Greetings! I have an interesting problem for everyone to chew on. First though, I'll give my specs: 2008 (MK2) Focus SES sedan with SYNC (Gen1 v2.1) and 70k miles. I've been very happy with the vehicle, and with SYNC as well. I have not done any modifications (besides the original dealer installing an aftermarket satellite radio receiver shortly after purchase).
Now to my problem. I first noticed this issue a few months back, where the volume and media control buttons on the right side of my steering wheel would stop working intermittently. Sometimes the volume buttons would do nothing at all; and sometimes their function seemed to be confused with the media (back/next) buttons right below them. In any case the issue was temporary, so I didn't do much about it. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, when the volume buttons permanently stopped working. I gave them a few days to come back to life, but they were gone for good this time.
Being the most often used buttons on my steering wheel, I assumed that the buttons had simply worn out. I decided to replace them, and purchased a new OEM button cluster (both cruise control and SYNC media buttons come in one unit) from a dealer. I replaced them quickly with the help of this guide, put everything back together, fired her up....and the volume buttons STILL do not work! The exact same problem still exists. At least I now have some nice, un-worn buttons... []
So - what else could be causing two physical buttons in the unit to fail like this? A problem with a single wire somewhere? A blown fuse? A SYNC software problem? Obviously it is further "up the chain" from the steering wheel. I know the steering wheel controls are more of a convenience than anything else, but I would love to figure this problem out. I am willing to take it to the dealer if necessary but the problem solver in me wants to figure this mystery out before resorting to that. Any advice or ideas are greatly appreciated!
PS - Please let me know if this post could be better categorized in a different area of the forum.
Thanks!
Tim
Now to my problem. I first noticed this issue a few months back, where the volume and media control buttons on the right side of my steering wheel would stop working intermittently. Sometimes the volume buttons would do nothing at all; and sometimes their function seemed to be confused with the media (back/next) buttons right below them. In any case the issue was temporary, so I didn't do much about it. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago, when the volume buttons permanently stopped working. I gave them a few days to come back to life, but they were gone for good this time.
Being the most often used buttons on my steering wheel, I assumed that the buttons had simply worn out. I decided to replace them, and purchased a new OEM button cluster (both cruise control and SYNC media buttons come in one unit) from a dealer. I replaced them quickly with the help of this guide, put everything back together, fired her up....and the volume buttons STILL do not work! The exact same problem still exists. At least I now have some nice, un-worn buttons... []
So - what else could be causing two physical buttons in the unit to fail like this? A problem with a single wire somewhere? A blown fuse? A SYNC software problem? Obviously it is further "up the chain" from the steering wheel. I know the steering wheel controls are more of a convenience than anything else, but I would love to figure this problem out. I am willing to take it to the dealer if necessary but the problem solver in me wants to figure this mystery out before resorting to that. Any advice or ideas are greatly appreciated!
PS - Please let me know if this post could be better categorized in a different area of the forum.
Thanks!
Tim