Ford SYNC Bluetooth disconnection problem - fix in description!

Do you have the problem seen in the video? Read on...

When the Bluetooth module errors, you phone will seem to be connected, but no audio (music, phone sounds or hands-free calls) will work. The head unit disconnects as soon as you try to play audio and this happens with Android and Apple devices.

It also happens even if you do not download your phone book to your head unit. Some people say large phone books fill up the (limited) SYNC memory and/or overwhelms its processor. While it's a slow, limited system, I don't think that's the problem.

This appears to be a firmware issue in 2014+ systems, the older SYNC fitted in my 2013 MY (Model Year) Fiesta ST did not error in the same way.

Viewer feedback -- *try these first*...
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User Judicar also suggested pressing Power & Next Track, something they came across by accident. "You get a message that reset signal was sent and then SYNC just vanishes for a minute two and you only have radio until it comes back." This worked on their 2015 Mustang non-premium. I've not tested this, if it works for you please comment.

Some commenters said they only had to remove then reinsert the SYNC fuse after a few seconds while the head unit was in standby mode. This may work for you too :-) If not, follow the full instructions below.

User Aaron comments that on his 2011 Fusion, "the interior fuse panel is under the steering wheel waaaaaay up in there. Just unplug the #13 5 Volt fuse and presto it works. Sidenote: if you do this with the 10 Volt "radio controller" fuse right underneath, it does NOT work."

TO RESET SYNC BLUETOOTH:
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Ford dealers sometimes recommend a full battery disconnect! TOTALLY unnecessary. To fix:

Step 1: Fully unpair your phone from the head unit - delete its entry in the SYNC Bluetooth devices list and delete the SYNC entry on the phone for good measure.

Step 2: Locate the SYNC fuse in the glove compartment fusebox (consult your owner's manual) and pull it out. I also closed and double locked the car to make it go to low power sleep mode (and properly turns off the head unit).

Step 3: Unlock the car, get in and turn on the radio without the fuse inserted. After a few seconds turn off the radio and lock the car again.

Step 4: Unlock and open the car and reinsert the SYNC fuse. Turn on the head unit, select Aux and cycle through until you reach SYNC Bluetooth.

The Bluetooth module will initialise and re-add your device if you did not delete it before starting the process. I recommend a full delete and re-pair.

Bluetooth not showing as AUX input?
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Don't panic, it happens occasionally. If SYNC Bluetooth is not available as an Aux source, the module has not initialised and repeating steps 2 to 4 should bring it back.

This did not happen with my 2013 Model Year Fiesta ST. It's happened a lot with my 2016 Model Year ST (and other Fiestas and Focuses). The older version of SYNC in UK Fords sucks.