Level 1

12 points

CarPlay GPS Ford Sync 3 Accuracy Problem with Waze

I have iPhone X model #MQAN2LL/A running 12.2

For a few months (probably since upgrading to 12.2) I have had horrible problems using CarPlay.

I am connecting my iPhone via a cable to a 2018 Ford F-150 that is completely current in its version (3.something). I did a trouble ticket with Ford to make sure there were no updates needed.

Using Waze (or Apple Maps I think), the accuracy will be fine but then go bad showing the vehicle tracking 300 yards to the right (or left I suppose) of where it actually is. This has occurred in Dallas Texas, Denver Colorado and in rural Arkansas where there is no problems getting satellite GPS.

Can somebody please confirm this is a known problem so I wont waste my time trying to isolate exactly when and how this happens.

Everything works fine when not connected via CarPlay.

Vehicle (Sync 3 Navigation) works fine with phone not connected.

Only when using CarPlay (phone connected via cable) do I see the problem.

iPhone X, iOS 12

Posted on Apr 18, 2019 8:33 AM

Top-ranking reply

iDood68

Level 1

9 points

Posted on Jun 30, 2019 4:41 AM

SUMMARY:

I figured it out. If you unplug the GPS antenna from the radio, the error does not occur. The problem is, if you have factory navigation on your radio, then the factory nav will obviously not work without the GPS antenna.

What I figured out is that if I plug my phone into CarPlay, it will use the GPS antenna from the radio instead of using the GPS antenna from my phone. For whatever reason, that scenario was causing the speed to be off by about 10 mph when I was doing 60. When I unplugged the GPS antenna from the radio, then Waze used the GPS from the phone instead.

Interestingly, there was a GPS antenna plugged into my radio, even though I do not have factory navigation on my radio. So for me, unplugging the factory GPS antenna is not an issue.

If you have factory navigation, maybe try using a different GPS antenna. Someone with factory navigation would have to test that theory though. GPS antennas are available on Amazon for around $10-$15.

Seems there is some sort of compatibility issue between the iPhone and the Ford GPS antenna. That said, it used to work perfectly up until a few months ago, which makes me wonder if the GPS “rollover event“ had something to do with this. Maybe someone smarter than me knows... https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2019/04/gps-rollover-event-on-april-6-could-have-some-side-effects

Anyway, hope that helps.

And, apologies for any typos...I typed this with thumbs from the passenger seat of a bouncy car and I’m too car ick to proofread. :-/

View in context

Similar questions

22 replies

iDood68

Level 1

9 points

Jun 24, 2019 2:52 PM in response to PhantomSoul

Same exact problem. I wonder what would happen if you unplugged the GPS antenna from the Ford radio and relied on the GPS from the phone... in other words, would the GPS data from your phone go to CarPlay...or would it simply not work because there was no antenna plugged into the radio. Note: I do not have Ford nav, so nothing in the radio should be dependent on the Ford GPS. Theoretically anyway. Think I’ll try this.

Kronkite

Level 1

25 points

Apr 30, 2019 8:33 AM in response to Kronkite

Also, I tried rebooting the phone, resetting privacy settings, etc etc and it didn't resolve the problem.

Apr 30, 2019 8:37 AM in response to Kronkite

Oh I know it's frustrating to not be able to use CarPlay. I don't know if it's an Apple issue, a Sync issue, but I sure wish one of them would address it.

Apr 30, 2019 8:39 AM in response to KiltedTim

Do I need to contact a local ford Dealer or what do I ask for? I've done the latest Sync update, but something else needs updated? Thanks for the info.

Rafbloke

Level 1

4 points

May 12, 2019 2:00 PM in response to johnnabholz

Same with my 2019 transit custom.

Jul 16, 2019 9:08 AM in response to johnnabholz

I have found that CarPlay is the issue with my 2016 Ford F-150. I am going to check with my OLD iPhone 5 and see if it is also having the issue as it is running iOS10. When I contacted Apple they say they believe it is on the FORD side and I have recently tested CarPlay in my 2019 Pacifica without issue. The problem has to be with how SYNC 3 is processing the CarPlay interface. The Chrysler Pacifica displays my speed exact without any problems which surprised me as I was set on it being an iOS problem.

Jul 22, 2019 2:01 PM in response to iDood68

I will definitely try removing the GPS antenna, although on my Everest this is not an easy job as I would have to dismantle the whole dash to get to the APIM, I have already done this a couple times when I upgraded from sync2 to non nav Sync3, it takes a good couple of hours. With no GPS antenna the compas will not work. My Sync3 unit has had the IOS CarPlay tracking issue ever since it was installed and as you say it must be an iOS CarPlay SYNC compatibility issue, leaning more towards IOS CarPlay being the culprit, noting that iOS Waze using sync applink worked and Sync3 and Android Auto works perfectly. As mentioned previously, with IOS 13 doing a major update on CarPlay, I thought that this issue would finally be resolved!

Does anybody from Apple IOS read what we write here?

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

CarPlay GPS Ford Sync 3 Accuracy Problem with Waze