Ford Sync 2 to Sync 3 Upgrade Possible!

[JT Fiesta]

You can get NAV on your Sync2 for the price of a $20 Bluetooth adapter to talk to your computer with free FORScan software and the price of a map card. I have an A5 card I'll sell for $50 shipped USPS Priority Mail to any US state. It's cheaper than a Garmin and factory NAV.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

your telling me I can get factory NAV for under $100?

 

[maestromaestro]

Just upgraded my 2015 with a screen and APIM from a wrecked 2016. This turned out to be a NAV unit (didn't really want it as I was planning on using Android Auto for this - and that was the primary driver for the upgrade), so I bought a GPS sensor with a Fakra connection to avoid staring at some Michigan map (that's where the donor car was). Direct remove and replace job, nothing more - unbolt four fasteners, disconnect a couple of things and - voila! Even better news is that the OEM USB module works - so, no need to mess with anything else. The screen/APIM did come with a Sync 3 1.0 software, so I had to look for the 2.3 zip files (as the Ford's owner site has been throwing up a "system error" for quite some time, it appears); after upgrading via a USB 2.0 flash drive I am now having a Sync 3 screen with AA capabilities for $375 shipped. There are some mild issues - an occasional message saying that the USB module "is not supported and needs to be removed", but then it comes to its senses and all is right in the world. The hardest part was sourcing of the 6.5" screen/APIM combo from a 2016 - not many of those around, and some junk yard dealers have strange hang-ups about shipping electronics.

 

[alexbarker]

There are some mild issues - an occasional message saying that the USB module "is not supported and needs to be removed", but then it comes to its senses and all is right in the world.

I have a 2016 and I get this message on occasion as well. I have found, as strange as it seems, if you use the USB cable that actually came with your phone is generally never pops up (ie. Apple cable with iPhone, Google cable with Nexus, Samsung cable with Galaxy).

 

[maestromaestro]

It indeed seems to be related to Sync 3 - but not necessarily to AA, as it comes up before I even plug in the phone; just the iPod I keep plugged in. And, in Sync 2/MyTouch it never complained. I am wondering what 3.0 brings to the table - supposedly there are some bug fixes there.

 

[GateCityRadio]

So is the screen that comes with the sync 2 not compatible with sync 3?...I keep trying to find a screen but they seem to list the 2014-2016 as the same every where I look. I can find APIMs all day long...

Edit: from what I've read you need the sync 3 screen.....so now I'm wanting to know is do you need the fiesta specific APIM or can any sync 3 APIM work?

 

[maestromaestro]

So is the screen that comes with the sync 2 not compatible with sync 3?...I keep trying to find a screen but they seem to list the 2014-2016 as the same every where I look. I can find APIMs all day long...

Edit: from what I've read you need the sync 3 screen.....so now I'm wanting to know is do you need the fiesta specific APIM or can any sync 3 APIM work?

I think that there is some flexibility with APIMs; one of the issues are the mounting brackets - these are specific to the car. But, I doubt that you can save a lot of money by buying a non-FiST APIM. With some patience, you can source a 2016+ unit from a junk yard. I found one after about 4 weeks of looking around - and they didn't mind shipping.