2013 SYNC 2 black screen APIM bad?

[fordfusion2013]

Hey folks,

I've read a lot on this forum and others, and am hoping you call can confirm my concerns and help point me in the right direction.

Details:
2013 Ford Fusion Energi (base model, no adaptive cruise, lane assist or self park)
Sync 2 (v3.6) with 8" screen w/NAV & backup camera

Background:
I had my modem updated ~1 year ago
No real issues with SYNC except with regards to modem and car connectivity (took 3 tries for them to reset things and get everything working) - old news
Last week, drive about 20min, everything was fine.
Parked car for ~1hour
Came back out to car and the Sync screen stays black.  Nothing!  it doesn't seem like there is a backlight or anything.  Radio volume knob works, seek buttons make noise, HVAC touch buttons work, but screen is black.

Other facts:
-Radio "works" by that I mean it works after disconnecting the battery, but after driving the car it seems it can't be turned back on. 
-Using the right side of the drivers HUD I can select Audio (AM/FM, CD, SIRUS) - Radio works as does volume control, but like I said, after a key cycle or two... the Audio sub menu just says "OFF" and won't turn back on, even when using the power button in the middle of the volume knob on the dash below the sync screen.
-Phone/bluetooth all non working
-HVAC works via driver HUD and dash buttons
-Dash buttons are lit up and response with noises when pressed (ie. seek controls)

-Backup camera does NOT work (screen is black no matter what)

-Phone is not recognized via USB port in center console (though radio was off and refused to turn on, might need a battery disconnect to try again)
-My Ford Mobile app still works, car still has connectivity and texts me when charging hasn't started, etc.  
-Location feature still works too (super handy when the car was stolen 6months ago.)
-When radio is working, every ~5min or so it goes silent for ~5-10sec.  Almost as if some system is trying to connect/reboot, etc.  This happens for like 20min and then the radio stops working.

Actions taken:
-Disconnect battery (for 10sec, 5min, 30min) it did correctly lose my driver "My View" settings, so I know the disconnect worked, but failed to revive mys creen except get my radio working again for a few key cycles.
-Checked fuses 33 & 34, successfully lost power to various elements, and tried putting fuses in one at a time with no change.

-Tried the reset buttons (hold power + right seek).  Power button doesn't seem to turn radio on/off so I'm not convinced the reset is getting triggered.

Questions:
-Do all these sings point to an APIM issue?
-Are these really VIN locked?
-Anything else I should try? worth removing the APIM to see if it can be repaired (ie lose wire, capacitor, etc) Do we know what actually fails with them?
-Is there a chance it is my screen and not the APIM?
-Is it worth trying to do a SYNC update, say to v3.8?  Ford's Owner page doesn't show an update for me (says I'm up to date) so I'd need to get the zip file from someone else.  I've check 5 forums and all the dropbox/google drive links are dead.  Anyone have a v3.8 zip file lying around I can try?

-Given my symptoms, will an update even work?  ie. should I expect to see something on the screen?

I'm handy, and can repair most things, so totally fine replacing the APIM as long as we think that is the issue.  I do not want to throw money at this if there is a decent chance it isn't the APIM.

I know this was a ton of info, thanks for reading.  I wanted to share all the facts and also show that I've tried to help myself before starting yet another thread on "sync black screen".

Thanks!

-CJ
 

 

Edited January 3, 2021 by fordfusion2013

[murphy]

My 2013 Energi has an outstanding recall to extend the warranty on the APIM.  Check your Ford.com account for the details.  Mine has not failed.

 

[billford]

15 hours ago, fordfusion2013 said:

-Is it worth trying to do a SYNC update, say to v3.8?  Ford's Owner page doesn't show an update for me (says I'm up to date) so I'd need to get the zip file from someone else.  I've check 5 forums and all the dropbox/google drive links are dead.  Anyone have a v3.8 zip file lying around I can try?

 

15 hours ago, fordfusion2013 said:

 

 

Latest version is 3.10, so do the update first.

 

There is an extended warranty on this, check with your dealer first...

 

Another very common problem is people cleaning the screens.  Never spray directly onto the screen with any cleaners as its not sealed around the edges. The spray solution will drip down the screen  and work its way inside damaging the electronics. If you need to clean it, lightly spray into a cloth first, then clean the screen.

Edited January 3, 2021 by billford

[fordfusion2013]

Thanks billford.

I checked with Ford Dealer about the warranty, im way past it sounds like.

I haven't been cleaning the screen much at all, and hadn't recently.  Care was heavily detailed by insurance about 6 months ago after the theft, but I'd have a hard time connecting the two incidents.

Does it sound like a APIM issue or a screen issue?
 

[murphy]

Sorry, it is a Field Service Action specific to the APIM.  It is still active for my car.

 

Field service action

SYNC WITH MYFORD MYLINCOLN TOUCH WARRANTY EXTENSION COVERING ACCESSORY PROTOCOL INTERFACE MODULE APIM

Field Service Action Number:12M02

 

 

Have your dealer look up FSA 12M02.

[fordfusion2013]

murphy, that is the exact FSA I had him look up.  That said... this dealer is terrible and I honestly don't trust anything they tell me.  haha.  My battery pack is also at like 60% of original capacity from what I can tell in terms of driving range, which in CA is covered under warranty, but I don't even want to think about the process involved in trying to get a replacement battery pack.

[murphy]

Is that dealer electric certified?

If not try to find one that is since they are required to have at least two techs that are trained on the electric cars.

 

[fordfusion2013]

called 3 dealers, all electric certified. 3rd dealer finally was able to look up my VIN via phone and confirm that 12M02 is not available to me.  She was able to confirm that 19K02 is though (air bag inflator).

So... follow up questions:

-Does anyone have the Sync2 3.10 ZIP available that I can use?
-Will it update without a screen?  ie. we don't yet know the root cause of my issue (bad APIM, bad screen, etc).  Is there anyway to confirm the update is installing?  Should I see it on the screen even though something isn't working?

I'm about ready to replace the APIM myself and pay the big bucks, but I'd sure love to exhaust all my other options.
 

Thanks for the continued help!

[2014FordFusionSE]

38 minutes ago, fordfusion2013 said:

called 3 dealers, all electric certified. 3rd dealer finally was able to look up my VIN via phone and confirm that 12M02 is not available to me.  She was able to confirm that 19K02 is though (air bag inflator).

So... follow up questions:

-Does anyone have the Sync2 3.10 ZIP available that I can use?
-Will it update without a screen?  ie. we don't yet know the root cause of my issue (bad APIM, bad screen, etc).  Is there anyway to confirm the update is installing?  Should I see it on the screen even though something isn't working?

I'm about ready to replace the APIM myself and pay the big bucks, but I'd sure love to exhaust all my other options.
 

Thanks for the continued help!

 

I deleted 3.10 zip from my computer but you should be able to download it after entering your VIN here:

https://help.ford.com/update-sync/

[fordfusion2013]

Unfortunately 2013 models max out at SYNC 3.6.  Ford says I'm up to date.

Im less concerned about getting v3.8 or 3.10, and more about testing whether i have a bad update or a bad APIM.  I just need a 3.8 or 3.10 zip that I can try to see if it fixed my issue.  Otherwise I'll just buy a new APIM and install it.  Seriously silly headache.

[billford]

I can upload the files and instructions if you need it, but first follow these attached instructions to see if your system will take an update.

 

 

12M02_2_6002.pdf

[fordfusion2013]

billford, thanks.  But I don't have a working display, so not possible to check APIM version, etc.

I was able to get a v3.8 zip and moved everything over to my USB drive.  However, it appears that my USB port in the d=fusion is dead too.  My drive doesn't light up.

I took apart the dash and unplugged and replugged the APIM, USB ports, etc.  I checked fuses 32 and 33 and even swapped some out to confirm that the fuses aren't blown.  I even checked fuse 16 under the hood.

I disconnected the 12v battery again and was able to get the radio/cd/XM working again, but they stop after a few minutes.  Doing this did not get me power to USB or change anything mentioned above.

I still have dash touch controls (ie. volume, HVAC, etc).  However the power button inside the volume knob does not work.  I have no bluetooth, usb audio inputs and obviously no backup camera, navigation, or anything else.

If the above symptoms sounds like a busted APIM, I'll go that route, but it almost seems as if its just a bad fuse for the APIM.  So many things not working.

Thanks again for the ideas and help.  Open to any other suggestions folks have at the point.  Spent another 2 hrs tonight on it.

 

-CJ

 

[fordfusion2013]

Thought I'd update folks.

good news:
I found an APIM + Screen on ebay for cheap enough that it was worth the risk.  The part number matched exactly: DS7T-14F239-BP

So I ordered it.  It showed some surface corrosion (from Florida) but figured it was worth a try.

It came today, and I had it installed in under 10min.  It works!!!!  The screen had a scratch so I tore everything apart and installed my old screen, and... everything still worked!!!

bad news:
I don't have Navigation
I dont have any of my plugin hybrid/energi features under the settings section

So... I'm working on getting FORScan installed and have the OSB2 dongle in the mail.  I'd like to attempt to add these features back in.  Since my old APIM doesn't work, I can't "download" the old settings, so I'm curious if anyone has details on adding "energi" settings back into the APIM.  There are plenty of threads on navigation, but I fear getting the Energi stuff might be tricky.

Open to ideas.  Thanks everyone!

[2014FordFusionSE]

4 hours ago, fordfusion2013 said:

Thought I'd update folks.

good news:
I found an APIM + Screen on ebay for cheap enough that it was worth the risk.  The part number matched exactly: DS7T-14F239-BP

So I ordered it.  It showed some surface corrosion (from Florida) but figured it was worth a try.

It came today, and I had it installed in under 10min.  It works!!!!  The screen had a scratch so I tore everything apart and installed my old screen, and... everything still worked!!!

bad news:
I don't have Navigation
I dont have any of my plugin hybrid/energi features under the settings section

So... I'm working on getting FORScan installed and have the OSB2 dongle in the mail.  I'd like to attempt to add these features back in.  Since my old APIM doesn't work, I can't "download" the old settings, so I'm curious if anyone has details on adding "energi" settings back into the APIM.  There are plenty of threads on navigation, but I fear getting the Energi stuff might be tricky.

Open to ideas.  Thanks everyone!

 

That's great news!

I don't have any experience with APIMs but appreciate all your effort and updates.

[fordfusion2013]

Another update:

I was able to update to Sync 2 v3.8 via USB with no issues.  Install took ~20min and went fine.  It did not however restore Navigation or my "Energi displays/settings"

I think I'll need FORScan to fix those.

-CJ

 

[fordfusion2013]

Update:

I received my USB ODB2 FORScan adapter, and got an old PC laptop running again to use FORScan.

I was able to connect and "play around" with FORScan a bit.

I tried using the "easy/friendly" mode for the APIM.  It didn't seem to work well with my 2013 Fusion Energi.  Changing the "enter address while driving" seemed to change the country code, and Enabling navigation didn't seem to do anything.  (I found a "how-to" on the navigation hack, and will follow through on that later, I'm pretty sure that'll get me going again).

But... no where could I find a menu to enable the hybrid and energi mode/screens.

 

I was missing a special hybrid/energi screen that goes here:

 

I had gone to: https://www.motorcraftservice.com/AsBuilt
And downloaded a PDF of my car/VIN.

So I decided to go into advanced (As built mode) in FORScan.
Under the APIM I saw this:

Comparing to the PDF I could tell two sections were wrong.
7D0-01-02 - I believe is for navigation (I fixed this to match my "as built" values and got a GPS warning when rebooting the APIM which is a good sign, still no complete navigation, but some new features appeared so I can tell I am close)
7D0-03-01 - I didn't know what this is for (hadn't found it online anywhere) but I updated it with these new values and magically got my hybrid/energi screen back.

New values:

 

The new button that appears:

 

It leads to these two screens:

 

 

so HUGE success!!!!

I'll work on the navigation, i feel confident there since it is so well documented online and plenty of files and tricks available. (fingers crossed).

Figured I'd document this incase someone else runs into the hybrid/energi screen issue.
 

Thanks!

[Warwolf7]

Hi, 

Just wanted to say that for my Ford fusion se 2013 (not hybrid though) Same radio, navigation rear camera, same issue, same symptoms exactly the same thing. I was reading through your thread, I was really scared I would have to change the apim, whatever that is.

I removed fuse 32 and 33. Waited 30sec.put them back in. The radio booted back and everything is back to normal. 

 

Just in case someone is also reading this thread. 

 

I'm glad you documented your journey. Who knows how long my radio will last before I need to replace it.