A SSM is a Special Service Message. Basically instructions for service procedures or in this case a warning.

Now why any dealer would do this as the service manual spells out the procedure for proper APIM replacement but some techs do try short cuts to see if they work. Tech takes the proper replacement APIM they received which does not come programmed for the vehicle/options they ordered it for. They pop it in, power it up, oh look it works. Ill just connect to the dealer wifi and let it check for updates that way. So it connects, updates the APIM build programming data base for that vehicle with the WRONG build data since it hasn't been programmed properly. And now the settings/vehicle options in the APIM and the build data server do not match what the vehicle should have and now they have to contact Ford. Ford says you idiot you didn't follow the service manual and you screwed up the as built server data for that vehicle. Ford has to go in and fix it and then the tech has to program it the proper way.

Same thing can happen to someone who sticks a used one in their vehicle that hasn't been programmed for their vehicle and connects to wifi and tries to update. If the as built data server updates it with the wrong data, you have lost what it should have been programmed with.

 

I can't find where this has been addressed. Will a change of APIM require a change of Sirius XM radio ID#?

 

No

 

Received APIM from this vendor. Plug and play. Current firmware. I guess the only risk is how long this one will last. I can still buy 2 of these for what the dealer wanted to charge and not be without my ride. Maybe someone will figure a way to access new ones and preprogrammed them.

 

Nope. When mine was changed I had an active Sirius subscription, when I got it back with the fresh APIM it was still active.

 

Just speculating but all my radio presets returned with the new APIM. Probably stored in the radio.

 

If you change your ACM then you will have to transfer your Sirius xm to the new ESN for that ACM.
I upgraded to a HD radio ACM and had to do this.

 

I have a 2016 F-150 as well. Sync3 has been problematic for over a year now. Contacts not loading, Navigation and voice commands quit working altogether in January.
APIM was replaced under warranty. Still had minor issues and still never worked correctly as far as contacts downloading. April 2018 3 year warranty was up. I was in and out of shop 3-4 times since January trying to solve issue.. Reset multiple modules and still didnt fix it. Contact screen began autoscrolling randomly. and all audio sources froze up.I luckilyi was able to videotape the issues and a copy was sent to ford technical support for diagnosis. Reset modules again and lasted 3 days before having same issues. 2nd APIM was ordered and replaced thankfully under warranty again on Aug. 7th.. I paid a $20 deductible to extend the warranty to 2 years unlimited mileage.. This morning. ( 9th of August ) it did the exact same thing. audio screen froze and phone contact screen started auto scrolling again.
Needless to say I was not impressed. I think in my opinion there is more to it than just the APIM. My Neighbor ( A ford employee )ha his replaced in his 2018 F-150 with 15k on it as well.

 

Try not connecting your phone for a few days and see how it works. How large is your contact list?

 

I have tried using a different phone as well. Same issues. I have approximately 300 contacts and sometimes it downloads immediately. Sometimes 10 minutes and only some are displayed. It is not just the contacts. Audio freezes randomly as well.