We just got a Ford Grand C-Max 2012 and I was quite excited (as only a man can be with the prospect of a new car gadget) by the Bluetooth functionality promised by the ton of Bluetooth buttons and controls built into the car’s dashboard. Unlike our last car which had just a Bluetooth kit that could only handle calls but not stream music from phones etc through the speakers, this car could do that and more. There’s even a phone keypad on the dashboard!
So imagine my disappointment when I just couldn’t get my Galaxy Note 4 (Or my wife’s S4) bonded with the car. The phone found the car’s Bluetooth no problem but kept saying it couldn’t connect because there were no available phone slots left. But when I tried to view current slots and debond the previous owner’s phones the car system threw a wobbly and timed out, sometimes turning itself off and only turning the engine on could start it up again. The cars Bluetooth function had obviously become corrupt in some way.
So I went off Googling, presuming to find a ton of easy fixes. Surely this was a common issue!? Not so. Any fixes I came across just suggested debonding the existing phones but my system wouldn’t let me do that. I then went looking for firmware updates for the audio system to see if that would help reset things but couldn’t find any on any Ford site. It seems they don’t want you doing this, perhaps preferring instead that you fork out for a fix with a local Ford dealer!?
Eventually I found some old firmware from 2012 on a website. It is supposed to be for all Ford Bluetooth with Voice Control car systems from 2008 to 2012 but only supported the C-Max up to Jan 2012 and my car was July 2012. Nevertheless, I downloaded it and ran the update procedure and everything works perfect now!
Make sure your phone is actually compatible with the car system before you do this obviously – http://www.ford.ie/Technology/MobileCompatibility
* Here’s the firmware I used – Download.
And here’s a simple procedure for updating:
- Download and extract the zip folder above.
- Copy the extracted files (not folder) to an empty USB drive formatted in FAT32.
- Turn on your car audio system via the button, ie – not ignition switch.
- Insert the USB drive and select AUX – USB input.
- Turn ignition key to position 1.
- The update process should start automatically and take about 20 mins.
Your audio system might turn itself off when the process is complete. Mine did. Just turn it back on with the USB drive still inserted and the system should say already up to date. That’s it done.
* Compatible with the following cars with a USB connection
C-Max/Grand C-Max – February 2008 to July 2012
Fiesta – July 2008 to December 2011
Focus – February 2008 to January 2012
Galaxy – September 2008 to January 2012
Kuga – February 2008 to January 2012
Mondeo – September 2008 to January 2012
Ranger – From April 2009
Transit – From June 2009
Disclaimer: This is not my firmware and no responsibility will be taken by me for damage done to your car audio system if it doesn’t work or there are compatibility issues.
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