2019 Explorer ACM with DAB

Ford SYNC 3 Support Ford Update Support
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1

Hi all, I own a US 2019 Explorer with Sync 3 and would like to have DAB+ in EU.

Sync 3 is running, originaly I changed Region and updated to 3.4 using Syn3Updater with Cut Maps in the US APIM.
All went OK but I got a good deal on one EU APIM and replaced the stock one.

All works good but I tried to enable DAB and I think my stock ACM does not have the hardware needed and I might have to replace it as well.

I already asked a Ford dealer about it but as always, the “you have a US car, not possible or we can’t help” answer was the first I got…

Does anybody have an idea of which ACM’s with DAB+ would be fit to exchange and confirm if my ACM has DAB or not?

My ACM P/N: kb5t-18d832-ha

The DAB symbol ist activated in the APIM but nothing happens when pressed

SYNC Region: EU

Navigation Variant: Nav

Manufacturer Year: Pre MY20

Install Type: OEM

Old SYNC Version: 3.0.19205

New SYNC Version: 3.4.23188

Do you have a error message, if so what is it?

Update Method: Official Ford

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2

You seem to have my exact problem, but you do not have the further annoyance of having a blue A2B socket on your ACM.
Source an ACM from any UK/Euro 2018-on Ford model ,
make sure it has the Black and Yellow antenna sockets,
an ACM with Black/Yellow/White antenna sockets will be OK too.
If your ACM is fitted in the dashboard and has the CD port you will need a 19C107 unit, if your ACM doesn’t have a CD port you’ll need a 18D818 unit. Plenty on Ebay for £60-100.
Enable DAB on your Sync 3 screen and just plug it in and see.
I’ve done this with my Lincoln, the DAB works fine, the FM has RDS and Traffic Announcements, great, but no sound :frowning:

3

Hi, thank you for your input.
However I don’t think it is as simple as finding an ACM unit with 19C107-XX or 18D815-YY.
There are no EU Explorer until 2020, the closest one is the Edge and there are a lot of them with Sync 2 ACM…
There are however many other Fords with Sync 2 and 3.
My Explorer was imported new to EU, came with US audio version and was not replace by the EU dealer, I bought in August and I’m the first person starting to change it to EU.
I’ve been searching since before I posted this thread and I did find many units with those middle numbers but the XX and YY differ and when looking through Ford catalogs not all of them have GPS/ DAB/ Sound Supression and so on.
So far I did narrow it down to a few 19C107 units because I could compare them on Ford Microcat Europe, on and offline.
Did not search for 18D815 units so far but will include them now.
Problem with most used parts vendors/ yards is they are not inclunding the VIN numbers and it is troublesome to ask for the VIN all the time and many won’t even answer, so it is a slow search.
And the prices are €200-350…

That was the reason I asked here for help in the first place…
Guess what I’m trying to achieve has never been done before, who knows…

About the CD is actually irrelevant and one can deactivate it in the Asbuilt but I do believe that not all EU ACM support DAB and all the other options.

I’m sure your situation is not like mine, mine might be easier to solve, but I don’t want to spend my energy buying parts that will not work and have to send them back or end up with something that does not work right.
Either do the job right or not do it at all.
It is almost done anyway…

Again, thank you for you input!
Greetings from Switzerland!

4

I understand, owning an Import sometimes can come with complications.
Good luck.

5

Hi there…I had a super old ACM in my 2011 Explorer. Tried all possible Forscan settings, to get even frequencies and DAB working to no avail. Then went on and bought an ACM from Mondeo for under 50 Eur, and viola everything works as is should - DAB, RDS, TA you name it… The internals of the ACM are different from US vehicle units (made in EU vs Mexico) but it fits perfectly. I had only to replace the brackets, but again, I was able to reuse the old ones from my 2011 ACM - the screw holes match exactly. I think the ACMs are the same for Explorers 2011-2019 (gen 5), so you should be fine. Here are the photos and part number MONDEO MK5 DS7T-19C107-GN. Btw. I would not recommend the “programming solutions” sold for 100s of Euros. The fine print says that you will loose RDS or something else - the hardware is just not compatible with European standards.

Hope my 2 eurocents help.

Vlad

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6

Btw I also updated the old SYNC2 APIM and screen with a 2018 SYNC3 screen and APIM and it works just fine. Also replaced the US sync/maps with the trimmed EU version - big thanks to the Cyanlabs gang…amazing job guys.

7

hi, I already had SYNC 3, changed the region to EU, did the Sync Update, Mods, Cut Maps and all worked.
Got a semi bricked EU APIM for €80.00 to replace the US one, updated it, coded it to my car and all is working.
As for the ACM, and after long reading, comparing Asbuilt files and VIN numbers, car options and so on , there are many ACM’s that should work, Mondeo MK5, S-Max, Galaxy, Edge and possibly some others.

Like I replied above, the prefix and part number is somewhat irrelevant and so is if it has internal CD or not.
DS7T in your case are the first ones for Mondeo, whereas the HS7T the latest, but also S-MAX and Galaxy,
D 2014+
H 2017+
EM2T for Edge,
and many with other prefix.
The last two letters (Revision) dictate if it has DAB or not and the level , GN, HK, HJ, HL, HM, VE, VF and many more have DAB.
Some (older) belong to the SYNC 2 equipment but will work in SYNC 3.

I bought the HS7T-19C107-VF from 2018, still I paid 100 for it. any with Hx would be for €150+ depending where you find it…

Then there is the issue with the antena, don’t know if my Explorer will be able to receive DAB signal, being a US car… I know many Edge are not because the EU Edge DAB antena is located in the back window and US cars lack the connectors for the signal isolator to be applied.
Can’t find out if my Explorer has an Isolator for AM/FM installed somewhere, if it has, it can be replaced with a AM/FM/DAB isolator, P/N: DS7T-18C847-CB and problem solved.
Still waiting for the ACM and will post back the results/ outcome.

I’m for sure ready to modify my car if needed, no matter what, if the cost justifies the outcome.

Anyway, your two cents came a bit late but it helps me and others confirm what I found so maybe the next one can solve the same problem in a matter of few hours instead searching and learning for weeks.

And no, I do not buy the any programming solutions, I have more than enough skills and hardware to do it myself and if I need i’ll ask for guidance after I take my time reading and learning.

Greetings from Switzerland

8

Thanks for the update…what I wanted to say was that none of the programming solutions works, i.e. you cannot tweak the settings/flash a US ACM to get all European features work (DAB, frequencies etc.).
As far as compatibility goes the only “issue” I seem to have is the lack of second AM/FM/DAB antenna. Since my Explorer had the Sirius XM, I left the second antenna connector empty. I get a DTC code for that (open circuit on secondary antenna) but it does not bother me too much - the functionality is all there and no errors on the screen.
Not sure about the SYNC2/SYNC3 compatibility issues, since my 2011 ACM worked with the SYNC3 APIM no problems, except for the European features.
I have seen these isolators sold also as antenna amplifiers, I may give that a try since the DAB signal can be a bit weak at times. They are pretty cheap too…just need to find more info about where/how to install them and will see.

9

Hi, yes, I know I can’t tweak anything on the US ACM as the hardware is just not there.
I made all the possible tweaks and moved straight on because of that.

Yes, SYNC 3 is backwards compatible with SYNC 2 ACM, but as you and I did, if we have to buy a new ACM it makes sense to buy one of the latest models and for SYNC 3 instead of buying an older one.

As for the Isolator, it is connected to a part of the heater element in the rear window, like in many other brands, VW for one. And note that VW cars have one of the best receptions…
Many imported Edge owners replace the window with an EU model so they can get the functionality.
I don’t know if there is a similar window for my 2019 Sport but will look into it if there is no other option.
On my Focus ST MK2 I do get DAB over the Aerial antena with a help of an signal amplifier, so maybe I can recreate the same thing on the explorer…

Look for that insulator online and try to find the VIN from donor car, check through any online parts catalogue and you will find how they are connected.

10

Hi, I just checked the wiring diagrams for my 11 Explorer ltd and there seems to be no such isolator present. The coax wires (1 AM/FM and 1 Sirius XM) go straight from the roof antenna into the ACM. So I am not sure if I could even use such an isolator / amplifier since the wiring just does not match. And as you say this has to be connected to the rear window heating element, and I dont think this can be done on my car.
Any idea if the isolator/amplifier can be hooked up to the roof antenna wiring by doing some rewiring or other “magic”? Or maybe installing a new antenna elsewhere and hook it up to the isolator. Even if there was such an option (but not sure if gen 5 Explorers were ever intended to support DAB), I would imagine buying a new rear window for an import-only car is going to be quite expensive.
Thanks.

11

Hi again, apologies if this is a primitive question, but I am not familiar with the isolators at all. I found this photo on another forum showing the isolator being connected to the heating element of the rear window…there are actually two isolators shown. The right one seems to be the AM/FM/DAB one.

  1. Is it possible to just the isolator directly to the hot/ground connecting points of the heating element, or is there some specific connection required?
  2. Is the heating element actually powered through the isolator? Can really tell from the thickness of the cables shown?
    If that was possible I would buy one and add the additional wiring to mimic the setup shown in the photo.
    Thanks for any info.
    Vlad
12

Please DO NOT connect any isolator/ signal amplifier to the heater element without preventing the current from flowing directly into the isolator and possibly to the ACM with possible severe damage to it.

You can use the heater element as an antena but, you need to install a diode or any other sort of current blocker so when you turn the heater on, current flows only towards the heater and you don’t run the risk of burning other hardware.
Or you just disable the heater element… case closed.

There are guides online on how to do that and what to use if you just google how to.
If it really works well, I would have to try it myself to be able to answer that.
Don’t know if the coil will lose signal when heated… or some other setback.
I do know that you need a certain resistance range which already brings many other questions… so better not even starting to speak about…

Now:

  1. Yes, if you follow what I told you above. The heater will act as an antenna, the isolator has it’s own +/- points.

  2. In your picture, the grey isolator is AM/FM/DAB with the HA sufix, the ones with SA will only be AM/FM.
    I will have to find someone who can measure it or find myself a car to measure myself but I believe that the Green/black wire on the right is 12v being the 10mm screw on the left the GRD. Brown and Black going up are antenna connection.

  3. The stripes you see on the window where these two wires are connected ARE NOT part of the heater, they are indeed the antenna itself.
    Try to pay attention to some other cars, you will see it. I’ll try to get a picture from an Edge at work, but can’t promise when…

  4. If you are thinking about experimenting, buy an isolator with the plugs attached, it will make your life easier.
    You can remove the pins, repin the plugs and be on track with an near OEM install :wink:

Hope I helped somehow.

@community
If someone else can add something to this thread, please don’t be shy.

15

And what do you think the job of an isolator is?
Please don’t give advice if you don’t know what you’re talking about.

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