Guide to Adding SYNC to 2008 Escape

[bluto]

This is the button that I was thinking of that has only 5 functions for the radio only:

I think the issue with the cruise control is that there are variations across the years. We know that 2008 is very different than 2009. There might be other variations from 2009 onward. What I recommend and what is described in the first post of the thread is that you put your original cruise control button and harness into your new wheel (with the second cutout for the media buttons) and then pin the extra wires for the media buttons into it. The picture I posted just above should help. In your original harness the connector that leaves the steering wheel should have empty wire connector pin holes in the spots that are designated for the two radio wires and the two sync wires. You only need to add the two radio button wires. An then you will need to add these on the clockspring connector on the steering column and run them over to the radio. These wires are not present leading from the clockspring connector over to the radio if you did not have the media buttons installed from the factory.

[V6Beast]

^^Good plan.

Now I am having another issue I'm a little puzzled on... after I swapped wheels initially, and went to drive the car, I noticed the wheel is no longer centered. This isn't my first time removing an installing a steering wheel on a car, so I swear I made sure prior to initial removal of the original wheel, I made sure the wheel was centered and steering lock engaged before removing, but looking at the pic below, when driving straight, the wheel is off about 5 degrees to the right.

I tried to fix this a week ago late one night thinking the wheel was just a few splines off, but when I tried to adjust it for how much it is off, I thought I recall the spline design having three notches that pretty much guarantee you can't mess it up as they're 1/3rd turns apart from another. I'm tempted to try this again, but don't want to keep removing the airbag an unnecessary amount of times as it will over time ruin the fitment.

Has anyone else run into this issue? I don't recall the alignment being this off before so I don't want to compensate with the tierods with an alignment just to mask the issue as that leads to other problems.

[bluto]

That looks strange for sure. Are you certain that you can't just pull it back out and turn it slightly counter clockwise to engage the sprocket one more tooth to the left? It seems like the alignment on these would be idiot proof for the guy that slaps them in place on the assembly line. Having to do a fine adjustment on each one would be costly.

[V6Beast]

That looks strange for sure. Are you certain that you can't just pull it back out and turn it slightly counter clockwise to engage the sprocket one more tooth to the left? It seems like the alignment on these would be idiot proof for the guy that slaps them in place on the assembly line. Having to do a fine adjustment on each one would be costly.

Im going to try but I thought the exact same thing. Just haven't had time lately. I thought I recall the steering shaft spline having 3 prongs which pretty much prevent you from messing it up anything less than a drastic amount. I swear I tried what you just recommended but it was late last time I gave it an attempt so maybe I missed something? I'm just as surprised honestly but will give it another go this weekend. Lol.

[cravend]

Hi!

I’m trying to update the radio on my 2008 Ford Escape (6-CD, no subwoofer). I pulled a radio, SYNC module, and wiring harness out of a 2010 Escape from a junkyard. However, the wiring harness has a slightly different plug (I believe for power? I’ve attached photos).

I would appreciate any help/advice. I don’t care about steering wheel controls, I just want basic Bluetooth.

Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/gzkBGQLXLbaVqCeo7

EDIT: my car has a sirius receiver under the passenger seat. It isn’t mission critical to make it work, just wanted to mention it. The new radio has a port that I believe is for the Sirius antenna.

[thesavo]

Wheel misalignment discussion:
The key way should be the same between both wheels. I changed my wheel out for one with media buttons. Both seem be off by the same few degrees, but now I'm not sure. Mine is definitely askew. There is a forscan service procedure call recalibrate steering angle. Perhaps that or Turing one tie rod end in one cycle and the other side out the other. Or perhaps wheels are not all identical and are calibrated after install?

@cravend
As far as plugs not matching, there's an intermediate plug upstream of the radio mounted to the dash frame, it's c248 on most diagrams. It's different after 2008.


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[cravend]

@thesavo that’s the one that I’m having trouble with. Is there any sort of adapter / modified harness that would let me use an ‘09 radio in my ‘08 Escape?

[bluto]

You need the T harness in the sync upgrade kit mentioned in the first post of this thread. With that you can plug your 2009 radio and sync module into your 2008 vehicle without any modifications. While it would be possible to hack something together with the harnesses that you got from the junkyard, it would probably be a very time consuming endeavor. The part number for the sync upgrade kit is 9R3Z-14D212-A, there are a few on ebay right now, but they are asking stupid prices (considering many were sold on ebay for $63 back in the day). I would put a saved search on ebay an hopefully one will come up soon for a reasonable price.

[cravend]

Awesome, I’ll keep an eye out for it. Do you know if there’s a part number specifically for the harness? Or do I need to buy the whole upgrade kit. Also, what does the upgrade kit contain (as far as I know, I have everything except the harness).

[bluto]

https://i749.photobucket.com/albums/xx1 ... 772f1d.jpg

See this picture from page 1.... The kit comes with the T harness, an un-programmed sync module, a microphone, a 3 button keypad to trigger sync, a usb cable, some cable ties, and instructions. I think the harness does have its own part number but I remember trying to search by that number and didn't find anywhere selling it.

With the kit and a 2009 radio, everything is plug and play going into a 2008. You will need the sync module you got out of the Escape from the junk yard because it is already programmed. The one that comes in the kit is not programmed and cannot by programmed by the dealer on a 2008 (not that any dealer would want to do the programming for this kit anyway in 2020). You can sell the un-programmed sync module on ebay. Hopefully your sync module has version 1.x of the software on it since 2.x and up give an audible warning about 911 assist being disabled.

You will use the remote that comes with the kit to trigger the sync unless you want to install the steering wheel button that has the three sync buttons built in. The microphone is also needed unless you try to upgrade to a mirror with a built in mic. And the usb cable plugs into the proprietary connector on the sync module and provides a regular usb plug for a flash drive with music on the other end.