Recently bought a Mk3 and noticed the maps were really out of date. Turned out that SYNC3 was on the old v2.2 software, so I went to the Ford site, registered the VIN and the site insisted that I update SYNC3 before I was able to download and install the new maps.
The Ford side provided a zip to extract to an ExFAT-formatted flash drive and put into the car to install. I followed the Ford instructions precisely, gave it well over an hour to install while driving around (SYNC3 updates should apparently take ~35 minutes?) but the update never completed. I don't actually believe it began correctly either, but no errors were ever shown on the SYNC screen.
Next morning, came to the car and the system started up as normal, including all SYNC features. I then got back to the car in the evening to drive home... the SYNC3 touchscreen backlight comes on, but nothing shows on it and centre console buttons unresponsive.
This morning, although the screen is still dead, the DAB station started playing from the speakers, and if I connected my phone via CarPlay the audio would come through the speakers - so the system does not seem completely dead - but the touchscreen seems completely goosed. I was also not able to fully turn it off, though I could adjust the volume on the central dial, but the steering wheel volume controls did not work.
I've tried the reset with skip forward & power buttons held down, power cycling the car, even tried leaving the flash drive in the USB slot overnight (not expecting anything magic to happen...)
Is there a reliable known fix for this?
Various forums and reddit threads discuss similar issues - some people have done fuse pulls, some have disconnected the battery for 20 minutes, some people have performed exorcisms, this to me feels like a firmware/touchscreen/APIM problem. Is there any way to recover from a bad flash or force a firmware reflash?
I've emailed UKCRC but I only expect to get non-answers from them, despite the unit failing following their own update procedure.
The Ford side provided a zip to extract to an ExFAT-formatted flash drive and put into the car to install. I followed the Ford instructions precisely, gave it well over an hour to install while driving around (SYNC3 updates should apparently take ~35 minutes?) but the update never completed. I don't actually believe it began correctly either, but no errors were ever shown on the SYNC screen.
Next morning, came to the car and the system started up as normal, including all SYNC features. I then got back to the car in the evening to drive home... the SYNC3 touchscreen backlight comes on, but nothing shows on it and centre console buttons unresponsive.
This morning, although the screen is still dead, the DAB station started playing from the speakers, and if I connected my phone via CarPlay the audio would come through the speakers - so the system does not seem completely dead - but the touchscreen seems completely goosed. I was also not able to fully turn it off, though I could adjust the volume on the central dial, but the steering wheel volume controls did not work.
I've tried the reset with skip forward & power buttons held down, power cycling the car, even tried leaving the flash drive in the USB slot overnight (not expecting anything magic to happen...)
Is there a reliable known fix for this?
Various forums and reddit threads discuss similar issues - some people have done fuse pulls, some have disconnected the battery for 20 minutes, some people have performed exorcisms, this to me feels like a firmware/touchscreen/APIM problem. Is there any way to recover from a bad flash or force a firmware reflash?
I've emailed UKCRC but I only expect to get non-answers from them, despite the unit failing following their own update procedure.
I hope you sort it speedily!! 
