What It Is
The following guide and downloadable file will help you to update the Bluetooth, Voice Control and USB module in the following Ford vehicles. The release date was November 2012, and was the third publicly released firmware update. According to the Ford documentation the update is valid for the following vehicles and build dates:
- Fiesta: July 2008 – December 2011
- Focus: February 2008 – January 2012
- C-MAX: February 2008 – January 2012
- Kuga: February 2008 – January 2012
- Mondeo: September 2008 – January 2012
- S-MAX: September 2008 – January 2012
- Galaxy: September 2008 – January 2012
- Transit: from June 2009
- Ranger: from April 2009
The Ford Ka is not compatible, because it’s a rebodied Fiat Panda/500 and uses their electronics.
The following instructions and Zip file used to be freely available from Ford at the address www.ford-mobile-connectivity.com as described in the audio system user guide. The website was taken down some time in about 2014, presumably for one of two reasons. Either people were messing up their radios and requiring dealership service, or they realised that they were missing out on a source of service revenue by giving away the updates. I’ll not speculate…
I’ve succesfully carried out the update on two different cars, my Mondeo with Sony DAB headunit, and my wife’s Fiesta with the more basic (orange dot matrix display). The actual Bluetooth/USB module is the same throughout the range, with the exception of a few models.
Please note that if your car does not have a USB port you will not be able to do the update, and the only way to get it is via a visit to the dealership.
What Do You Get?
There are several improvements to be gained from updating your Bluetooth firmware. The level will depend on the age of your vehicle, as models later in the run will have been shipped with more up to date versions. The major differences are:
- Compatibility. My phone (Sony Experia Z5) wouldn’t connect reliably and take calls properly in my 2011 Mondeo. The update fixed that. The same for the Fiesta (a 2009 model) which wouldn’t connect properly to any smartphone.
- iPod Useability. The original firmware required use of a special Y-cable, which connected to both the USB port (for control and track name display) and the 3.5mm Aux in socket (for analogue audio). The new version allows use of standard Apple 30pin-USB cables, with the car stereo doing the audio decoding from the digital stream.
- USB Playback. Allows use of MP3s saved on a USB stick. I don’t know if or how well this worked earlier, I never tried until after updating.
- Bluetooth Audio Streaming. The update adds compatibility for Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) or Streaming Music in English. This can also be used for Sat Nav directions through the speakers when using Google Maps on an Android device.
How Do I Do It?
- Put the kettle on.
- Download THIS ZIP FILE, which contains the Bluetooth firmware and voice control files in seven European languages.
- Unzip the files to the root folder of a USB drive. (i.e. not in a subfolder) The USB drive should NOT contain any music files, and for best results should probably be blank just in case.
- Make yourself a nice cup of tea or coffee and pick up a newspaper or magazine. This stage will come in handy later, trust me…
- Get in the car, and switch on the radio WITHOUT TURNING THE IGNITION ON. It may say something like 1 Hour Mode on the display.
- Insert the USB drive into the USB port. Depending on your car model this may be in the glovebox (Mondeo), centre console (Fiesta) or armrest. The stereo will display a message saying that no valid files were found to play. This is normal.
- Switch on the ignition until the dashboard lights come on (but don’t start the engine). Do this by turning the key to the second position, or pressing the Ford Power button without pressing the brake/clutch for keyless models.
- You should now see the message “Update running… Please wait! So now you wait. This is where the hot coffee and magazine come in handy, as the update takes around 20 minutes to complete, and you can’t go back in the house to keep warm because you’d be leaving the car unlocked with the keys in!*
- Once the update has finished the display will say “Update successfully finished”. The message doesn’t stay on the screen for long, so keep an eye on it. Once complete the radio will come back on to whichever station was playing before the update.
- If something goes wrong and the installation fails you will get a warning on the display. Again, it doesn’t stay on for more than a few seconds, so keep a look out. Just start the process again from the beginning and it will eventually complete.
Whilst updating my Mondeo the car gave a Low Battery warning, and the radio shut off. I started the engine, and was amazed to see that the radio came back to life with the update still running. It had carried on even with the radio off (the bluetooth module is a separate box behind the glovebox area). I don’t recommend relying on this method though!
Here is a very useful summary video. I didn’t make it, so claim no credit for it. It’s also out of date, as it shows the original website up and running, but the update demonstration is very useful if you’re not confident.
Video produced by iNath, over at Ford Owners Club
Any questions, feel free to comment below. Thanks for visiting my site.
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Thanks for this. It was really useful for me. After the update my radio swiched off and did not want to switch on but when I started the engine the it started again.
hi, i buy recently a Sony player for my car wich is Ford CMax 2008,i have a aux conection on the car but is jack audio connector. Its works if i connect a USB-Jack adaptor conector to this and finaly put the USB Memory stick in to update the cd player??
Sony is model 2008
MODEL:CD3XX-CDI-RECT-KW2000
SONY ITEM NUMBER: CDX=FS214AE
PART NUMBER: 7M5T-18C939-AE
Thanks in advance,Cosmin
I don’t think so. This update will only work if you have the factory fitted Bluetooth and USB module connected to the stereo.
Hi, actualy today i identificated the bluetooth and voice device, is Nokia 8M5T-19G488-CK wich have a usb conector i guess just for update but is a special connector and i dont have it. An normal USB doesnt work.
If try to conecting appear on the phone FORD AUDIO put the pin 0000 or 1234 but nothing happend, and on display phone appear ” pin is incorect” ????
You need to delete any existing phone pairing by using the menu on the stereo, then add the phone using the same menu.
never mind, i guess finally is an incompatibility between cdplayer and bluetooth module and need upgraded to sales representative.
have o good year.
Tenho um New fiesta 2012 mexicano.
O sync só mostra Ford áudio e um sÃmbolo de uma engrenagem do lado, será que essa atualização cerve pra mim?
Antes de mais nada obrigado por esta ajudando a tantos.
Whats 73 991518373
Hi. I have a 2013 mondeo that has stopped appearing on bluetooth scans and the usb playback has stopped. Do you think this might help or is it a trip to ford to add to their coffers?
There’s no harm in trying it. The car may have a newer version already, in which case it’ll probably just refuse to install.
Try resetting the stereo (see other comments) and also rebooting the phones too.
Thank you so much for this! I recently purchased a used car with Bluetooth functionality but the sound quality was poor (sound dropping out and crackly) when streaming music from my iPhone 6S, it now works perfectly! Also, although I could plug an ipod into a USB slot I still had to use a 3.5mm jack connection for the audio, whereas now the USB connection carries audio as well as power.
Thanks again, the internet is flippin’ amazing 🙂
Hi I have tried to install this update but it just will not run, I have a Sony cd head unit with the Bluetooth module in behind the glove box, model number 8M5T-19C112-AF and it states on it bluetooth voice connectivity with USB. The car is an 08 plate and within the build dates for the update. Everything works on the unit, all I want from the update is the addition of Bluetooth music streaming. Any help gratefully received
Thanks
Try deleting the unnecessary files from the download. For English all you need are the two files with names that end AV.
Reset stereo too, switch on, then press on/off for about 15 seconds until it reboots.
Reply and let people know if it helped, please!
You are a star! Worked a treat
Thanks for the feedback 🙂
Seems I have the same system in a Ford Focus 2008, I have tried deleting unnecessary files and also the reset for 15 seconds. Still says update failed. Any other ideas? Thanks
Hi I’ve just run this update, as my Bluetooth is ticked on, but on next screen it says BT off, the Bluetooth still seems to be not working, is there anything else I can try before a resort to a garage. Erin
If the update installed OK, then I would try resetting the stereo. Switch it on then press and hold power for around 15 seconds until it restarts.
If that doesn’t help, next I’d try removing the fuse for the stereo, leave it out for a few minutes, then replace it.
Depending on your car the radio may need a code entering, so make sure you have that ready if it does. Information should be in the owners handbook.
Hi have tried taking out the fuse then putting it back,but that has not worked. To reset the radio, do I turn it on then hold down the button for 15 secs? When I do this it just turns radio off, and is does not come on again, am I doing something wrong?
That is how it’s done on mine. You haven’t said what kind of car or model of stereo you have, so I don’t really know, sorry.
Hi,
I tried to update but after 15 minutes appeared “low battery” message and the audio unit was stopped. After restarting, the bluetooth and USB does not work. No longer appears in the navigation menu.
It can do anything in this situation or the bluetooth module is permanently brick?
It can resume updates from CD or from navigation SD card?
I have an S-Max (08.2011) with Blaupunkt NX
Thanks
I don’t know, the best thing to do would be to reset the audio system, I’ve never used the navigation version, so it may be different, but normally you switch the system on then press and his the On/Off button for about 15 seconds until it reboots. If that doesn’t work try pulling the fuse and leaving it out for a couple of minutes.
Will, thanks for answer. I solved the problem. The Bluetooth/USB module was not affected by the failed update. I reset the Bluetooth module by disconnecting the battery for a few minutes.Now it works better than before.
Before, I had a problem with initialization the usb flash drives. It takes too long, between 5 and 10 minutes. I thought that a firmware update would solve the problem. For now, there is no need to update.
Hi there I have a 2015 model fiesta and having issues with the Bluetooth connectivity. Message saying “initializing BT” constantly when trying to connect my phone. Will this update work for this model or do I need to visit ford? Thanks in advance
I don’t think it would, as it’s older than your car. In theory yours should have a more up to date version.
You can always try resetting the stereo by removing the fuse (don’t worry, they don’t need a code) and also a hard reset on the phone would do no harm.
My Bluetooth was working great in my Fiesta Zetec 2010, until one day I updated my iPhone 5S software and it changed. The Bluetooth still worked in general but when streaming music there were clicks and pops through the sound. I can fix it by going into my phone and disconnecting from the car, then reconnecting. Then the sound is perfect but I have to do this every time I start the car!
Anyone else seen this issue? Will updating firmware help?
If your car has never been updated then yes, this update should almost certainly help fix your problem.
I have your EXACT issue with my 2010 Titanium. My dealer updated the software last month to the latest available version which hasn’t fixed the problem. Have you been able to resolve?