Ford Transit Display Screen Not Working - Reasons and Fixes

Your Ford Transit screen may be failing because of fuse issues, water damage, ACM (Audio Control Module), or software issues. I've also seen some cases when Ford replaced the whole Sync system because it wasn't working the way it should and they replaced it under warranty.

Screen problems highlights

• Reasons:screen death, connections, physical damage, high voltage, glitch
• Quick fix:reset the system, check power, check fuse, check wiring
• Price forrepair:$0 - $1,000
• Time forrepair:0.5 - 3 hours
• Howcommon:quite common
• DIYrepair:possible

What are the symptoms of the Transit display not working?

There are all kinds of different problems with the infotainment system in Ford Transit vans. Some owners report issues with the freezing and non-responsive systems, while others say about black screens. There are issues when the screen is working but the music is not sounding. And each case has a certain range of possible issues causing it.

So, this article will try and help you solve the problem with the screen in your Transit, whether it's the Sync system or not, whatever kinds of problems you have with it.

What are the reasons for the Ford Transit screen not working?

So, I've compiled a list of reasons why this may happen and also tried to figure out the best solutions for each possible issue. Hope this will help you:

1. Software glitching

Unfortunately, Ford is not the best company in terms of software development and their Sync system is far from being perfect. It may freeze and not respond, it may turn on and off different functions unintentionally. In this case, you may use two ways to reset the screen and try to solve the problem without going to the dealership:

Simple reset: press and hold simultaneously the power button and the seek-further button (arrows showing to the right) for about 7-8 seconds till the screen turns off. Then release the buttons simultaneously and the screen will restart.

Harder reset: locate the battery in your Transit and disconnect it for 10-15 minutes. Then connect the battery and see if the problem disappears.

This may help you solve the issue with the non-working infotainment. Unfortunately, this trick will not work in all cases. So, let's keep on looking at other issues.

2. Blown fuse

Your Transit has two available fuse boxes - one in the interior and the other under the hood. Check the interior fuse box (unfortunately, it's quite hard to access in the new Transit) and see on the fuse map which fuses are connected to the audio system, Sync, and the screen itself. Check those fuses or replace them with the same type of fuses.

Fuses may go bad when there are problems in the electrical system of your vehicle. But sometimes they are just blown without any reasons for this. So, check them and make sure they are still OK.

3. ACM failure - Audio Control Module

This problem seems to be really common for the new Transit generation. The audio control module is extremely afraid of any kind of water damage. Even if you have lots of condensation in your vehicle after sitting in the car for too long with the windows closed, the ACM may say goodbye to you.

You are lucky if the Transit is still under warranty because the OEM new ACM module for your Ford will cost you a fortune. If the car is not under warranty, you may want to search for a used part. Maybe, some scrapyard has it and will sell it three times cheaper than the new OEM one.

Although the most common reason for the ACM failure is water and condensation damage, it may also fail because of a whole bunch of other reasons. This part should be diagnosed in the dealership - this is the quickest way to check it.

4. Dead screen

Another problem you should consider is the dead screen in your Ford Transit. This may have happened because of two things: water damage or mechanical damage. Even if you spilled just a couple of drops of your coffee onto the screen, water damage is quite possible. Also, a strong hit right on the screen with something hard will likely kill the screen.

Checking this on your own is not that easy. But the Ford dealership will have all the diagnostics equipment and will tell you more about the reasons for the problem in minutes. You can then repair your car elsewhere, but at least, you will know the actual reason for the problem.

The bad news is that the OEM screen for your Transit will cost you a fortune. Used screens in good condition are extremely hard to find. So, there is actually no good way out. This is the most expensive failure that can cause a dead screen in your Ford Transit.

What can you try to repair the Transit screen on your own?

If you are a DIYer in terms of car repair or you just want to avoid paying much money to the dealership, you may try locating and solving the issue on your own. There are some ways you can do it, but your success depends mainly on the actual reason for the problem.

Here's what you can try:

• reset the screen by using all the methods that I listed above - both ways of resetting are quite easy to accomplish;
• if this didn't help, locate the fuse box that is placed in the interior of your Ford Transit and then check all the fuses that can be connected to the infotainment system;
• you may want to replace those fuses with other fuses with the same amperage and see if something changes.

Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to check the ACM and the screen itself unless you are a good car mechanic and familiar with Ford technologies. For diagnosing this problem, you will need a good code scanner and also the professional software that will locate the issue and tell you more about the ways to solve it.

I suppose the majority of Ford Transit owners will choose to go to the dealership and have the vehicle inspected there. Although dealers are quite expensive when it comes to repairs, the inspection will not cost a lot. After you understand what the problem is, you can go to any different repair shop and save some money by paying less for labor.

Why may a Ford Transit screen die?

I've seen the 2020 Ford Transit with a broken screen and the owner told me that the screen just went off. But when we kept on talking, he told me that he was converting his van into a camper and made some changes to the electric system. Eventually, this was the reason - he just damaged some connections and the system stopped working.

Another person claimed that his Transit screen stopped working after he was stuck in this car for 3 hours on the highway in the cold weather with a broken engine. He closed all windows and there were a lot of water drops on all surfaces. After three or four days, the screen went off and never turned on again.

So, I suppose that the main reason why the screen in your Ford Transit may die is the water. Water damage, even unobvious and slight may kill any electronics in your car. Ford Sync infotainment systems are known to be afraid of water, so after any water damage they may start glitching and then die.

Overheating is another problem that can potentially kill your infotainment system. If direct sunbeams get on the screen while it works, or the temperature in the vehicle is extremely high, it may lead to irreversible damage to the system. This is a kind of computer, so everything that may kill your laptop, for example, may also kill your Ford Transit's infotainment system.

Final thoughts

Unfortunately, the infotainment system in your Ford Transit is not much better than in earlier Ford models. It can glitch and even die without obviously being damaged. I don't want to say that Ford's infotainment is much worse than in other cars, lots of vehicles have common problems with their screens.

If you are the owner of the Transit, just be aware of one of its common problems - the screen may go off or the music may stop working suddenly and you will have to have the car diagnosed and repaired. And sometimes, the price for this repair will be pretty high.