety issue.  Less focused on the road when trying to adjust the climate...  

 

Okay so back to OPs question. This was fixed at Ford by them having to order a computer part for my vehicle and they installed it in an hour and a half. I will update when I get the name of the piece, but it's because of the last software update. If you go to Ford they should cover it because it's the update that ruined the piece. 

[Jordan]

On 10/16/2020 at 10:55 AM, Wickedcoddah said:

So my fusion recently updated itself to the newest version of sync3.  When it did that the button I used to use to adjust the climate controls when I was in apple carplay mode disappeared.  Does anyone else have this issue and is there a fix or work around?  its just takes more clicks to get to the climate controls which I feel is a driving safety issue.  Less focused on the road when trying to adjust the climate...  

 

Okay so back to OPs question. This was fixed at Ford by them having to order a computer part for my vehicle and they installed it in an hour and a half. I will update when I get the name of the piece, but it's because of the last software update. If you go to Ford they should cover it because it's the update that ruined the piece. 

[Sky14FFH]

15 hours ago, Waldo said:

What is a modem?  My definition is a device that offers TWO-WAY communication *snip*

Here we go again indeed.   I am just listing them and taking what they say at face value.   You seem to be misunderstanding them, just like you don't understand what a modem is.

That's a very broad and laughable definition of a modem.  With your definition two cups tied by a string is a "modem".  Walkie talkies "modem"; CB radio, any two way radio, Morse code telegraph line, telephone, computers without modems and two guys standing on hills with a fire and blanket sending smoke signals - all "modems."  Thanks for the laugh.

 

Forbes. Funny.  Because their knowledge on cars is reliable and up to date.  Financial markets maybe, but not cars. I recall sitting in a body shop waiting room c 2010 reading Forbes magazine and laughing at one article from a writer claiming to be a "car guru" ranting against CAFE standards and saying cars will never be able to achieve 35 miles to the gallon and it being "against the laws of physics" after I'd returned from a trip to Germany and used a car that got 49mpg that had serious balls. 

 

15 hours ago, Waldo said:

So let me say it again, and again, and again.  Without a TCU, the Ford Sync system has no way to communicate with the outside world.

You can "say" (you mean write) it as many times as you want but you'd still be wrong as those articles have pointed out.

 

Waldo's nonsense aside...

On a similar note I wonder how many of you guys use your phones for banking, and then have your phones paired with your cars.  Here is some news for the day.

Hawaii 11th grader accused in sophisticated nationwide hacking scam faces felony charges

HONOLULU, Hawaii (HawaiiNewsNow) - The teen suspect in a nationwide cell phone hacking scheme was arrested in Aina Haina on Wednesday morning and now faces three felony charges... He said by the time he realized he’d been scammed, a hacker had tried to steal $33,000 from his bank account by accessing information on his cell phone.

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2021/02/04/hawaii-th-grader-accused-nationwide-hacking-scam-faces-felony-charges/

 

 

Edited February 5, 2021 by Sky14FFH

[charleslam]

my take on the ford updates.  i was stuck on 3.3 for forever.  I would connect to the wifi, and every time it would be determined that i was on the latest.  for grins and giggles i looked it up on ford's website.  3.4 was the latest about a month ago.  so i downloaded it to a flash drive and proceeded to update.  now remember this is from Ford's official firmware page.  it SHOULD be the latest, greatest, nothing newer....  it spent about 4 hours updating.  once fully done, it decided to update once more.  this took another hour.  after that to my count it has updated 2 more times when connected to my home's wifi (less than 5 minutes each).  i would strongly suggest pushing through the updates again and again until you are sure you have the latest.  once i did all of this, it has been very smooth and quick.  but when i did the first 2 updates, climate control was wonky.  i didnt run into the exact issue you did, but maybe pushing through more updates might fix the issue.  If you dont trust the wifi doing the trick, download to a flash drive like i did and that reloads the whole linux OS if i read it correctly.  something tells me the developers for it are at odds with ford for pushing updates to it, or the left doesnt know what the right hand is doing over there at ford.  

 

https://owner.ford.com/tools/account/how-tos/keep-your-sync-up-to-date.html

 

regardless, good luck and if the updates dont fix it, i would definitely go to a dealer and ask them about it.  

 

Charles Lam

[Jordan]

On 10/16/2020 at 10:55 AM, Wickedcoddah said:

So my fusion recently updated itself to the newest version of sync3.  When it did that the button I used to use to adjust the climate controls when I was in apple carplay mode disappeared.  Does anyone else have this issue and is there a fix or work around?  its just takes more clicks to get to the climate controls which I feel is a driving safety issue.  Less focused on the road when trying to adjust the climate...  

 

Did you ever figure this out?

 

On 2/4/2021 at 8:42 AM, Jordan said:

Okay so back to OPs question. This was fixed at Ford by them having to order a computer part for my vehicle and they installed it in an hour and a half. I will update when I get the name of the piece, but it's because of the last software update. If you go to Ford they should cover it because it's the update that ruined the piece. 

What was the piece?

[Sophie]

On 10/19/2021 at 9:16 AM, Jordan said:

On 2/4/2021 at 9:42 AM, Jordan said:

Okay so back to OPs question. This was fixed at Ford by them having to order a computer part for my vehicle and they installed it in an hour and a half. I will update when I get the name of the piece, but it's because of the last software update. If you go to Ford they should cover it because it's the update that ruined the piece. 

 

I'm having this exact same issue - what was the part that they replaced? Really desperate to solve this problem because my dealership is acting like they have no clue how to fix it.

[MeeLee]

Does the 2017+ models use a 4g or 3g connection?

 

If 3g, that's on its way out and won't work soon anymore.

 

Do know, if you plug in your phone via the USB port that connects to the radio, the car could be sending and receiving data via your mobile network.

 

And with future cars using AI in them (like current modern Mercedes vehicles), they are always listening.

A mechanic once installed a screw in the chair of our company van, because Mercedes sucks at building cars. Really, they do.

I bumped myself on that screw and got a cut and was bleeding. I was mad and shouted some profanity. The Mercedes lingtronic started a customer service call, without my authorization. There was no phone connected to the van. It just made a call to Mercedes cs.

 

I hung up before anyone could pick up, because the issue was a screw a company mechanic had installed, not a Mercedes issue, and checked why the van initiated the call, even though lingtronic (My Mercedes) was turned off, and any sort of sound capturing or recording feature should have been disabled...

 

Expect more of this BS in our cars soon, and if you want life to be even more miserable, expect paid ads to soon be playing in the entertainment system or over the speakers when you use them...

Edited February 7 by MeeLee