Sync 3 version and upgrade issue

Ford SYNC 3 Support Ford Update Support
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1

I am having issues with my sync 3 in my new to me 2021 Expedition. I am getting hardware compatible messages and my Carplay doesn’t work. When I go to the info page on the screen it says 3.0.19205 but when I enter my vin on the Ford site it says it is 3.4.20237 last updated 6/3/21. I downloaded the new update (3.4.23188) from the ford site and tried to update with a usb drive. It shows it is updating then says the update isn’t compatible with the hardware. I’m not sure what is going on. I have been reading about it and I see there could be some issues updating with the MY20 so I want to make sure I understand the issues before I start so I don’t brick the unit. What should I be looking for? Do i need to verify my apim in case it was swapped out at some point?

SYNC Region: NA

Navigation Variant: Nav

Manufacturer Year: Unknown

Install Type: OEM

Old SYNC Version: 3.0.19205

New SYNC Version: 3.0.19205

Do you have a error message, if so what is it?
update isn’t compatible with the hardware

Update Method: Official Ford

2

Seems you are not the first owner of the vehicle…
Create, run and share the interrogator log’s ouput (redact the VIN if you care about it).

3

3.0.x on a MY2021 would indicate that someone swapped out the APIM at some point for an older model

4

What trim line is this Expedition? Sounds like maybe someone did a 4” to 8” upgrade.

Side note is becareful what you do since it could be a 2020+ APIM and you could brick the APIM.

5

I am the second owner but I bought it from a small dealer. I will look up how to do the log and get that info to post.

6

That was my thoughts as well. Not sure why they would do that.

7

It is a limited so I would assume it had the 8” from the factory. I am worried about bricking the APIM so I am trying to learn as much as possible. I have a long road trip in a few weeks and would love to just have CarPlay work.

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8

If the APIM had one of the buggy builds loaded in it that caused issues with the RWData partition filing whatever dealer may have just gotten an APIM that came out of an older Expedition and dropped it in so that it looked like things were working.

9

Go to the Motorcraft service site and download the OEM asbuilt for your VIN, look to see what APIM was originally installed.

10

Sync_WX6L3NPN_1FMJU2AT5MEA35540.xml (10.4 KB)

Here is my log file. Not sure what I am looking at yet.

11

Maybe this helps?

APIM Model: JR3T-14G371-CED
APIM Type: Navigation
APIM Size: 32GB
APIM Free Space: 8.1G
Version 3.0.19205 (JR3T-14G381-AS)

3/1/2026 2:30:08 PM +00:00

Partition Type = Free / Total
/fs/usb0/ = 29G / 29G
/fs/tmpfs/ = 126M / 128M
/fs/sd/MAP/ = 41M / 1.5G
/fs/sd/MAP/ = 57M / 9.1G
/fs/Nuance/ = 243M / 4.7G
/fs/Nuance/ = 2.5M / 482M
/fs/Nuance/grace = 5.1M / 1.0G
/fs/rwdata/ = 574M / 1024M
/fs/mp/ = 40M / 1024M
/fs/images/ = 8.1G / 26G

Installed Packages
JR3T-14G421-CB
JR3T-14G391-CE
JR3T-14G422-CC
JR3T-14G423-CB

APIM AsBuilt
DE00: BA2A01034C022B0004AA
DE01: 55530104F40342900000C405
DE02: 0000000300
DE03: 000008900C0007
DE04: 1A2C1A402FDA
DE05: B0
DE06: 220033000000000000000056569C0076

12

So after doing some searching it seems that the apim JR3T-14G371-CED is not my20 so I should be ok to do my update. Does that seem correct? If so, what version is best to upload to? There are many versions of 3.4 to update to.

13

Nav APIM for sure.

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14

Update to the latest version, 23188

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16

Does it appear to be safe to upgrade without worrying about MY20? I am very new to this and trying not to brick it.

17

Another question. Do I have to update maps even though I have a nav apim? I never use the nav, I only use gps apps from my phone anyways.

18

I wanted to add an update for anyone needing answers in the future. I was able to do an update with no issues. CarPlay is fixed, I never mentioned it before but my rear HVAC controls now work correctly. I thought i had a blend door issue.

19

Curious though, Was this a 4” to 8” upgrade kit? a 21 Expedition would have an L series APIM and not a J series like you show. It also would have the 3.4 Sync version from the factory and not the 3.0 version for sure.

20

21 Expy could have had Sync 4 also…depending on the trim level.