Leaderboard

According to this block diagram, the APIM is not installed (I think) if you don't have any of the "green" box items/functions. If the ACM is bad, you can get one used for under $100...but it also needs to be programmed (configured) to your vehicle unless it came out of a TC that had the same trim levels and options. Your Ford dealer can easily connect their computer to the TC and see what modules are installed and firmware and configuration file version. I assumed they did this during the diagnosis and found error messages related to the APIM. Apparently not. They shouldn't have to guess about any of this. APIM.pdf

Plot twist - the parts guy at the dealership I usually go to says maybe my car doesn't have an APIM because it doesn't come up when he looks for the part under my VIN, so now we're back to needing to open the radio to see what the part number is. He also said that you can't buy the APIM third-party because it's programmed by Ford, which doesn't sound legit but sounds like it's a business practice that a car company would undertake.

I'm doing some experimenting with the APIM. I bought a used one for my 2016 TC for $75 shipped. This gives me a cheap test unit in case I do some damage in my experiments. It's ridiculous how much Ford wants to replace these things. There is big aftermarket for people that want to upgrade from SYNC1,2 to SYNC3, but not for normal repairs/replacement.