SYNC(R) System - Poor Cell Phone Sound Quality
TSB 10-8-305/10/10
SYNC - CALL SOUND QUALITY/BACKGROUND NOISE
ISSUES AND/OR VOICE RECOGNITION DIFFICULTIES
WHILE DRIVING
FORD:
2010 Fusion, Taurus
LINCOLN:
2010 MKZ, MKT
MERCURY:
2010 Milan
ISSUE
Some customers of 2010 SYNC-equipped vehicles may express concern with their call sound quality while using the SYNC microphone, complaints of excessive background noise during a phone call and/or issues with voice recognition accuracy while driving.
ACTION
Follow the service procedure to correct the condition.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
The following procedure involves updating the Accessory Protocol Interface Module (APIM) software level and installing an external alternate SYNC microphone attached to the headliner.
Go to Step 2 if vehicle is already equipped with SYNC 3.0 (Traffic and Directions) or has already been upgraded to latest available consumer interface processor (CIP) level (AR3T-14D544-AE). To determine the current APIM software level, refer to the Professional Technician Society (PTS) website, enter the VIN in OASIS, click the GO button and select the SYNC button.
1. Reprogram the APIM to CIP software level AR3T-14D544-AE. For additional information, refer to other SYNC TSB'S and Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 418-01. Service Pack files may also be obtained at www.syncmyride.com.
When diagnosing a concern related to voice recognition (VR) difficulties, instruct the customer to test VR functionality while the vehicle is parked. If customer concerns are still present, this procedure will not yield an improvement and the service procedure should not be performed. Instead, refer to the SYNC supplement guide and www.syncmyride.com for additional VR tips to assist customer.
The VR experience can be improved with user training and making improvements to the phone book entries (longer entries make the system more robust). Ensure the customer does not try to speak too loud or slow and remove any objects hanging on the rear view mirror as this will reduce system effectiveness.
When diagnosing a concern related to call sound quality, expect marginal improvements for calls described as speaking in a tunnel, chamber, etc. Expect substantial improvements for complaints where the call audio seems to drop out intermittently.
NOTE
THIS REPAIR WILL CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OF THE VEHICLE INTERIOR. REFER TO THE PHOTOGRAPHS FOR THE APPLICABLE VEHICLE LOCATED IN THIS PROCEDURE. DO NOT PERFORM THIS REPAIR WITHOUT CUSTOMER APPROVAL PRIOR TO PROCEEDING WITH MICROPHONE INSTALLATION.
2. Install SYNC microphone service kit. Installing the kit includes mounting an external microphone directly to the headliner and splicing in a jumper harness to the vehicle's existing wiring harness. The existing SYNC microphone will no longer be functional.
Refer to the appropriate vehicle line and microphone illustration(s) below for microphone installation and wire splicing locations. Use the wiring diagram (WD), Section 5-1, for recommended splicing methods.
Ensure the SYNC microphone wires are secure and do not interfere with vehicle operation or functionality.
The microphone is directional. Make sure the microphone is always positioned so wire length is minimized from view. When installing the microphone adjacent to trim, place the microphone as close to trim as possible to help minimize visible wire.
Fusion, Milan And MKZ Built On Or Before 12/2/2009
1. Remove the protective backing from the adhesive on the microphone and attach the microphone as shown in the illustration. (Figure 1)
^ Firmly press the microphone into place.
^ Ensure the microphone is parallel and adjacent to overhead console trim.
2. Lower the overhead console. Refer to WSM, Section 417-02 for additional information.
3. Route microphone cable through existing hole in the headliner and over to the passenger side A-pillar. It may be necessary to slightly drop headliner to run microphone cable. Refer to WSM, Section 501-05 for additional information.
4. Install overhead console; ensure microphone cable enters the overhead console trim directly behind microphone.
5. Gain access to C919 in the right A-pillar. Use online WD, Section 124 for links to location and connector views.
6. Identify circuits VMM13, RMM13 and DMM13 (shield) from C919. Cut the three circuits on the female side of the connector (14334 harness). These are the microphone positive, negative and shield circuits. Then splice the yellow jumper harness wire to VMM13 and any two (of the three) black jumper harness wires to RMM13 and DMM13 (shield). Only splice into the cut wires heading in the direction of the connector. Tape off and secure the cut wire ends heading up the A-pillar as they are no longer used.
7. Identify circuits CBP41 and GD139 from C919. This is power and ground for both the new microphone and the existing mirror. Splice in the blue jumper harness wire to CBP41 and the remaining black jumper harness wire to GD139. Ensure that the original circuits remain intact and connected as this is power for other items within the rear view mirror and in the roof.
8. Do not plug in the microphone at this time, proceed to Final Test I Service Steps.
Taurus
1. Remove the protective backing from the adhesive on the microphone and attach the microphone as shown in the illustration. (Figure 2)
^ Firmly press the microphone into place.
^ Ensure the microphone is parallel and adjacent to overhead console trim.
2. Lower the overhead console. Refer to WSM, Section 417-02 for additional information.
3. Route microphone cable through existing hole in the headliner, and over to the passenger side A-pillar.
4. It may be necessary to slightly drop headliner to run microphone cable. Refer to WSM, Section 501-05 for additional information.
5. Gain access to connector 9012 at the rear view mirror (w/o camera) or 9039 (w/camera). Use online WD, Section 130 for links to location and connector views.
6. Identify circuits VMM13, RMM13 and DMM13 (shield) from connector 9012 (w/o camera) or 9039 (w/camera). Cut the three circuits on the female side of the connector (14334 harness). These are the microphone positive, negative and shield circuits. Then splice the yellow jumper harness wire to VMM13 and any two (of the three) black jumper harness wires to RMM13 and DMM13 (shield). Only splice into the cut wires heading in the direction of the connector. Tape off and secure the cut wire ends heading to the rear view mirror as they are no longer used.
7. Identify circuits CBP41 and GD133 from connector 9012 (w/o camera) or 9039 (w/camera). This is power and ground for both the new microphone and the existing mirror. Splice in the blue jumper harness wire to CBP41 and the remaining black jumper harness wire to GD133. Ensure that the original circuits remain intact and connected as this is power for other items within the rear view mirror and in the roof.
8. Do not plug in the microphone at this time, proceed to Final Test / Service Steps.
MKT
1. Remove the protective backing from the adhesive on the microphone and attach the microphone as shown in the illustration. (Figure 3)
^ Firmly press the microphone into place.
^ Ensure the microphone is parallel and adjacent to overhead console trim.
2. Lower the overhead console. Refer to WSM, Section 417-02 for additional information.
3. Route microphone cable through existing hole in the headliner and over to the passenger side A-pillar. It may be necessary to slightly drop headliner to run microphone cable. Refer to WSM, Section 501-05 for additional information.
4. Remove the drivers side A-pillar per WSM section 501-05.
5. It may be necessary to slightly drop headliner to run microphone cable. Refer to WSM, Section 501-05 for additional information.
6. Gain access to connector 219. Use online WD, Section 130 for links to location and connector views.
7. Identify circuits VMM13, RMM13 and DMM13 (shield) from connector 219. Cut the three circuits on the female side of the connector. These are the microphone positive, negative and shield circuits. Then splice the yellow jumper harness wire to VMM13 and any two (of the three) black jumper harness wires to RMM13 and DMM13 (shield). Only splice into the cut wires heading in the direction of the connector. Tape off and secure the cut wire ends heading up the A-pillar as they are no longer used.
8. Identify circuits CBP41 and GD133 from connector 219. This is power and ground for both the new microphone and the existing mirror. Splice in the blue jumper harness wire to CBP41 and the remaining black jumper harness wire to GD133. Ensure that the original circuits remain intact and connected as this is power for other items within the rear view mirror and in the roof.
9. Do not plug in the microphone at this time, proceed to Final Test / Service Steps.
Final Test / Service Steps
1. After splicing/soldering is complete, apply power to the vehicle and confirm the voltage at the jumper inline connector before connecting the microphone.
^ Jumper blue wire equals 12V positive.
^ Jumper black wire equals ground reference.
^ Jumper yellow wire equals microphone return signal circuit, less than 1V.
2. Turn off ignition and attach the microphone connector to the jumper harness connector. Make sure that the connector tabs have locked together after connecting. Reversing this connector would cause a failure of the microphone.
3. Bundle and tuck the remainder of the microphone cable over the front of the headliner
Parts Block
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage
IMPORTANT: Warranty coverage limits/policies are not altered by a TSB. Warranty coverage limits are determined by the identified causal part.
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
MT100803 Use SLTS Operations If Actual
Available; Claim Additional Time
Diagnosis Or Labor
Performed As Actual Time
DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
19A391 42
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