I know how to use Forscan but I have a question. I bought the base model mustang and hated the 4" screen. So, I bought the APIM, screen, bezel and ACM from the same year higher trim Mustang and did the swap. I did nothing else. It works perfectly fine but of course FordPass does not work nor do software updates because the APIM still has the VIN of the donor vehicle. It is easy enough to change the VIN in the APIM BUT, isn’t the vehicle VIN going to be linked to a 4" screen APIM. Also, the new one has nav. So far, I have just left it alone, but I may want to update it someday. I am just worried that if I change the VIN in the APIM to match the one on the Mustang that it will download the wrong update file. I do not use FordPass but a future owner might like that to work as well.
The APIM gets the VIN from the BCM, you don’t change it in the APIM. you can see it in the “About Sync” screen. You do need to change it in the “Screen Bezel” or FCIM. This however, will not affect the FordPass issue.
Note that Ford will never offer you new map files for your vehicle as it did not come with NAV. You will need to add these by reformatting the APIM using the Syn3 Updater. The manual installation of maps to your APIM will not work either. Remember to run the Interrogator Utility to check the APIM BEFORE you try to reformat the APIM.
As far as FordPass, it is NOT linked to any modules in the vehicle whatsoever, except indirectly the BCM, which contains the VIN. Since you changed the APIM, you will need to delete you vehicle from FordPass and add the vehicle back. This should solve the issue. You will need FORScan and a quality OBD adapter to accomplish this as you must reset the TCU module for FordPass.
Sync Connect APIM & TCU Programming and Activating.pdf (520.8 KB)
OK. Thanks. But I am still confused then. When autoupdate tries to run it reports that the VIN number does not match. Is that saying that the number in the FCIM does not match the vehicle? Also, if I do change the FCIM and automatic updates is happy then will it download the wrong update to the APIM? If I do a manual SYNC update do I use the VIN in the FCIM? Thanks.
The APIM OTA update does not care about the FCIM in Sync 2 or 3 vehicles.
Autoupdate is tied to the VIN and APIM serial number combination, so it will not work. Any updates for the APIM will need to be done manually.
No, it does not matter.
OK. Thanks I am learning a lot. I assumed, incorrectly I guess, that there were different sync 3 loads for different vehicles. I assumed that because Ford wants you to give them your VIN to make sure you get the correct files to load. My understanding now is that I can give them my VIN and it will work fine. I know the update instructions say the vehicle has to be running. Will it work if I hook up a battery charger to it and not have the engine running for 20 minutes?
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Yes, but you will still need to make sure the vehicle does not go to sleep. If you look in the IPC menus you will find a setting related to shutting down the engine or vehicle in 30 minutes (or so). Disable that setting and continue on. It will reset after the next ignition cycle.
Ford asks for the VIN to determine if you are eligible for the updates. They don’t like having software/firmware on unsupported vehicles, like a lot of software companies.