My Ford Touch Reset Mod

I spend, on average, from a hour and a half to two hours a day in my car commuting to work and back. I pass the time listening to podcasts and audio books through my smart phone and the My Ford Touch/Sync system in my Focus. There are known problems with the system that are supposed to be addressed by a future software update. While we're waiting for the next revision of the software, I and others have to pull the fuse or disconnect the car's battery every so often to force a system reboot. This is impractical while on the road and I've done it often enough to start joking that the fuse is going to get loose in its socket and start falling out.

The My Ford Touch Reset Mod is a reset button for the car's computer. It's intended to be minimally invasive and requires no permanent modifications to the vehicle.

Bill of Materials:

Box of mini fuses (I used a Bussmann BP/ATM-5 5 amp)
Wire
Solder
Switch (I used a normally closed momentary push button)
Assortment of different size shrink tubing
Inline fuse holder (Bussmann BP/HHM)

Tools:

Wire cutters and strippers
Soldering iron
Helping hands
Drill and bits (optional)
Rotary tool (Dremel, etc.)
Cut off discs

Cut away the body of the fuse to expose enough of the terminals so that you can solder wires to them. I went through a few iterations. I found the fusible link in the 30 amp too stiff. The 5 amp fuse (brown - middle) seemed to be just right.

Cut and remove the fusible link from the body of the fuse.

Solder enough wire to the modded fuse so that you’re able to position the switch where you want it in the vehicle. I had originally intended to put the switch under the armrest in the center console, so I used plenty of wire.

With the wires attached it is easy to flex the fuse enough to misalign the terminals. To sturdy the thing up a bit, fill the space in between the wires with hot glue before putting on the final piece of shrink tube.

Solder an inline fuse holder into one of the wires. This fuse will keep the circuit protected just as it was from the factory.

After looking around the interior of the car a bit, I decided to mount my switch in the back of the glove compartment. This didn’t require any disassembly of the interior and is easily removed leaving only a 5/8” hole in the rear of the glove box. If you want to have zero impact on the car, you can zip tie the switch up under the dash or something. If you’re not going to mount your switch to anything on the vehicle, cut your wires to length and solder your switch across your wires.

Pull the fuse for your My Ford Touch System (in my 2012 Focus it’s #67), plug your reset switch harness into the fuse block, and put the fuse in the inline holder. Now you have a reset switch for your car’s computer. I’ve only pulled the fuse with the car turned off. I assume that the switch will work with the car on but I can’t verify that. I also assume this voids the warranty so do this at your own peril.