SYNC 3 in a 2016 Explorer

Ford SYNC 3 Support Ford Update Support
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1

Update:

I upgraded my 2016 Explorer Platinum to Sync 3 using a module I bought off Marketplace (seller said it was from a 2019 Fusion, but I think it may be from a Focus). It had Android Auto and CarPlay, but factory features like massaging seats, heated steering wheel, etc., were missing.

I grabbed the VIN-based As-Built file from Ford’s site and used Forscan with an extended license to flash the APIM. I got a warning about block lengths not matching but continued anyway. Flash was successful, and now most factory features are back.

However:

TPMS pressures don’t show on the dash (not sure if they ever did).

Getting some voltage-related DTCs — we had a weak battery before the swap, now charging it and planning to clear codes.

Currently running Sync 3.0 — wondering if it’s worth updating to 3.4.

Any tips on restoring missing features, clearing DTCs, or safely upgrading to 3.4?

This is the APIM part number I installed.
JS7T-14G371-JHD

SYNC Region: NA

Navigation Variant: Nav

Manufacturer Year: MY20

Install Type: OEM Replacement

Old SYNC Version: 2.0

New SYNC Version: 3.0

Do you have a error message, if so what is it?
This is my current APIM calibration:
APIM - Accessory Protocol Interface Module
Part number: JS7T-14G371-JHD
Calibration level: JS7T-14G371-JHF
Strategy : HB5T-14G374-CA
Calibration: HB5T-14G375-BA

These are the codes that will not clear:

===PCM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Powertrain Control Module

===END PCM DTC None===

===OBDII DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: On Board Diagnostic II

===END OBDII DTC None===

===APIM DTC U3003:16-0B===
Code: U3003 - Battery Voltage

Additional Fault Symptom (:16):

  • Circuit Voltage Below Threshold

Status (-0B):

  • DTC Present at Time of Request
  • Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC

Module: Accessory Protocol Interface Module

===END APIM DTC U3003:16-0B===

===PAM DTC U0420:00-2B===
Code: U0420 - Invalid Data Received from Power Steering Control Module ‘A’

Status (-2B):

  • DTC Present at Time of Request
  • Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC

Module: Parking Aid Module

===END PAM DTC U0420:00-2B===

===BdyCM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Body Control Module

===END BdyCM DTC None===

===DACMC DTC U3003:16-0A===
Code: U3003 - Battery Voltage

Additional Fault Symptom (:16):

  • Circuit Voltage Below Threshold

Status (-0A):

  • DTC Present at Time of Request
  • Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC

Module: Digital Audio Control Module C

===END DACMC DTC U3003:16-0A===

===SODR DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Right

===END SODR DTC None===

===SODL DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Side Obstacle Detection Control Module - Left

===END SODL DTC None===

===HUD DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Head Up Display

===END HUD DTC None===

===IPMB DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Image Processing Module B

===END IPMB DTC None===

===FCIMB DTC U3003:16-08===
Code: U3003 - Battery Voltage

Additional Fault Symptom (:16):

  • Circuit Voltage Below Threshold

Status (-08):

  • Previously Set DTC - Not Present at Time of Request
  • Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC

Module: Front Controls Interface Module B

===END FCIMB DTC U3003:16-08===

===ATCM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: All Terrain Control Module

===END ATCM DTC None===

===RHVAC DTC U3003:16-08===
Code: U3003 - Battery Voltage

Additional Fault Symptom (:16):

  • Circuit Voltage Below Threshold

Status (-08):

  • Previously Set DTC - Not Present at Time of Request
  • Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC

Module: Rear Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning

===END RHVAC DTC U3003:16-08===

===DSP DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: (Audio) Digital Signal Processing Module

===END DSP DTC None===

===SCME DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Front Seat Climate Control Module

===END SCME DTC None===

===RGTM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Rear Gate/Trunk Module

===END RGTM DTC None===

===OCS DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Occupant Classification System Module

===END OCS DTC None===

===C-CM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Cruise-Control Module

===END C-CM DTC None===

===ABS DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Antilock braking system

===END ABS DTC None===

===RTM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Radio Transceiver Module

===END RTM DTC None===

===DSM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Driver’s Seat Module

===END DSM DTC None===

===PDM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Passengers Door Control Unit

===END PDM DTC None===

===DDM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Drivers Door Module

===END DDM DTC None===

===RCM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Restraint Control Module

===END RCM DTC None===

===HVAC DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning

===END HVAC DTC None===

===PSCM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Power Steering Control Module

===END PSCM DTC None===

===ACM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Audio Control Module

===END ACM DTC None===

===SCCM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Steering Column Control Module

===END SCCM DTC None===

===IPC DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Instrument Panel Control Module

===END IPC DTC None===

===GWM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Gateway Module A

===END GWM DTC None===

===HSWM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Heated Steering Wheel Module

===END HSWM DTC None===

===SCMH DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Passenger Multi-Contour Seat Module

===END SCMH DTC None===

===SCMG DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Driver Multi-Contour Seat Module

===END SCMG DTC None===

===IPMA DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Image Processing Module A

===END IPMA DTC None===

===GPSM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Global Positioning System Module

===END GPSM DTC None===

Update Method: Official Ford

2

DO NOT REFORMAT THIS APIM.

They will only show in the IPC.

It is a better (arguably!) interface, but will not give you new features.

That is a Ford Service Replacement APIM, it is likely manufactured mid-2021, and IS MY20+.
DO NOT REFORMAT this APIM.

You can’t use the reformat tools from Ford to go to Sync 3.2+.

It would be configured for a 2018 Fusion. (Pre-MY18.5.)

A lot of the DTC’s are caused by the low battery. If the battery is 4 or more years old you should replace it. It will just go flat again…
Once you have a good battery installed, clear all the DTC’s and run the vehicle for a bit, like 15-30 minutes, take a drive. Then see if any of the DTC’s came back.

As far as the ‘features’, post your asbuilt. The one you installed did not match the firmware loaded on the APIM, block length errors.

3

The AB from a 2017 Platinum should work just fine.

4

Thank you very much!

I am glad you said DONT REFORMAT (I certainly will not do this). Not sure why I would of went down that path? would it have given me more or less character blocks for my AB file?

Thanks for the battery idea. I will buy a new battery today.

Sorry your right I did mean I thought (but could be wrong) that the tire pressures were available on the IPC (instrument cluster). But after the flash of this APIM screen combo it certainly is not there. I tried enabling the feature in the FORSCAN I have and saw the tire pressure on the IPC for a minute and it went away no longer accessible.

I guess I am going to try putting a new battery in it today and then is it worth it to try upgrading to SYNC 3.4?

Thanks again for all the advise.

5

Personally I think it is worth the effort and cost, but look around for a good deal. If you do go that route look for a K-series APIM, they are the most stable. Don’t use the one you have…

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6

Ohh I see. My APIM will not support SYNC 3.4 upgrade/flash.

7

It will not. That is a Ford Service Replacement APIM, it is likely manufactured mid-2021, and IS MY20+ . You will brick it.

8

The APIM has nothing to do with the TPMS.

You started by saying you knew you had it before and now you don’t. Than you said you just enabled it. You clearly have made some Forscan modifications that have messed that up. I recommend you restore the AB in your IPC and BCM if you want the tire pressure back.

Again the APIM has nothing to do with the TPMS and is not even on the same Canbus.

9

Update:

I installed a brand new group 65 AGM battery for the car (thats what it originally came with). Going to clear all DTC codes and see if the issues persist. After that I am going to try to enable some of the additional sync features again (tire psi). Car was having some weird behavior but I think its due to a weak battery because the car was cranking slowly and had some voltage DTC’s present which may or maynot have affected the sync install. The old battery was 5 years old and lead acid instead of AGM.

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