Black screen after upgrading from version 3.4.23088

Hello,

I have a 2017 Ford Kuga. In the past, I updated Sync 3 to version 3.4.23088. This update was performed via reformat mode from version 2.3.x.

Everything worked fine for two years, and then problems began to arise. The settings started reverting to their default values after each start. I later found out that this was a problem with version 3.4.23088, which also prevents updating to any other version. When I tried to update, I got the INSTL_ERR12 error.

So I used the RW Data Cleaner tool, which solved the problem of the settings reverting to their default values. To prevent this situation from happening again, I wanted to update to a different version. I have been using version 3.4.21194 in another car for a long time, and it works without any problems. So I decided to switch to this version in my Kuga as well.

I used Sync3Updater. It created an installation USB drive for version 3.4.21194 using autoinstall mode. The update took about 1 hour. After the update, Sync3 displayed a message that the update was successful, that I could disconnect the USB drive, and that a restart would take place. After restarting, Sync3 did not start. Only the Ford logo appears, followed by a black screen.

Now I don’t know what to do…

Did I do something wrong? Can I fix it myself, or will I have to replace the entire APIM?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

Damián


SYNC Region: EU

Navigation Variant: Nav

Manufacturer Year: Pre MY20

Install Type: OEM

Old SYNC Version: 3.4.23088

New SYNC Version: 3.4.21194

Do you have a error message, if so what is it?
INSTL_ERR12

Update Method: CyanLabs Syn3 Updater

Syn3 Updater Version: 2.13.3.0

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: 3.4.23088
Region: EU
Navigation: True
Install Mode: Autodetekcia (autoinstall)
Install Mode Overridden: False
My20 Protection Enabled: Zakázať / nie MY20

DESTINATION DETAILS
Mode: Drive
Model: USB DISK 3.0 USB Device
Size: 57,8GB
FileSystem: exFAT
Partition Type: MBR

AUTOINSTALL.LST
; CyanLabs Syn3Updater 2.13.3.0 Stable - Autoinstall Mode - Sync 3.4.21194 EU

[SYNCGen3.0_ALL_PRODUCT]
Item1 = RWDataCleaner TOOL - PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ
Open1= SyncMyRide\PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ
Item2 = GRACENOTES - 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ
Open2 = SyncMyRide\4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ
Item3 = APPS - 5U5T-14G381-ET_1627475308000.TAR.GZ
Open3 = SyncMyRide\5U5T-14G381-ET_1627475308000.TAR.GZ
Item4 = ENH_DAB - 1U5T-14G658-AG_1626915602000.TAR.GZ
Open4 = SyncMyRide\1U5T-14G658-AG_1626915602000.TAR.GZ
Item5 = VOICE - 5U5T-14G391-AP_1626914045000.TAR.GZ
Open5 = SyncMyRide\5U5T-14G391-AP_1626914045000.TAR.GZ
Options = AutoInstall


FILES (5)
PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ (3,2KB)
4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ (689MB)
5U5T-14G381-ET_1627475308000.TAR.GZ (847,2MB)
1U5T-14G658-AG_1626915602000.TAR.GZ (56,8MB)
5U5T-14G391-AP_1626914045000.TAR.GZ (1,5GB)

LOG
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:18] Selected Region: EU - Release: Sync 3.4.21194 - Map Version: Ponechať Existujúce Mapy 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:18] Install Mode: Autodetekcia (autoinstall) Forced: False 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:18] MY20 Protection: Zakázať / nie MY20 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:18] Formatting USB drive
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:18] Re-creating partition table as MBR and formatting as ExFat on selected USB drive
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:26] Checking Existing File: PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:26] Validated: PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:26] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:28] Validated: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:28] Checking Existing File: 5U5T-14G381-ET_1627475308000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:32] Validated: 5U5T-14G381-ET_1627475308000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:32] Checking Existing File: 1U5T-14G658-AG_1626915602000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:32] Validated: 1U5T-14G658-AG_1626915602000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:32] Checking Existing File: 5U5T-14G391-AP_1626914045000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:39] Validated: 5U5T-14G391-AP_1626914045000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:39] Preparing USB drive
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:39] Checking Existing File: PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:39] Copying: PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:39] Validating: PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:39] Copied: PU5T-14G386-BB_1690840002000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:39] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:51:39] Copying: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:52:11] Validating: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:52:18] Copied: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:52:18] Checking Existing File: 5U5T-14G381-ET_1627475308000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:52:18] Copying: 5U5T-14G381-ET_1627475308000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:53:07] Validating: 5U5T-14G381-ET_1627475308000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:53:16] Copied: 5U5T-14G381-ET_1627475308000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:53:16] Checking Existing File: 1U5T-14G658-AG_1626915602000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:53:16] Copying: 1U5T-14G658-AG_1626915602000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:53:20] Validating: 1U5T-14G658-AG_1626915602000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:53:20] Copied: 1U5T-14G658-AG_1626915602000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:53:20] Checking Existing File: 5U5T-14G391-AP_1626914045000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:53:20] Copying: 5U5T-14G391-AP_1626914045000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:54:48] Validating: 5U5T-14G391-AP_1626914045000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:55:05] Copied: 5U5T-14G391-AP_1626914045000.TAR.GZ 
[26. 7. 2025 16:55:05] Generating Autoinstall.lst
[26. 7. 2025 16:55:05] ALL FILES DOWNLOADED AND COPIED TO THE USB DRIVE SUCCESSFULLY! 

Hello, I tried to test the APIM unit using Forscan diagnostics. The APIM unit does not show any errors. Do you think that if I flashed the firmware with a high-quality OBD adapter via Forscan, I could still revive it?

This is a hardware error. The APIM is likely on it’s way out. Formware changes will usually not change the outcome.

Thank you for your reply. I will replace the APIM unit.

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