bostintransit Posted February 10, 2022 Share Posted February 10, 2022 I love my transit but a while back the stereo stopped working. There would be awful popping and static and then it just cut out. The dealer says the APIM needs to be replacead and it will cost $750, which is annoying because I thought I woudl just need to replace the stereo and maybe could get something better than the stock (non-touchscreen) one that I have. I'm trying to figure out if I can do this cheaper than going through the dealer, like finding a used module and having that ins talled, but it's hard to figure out which part I'd need and I don't think the dealer is willing to tell me specifically if I'm not going to pay them for it. The best I can tell, this is what I would need: https://www.oemfordpart.com/oem-parts/ford-control-module-ge8z14d212aa?c=Zz1ib2R5JnM9c291bmQtc3lzdGVtJmw9MTAmbj1TZWFyY2ggUmVzdWx0cyZhPWZvcmQmbz10cmFuc2l0LWNvbm5lY3QmeT0yMDE0JnQ9eGx0JmU9Mi01bC1sNC1nYXM%3D The thing I'm not sure about is that it still references "SYNC", which my card doesn't have. I that the right part? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Ridley Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 This is a complicated question/problem that I have am also trying to figure out. First: I hope the dealer is correct in the diagnosis. The ACM is cheap and easy to find. Second: You need to know if you have Sync 1. Do you have the small color screen in the middle of the dash? See attached photo. The APIM must have the correct firmware and configuration file. The dealer will buy a blank APIM and load the firmware and configuration. The part number CHANGES (e.g. Ford will install a different part number than your original APIM) every model year and your exact APIM will not be listed on any Ford parts site. If you are motivated you may be able to find a junkyard APIM for around $100 with the right firmware and configuration. I recommend removing your APIM and note the part numbers on the module. Use this and the trim level of your van to search online junkyards for the same year and trim level (especially SYNC level) van that has been wrecked. The junkyard should have a photo of the APIM and you can compare the part numbers. Your APIM and configuration may be simple and common enough to find easily. This may be a tedious search. But you may be able to save a ton of money. Let me know if you are interested and I can give you a couple of good online junkyard resources. FYI, I was wondering about updating the firmware but it's complicated. Here is a screenshot of all the files in my simple Sync 1 APIM. The firmware files are impossible to find and you need to use Forscan to upload the firmware and hopefully not brick your APIM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostintransit Posted February 11, 2022 Author Share Posted February 11, 2022 Don, That's very helpful, although frustrating that it's so hard to figure out the part that I need. I actually contacted a guy on ebay last night because he was selling radio units from wrecked transits and asked if he had the APIMs from them as well. I'll take any recommendations you have for junkyarr sites. Buying used saved my ass when I dinged up one of the mirrors - I was able to get the parts for waaaay less than the dealer was quoting me. Unfortunately, I'm not very comfortable working on cars, so I don't think I'm capable removing the radio to see what the part number is. I may see if the dealership will tell me so I can buy it this way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostintransit Posted February 11, 2022 Author Share Posted February 11, 2022 @Don Ridley to answer your first question - I don't think my car has SYNC at all. My panel (the radio portion) looks exactly like the one in your picture, but I don't have any sync capabilites that I know of. The most I can do is connect to the radio with an Aux cable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Ridley Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 Since you don't have SYNC, I think your best option is to install an aftermarket radio. Finding the right used APIM for your trim level will be difficult and the possibility of it not working or needing programming is very high. Plus, you don't want the hassle and liability of working on your own vehicle. For reference, I have used this online junkyard search to find parts: Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market After some trial and error on the search function I came up with lots of hits on SYNC modules but many were from a Focus and probably won't work in a TC without programming. The guys at any junkyard won't be experts on all the different module versions and firmware versions. They only know if part numbers match or don't. Note the APIM controls other functions like the backup camera so you need it to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostintransit Posted February 11, 2022 Author Share Posted February 11, 2022 I was initially hoping I could just replace the radio, but that's when the dealer told me it wasn't the radio but the APIM that failed. Even without the radio the backup cam has been spotty, so I think we need it working. I'm going to see if I can get the dealserhip to spill the goods on what part I need - it seems like my only option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Ridley Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 Maybe a good independent repair shop can reflash a used APIM. Probably not.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostintransit Posted February 11, 2022 Author Share Posted February 11, 2022 I talked to the dealer, and it seems like even they can't tell me what part it is without taking it out of the car first and seeing the part number. Seems like a convenient way of ensuring you can only get this fixed by the dealer with new parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windguy Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 Had no idea what an APIM is (Accessory Protocol Interface Module). Curious enough to search. The link below popped up and may be of interest if you haven't seen it yet. Seems the Ford APIM has some bad history. Check the OWNER REVIEWS part. Good luck! https://www.vehiclehistory.com/articles/ford-apim-recalls-you-need-to-know-about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Ridley Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 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. windguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostintransit Posted February 11, 2022 Author Share Posted February 11, 2022 A guy from a salvage yard on ebay said that there's three different versions of it that come with the radio for my card - it might actually be cheaper to buy all three to see which one works and then resell the ones that don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostintransit Posted February 11, 2022 Author Share Posted February 11, 2022 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. windguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Ridley Posted February 11, 2022 Share Posted February 11, 2022 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 windguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windguy Posted February 13, 2022 Share Posted February 13, 2022 The radio on my van is plain vanilla - AM/FM/CD - no phone, no sync, no GPS, no Bluetooth. Below are the Forscan config screen grabs from when I replaced the IPC. I don't see an APIM Module, but do see the ACM as Don has described. Don, where is the ACM located? I'm assuming you have sync. Is your APIM attached to the back of the LCD, as shown on some youtube videos? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostintransit Posted February 14, 2022 Author Share Posted February 14, 2022 @windguy is that the same or similar diagnostic software that the dealer would use? Right now I have an appointment to pay almost $150 just to pull the radio out to see what tht part number is. If they could get that info from the software that should hopefully be cheaper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted February 14, 2022 Share Posted February 14, 2022 Or you could pull the radio out yourself. Just remove the upper dash. Remove the fasteners holding the radio. See what it's connected to behind the radio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
windguy Posted February 14, 2022 Share Posted February 14, 2022 5 hours ago, bostintransit said: @windguy is that the same or similar diagnostic software that the dealer would use? Right now I have an appointment to pay almost $150 just to pull the radio out to see what tht part number is. If they could get that info from the software that should hopefully be cheaper The diagnostic software is by FORscan, as shown in the header of each screen grab. Free or low cost to use depending on what version you use. Same as what Don and other forumites have used. The dealer uses sophisticated software from Ford tied to the Ford database with customer vehicle info and software updates. Since not having a radio isn't a critical issue for your van operation, I'd take a step back before paying someone $150 just to get a part number for you. I would start out using FORscan to see what modules you have loaded. Probably very similar to mine less some optional equipment I have like Trailer Module and Parking Aid Module. To use FORscan, you will need to buy decent ODBI dongle that you can directly connect to a Laptop via a USB cable or there are Bluetooth versions. This has been discussed many times over in this forum. Having the ODBI dongle and FORscan can also be useful for you down the road. Guys like Don R can help you in this department if you get jammed up. Removing the radio shouldn't be too difficult. Probably many youtube videos available showing you how to do this. When ordering your ODBI dongle from Amazon, I'd also get an inexpensive set of plastic trim tools. These are things poster Don R has recommended to others a few years back and it's sound advice to have these tools available to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostintransit Posted February 15, 2022 Author Share Posted February 15, 2022 I just found this video showing how to remove the radio, and it looks easy even for me. I think I'll give this a shot to see if I can identify the parts. Thanks for all the advice, it's EXTREMELY helpful! windguy and Don Ridley 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 On 2/13/2022 at 11:06 PM, windguy said: Removing the radio shouldn't be too difficult. Somewhere on this forum, there was a post about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty150 Posted February 18, 2022 Share Posted February 18, 2022 On 2/13/2022 at 5:19 PM, bostintransit said: pay almost $150 just to pull the radio out Spend that money on some new shoes or a nice dinner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostintransit Posted March 5, 2022 Author Share Posted March 5, 2022 I finally got around to pulling out the radio - came out just like the videos showed. I'm pretty sure there's not APIM here. Here's what I found: DT1T-18K811-CD 14-16 FORD TRANSIT CONNECT RADIO CONTROL PANEL DT1T-19C107-AD - CD/Radio unit I attached some photos. I don't see anything other than the radio and the screen, unless I'm missing something here. There's also an empty socket on the radio, so I assume that's where the APIM would plug in if it were available. I'm guessing I could just try swapping out the radio unit, right? They'r easy enough to find on ebay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Ridley Posted March 5, 2022 Share Posted March 5, 2022 (edited) You should verify there is no APIM by pulling the configuration for all of the modules for your vehicle. Use the Motorcraft website: Index - FordServiceInfo.Com (motorcraftservice.com) Use the link and input the country. Once you are in the website, exit and return using the address (not the link). This should give you a page where you input the VIN. The site will show all the configurations for your vehicle. Look for any addresses that start with 7D0. These are for an APIM. Here is what my VIN shows: If there are no 7DO addresses, you don't have an APIM. When shopping for an ACM (head unit) the last two digits the part number do not have to be identical (DT1T-19C107-AD): AD in your example. Every year the part number increments so AE, AF etc are for subsequent years. All the units should operate the same (AD, AE AF) as long as the first set of part numbers are the same. A suffix of CB-CE is for an HD radio. There is a possibility the used ACM will have some settings that may not work in your vehicle (number of speakers, steering wheel controls, MP3 input, country code etc). This can be fixed by loading the settings (like the ones shown above) from your ACM into the new ACM. You will need an adapter (about $40) and Forscan if this is the case. But I am 90% sure a basic ACM will have basic settings and it should be plug and play even if some of the settings are not exactly the same. If you need help, you can PM your VIN to me and I can look for the 7DO settings. I looked at car-part.com and there a numerous units available. You need to call most of these junkyards and you can make an offer if you want to lower the price. eBay and LKQ did not seem to have any when I looked. Edited March 5, 2022 by Don Ridley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostintransit Posted March 5, 2022 Author Share Posted March 5, 2022 @Don Ridley this is super helpful. I'll give it a shot and let you know if I get stuck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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