Factory Nav ... ... ...

Well, I pledged to stop complaining about Sync 3 so rather than rant about it again and to actually be somewhat useful, here is my little helpful suggestion: join these forums as a paid member by donating a few bucks. You'll receive a free branded beer glass and stickers but you'll also get access to the classifieds section. There is a user there by the name of ACool who occasionally sells the Navigation daughter boards which attach inside the APIM to the riser card slot. If you install that card and add a GPS antenna you can activate Factory Nav in the APIM with ForScan and that is the most cost effective solution to your issue.

I think ACool programs them to match your APIM firmware and I'm not entirely certain of what wizardry he performs, but I'd advise talking to him before buying any old part off ebay.

 

The only Sync 3 related info that is not talked about much, which I completely understand the reasoning behind, is the fact that some owners have taken pre-activated Sync connect modems from wrecked Fords and installed them into their own vehicle which are not originally sync connect compatible from the factory. The method requires older model (original My Ford Touch owners) to update their BCM firmware to the latest supported calibration which can be done at home with a modest amount of research and a J2534-2 compatible device.

(Sync 3 is required for Sync connect) those few owners have also already performed a Sync 2 to Sync 3 conversion.

Once the BCM can communicate to the Sync connect module, an owner can wire in a pre-activated sync connect module on which ever CanBus it uses and get it working with almost no effort. There might be one or two things to set in ForScan and a module reset required in ForScan but I don't think it's too difficult.

The concern is that if those owners post a guide on what they've done, they're slightly worried Ford will track down who they are, the ESN they have and deactivate the modem. I do know there's more than one pre-2015 model Ford rolling around with Sync 3 & Sync connect. The hilarious part is, if you were to grab a pre-activated Sync connect modem from an F150 and install it in your Explorer, the Ford Pass App and Cellular remote start feature on Apple Watch will display the Explorer not the F150 the modem came from LOL. So there's certainly something Ford's servers perform to verify which model of vehicle the modem is in, but it's not a feature-blocking process.

Before this was first confirmed, I speculated that Ford's back end services would prevent Sync connect features from being enabled with non compatible VINs or certain Sync 3 ESNs, but I was wrong. There's seemingly no checks at all on Ford's back end. It's just a matter of getting an already activated modem from a salvage yard and getting your BCM to talk to it. I don't mind discussing that it's been done because I'm not one of those owners and I think it's worth acknowledging once every blue moon.

 

 

Hey all. This is a REALLY long thread, but:

I just bought a 2015 Lariat FX4. It has an 8" screen already with Sync2 and Nav. To get Sync3, so I have to get a newer screen? Or, can I just get the newer module and install it on the back of my existing screen. (not sure if they are the same resolution or not)

I ask, since there are plenty of Sync3 modules on EBay for $400, and they will program it to your VIN.

Any insight is greatly appreciated! I really want Android auto - its just too convenient when traveling!

 

You need both the Sync 3 apim and the touchscreen, the sync 2 touchscreen will not work with the new APIM. Take a look at car-part.com for Sync 3 parts, I have been able to find apim/screen units shipped to be door for $100.
You will need to know how to use Forscan if go that route.

 

Thank you!!! I will check!

 

Ok one more question - sorry.

Do I HAVE to get a module with Nav? I plan on just using my cell phone with Waze for long trips - so I'm just curious.

Will the compass still work? Thanks.

 

 

You will find apims both with and without Nav. Either version will work with waze, apple carplay and android auto will also work for a better Nav experience.
If you put the nav antenna in then the compass on the non-nav apim will show direction

 

If you buy an apim out of a different model ford or a similar model as your own but with different options then you will need to program the apim with forscan to work with your vehicle.