Post by dgramza » Fri Sep 11, 2015 11:48 am
So here's the deal. The Sync system on my 2010 Ford Flex quit working, completely dead, nothing but the radio works. I took it to the dealer and they told me the APIM (Accessory Protocol Interface Module) Sync module, needs to be replaced and quoted me about $1000 to do it. I found the part online, new, for about $300. The dealer quoted me $100 to program it. So if I replace it myself I can do the whole thing for about $400 vs. the $1000 quoted by the dealer. My only issue/concern is, where the heck is the APIM located? Is it near the radio itself? Is it in the driver's foot well area? Any advice anyone can offer on location and best approach for replacing it would be greatly appreciated. I consider myself quite handy and capable, I just don't want to waste my time just trying to find the thing.
Thanks.
Dan
Post by Lanson » Fri Sep 11, 2015 12:02 pm
It is under the center console.
I'm surprised you care about SYNC, on an honest level. One of the most worthless things on my 2010 when I had it.
My Flex is gone but my audio build threads from all the ones I've done are here on this forum, just search my username.
dgramza Posts: 15 Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2015 11:37 amPost by dgramza » Fri Sep 11, 2015 12:08 pm
Lanson wrote: It is under the center console.
I'm surprised you care about SYNC, on an honest level. One of the most worthless things on my 2010 when I had it.
I mainly want the the hands free phone. It's my wife's car and she uses the hand free phone a a lot. I could just buy her a blue tooth head set, but she had one before and didn't like it.
We also stream Pandora when we go on road trips since we don't have satellite radio.
Post by Lanson » Fri Sep 11, 2015 12:15 pm
Understood. Yeah if it were me, I'd probably just get a bluetooth mic and speaker for the car.
But yeah, its under the center console. Pull the center console between the seats, and you're good.
My Flex is gone but my audio build threads from all the ones I've done are here on this forum, just search my username.
dgramza Posts: 15 Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2015 11:37 amPost by dgramza » Fri Sep 11, 2015 12:17 pm
Thanks for info, that should be pretty easy to get at.mmsstar Moderator Posts: 16131 Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 8:46 am Location: Mike in Cleveland Ohio Area Vehicle: 2014 Flex SEL AWD TBM
Post by mmsstar » Fri Sep 11, 2015 1:07 pm
You can see the module in the white circle here.
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Post by dgramza » Fri Sep 11, 2015 1:13 pm
OK, maybe not so easy to get at. epbog Posts: 2895 Joined: Tue Apr 16, 2013 3:47 pm Location: CDA, IDPost by epbog » Fri Sep 11, 2015 1:52 pm
You don't need to remove nearly as much as is removed in that picture to get to it.2010 Flex Limited AWD Ecoboost Tuxedo Black monotone w/ Charcoal Black Interior - Vista Roof, 2nd row buckets, 2nd row refer/freezer, Active Park Assist
SOLD
bing in waterloo Posts: 4897 Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2013 9:01 pm Location: Waterloo, ON Vehicle: 2018 LTD AWD White Gold w/ APP
Post by bing in waterloo » Fri Sep 11, 2015 3:54 pm
Thankfully.
Mike scared him with that shot for sure.
When Mike vaccuums his Flex on a Sat. he goes overboard
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mmsstar Moderator Posts: 16131 Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 8:46 am Location: Mike in Cleveland Ohio Area Vehicle: 2014 Flex SEL AWD TBM
Post by mmsstar » Fri Sep 11, 2015 5:13 pm
we did get it pretty clean while the seats were out!Member #1833
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Post by 66 Galaxie » Fri Sep 11, 2015 7:56 pm
How much change did you find?2014 Flex TBM Ecoboost 303A, Titanium Tails, 3dCarbon spoiler, led fog & puddle & backup lights, Powestop brakes, blacked out grill, 110K+ miles
2016 Explorer Platinum
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bing in waterloo Posts: 4897 Joined: Sat Feb 09, 2013 9:01 pm Location: Waterloo, ON Vehicle: 2018 LTD AWD White Gold w/ APP
Post by bing in waterloo » Fri Sep 11, 2015 7:59 pm
2011 SE(nts).My career - Scientific Educational Sales Supply.
2018 LTD AWD White Gold w/ appearance package. New to me in Aug. 2018. Now limited usage. Have done some cosmetic changes (wraps/tints/decals). Now in 2024 matte khaki wrap.
TRADED 2010 Steel Blue SEL FWD w/Vista. (Mostly) Friendly Canadian.
Post by 66 Galaxie » Fri Sep 11, 2015 8:06 pm
2014 Flex TBM Ecoboost 303A, Titanium Tails, 3dCarbon spoiler, led fog & puddle & backup lights, Powestop brakes, blacked out grill, 110K+ miles
2016 Explorer Platinum
2008 Taurus X, 267k+ miles w/original trans & ptu (sold)
mmsstar Moderator Posts: 16131 Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 8:46 am Location: Mike in Cleveland Ohio Area Vehicle: 2014 Flex SEL AWD TBM
Post by mmsstar » Sat Sep 12, 2015 6:42 am
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Post by Lanson » Sat Sep 12, 2015 8:59 am
My Flex is gone but my audio build threads from all the ones I've done are here on this forum, just search my username.
dgramza Posts: 15 Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2015 11:37 amPost by dgramza » Sun Sep 20, 2015 7:39 pm
Controller is now replaced with a used one, updated to the most current software and the whole thing only took me 2-1/2 hours. Now I'm having one issue that I'm hoping someone here might have an idea about. Everything seems to be working good except for the phone and voice buttons on the steering wheel. I've tried pulling the sync fuse and I've unhooked the battery for 15 minutes and they still don't work. All the other buttons on the steering wheel work, volume, media button, next button and all the cruise control buttons work, so I'm thinking it has something to do with the sync system and not the buttons themselves. Any ideas?
bill32399 Moderator Posts: 4538 Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:07 am Location: Willamette Valley, OR Vehicle: 2013 Flex Limited Egoboost Contact:
Post by bill32399 » Sun Sep 20, 2015 9:53 pm
Not sure if yours or the donor vehicle had Nav or not but there is a slight difference in the buttons for Sync on the right side. I am guessing that could be the problem.
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Post by dgramza » Mon Sep 21, 2015 7:00 am
The donor vehicle did have Nav and mine does not. So, does anybody know if there is any way that I can fix it or if the dealer can reprogram it to work properly?
Waldo Posts: 4460 Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2008 3:58 pmPost by Waldo » Mon Sep 21, 2015 7:37 am
The steering wheel button configuration is defined in the software somewhere, so it's likely only a dealer flash will be able to fix it. I don't know if the dealer can flash the new module without the old module though.
dgramza Posts: 15 Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2015 11:37 amPost by dgramza » Mon Sep 21, 2015 7:54 am
I have the old module but it's dead, so I'm not sure what they can do. Guess I'll have to give them an call and see what they say, hopefully not a line of B.S. telling me they need to replace the controller themselves.
Lanson Posts: 5147 Joined: Wed Nov 10, 2010 9:09 am Location: Las Vegas, NVPost by Lanson » Mon Sep 21, 2015 8:22 am
In the Focus cars, there's a software called Focccus, which is basically a DEEP programming level software that taps in via obdII dongle (Bluetooth or USB), to a laptop.
Wonder if there's something available for the Flex, or if Focccus would work for the Flex anyway?
You can run the risk of bricking stuff but since you can save and recall a file, it is hard to mess up (permanently, anyway.) People use it to reprogram the car to handle HID's properly, or to turn on the "global open" and "global close" windows, etc.
My Flex is gone but my audio build threads from all the ones I've done are here on this forum, just search my username.
dgramza Posts: 15 Joined: Fri Sep 11, 2015 11:37 amPost by dgramza » Mon Sep 21, 2015 8:30 am
So far I've called one dealer and they are telling me that Ford does something to them to link them to your vehicle VIN so there is nothing they, as the dealer, can do. Not sure if I believe that or if that's what they "have" to say.
Any idea on where I can get the Focccus software? Is it an aftermarket software that someone has created or is it a Ford created software? Sounds like I need to do a bunch of online research.
Post by Lanson » Mon Sep 21, 2015 8:33 am
dgramza wrote: So far I've called one dealer and they are telling me that Ford does something to them to link them to your vehicle VIN so there is nothing they, as the dealer, can do. Not sure if I believe that or if that's what they "have" to say.
Any idea on where I can get the Focccus software? Is it an aftermarket software that someone has created or is it a Ford created software? Sounds like I need to do a bunch of online research.
My Flex is gone but my audio build threads from all the ones I've done are here on this forum, just search my username.
bill32399 Moderator Posts: 4538 Joined: Sun Jan 30, 2011 4:07 am Location: Willamette Valley, OR Vehicle: 2013 Flex Limited Egoboost Contact:
Post by bill32399 » Mon Sep 21, 2015 11:40 am
dgramza wrote: So far I've called one dealer and they are telling me that Ford does something to them to link them to your vehicle VIN so there is nothing they, as the dealer, can do. Not sure if I believe that or if that's what they "have" to say.
Any idea on where I can get the Focccus software? Is it an aftermarket software that someone has created or is it a Ford created software? Sounds like I need to do a bunch of online research.
That's true. The VIN is programed in the SYNC units.
I bing'd Focccus and for this.
Focccus 8.3 is a Ford Focus MK3 Central Configuration Editting utility. It allows all users to edit specific functions of the CCC that are typically only available during factory production or from the Ford dealer. All that is required to make changes is an Elm327 or ObdlinkMX and a laptop. While Focccus is specifically built for the 2012+ Ford Focus(all versions except hybrid), its been reported to work on the Escape, Mustang, Fiesta, Kuga and F150.
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mmsstar Moderator Posts: 16131 Joined: Tue May 18, 2010 8:46 am Location: Mike in Cleveland Ohio Area Vehicle: 2014 Flex SEL AWD TBM
Post by mmsstar » Mon Sep 21, 2015 12:33 pm
How about a photo of the buttons on a NAV equipped Flex? Here is the non Nav.
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