2018 F-250 SYNC 3 CarPlay toggle won’t stay ON

Ford Discussion
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1

Hi, I need help with SYNC 3 / APIM / Apple CarPlay on my 2018 Ford F-250 Lariat 6.7.

Issue:
Apple CarPlay does not launch. In SYNC settings I can turn Apple CarPlay ON for my iPhone, but when I go back and return to the same menu, the CarPlay toggle goes back OFF by itself.

What works:

  • Bluetooth works, but usually does not auto-connect. I can connect it manually.
  • USB detects my iPhone.
  • Music plays through the cable.
  • SYNC shows “Waldemar’s iPhone detected / indexing.”
  • APIM is detected by FORScan.

What I already tried:

  • FORScan full scan
  • Cleared old DTCs
  • APIM Module Reset through FORScan — completed successfully
  • SYNC restarted and works
  • Bluetooth pairing works manually
  • Apple CarPlay and “Show on connection” can be turned ON, but the CarPlay setting does not stay saved after leaving the menu.

Old APIM DTCs before clearing:
U0151:00-08 — Lost Communication With Restraints Control Module
U0184:00-08 — Lost Communication With Radio
Both were “Previously Set - Not Present.”

Question:
Does this sound like APIM As-Built/configuration issue, SYNC software issue, USB hub issue, or failing APIM?

I do not want to replace the APIM before checking configuration. Any advice on what APIM settings or FORScan values to verify?

2

Delete the connection in both the Vehicle and on the phone. Than restart the phone and repair to the vehicle. Use an Apple cable and not an oftermarket one.

3

Thanks. I already tried deleting/re-pairing before, but I will do one full clean test again: remove the phone from SYNC, forget Ford F-250 on the iPhone, restart the iPhone, then pair again and test with an original Apple cable.

The strange part is that USB audio works and SYNC detects/indexes the iPhone, but the Apple CarPlay toggle turns itself back OFF after I leave the menu. That is what makes me wonder if it is APIM config/software instead of just the cable.

4

No, but maybe a hub issue.

The DTC’s listed don’t indicate an issue with the APIM, but if you clear them and they are not persistent then not an issue.

What version of IOS and what phone are you using?
Lightning or USB-C cable connection on the phone?

5

Thanks. I’m using an iPhone 14 Pro with Lightning connection.

I will confirm the exact iOS version, but it is a current/recent iOS version.

I cleared the old DTCs and they did not seem persistent. APIM Module Reset completed successfully in FORScan.

The phone is detected by USB, SYNC indexes it, and USB audio works. The strange part is that Apple CarPlay can be turned ON in the SYNC menu, but when I leave that screen and come back, the toggle goes back OFF.