Hi guys first time using this site and need some help. I got a 2014 Ford Explorer XLT and got a sync 3 screen and apim without nav from a junkyard for $75 from a 2018 Ford Explorer XLT. I have all necessary components except GPS antenna. I switched only the sync device to test it out and its working. But the sync 3 is going crazy and randomly pressing the bottom buttons on the screen. It doesnt stop and is it supposed to do that? Can it be fixed or did I get a bad screen?
You’ve got a bad config in the APIM.
You need to have a custom config for the conversion, your car isn’t natively Sync3 compatible.
Every second it presses audio, phone, apps, and settings every second in order. I have forscan and would I have to turn off configurations that I dont have. For example I think I saw an option to turn on heated steering wheel on the screen which I should turn off in forscan?
A 2018 Explorer is a CGEA 1.3 vehicle. The 11-15 Explorers are CGEA 1.2 so there are several AB changes you need to make to get this to work right. Find the AB from a 2017 Ford Flex and use the AB out of that. They were CEGA 1.2 and came with Sync 3 after 2017. Those AB settings will get you pretty much where you want to be since the options and wiring were identical to an Explorer for the most part.
There also is a strong change the screen is bad. Make sure you doing master resets on it also.
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Do you know if just the sync 3 screens are interchangeable? I have a 2017 ford explorer sync 3 screen I can use. I can remove the apim from the 2018 and put it on the 2017 screen
You can use a screen off any APIM from 17-19 on a J series APIM.
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I will remove the 2018 apim and put it on the 2017 screen and see if it still does the random pressing. If it works then it was the screen being bad. Also how can I reset it or soft reset before switching screens to see if that fixes it?
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I switched screens and it works. Its not pressing randomly so the screen the 2018 came with is bad. Everything works except I cant control the climate on the screen. It works manually but I cant see what is going on the screen. Steering wheel buttons work and backup camera work. Also I cant change radio stations on screen. I think the screen is not fully off when the car is off
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Yes you have bad AB settings. Like I said use a Flex AB from 2017. Your still set to CGEA 1.3 for the APIM and that is wrong.
If you get desperate I can send you my AB from my 2015 Explorer. I have a few options you will not have though.
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I dont think there is a difference between 2014 and 2015. But sure if you can send it if it will be easier. I just need to know how to upload it and all that stuff. I only used forscan to turn on remote that was disabled.
There is no difference other than the options. Mine is setup for Heated SW and Heated and Cooled seats so you may have to turn those off. I also installed auto park so that will be turned on also along with the OEM Sony system I installed. The TCU is also turned on with Hotspot. Mine Exp is HEAVLY modified. 
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Oh its just changing those? Did you also did sync 2 to 3 upgrade?
Dude mine was a police car, it had nothing in it. I wired and installed everything along with tons of other OEM upgrades.
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Thats crazy. Do you know if I can copy and paste those numbers from my sync 2 to 3?
You cannot use the Sync 2 AB values in Sync 3 for the most part. They have different meanings in many cases and will cause problems.
Will this work to follow. Has ford explorer forscan codes
Sure it will work but we have massive databases here for settings. Here is a complete APIM one for Sync 3…
What will be easier to do? I can tell you the features I have.
Just post your current AB here. It will just be easier for myself or someone else to tell you what to change.
I can do that. Where should I go? I used forscan but where should I go to send you a pic?