APIM essentially bricked, stuck on “Please Insert USB stick…”

wojtek · 10 August 2025 13:14

Hi, I wanted to update my sync version in my Ford Fiesta mk8 2018, I first did interrogator log, everything worked fine, no issues whatsoever, my apim is NOT my20, also everything else seemed in order.
Then using syn3 app I created USB for update, when I put it in my car it detected update and went into reformat mode. Since then updating just can’t progress, it’s stuck on “Please Insert USB stick…” all the time. I tried doing restart (with power and skip forward button) many times, no effect, it restarts but USB is never detected. I also tried detaching battery for 30min, no effect. I tried this with many sync versions and many USBs, also with both USB ports, nothing works. Can anyone help me?

SYNC Region: EU

Navigation Variant: Non Nav

Manufacturer Year: Pre MY20

Install Type: OEM

Old SYNC Version: 3.0.17276

New SYNC Version: 3.4.23188

Do you have a error message, if so what is it?
Please Insert USB stick…

Update Method: CyanLabs Syn3 Updater

Syn3 Updater Version: 2.13.3.0 (Stable)

Syn3 Updater Documentation Read: yes

Syn3 Updater Log File

CYANLABS - SYN3 UPDATER - V2.13.3.0
Branch: Stable
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro (2009)

PREVIOUS CONFIGURATION
Version: 3.0.17276
Region: EU
Navigation: False
Install Mode: Auto-Wykrywanie (reformat)
Install Mode Overridden: False
My20 Protection Enabled: WYŁĄCZONE / Nie dla MY20

DESTINATION DETAILS
Mode: Drive
Model: Wilk USB DISK 3.0 USB Device
Size: 28,9GB
FileSystem: exFAT
Partition Type: MBR

REFORMAT.LST
VOICE=5U5T-14G391-AT_1660763323000.TAR.GZ
GRACENOTES=4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ
ENH_DAB=1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ
APPS=NU5T-14G381-AD_1689364279000.TAR.GZ


AUTOINSTALL.LST
; CyanLabs Syn3Updater 2.13.3.0 Stable - reformat  Mode - Sync 3.4.23188 EU

[SYNCGen3.0_ALL_PRODUCT]
Item1 = RWDataCleaner TOOL - PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ
Open1 = SyncMyRide\PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ
Item2 = REFORMAT TOOL  - 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz
Open2 = SyncMyRide\1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz
Options = AutoInstall

FILES (6)
1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz (8,5MB)
PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ (3,2KB)
5U5T-14G391-AT_1660763323000.TAR.GZ (1,5GB)
4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ (689MB)
1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ (57,5MB)
NU5T-14G381-AD_1689364279000.TAR.GZ (869,8MB)

LOG
[9.08.2025 21:03:39] Selected Region: EU - Release: Sync 3.4.23188 - Map Version: APIM BEZ NAWIGACJI 
[9.08.2025 21:03:39] Install Mode: Auto-Wykrywanie (reformat) Forced: False 
[9.08.2025 21:03:39] MY20 Protection: WYŁĄCZONE / Nie dla MY20 
[9.08.2025 21:03:39] Formatting USB drive
[9.08.2025 21:03:39] Re-creating partition table as MBR and formatting as ExFat on selected USB drive
[9.08.2025 21:03:47] Checking Existing File: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz 
[9.08.2025 21:03:47] Downloading: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz
[9.08.2025 21:03:52] Validating: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz 
[9.08.2025 21:03:52] Downloaded: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz 
[9.08.2025 21:03:52] Checking Existing File: PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:03:52] Downloading: PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ
[9.08.2025 21:03:53] Validating: PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:03:53] Downloaded: PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:03:53] Checking Existing File: 5U5T-14G391-AT_1660763323000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:03:53] Downloading: 5U5T-14G391-AT_1660763323000.TAR.GZ
[9.08.2025 21:10:44] Validating: 5U5T-14G391-AT_1660763323000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:10:52] Downloaded: 5U5T-14G391-AT_1660763323000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:10:52] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:10:52] Downloading: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ
[9.08.2025 21:12:59] Validating: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:13:03] Downloaded: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:13:03] Checking Existing File: 1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:13:03] Downloading: 1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ
[9.08.2025 21:13:16] Validating: 1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:13:16] Downloaded: 1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:13:16] Checking Existing File: NU5T-14G381-AD_1689364279000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:13:16] Downloading: NU5T-14G381-AD_1689364279000.TAR.GZ
[9.08.2025 21:16:49] Validating: NU5T-14G381-AD_1689364279000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:16:54] Downloaded: NU5T-14G381-AD_1689364279000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:16:54] Preparing USB drive
[9.08.2025 21:16:54] Checking Existing File: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz 
[9.08.2025 21:16:54] Copying: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz 
[9.08.2025 21:16:55] Validating: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz 
[9.08.2025 21:16:55] Copied: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz 
[9.08.2025 21:16:55] Checking Existing File: PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:16:55] Copying: PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:16:55] Validating: PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:16:55] Copied: PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:16:55] Checking Existing File: 5U5T-14G391-AT_1660763323000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:16:55] Copying: 5U5T-14G391-AT_1660763323000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:19:25] Validating: 5U5T-14G391-AT_1660763323000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:19:31] Copied: 5U5T-14G391-AT_1660763323000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:19:31] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:19:31] Copying: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:20:41] Validating: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:20:45] Copied: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:20:45] Checking Existing File: 1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:20:45] Copying: 1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:20:51] Validating: 1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:20:51] Copied: 1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:20:51] Checking Existing File: NU5T-14G381-AD_1689364279000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:20:51] Copying: NU5T-14G381-AD_1689364279000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:22:17] Validating: NU5T-14G381-AD_1689364279000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:22:20] Copied: NU5T-14G381-AD_1689364279000.TAR.GZ 
[9.08.2025 21:22:20] Generating reformat.lst
[9.08.2025 21:22:20] Generating autoinstall.lst
[9.08.2025 21:22:20] ALL FILES DOWNLOADED AND COPIED TO THE USB DRIVE SUCCESSFULLY!

wojtek · 10 August 2025 14:50

Also both USBs in my car charge the phone when plugged in.

Is there any way to force new (or old) sync system or firmware onto APIM? or is it just bricked completely? Can I do something with forscan?

F150Chief · 10 August 2025 16:49

Could you share the xml file from the Interrogator Utility result…

wojtek · 10 August 2025 18:53

Sure, here is interrogator log:

Sync_Interogator_.xml (10.0 KB)

Also here is photo how it looks like:

Stuck on this screen, can’t get it to detect USB no matter what, there is power on USB ports and before update carplay, android auto worked just fine.

F150Chief · 10 August 2025 19:39

Stuck in reformat. The xml file looks fine.
Make sure there is nothing plugged into the USB ports except the USB stick you are using for the update.
Reformat Boot Screen Recovery (Not Black Screen) - Ford / Guides - CyanLabs Official Community

wojtek · 10 August 2025 20:29

Thanks for info! I gave it a try, but unfortunately it didnt work, no reaction, still just getting the “Please Insert USB stick…”

Is there any way to fix it not using USB sticks? Like forcing something by FORScan?

I think it just can’t detect any thumb drive no matter what.
(Though there is power, phone is charging and few hours earlier USB worked perfectly fine)

bill32399 · 10 August 2025 20:33

Try a different thumb drive.

wojtek · 10 August 2025 20:41

Already tried like 5 different thumb drives.
USB 3.0, USB 2.0,
but none of them are being detected.

SaNdMaN · 10 August 2025 21:21

Is any of them of a well known brand like SanDisk?.

That does not scream quality brand.

So:

if you have tried a quality USB pendrive
and there’s NOTHING connected to the unit (not even an SD card that may contain maps)

One of your last options is replacing the USB HUB.

wojtek · 11 August 2025 05:36

Yeah, I have tried SanDisk, Kingston and there is nothing different connected to the unit.

I’m just wondering whether I should replace only USB hub, the entire wiring harness for Sync 3, or maybe APIM.

Because in car there are two USB ports, one near gearstick and another in the center console.

Both don’t work.

wojtek · 11 August 2025 13:36

Okay, I finally FIXED it.

So i disassembled the car, got access to APIM
And instead of having car USB wires plugged in, I used this weird adapter

Then plugged my thumb drive into it, and it worked on first try.

After SYNC update was installed everything works perfectly, Carplay is working, phone is charging.

So I have no idea why it didn’t work but there is this hacky way to fix it if anyone would need to.

SaNdMaN · 11 August 2025 14:06

Congratulations, but you connecting that cable directly to the APIM is basically bypassing the part we said you should replace: the USB HUB.

system · 13 August 2025 14:07

This topic was automatically closed 2 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.