Intermittent "No Audio": FIX #23

[DiveMan911]

Hello fellow Lightning owners! I had posted the following on a different thread, but I think this may be a different issue, so I am creating a new thread.

I have a 2022 Lariat. Have not had any recent issues. On my way to work this morning I was talking on the phone via CarPlay without any issues. Hung up the call and started playing music via CarPlay. To be honest I don't recall if the music ever worked, but it acted like it was playing (timer and progress bar were moving on the song) but there was no audio. I tried to turn up the volume....nothing happened. Then I realized the power to the "radio" was off.

So started the troubleshooting algorithm thus far:
1) I tapped the "button" on the screen (the "vol" button in the middle of the turn dial)...it flashed and it didn't turn on.

2) I went to the Radio screen....and it simply says "audio off" but despite tapping AM, FM, SirusXM or the power button on the screen...nothing happens.

3) I did a soft reset of the Sync system with the steering wheel controls (vol down and seek forward)...Infotainment screen reset, but problem persists.

I got to my destination and noted that the GPS on the Ford navigation map didn't know where I was (no GPS signal??). TBH this was identified when the truck wanted to charge to 100% at a known location (work) that I have set for 90%. So when I went to Nav...it shows me at a previous location with a flashing red .

Online research commenced and I completed the following (google AI and ChatGPT took me down a bad path I think):

4) Checked multiple fuses: both in the interior and exterior fuse boxes. Audio fuses and BCM fuses. 5x total. They all looked fine. In full transparency, I didn't check their resistance to definitively confirm they are still good, but they didn't appear blown.
5) Did 2 different battery disconnects....one for 10 minutes, one for 30+ minutes. Again, no joy.
6)Attached the truck to Forscan. Identified the following codes: U0184 and U1A00-87. Additionally noted that the ACM isn't communicating with Forscan at all.

It should be noted at this point I live in Hawaii, and you may or may not be aware....we just had a rather substantial rainstorm. So...I thought water intrusion could be a possibility. And GoogleAi and ChatGPT definitely encouraged me to think this was the culprit. So....

7)I tore into the dash. I ended up pulling out the 15.5" screen and 3 modules behind it (radio module, APIM module, and what I believe was the ACM (I think I am about to be schooled very soon by those much smarter than I). While I found this little exercise rather enjoyable, alas, this revealed nothing. Everything was bone dry in there and all connections were clean, dry and tight. (they were unplugged and plugged back in for good measure). I don't even know how water would get in there unless a liquid was dumped on that rubber mat on the dash...but there was no visible water intrusion. I haven't found any water intrusion anywhere...I have checked the ceiling, carpet, etc....Haven't found any water.
8)I took a look at the Amplifier behind the back seat. All connections intact and dry.

It seemed like a hard failure, but then the next day...I got in the truck and started driving and the audio came back on. Not initially when I started the truck, but after a couple of minutes. BRILLIANT!!
Then, 25 minutes into the drive, it failed again...this time without the GPS failure.

I did receive the newest Sync update (SYNC-25.2.1.6.5.2) and others have theorized an association, thanks: @sfringer.

So...anyone else having a similar issue??
Any of my tech whiz's that have any suggestions for troubleshooting?



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[Rayden]

I have had occasional issues where I didn't have any audio. The only way I fixed it was to turn the truck off and then back on. No issues with the GPS AFAIK.

 

[chl]

I gave up on streaming music with Blue Tooth soon after I got the truck - drops outs and disconnects abounded. Now I play through the USB port exclusively from an external drive (thumb or SSD formatted in xfat) or use an FM transmitter and an unused FM channel with other players.

Many threads about the many problems some of us have had with the SYNC system - for others it works fine - go figure.

 

[DiveMan911]

I gave up on streaming music with Blue Tooth soon after I got the truck - drops outs and disconnects abounded. Now I play through the USB port exclusively from an external drive (thumb or SSD formatted in xfat) or use an FM transmitter and an unused FM channel with other players.

Many threads about the many problems some of us have had with the SYNC system - for others it works fine - go figure.

This isn't a bluetooth or wireless issue.
This is the entire audio system not working. No AM, FM, Satellite or even vehicle audio sounds though the vehicles system.

 

[chl]

This isn't a bluetooth or wireless issue.
This is the entire audio system not working. No AM, FM, Satellite or even vehicle audio sounds though the vehicles system.

Right, just venting about my issue, lol.

I'd wonder about the 12v system: the battery when weak will shed loads.
The overnight charging (?) may have restore energy to the 12v battery.

Also, wiring could be the issue - lots of cases of intermittent wiring problems - a wiring budle behind the glove box sometimes gets damaged by a metal bracket back there.

 

[chl]

If it is cutting out while driving, probably not the battery unless the terminals are loose, more likely a wiring problem.

If you still have bumper to bumper Ford should cover that, if not look for wiring troubles.

 

[sfringer]

If it is cutting out while driving, probably not the battery unless the terminals are loose, more likely a wiring problem.

If you still have bumper to bumper Ford should cover that, if not look for wiring troubles.

I doubt it's a wiring issue. I'm experiencing the same thing, it doesn't cut out while driving. It just won't have any audio playing through the system despite acting like it does. Turn the truck off and back on and all is well, It's clearly a software issue.

 

[DiveMan911]

Here's a fairly substantial update. It's incredibly intermittent. Worked well all day yesterday. No joy today. Of note @sfringer...my issue isn't resolved with a power cycle or soft reset. It seems to just do what it wants...when it wants.

Did some in depth troubleshooting today...paid for the WSM from Ford and did the step by step troubleshooting for these DTC codes...which included voltage and resistance tests for a handful of circuits in the dash. All signs point to a bad ACM.

I pulled the ACM and opened it up hoping to find something visually that would point me somewhere...and guess what:

That there looks like corrosion to me. I have no recollection of anything ever getting spilled on the dash...but my memory sucks nowadays. Another hypothesis is...this truck has lived its whole life near the ocean in a rather warm environment. It's not outside of the realm of possibilities that the salty air has finally caught up (a little soon it seems to me, but I digress).

I gently brushed the PCB and components with a soft wire brush and reinstalled. Still no joy. Fuses all pulled and modules reset via ForScan for good measure...still no joy (today). So...I see an ACM in my future. Ford unfortunately wants $1,200 for the part alone. I'll do some digging and see if I can find a cheaper one.

 

[chl]

I doubt it's a wiring issue. I'm experiencing the same thing, it doesn't cut out while driving. It just won't have any audio playing through the system despite acting like it does. Turn the truck off and back on and all is well, It's clearly a software issue.

Weird...and annoying.

I got the recent sync update but my ssd through the usb still works fine.

I usually turn my audio on and off with the physical knob.

Here's a fairly substantial update. It's incredibly intermittent. Worked well all day yesterday. No joy today. Of note @sfringer...my issue isn't resolved with a power cycle or soft reset. It seems to just do what it wants...when it wants.

Did some in depth troubleshooting today...paid for the WSM from Ford and did the step by step troubleshooting for these DTC codes...which included voltage and resistance tests for a handful of circuits in the dash. All signs point to a bad ACM.

I pulled the ACM and opened it up hoping to find something visually that would point me somewhere...and guess what:

That there looks like corrosion to me. I have no recollection of anything ever getting spilled on the dash...but my memory sucks nowadays. Another hypothesis is...this truck has lived its whole life near the ocean in a rather warm environment. It's not outside of the realm of possibilities that the salty air has finally caught up (a little soon it seems to me, but I digress).

I gently brushed the PCB and components with a soft wire brush and reinstalled. Still no joy. Fuses all pulled and modules reset via ForScan for good measure...still no joy (today). So...I see an ACM in my future. Ford unfortunately wants $1,200 for the part alone. I'll do some digging and see if I can find a cheaper one.

The brown spots at some of the solder points could be from some circuit element getting too hot or like you say from corrosion, and there do seem to be what looks a bit like scratches on the board around the square IC 10253 that could be causing an intermittent connection.

Did you get a pic of the other side of the board?

If your DTC codes point to the ACM being bad, then likely nothing you could do but replace it.

However, before you have Ford take your money see this: https://electronicrestore.com/pages/ford-acm-repair-blog

 

[chl]

I doubt it's a wiring issue. I'm experiencing the same thing, it doesn't cut out while driving. It just won't have any audio playing through the system despite acting like it does. Turn the truck off and back on and all is well, It's clearly a software issue.

There have been a few ACM failures though, in prior year F-150s too, a hardware failure or software? https://electronicrestore.com/pages/ford-acm-repair-blog

If it's not a power issue then perhaps a bad board.

 

[chl]

PS: I saw this from the OP's prior thread?

24U14 Audio Control Module ACM Software Update

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...-control-module-new-recall.28782/#post-535651

Is that what they want $1200 for? OMG!

 

[DiveMan911]

Weird...and annoying.

I got the recent sync update but my ssd through the usb still works fine.

I usually turn my audio on and off with the physical knob.

The brown spots at some of the solder points could be from some circuit element getting too hot or like you say from corrosion, and there do seem to be what looks a bit like scratches on the board around the square IC 10253 that could be causing an intermittent connection.

Did you get a pic of the other side of the board?

If your DTC codes point to the ACM being bad, then likely nothing you could do but replace it.

However, before you have Ford take your money see this: https://electronicrestore.com/pages/ford-acm-repair-blog

I didn't get a pic of the other side of the board, but it seemed clean as a whistle.
I did look at that refurbishment place...there are 3 of them that I found...all with similar names, in a similar location in Missouri, but not the same location. I'm reluctant, unless there is someone out there that has tried them and can verify authenticity.

 

[DiveMan911]

PS: I saw this from the OP's prior thread?

24U14 Audio Control Module ACM Software Update

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/...-control-module-new-recall.28782/#post-535651

I saw that as well...but the symptoms are similar...but I can't even get into the ACM module via FORScan...it's not communicating at all.
This TSB seems to really describe my issues quite well...I just don't believe I spilled anything on the dash.

 

[chl]

I didn't get a pic of the other side of the board, but it seemed clean as a whistle.
I did look at that refurbishment place...there are 3 of them that I found...all with similar names, in a similar location in Missouri, but not the same location. I'm reluctant, unless there is someone out there that has tried them and can verify authenticity.

From the service bulletin, if that applies, it should have been done by Ford free of charge and it seems like it's a reprogramming fix.

The repair place wants $179 to repair it, so if it were me I'd at least call them up and talk to them about it.

I've used similar services for other electronic equipment - upgraded my Zune with an SSD having the max storage the device could address and a new battery, when it's HDD died.

Check the BBB to be sure they have a good rep.

 

[chl]

I saw that as well...but the symptoms are similar...but I can't even get into the ACM module via FORScan...it's not communicating at all.
This TSB seems to really describe my issues quite well...I just don't believe I spilled anything on the dash.

I think your need the FDRS software (Ford Diagnostic and Repair Service) - FDRS is for OEM programming/updates. FORScan is for user-level tweaks (e.g., enabling features, changing tire size) and diagnostics.

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