Screen auto dim at night intermittently does not work, dealership claims this is normal.

[tangre]

Even though I'm positive it isn't. This is an ongoing issue with Sync 3 that I know goes as far back as 2018. I've read many forums with owners of Fords/Lincolns all experiencing what I'm experiencing. About half the time, my center screen will fail to switch itself to night mode. I can "kick start" it to night mode by pressing the brightness adjustment buttons, up or down, doesn't matter which way, and then it'll dim. I shouldn't have to do that, that sort of invalidates being able to set it to automatic. It's been to the dealership three or four times now for this. The first time they found nothing wrong and actually tried to bill me even though I'm under full warranty. I proved to them there's an issue with video evidence and they didn't bill me. They had to consult a national Ford/Lincoln service since they couldn't find anything wrong, they recommended reinstalling Sync 3. This didn't resolve the issue. Now they're telling me that corporate told them this is a normal behavior and there's nothing they or corporate can do, which kind of feels like they're trying to brush me off. I think I'm going to phone Lincoln Canada myself and try to work my way up because it's kind of ridiculous that this has been going on this long. Has anybody else had any experience with this issue?

2021 Lincoln Corsair Reserve
Sync3, version 3.4
Build 23188

Short clip of the problem in action:

https://imgur.com/a/hKYpFYf

Examples of the same issue:

“Night” Display Background Bug - Sync Screen Not Changing to Night Mode

I had same issue, my display was set to auto change day/night for over year. Then past months at night it was not changing to night dark mode so screen is blaring like a search light in your face. I just set mine to full time night mode (no auto) and so far solves issue. I have 2022...

lincolnforums.com

Ford sync 3 Not Dimming at Night - Android Auto Community

Center Display brightness - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

2017+ Super Duty - Center Display brightness - Yes, I know how to adjust it manually. The default (auto) setting for brightness is ridiculous at night, a safety issue in my opinion, blocks me from seeing stuff ahead through the windshield. What I want to know is how to synch the display...

www.ford-trucks.com

Sync Screen Brightness Issue

Just to update. The console brightness controls next to the headlight dial did brighten the main screen. Additionally, I have since received the 1.7.1 update and the screen brightness controls are indeed fixed. This worked for me too but still bugs me that the OTA update caused a problem that...

www.macheforum.com

Sync screen not dimming in night mode

Not sure if this is a setting I'm missing or what, but my Sync screen is not dimming automatically when in night mode. When I start the truck in the dark, the screen will have the black background, but it's in full brightness. It's not until I use the dimmer adjustment on the dash that it...

www.fordraptorforum.com

 

[dpcrow]

Constant issue w/ my 2020 corsair. I have it set to dark mode 'ALWAYS', yet it doesn't respect the setting. I've gotten into the car at night and the bright screen is blinding. I'm convinced its bad software programming. Why offer three settings then ignore it?
The only time I've seen it work correctly is if you put it into reverse AND the rear camera activates. Otherwise I tap (3x) the screen button next to the radio volume button. This is easier for me to reach than the brightness button, and keeps the brightness settings I like.

Good luck!

-D

 

[tangre]

Constant issue w/ my 2020 corsair. I have it set to dark mode 'ALWAYS', yet it doesn't respect the setting. I've gotten into the car at night and the bright screen is blinding. I'm convinced its bad software programming. Why offer three settings then ignore it?
The only time I've seen it work correctly is if you put it into reverse AND the rear camera activates. Otherwise I tap (3x) the screen button next to the radio volume button. This is easier for me to reach than the brightness button, and keeps the brightness settings I like.

Good luck!

-D

So far it seems the Lincoln Customer Relations Center has decided to give me the brush off. They say I have to talk to the dealer again, the dealer says they've done all they can. Someone from Lincoln said they'd call the dealer, then told me that the dealer said they found nothing wrong and everything looks normal, therefore, this is a normal behavior with no fix. I sent a pretty lengthy email about being completely unimpressed.

 

[Minuteman3]

Drove our '22 GT last night and this happened ... does seem to be somewhat random although I don't drive enough at night to verify that.

What does surprise me is since 2017, I've had an F-150, a Mustang, an Explorer ST, and now a Ranger ... all with Sync 3. None have had this issue at all. Since the underlying electronics/software ought to be the same, seems odd that the Fords were OK and the "upscale" Lincoln has this issue. Then again, I have also noticed another Lincoln-only quirk -- iPhones are supposed to go into a "Do Not Disturb" mode when connected via BT in the car. All of my phones have done this automatically on all of my Fords, including my current Ranger. The same phone does not do it in our Corsair. All other aspects of the phone connection is normal. Weird.

Ken

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[DomDoobie]

There was a whole lengthy thread on this a while ago. It’s just another bug that Ford software engineers are incapable of fixing ! They must hire engineers right out of school with no real world experience. Or they simply don’t care ! I say fire the CEO and get a real one !!!

 

[Pirate Ship]

My 2020 had the same issue. I always had to touch the plus or minus button for dimming to make it work. But after one of the updates to Sync3, it has worked flawlessly. Wish I could remember which update. Somehow, maybe different car options create different problems. Seems like the updates should work with all cars otherwise.