APIM Firmware Flash Rescue
Read this document fully before starting any actions. It is your responsibility to follow the instructions as outlined below.
This document applies to 2016 thru 2019 (G, H, J, K) APIM’s only. This document does not address, or should the procedures be used on MY20+ APIM’s unless it is confirmed that it is safe to do so.
The procedures contained in this document are specifically for North American (US) APIM configurations to rescue a ‘bricked’ APIM due to an unsuccessful firmware update. See the table below for the correct regional file information for other regions listed. Please use the proper files for your region and navigation version.
It is assumed that you have the following to perform these procedures:
- The latest version of FORScan with a paid license for the ability to flash module firmware.
- A recommended OBD2 adapter listed by FORScan for use to flash module firmware.
- A vehicle battery sustaining device (charger) capable of keeping the battery voltage charge above +12 VDC for the duration of the firmware programming process.
See these resources for information on FORScan
FORScan Software Version 2.4.x Releases and Information - FORScan - Docs - CyanLabs Official Community
FORScan Tutorial Links - FORScan - Docs - CyanLabs Official Community
APIM Firmware Flash Order and Region Information:
This is the correct order to flash the APIM firmware:
GB5T-14G376-AA.vbf (Secondary Boot Loader) //Mandatory
xxxx-14G374-**.vbf (Direct Config Configuration/Strategy (F188)) //Mandatory
xxxx-14G375-**.vbf (ECU Calibration (F124)) //Mandatory
xxxx-14G379-**.vbf (ECU Configuration/Sound Profiles (F10A)) //optional
xxxx-14G379-**.vbf (ECU Configuration/Illumination Strategy (F16B)) //optional
NOTE:
FOR EU APIM’s, all files must be flashed at once.
FOR NA (US) APIM’s, only the xxxx-14G374-xx and xxxx-14G375-xx files need to be flashed.
These are the correct 14G375 files for each region:
xxxx-14G375-A*.vbf 8GB / 16GB EU without NAV
xxxx-14G375-B*.vbf 8GB / 16GB NA without NAV
xxxx-14G375-C*.vbf 8GB / 16GB ROW without NAV
xxxx-14G375-D*.vbf 32GB NA with NAV (Telenav)
xxxx-14G375-E*.vbf 32GB CHINA with NAV (Telenav)
xxxx-14G375-F*.vbf 32GB ANY region with NAV (US Export vehicles) (Telenav)
xxxx-14G375-G*.vbf 32GB ROW with NAV (NNG)
xxxx-14G375-H*.vbf 64GB EU with NAV (Telenav)
xxxx-14G375-J*.vbf 32GB TURKEY with NAV (Telenav)
xxxx-14G375-K*.vbf 32GB UAE with NAV (NNG)
xxxx = The prefix changes based on calibration version.
** = The suffix changes based on file version.
Thanks to AuRoN89 for the above info.
APIM Firmware Flash Rescue (G-2016)
To rescue a North America (NA) G series Gen 1 2016 APIM from a black screen as a result of firmware programming, load the following files and flash the unit. For other regions, see the region firmware chart above. Follow thru the instructions below.
For NAV:
SBL: (shouldn’t have to change this) GB5T-14G376-AA.VBF
Strat: GB5T-14G374-CA.VBF
Cal: GB5T-14G375-DA.VBF (for NA) or GB5T-14G375-FA (ANY region with NAV, US Export)
There seem to be 2 versions of NON-NAV calibrations produced:
For NON-NAV: (G-2016)
SBL: (shouldn’t have to change this) GB5T-14G376-AA.VBF
Strat: GB5T-14G374-CA.VBF
Cal: GB5T-14G375-CA.VBF
For NON-NAV: (G-2016 thru H-2017)
SBL: (shouldn’t have to change this) GB5T-14G376-AA.VBF
Strat: GB5T-14G374-AF.VBF (Use GB5T-14G374-CD to update)
Cal: GB5T-14G375-BA.VBF (or -BB)
NOTE: The GB5T-14G374-AF.VBF from Ford is broken, bad addresses. Use the file from FORScan support.
Uploading strategy file GB5T-14G374-CB may brick the module. Solution is to upload GB5T-14G374-CD instead of GB5T-14G374-CB.
In the FORScan APIM firmware programming screen make sure that nothing says ignored, you should click the button at the bottom that says Force Program, Silence Busses, and Recovery Mode. When it completes, you’ll be at the same point you were before, blank screen. Shut the vehicle off. Likely your HVAC buttons will all stay on.
With the vehicle off, only flash the following:
SBL: GB5T-14G376-AA.VBF
ECU Config/Sound Profile (CAN): GB5T-14G379-AA
ECU Config/Illumination Strat (CAN): GB5T-14G379-BA
It should come back to the ford logo when it’s complete. Turn vehicle on and it should fully power up.
APIM Firmware Flash Rescue (H-Early 2017)
To rescue a North America (NA) H series Gen 2 early 2017 APIM from a black screen as a result of firmware programming, load the following files and flash the unit. For other regions, see the region firmware chart above. Follow thru the instructions below.
For NAV:
SBL: (shouldn’t have to change this) GB5T-14G376-AA.VBF
Strat: GB5T-14G374-CB.VBF
Cal: GB5T-14G375-DA.VBF (for NA) or GB5T-14G375-FA (ANY region with NAV, US Export)
For NON-NAV:
SBL: (shouldn’t have to change this) GB5T-14G376-AA.VBF
Strat: GB5T-14G374-CB.VBF
Cal: GB5T-14G375-CA.VBF
In the FORScan APIM firmware programming screen make sure that nothing says ignored, you should click the button at the bottom that says Force Program, Silence Busses, and Recovery Mode. When it completes, you’ll be at the same point you were before, blank screen. Shut the vehicle off. Likely your HVAC buttons will all stay on.
With the vehicle off, only flash the following:
SBL: GB5T-14G376-AA.VBF
ECU Config/Sound Profile (CAN): GB5T-14G379-AA
ECU Config/Illumination Strat (CAN): GB5T-14G379-BA
It should come back to the ford logo when it’s complete. Turn vehicle on and it should fully power up.
APIM Firmware Flash Rescue (H-J-PRE-2018.5)
To rescue a North America (NA) H or J series Gen 2 PRE-2018.5 APIM from a black screen as a result of firmware programming, load the following files and flash the unit. For other regions, see the region firmware chart above. Follow thru the instructions below.
For NAV:
SBL: (shouldn’t have to change this) GB5T-14G376-AA.VBF
Strat: HB5T-14G374-CA.VBF
Cal: HB5T-14G375-DA.VBF (for NA) or HB5T-14G375-FA (ANY region with NAV, US Export)
For NON-NAV:
SBL: (shouldn’t have to change this) GB5T-14G376-AA.VBF
Strat: HB5T-14G374-CA.VBF
Cal: HB5T-14G375-BA.VBF (for NA) or HB5T-14G375-CA (ROW)
In the FORScan APIM firmware programming screen make sure that nothing says ignored, you should click the button at the bottom that says Force Program, Silence Busses, and Recovery Mode. When it completes, you’ll be at the same point you were before, blank screen. Shut the vehicle off. Likely your HVAC buttons will all stay on.
With the vehicle off, only flash the following:
SBL: GB5T-14G376-AA.VBF
ECU Config/Sound Profile (CAN): GB5T-14G379-AA
ECU Config/Illumination Strat (CAN): HB5T-14G379-BA
It should come back to the ford logo when it’s complete. Turn vehicle on and it should fully power up.
APIM Firmware Flash Rescue (J-K 2018.5+)
To rescue a North America (NA) J series Gen 3 2018 (and early K series) APIM from a black screen as a result of firmware programming, load the following files and flash the unit. For other regions, see the region firmware chart above. Follow thru the instructions below.
For NAV:
SBL: (shouldn’t have to change this) GB5T-14G376-AA.VBF
Strat: 1U5T-14G374-DA.VBF
Cal: 1U5T-14G375-DA.VBF
For NON-NAV:
SBL: (shouldn’t have to change this) GB5T-14G376-AA.VBF
Strat: 1U5T-14G374-DA.VBF
Cal: 1U5T-14G375-CA.VBF
In the FORScan APIM firmware programming screen make sure that nothing says ignored, you should click the button at the bottom that says Force Program, Silence Busses, and Recovery Mode. When it completes, you’ll be at the same point you were before, blank screen. Shut the vehicle off. Likely your HVAC buttons will all stay on.
With the vehicle off, only flash the following:
SBL: GB5T-14G376-AA.VBF
ECU Config/Sound Profile (CAN): GB5T-14G379-AA
ECU Config/Illumination Strat (CAN): JB5T-14G379-BA
It should come back to the ford logo when it’s complete. Turn vehicle on and it should fully power up.