How To: Sync 3/4 swap for non Sync 3 XL/XLT

[propp2531]

I'm pretty sure the first atomic bomb was easier to assemble.

To be honest the hardest part is the wiring harness which with @zackmd1 write up shouldnt be too bad if you take your time and have the right tools. Outside of that the rest is a piece of cake. Taking the dash off is really easy. The old system slide right out and the new parts arent difficult to install at all.

Installing this rounded out this truck for me. I hated the OEM system but this just makes the whole experience much better

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[propp2531]

Programming....

In order to program Sync 4, a new version of Forscan is needed. Considering Forscan is Russian in origin, I would not expect any additional support or releases any time soon though. I still have access to the .exe of the test build that I was provided that is fully functional (for now) but more than likely we will need to find a new way to program our vehicles in the future. Ford UCDS is an alternative.

Also attached is my as built configuration for both the APIM and ACM. This is perfectly functional in my vehicle but may require edits for different options and features that exist in other vehicles.

ACM As Built

Sync 4 APIM As Built

And here is the final product…

Also dont forget the IPC coding needed as well. You want to edit this value to 1. This will get the SIriusXM to show in the instrument cluster.

720-05-01 *xxx xxxx xxxx
1=ENSSAMFM Disabled, ENSSCD Disabled, ENSSDAB Disabled, ENSSS Enabled

 

[zackmd1]

Also dont forget the IPC coding needed as well. You want to edit this value to 1. This will get the SIriusXM to show in the instrument cluster.

720-05-01 *xxx xxxx xxxx
1=ENSSAMFM Disabled, ENSSCD Disabled, ENSSDAB Disabled, ENSSS Enabled

So this is only required if you have the larger FX4 screen. My base IPC works without modifications!

 

[zackmd1]

... Idk why I haven't thought about it before... But now I want to upgrade to the larger screen on cluster... Is that even possible? Lolol

Haha absolutely. None have popped up on eBay yet…..

 

[MustardTiger]

So if I'm reading this correctly, all I need to upgrade from sync3 to sync4 is the new sync4 APIM? Is the harness and mounting bracket the same for 3 and 4? That seems... really easy. Might just try this out soon since I'm not really liking the wireless Android auto adapter I got.

 

[zackmd1]

So if I'm reading this correctly, all I need to upgrade from sync3 to sync4 is the new sync4 APIM? Is the harness and mounting bracket the same for 3 and 4? That seems... really easy. Might just try this out soon since I'm not really liking the wireless Android auto adapter I got.

Yes if you already have sync 3, you just need the sync 4 APIM. There is a slight change you will have to make to the APIM connector (removing pins 53 and 54) but that is easy and reversible.

 

[MustardTiger]

Yes if you already have sync 3, you just need the sync 4 APIM. There is a slight change you will have to make to the APIM connector (removing pins 53 and 54) but that is easy and reversible.

Thanks man, just bought one on eBay so I guess I'll be trying it out soon!

 

[Mabcim]

Thanks man, just bought one on eBay so I guess I'll be trying it out soon!

Interested to know how this goes with a Lariat, with Sync 3.
Do you have SirrusXM as well (ie Lux package)?
Let us know how things compare.

 

[MustardTiger]

Interested to know how this goes with a Lariat, with Sync 3.
Do you have SirrusXM as well (ie Lux package)?
Let us know how things compare.

Yes I have the lux package with SiriusXM. Should be a simple plug n play with some Forscan changes. I did some reading on other forums this morning and it doesn't sound like I'll ever be able to install FW updates without taking it to the dealer or adding/changing two other modules though which is concerning... The one I bought says its brand new so I'm hoping it has the latest version already.

 

[propp2531]

Yes I have the lux package with SiriusXM. Should be a simple plug n play with some Forscan changes. I did some reading on other forums this morning and it doesn't sound like I'll ever be able to install FW updates without taking it to the dealer or adding/changing two other modules though which is concerning... The one I bought says its brand new so I'm hoping it has the latest version already.

You may run into issues with a brand new sync 4 unit that has never been activated. I know @zackmd1 did with his initial APIM

 

[MustardTiger]

You may run into issues with a brand new sync 4 unit that has never been activated. I know @zackmd1 did with his initial APIM

Hmm I thought his issue was because the first unit he had was a non-navigation unit. This didn't really make sense to me but I followed his lead anyways. I guess I'll see what happens.

 

[zackmd1]

Hmm I thought his issue was because the first unit he had was a non-navigation unit. This didn't really make sense to me but I followed his lead anyways. I guess I'll see what happens.

Yea not really sure what happened with the first unit. The nav unit that I have now was a brand new one that was never configured so you will likely be fine. Could have been a bad software load on the first unit or just the non nav vs nav.

 

[opivy224]

Ordered all the parts I need and my hybrid XL is slated to be delivered in a week, but I had a couple of questions.

• Will the 2 month trial of Forscan that I've signed up for work or will I need some beta build of the software?
• How do I rewire the connectors? Anyone have a video or something they can link?

 

[MustardTiger]

Well I finally got a chance to try this out today. I was able to get it to mostly work but there are a lot of different as-built settings from what was posted here for my truck since its a Lariat. I started with the as-built code posted here, but many of the extra features from before were disabled, most importantly the ambient lighting . I took screenshots of all the settings from my old APIM in easy mode and tried to replicate most of them as best as I could. There were still a lot of intermittent issues after that. The worst part was I was able to connect wireless Android auto initially, but after a power cycle it didn't work anymore.

There are so many settings and potential problems to be created in the as-built code its overwhelming. Nothing like the old mk4 VW's I'm used to working on! Although it was extremely easy to depin those two wires from the APIM connector once I figured out how. That was much easier than my old car.

 

[Captain]

Attached are the wiring diagrams required to create the adapter harness...

APIM Connector

ACM Connector 1 (Existing ACM connector, Black)

ACM Connector 2 (Additional ACM connector for APIM to ACM communication, Grey)

The color coded highlights depict where each circuit can be found/is needed. Green highlights are between the APIM and ACM Connector 2 only. Yellow highlights are between ACM Connector 1 and the APIM. Blue highlights are only required for Sync 3 installs and need to be traced back and tied into the Gateway (OBD II) module. The OBD II module connector diagram is below.

OBD II Module Connector (Sync 3 only)

To more easily lay out the harness, below is a pin to pin trace from the APIM connector to ACM connectors 1 and 2 for a Sync 4 swap. Any pins I do not mention on the APIM side are not required for a functional system.

When complete you should have something similar to the below. You want at least 12" of wire length between the APIM connector and ACM connectors. The fabric tape use here is Tesa Tape and can be found on Amazon.

Amazon.com: Tesa Black Fuzzy Fleece Interior Wire Loom Harness Tape for VW, Audi, Mercedes, BMW 19 mm X 15 Meters (5 Rolls) : Automotive

Once the harness is complete you can plug everything in like so.

The antenna extension plugs into the existing small blue connector and is routed to the small blue connector on the APIM. The new Satellite antenna plugs into the yellow port on the ACM and the existing small black connector plugs into the black port on the ACM.

I’m very impressed, but you could make me awed if you come up with a dollar figure and create everything so that mere mortals like me could plug and play. I want to but as sure as I try I’ll be t
Getting my maverick towed to the dealership for a complete reboot… that is if I ever get my order.

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