Program ACM to output audio on main connector instead of usb

I’m looking to retrofit sync in a no sync truck. My dash harness doesn’t have the USB cable for the ACM. Is it possible to use a newer ACM meant to connect to a DSP and program it to output audio on the main harness instead of the USB port? Or do I need the older ACM without the USB?


SYNC Region: NA

Navigation Variant: Nav

Manufacturer Year: MY20

Install Type: Retrofit

Old SYNC Version: 3

New SYNC Version: 3

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

Update Method: Official Ford

The ACM has no USB capability, that is the APIM (Sync unit) that has USB. (Although different versions of the Sync 2.5 do, but that is a certain model ACM with a Sync interface.) Placing Sync into a non-Sync vehicle, although possible, would hardly be worth the effort.

That being said, you list your vehicle as a 2019 F250 with NAV, so it must have some form of Sync system already installed. I think what you seem to really be asking is if you can use an A2B programmed ACM in another vehicle which does not use that setup. The answer is yes, and no. You can program the ACM to output audio on the SPDIF/TOSLINK port (it just uses a USB connector type, it’s not USB), or thru the ACM amplifier if so equipped. Later ACM’s like the 8D818 versions will not work well in this respect as they don’t have the proper channel setup on the amplifier, usually only have the front satellite speakers. The older 19C07 ACM’s would be the ones to look for if you are looking to place an aftermarket amplifier to drive the speakers.

Yes. Use a 19C07 or 8D832 version.

The Blue connecter is called the A2B connector.

I sent this message from my phone and was having issues tagging it correctly. My truck is a non sync XL. I have already replaced the dash harness and have everything installed. All functions on the apim/sync work except audio and the volume change display.

I’ve seen a few threads with the same issue and the fix was always to change the coding in the ACM to match the apim. I’ve tried to align it as well as I can, but still no audio. If the 18d818 doesn’t have the internal amp, that would definitely be the issue. I will get another version of the ACM, unless there’s something I can change in the programming.

Post you APIM and ACM asbuilts.

Here are my current as builts.
1FT7W2B66KEF52652_ACM_20241028_092416.abt (5.3 KB)
1FT7W2B66KEF52652_APIM_20241028_092337.abt (495 Bytes)

I don’t currently have a Sirius antenna, so I have SDARS disabled in both, HD radio disabled in both.

Another note, the year marked on the ACM is 2021. It looks like I was using the wrong programming guide for the ACM, I assumed it should be the 2018-2020 since the eBay listing was for a 2018-2021 Expedition. That might be why I cannot get it aligned.

As long as your ACM has the ability you can enable this. Antenna makes no difference for HD radio.

Thanks for the information. I guessed it needed the DSP or something. Guess I can re-enable that.

I thought I’d try the programming for the 2021+ ACMs, it didn’t seem to work. I did notice I dont have 727-04-02 as an option to program, so I am guessing that it is still the 2018-2020 settings.

@F150Chief any idea from the as builts or should I go ahead and buy the older style ACM?

Thanks!