Reformating Chinese APIM to European spec, in order to get cut down EU maps

Ford SYNC 3 Support
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1

Hi everyone, nice meet you here. First time poster but long time fan of the board. I have a 2017 Lincoln Continental, it was built to Chinese spec and as such the APIM is Chinese as well. I wanted to reformat/reflash the APIM and ACM in order to get EU maps and languages working on the car. I first wanted to reflash the APIM and ACM before starting on the upgrade of sync (orginally it ran on Sync 3 v. 2.2.16280). I managed to change all the APIM and ACM parameters from Asia to EU and Germany (where I live). After that I inserted the prepared usb stick with the cutdown maps to install. I used the sync updater tool to make the stick. My settings were as can be seen in the screenshot. However, when I insert the USB, I never get a prompt that it was detected and as such the install was started… like I should get. I decided to take the car for a drive as maybe the file was parsing or something like that but after 45 minutes… nothing… no notification no prompt… nothing. Then I park the car and remove the usb and do an ignition cycle, I get a message saying that some functions are disabled as there is an install running, do not remove the stick and keep the car running. There however is no progress bar and the stick was not in the unit. I then again reinsert the stick but…nothing. No change, still no notification that it is doing something. Any ideas? Could be that this way of upgrading does not work with Chinese spec APIMs? BTW after the reboot I did see that I managed to change the region of the APIM as it now had European languages and some slightly different warning prompts as compared to the Chinese English prompts. But the version was not upgraded. Another BTW, the whole install file on the stick (in the syncmyride folder) was about 11 gb. I wanted to update to version 3.4.22110.

Once again this is not a Chinese replica APIM that you can buy online, but this is an actual orginal Lincoln fitted APIM as the car was built for the Chinese market.

Any tips? Please help!

The stick I am using is a usb 3.2 enabled intenso speedline 256 gb stick (thought to buy a big one, since I did not have a 32 gb one lying around).

Thanks to anyone that can help! Keep up the good work.

SYNC Region: China

Navigation Variant: Yes

Install Type: Stock (Original Unit)

Old SYNC Version: 2.2.16280

New SYNC Version: 3.4.22110

Do you have a error message, if so what is it?
It does not indicate that the update is running, but after I restart the APIM it says there was an update bein processed.

Update Method: CyanLabs Syn3 Updater

Syn3 Updater Version: 2.11.4.0

Syn3 Updater Documentation Read: Yes

Syn3 Updater Log File

CYANLABS - SYN3 UPDATER - V2.11.4.0
Branch: Stable
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro (2009)

PREVIOUS CONFIGURATION
Version: 2.2.16280
Region: CN
Navigation: True
Install Mode: Auto-Detect (reformat)
Install Mode Overridden: False
My20 Protection Enabled: Auto-Detect

DESTINATION DETAILS
Mode: Drive
Model: Intenso Speed Line USB Device
Size: 238,6GB
FileSystem: FAT32
Partition Type: MBR

REFORMAT.LST
GRACENOTES=4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ
APPS=5U5T-14G381-EZ_1652218180000.TAR.GZ
ENH_DAB=1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ
VOICE=5U5T-14G391-AS_1644006548000.TAR.GZ
MAP_LICENSE=1U5T-14G424-BL_1646159765000.TAR.GZ
MAP=1U5T-14G421-BAJ_1644010894000.TAR.GZ
MAP=1U5T-14G421-BBJ_1644008981000.TAR.GZ
MAP=1U5T-14G421-BFJ_1644010644000.TAR.GZ
VOICE_NAV=4U5T-14G422-BAG_1644245686000.TAR.GZ


AUTOINSTALL.LST
; CyanLabs Syn3Updater 2.11.4.0 Stable - reformat  Mode - Sync 3.4.22110 EU

[SYNCGen3.0_ALL_PRODUCT]
Item1 = REFORMAT TOOL  - 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz
Open1 = SyncMyRide\1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz
Options = AutoInstall

FILES (10)
1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz (8,5MB)
4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ (689MB)
5U5T-14G381-EZ_1652218180000.TAR.GZ (869,8MB)
1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ (57,5MB)
5U5T-14G391-AS_1644006548000.TAR.GZ (1,5GB)
1U5T-14G424-BL_1646159765000.TAR.GZ (1,7KB)
1U5T-14G421-BAJ_1644010894000.TAR.GZ (2,3GB)
1U5T-14G421-BBJ_1644008981000.TAR.GZ (478,9MB)
1U5T-14G421-BFJ_1644010644000.TAR.GZ (2,4GB)
4U5T-14G422-BAG_1644245686000.TAR.GZ (2,3GB)

LOG
[24-8-2022 12:40:32] Selected Region: EU - Release: Sync 3.4.22110 - Map Version: EU - 2022-08-24 - 1661337368 
[24-8-2022 12:40:32] Install Mode: Auto-Detect (reformat) Forced: False 
[24-8-2022 12:40:32] MY20 Protection: Auto-Detect 
[24-8-2022 12:40:32] Formatting USB drive
[24-8-2022 12:40:32] Re-creating partition table as MBR and formatting as ExFat on selected USB drive
[24-8-2022 12:40:40] Checking Existing File: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz 
[24-8-2022 12:40:40] Validated: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz (Skipping Download) 
[24-8-2022 12:40:40] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:40:42] Validated: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[24-8-2022 12:40:42] Checking Existing File: 5U5T-14G381-EZ_1652218180000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:40:46] Validated: 5U5T-14G381-EZ_1652218180000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[24-8-2022 12:40:46] Checking Existing File: 1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:40:46] Validated: 1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[24-8-2022 12:40:46] Checking Existing File: 5U5T-14G391-AS_1644006548000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:40:52] Validated: 5U5T-14G391-AS_1644006548000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[24-8-2022 12:40:52] Checking Existing File: 1U5T-14G424-BL_1646159765000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:40:52] Downloading: 1U5T-14G424-BL_1646159765000.TAR.GZ
[24-8-2022 12:40:52] Validating: 1U5T-14G424-BL_1646159765000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:40:52] Downloaded: 1U5T-14G424-BL_1646159765000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:40:52] Checking Existing File: 1U5T-14G421-BAJ_1644010894000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:41:00] Validated: 1U5T-14G421-BAJ_1644010894000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[24-8-2022 12:41:00] Checking Existing File: 1U5T-14G421-BBJ_1644008981000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:41:02] Validated: 1U5T-14G421-BBJ_1644008981000.TAR.GZ (Skipping Download) 
[24-8-2022 12:41:02] Checking Existing File: 1U5T-14G421-BFJ_1644010644000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:41:02] Downloading: 1U5T-14G421-BFJ_1644010644000.TAR.GZ
[24-8-2022 12:50:12] Validating: 1U5T-14G421-BFJ_1644010644000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:50:21] Downloaded: 1U5T-14G421-BFJ_1644010644000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:50:21] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G422-BAG_1644245686000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:50:21] Downloading: 4U5T-14G422-BAG_1644245686000.TAR.GZ
[24-8-2022 12:57:48] Validating: 4U5T-14G422-BAG_1644245686000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:57:56] Downloaded: 4U5T-14G422-BAG_1644245686000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:57:56] Preparing USB drive
[24-8-2022 12:57:56] Checking Existing File: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz 
[24-8-2022 12:57:56] Copying: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz 
[24-8-2022 12:57:56] Validating: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz 
[24-8-2022 12:57:56] Copied: 1u5t-14g386-cb.tar.gz 
[24-8-2022 12:57:56] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:57:56] Copying: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:58:26] Validating: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:58:34] Copied: 4U5T-14G423-AC_1615425645000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:58:34] Checking Existing File: 5U5T-14G381-EZ_1652218180000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:58:34] Copying: 5U5T-14G381-EZ_1652218180000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:59:11] Validating: 5U5T-14G381-EZ_1652218180000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:59:20] Copied: 5U5T-14G381-EZ_1652218180000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:59:20] Checking Existing File: 1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:59:20] Copying: 1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:59:22] Validating: 1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:59:23] Copied: 1U5T-14G658-AH_1644006443000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:59:23] Checking Existing File: 5U5T-14G391-AS_1644006548000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 12:59:23] Copying: 5U5T-14G391-AS_1644006548000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:00:28] Validating: 5U5T-14G391-AS_1644006548000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:00:45] Copied: 5U5T-14G391-AS_1644006548000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:00:45] Checking Existing File: 1U5T-14G424-BL_1646159765000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:00:45] Copying: 1U5T-14G424-BL_1646159765000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:00:45] Validating: 1U5T-14G424-BL_1646159765000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:00:45] Copied: 1U5T-14G424-BL_1646159765000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:00:45] Checking Existing File: 1U5T-14G421-BAJ_1644010894000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:00:45] Copying: 1U5T-14G421-BAJ_1644010894000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:02:19] Validating: 1U5T-14G421-BAJ_1644010894000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:02:43] Copied: 1U5T-14G421-BAJ_1644010894000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:02:43] Checking Existing File: 1U5T-14G421-BBJ_1644008981000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:02:43] Copying: 1U5T-14G421-BBJ_1644008981000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:03:01] Validating: 1U5T-14G421-BBJ_1644008981000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:03:05] Copied: 1U5T-14G421-BBJ_1644008981000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:03:05] Checking Existing File: 1U5T-14G421-BFJ_1644010644000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:03:05] Copying: 1U5T-14G421-BFJ_1644010644000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:04:41] Validating: 1U5T-14G421-BFJ_1644010644000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:05:05] Copied: 1U5T-14G421-BFJ_1644010644000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:05:05] Checking Existing File: 4U5T-14G422-BAG_1644245686000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:05:05] Copying: 4U5T-14G422-BAG_1644245686000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:06:40] Validating: 4U5T-14G422-BAG_1644245686000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:07:04] Copied: 4U5T-14G422-BAG_1644245686000.TAR.GZ 
[24-8-2022 13:07:04] Generating reformat.lst
[24-8-2022 13:07:04] Generating autoinstall.lst
[24-8-2022 13:07:04] ALL FILES DOWNLOADED AND COPIED TO THE USB DRIVE SUCCESSFULLY!
2

That’s a reformat USB, so it has not been read.
Otherwise, the unit would go into reformat and not operative until the process end.

I’m not familiar with that USB brand, so I’m not saying it’s not the issue.

But first, create an interrogator log and post the results here. Redact the VIN if you care about that.

This will show what’s on the APIM, as well as some other information.

3

Hi sandman. Thanks for the reply. I am not sure what you mean with that’s a reformat usb and that it has not been read? I also suspect maybe the USB is to new to work properly as it’s a large capacity USB. I might try a smaller USB tomorrow and if that does not work make an interogator file.

4

From your version to 3.4 what needs to happen is to reformat the APIM.
To do that, the 1st part of the install is the installation of a particular piece of software, the reformat tool.

Once this is done, the unit will boot into reformat phase and won’t boot normally until it’s reformatted.

So, if your unit is still working and you didn’t see a “progress bar” and green screen, then it didn’t go into reformat phase.

I would recommend running the interrogator log now, before any other attempts are made.

5

So I decided to try the same with an older usb 2.0 supported stick. It’s now doing the reformat as we speak. Looks like it was the stick which was unsuitable for the reformat purpose… But otherwise was recognized. Well fingers crossed, i will update you guys as it finishes. Thanks again for your help and insight.

6

So as it turns out it works. Very happy! It’s now running the latest sync version. Maps work excellent and my dashboard indicates the roadsigns and the next turns i need to make. It’s really a very smooth and pleasant experience. I did notice however that rds is not working even though the car has radio text on. Other than that it’s marvelous.

7

Awesome, thank you for the feedback.
Enjoy it, and remember to perform a master reset if you haven’t do so.