I bought a used APIM on eBay to upgrade from sync 2. Part number KR3T-14G370-CLB. Attached it to a sync 4 screen, booted up and it turned out it was a 4" firmware. Since I have the 8" I don’t have the buttons to go in the settings and read the sync version. Googled the p/n and found a cyan labs thread that it could be flashed to 8". I did the syn3 update wrong (selected 3.4.23188 for both old and new), selected reformat to give me the most current maps, and stuck the usb in the truck. After it rebooted, the screen went black with no backlight. I can tell when I do the soft reset because the usb hub blinks off and back on but that’s it. I can read codes and AB data with for scan so I know the module isnt unresponsive. But can I fix it?
SYNC Region: NA
Navigation Variant: Nav
Manufacturer Year: Pre MY20
Install Type: Retrofit
Old SYNC Version: 3.4.23188
New SYNC Version: 3.4.23188
Do you have a error message, if so what is it?
Black screen no backlight
Update Method: CyanLabs Syn3 Updater
Syn3 Updater Version: 2.12.00
Syn3 Updater Documentation Read: yes
Syn3 Updater Log File
Interrogator doesn't do anything now after the black screen
4” software. Installing 8” software should have fixed this. KR3T-14G370-CLB is the assembly number, the actual APIM part number is likely 3U5T-14G371-BDC. Look on the rear of the APIM to verify. You will need to remove the screen.
The version selection really does not matter in this case, that’s not the issue.
It can probably be fixed, but we need to know what the actual APIM part number and firmware from FORScan.
Ah you mean these labels. I can’t see a Ford part number on there so hopefully it has the info you’re looking for. Sorry for the poor quality, I grabbed it from the eBay listing I bought it from.
It’s a NAV 32GB version. It has a different part number identified but it is an FG-185-SG32. Manufacture date of Nov 2018.
You will need to attach the unit to a FORD 8” screen, as the reformat tool does not have the drivers for the aftermarket or the Sync 4 screens. You need a Sync 3 screen. Once you have finished the reformat you can use the 8” Sync 4 screen.
Screen is scheduled to arrive Friday then I can use it to unbrick that one APIM and maybe update the one that comes with the screen as well since I only have sync 4 screens here as of now.
While we wait, a couple questions:
In my retrofit in the 13 F250, the USB ports stay lit 24/7. Also, the APIM stays pretty hot (too hot to hold because it’s metal) even with the truck off. Unplug it for 10 mins and it’s cooled to room temp. Is this normal?
Also with sync 3 older than 3.4 will you always get a black screen on a sync 4 screen?
Thanks for tolerating all the questions. I am quick to learn about things but this is my first time breaking/fixing the system.
Odds are that the wire harness you bought has this wired to constant power and not to the APIM like is should be.
This is probally also due to the wire harness. It does get pretty warm but should not be this hot all the time and especially when the vehicle is off. If not the harness you may have a conterfit APIM.
Thank you for your quick reply. A few things to note:
When I unplug the main APIM connector, the USB port lights go off. So I believe it is wired to the APIM. I would have thought that it would be wired to the ignition instead so that it would stop charging when you turn the ignition off and open the door, but that’s just me.
As for the heat problem, I have had it happen with two separate APIMs that were genuine used Ford.
I was under the impression that the Sync 2 and 3 modules are pin compatible, unlike the sync four module, and don’t require repinning the 54-pin plug
Ford actually put a fan on some of them so it is possible.
2 & 3 are mostly the same and usually only wires are added in later years. Even 4 is mostly the same other than some canbus wire changes that will stop Sync 4 from working if not removed.
Okay so, got the Sync 3 screen on the bench and wired up the APIM plug to power, ground, and the USB hub.
the APIM reformat goes through until it reaches the CGH map file and then errors out. Did this on two APIMs, the bricked KR3T-14G370-CLB and the one that came with the screen, KL3T-14G370-PBH.
The Syn3 updater USB is set up for 3.4 and nav but maybe these don’t have nav? Or I am doing something else wrong? Should I re-make the USB?
What test setup are you using to keep the APIM alive and powered?
Both of those APIM’s are 32GB NAV units, both pretty reliable. The issue is not with those, it is with the setup or the installation.
If you USB is getting hot it could be an issue.
Could you post your installation log from the USB?
Also, if you could run the Interrogator Utility it would pin point an issue with the APIM’s if there is one.
Okay, I’m using a 3-6A regulated DC supply. I upgraded both units to 3.4.23188, by selecting non-nav when making the USB update stick, and both updated successfully. So we did un-brick the one I bricked.
I know that I’m new here, but one of these units came out of a car with a 4.2” screen, so I can’t see that having nav. That was the whole reason to update it, to go from 4” to 8”.
Both of these units also have plastic FAKRA jacks and the 3rd unit, has a metal one. I have verified this third unit to have working nav, before updating it.
Here are the interrogator logs from the 2 units in question. I’m not sure if reformatting them as non-nav will cause them to read as non-nav to the interrogator but hopefully this doesn’t change the hardware info.
Thank you. To give an update, the 3rd APIM reformatted successfully, the maps went in too, so it went into the truck with the sync 4 screen. 2013 F250, 2017-19 roof GPS antenna and splitter. Used my Sync 2 as-built data, changed the volume display type to Rotary, nav type to telenav internal, and then of course I had the GPS position error. I added the appropriate 7D0-07-xx blocks from a 2019 F250 as-built, as well as changing the wheel tick frequency and gps antenna mount location. The position is still a bit off but not much.
Reading through the as built data I think I need to change the 7D0-05-xx blocks as well.
