2018 F150 3.5 501a

Looks like my APIM may have failed. I had previously upgraded Sync 3.0 to 3.4 following the process documented here (https://www.f150forum.com/f118/upgra...ispreloading=1). Everything went smooth with no issues. After about 6 months I noticed that every time I started the truck up I would be asked to confirm features. Which is the identical issue spelled out here. (https://www.f150forum.com/f118/sync-...-issue-538739/)

I was working with barrytone on his solution, but its looking like I may have hardware failure that is preventing any downgrading, or reformatting of Sync. After about 30 seconds of plugging in a usb to attempt any fix i get "INSTL_ERR12".


If anyone has any thoughts on things to try before I go down the road of replacing the APIM I willing to give it a go.

Otherwise can I just buy any Ford APIM w/ NAV from ebay? Or is there anyone on the forums that is able to help sell and program?

Ill hit the search and see what I can find, but wanted to get some input from a thread too.

 

sent u a msg

 

Please update what happened. Did you have to replace the APIM? I'm dealing with the exact same issue as you trying to update my SYNC.

 

I just upgraded my 4" to 8" screen in my 2018 XLT. I bought my APIM from simplymichigan.com, he had about the best prices I could find. He sent it to me programmed with the latest sync version and my VIN. Easy to work with and answered questions I had pretty fast via e mail.

 

Hey OP, try clearing the rwdata. That's what cyanlabs told me to do and it allowed me to update to the most recent 3.4 update even though I'd been dealing with the same inst_err12 issue you had. Follow this link to clear the rwdata:

https://community.cyanlabs.net/t/api...es-solved/8858

First master reset the radio and then run the rwdata cleaner. The rwdata cleaner can be installed from the syn3update application from cyanlabs. Run that cleaner and it’ll then free up space to allow the update to run. Then just plug in your USB drive and the update will run as normal with no errors. Definitely reach out to the cyanlabs moderators if you’re experiencing any issues. Those dudes are wizards. So glad I didn’t need to replace the whole APIM

 

Some time back Sync was not cleaning a data folder regularly. It would fill up and prevent any upgrades and caused performance issues. The folder “RW-DATA” might be the issue. If you go to Cyan Labs they have a Sync 3 upgrade assistant. You can also clean that folder in the same application. There is also an interrogator feature that does a diagnostic on the unit and file system.

 

2020, 3.5L, SCrew. 5 year on original APIM.