SYNC 4 swap?

5449 Views 47 Replies 10 Participants Last post by bbf2530, 3 d ago

DarkArkAngel

Discussion Starter · Jan 23, 2022

Hey all! Apparently I missed it but it seems before the Mondeo wrapped up the 2.5 generation in China, they actually stuffed a SYNC 4 panel inside of it and I think it looked pretty handsome!

http://techzle.com/ford-mondeo-gets-sync4-infotainment

I like the size of that large Tesla style screen in the center console, but the only option for that thus far has been an aftermarket Android screen, which I don't really like the interface of and have doubts concerning it's reliablity.

However, seeing that they gave the Mondeo in China a SYNC 4 APIM, I would love to see if I could find one and make it all work nicely via Forscan. Has anyone seen anything about this? Does anyone know where I could find those part numbers seeing as they are Chinese parts?

Let me know what you all think! I would guess most of you would think the screen is too large or hard to use at that size, but I'd love to hear from those who like it as much as I do.

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bbf2530

· #41 · 4 d ago

DaMiFo said:
That's not how that works... You can download SYNC updates with a VIN as many times as you want. Until Ford verifies you did the update on the vehicle selected, nothing will change.

Many vehicles that came with SYNC 3 from the factory don't even utilize the full capability of SYNC 3, either. That's kind of a moot point, imo.

Hi DaMiFo. With all due respect (and I mean that), if read properly, the information I provided is correct. However, as has happened in the past, you are misunderstanding what I wrote and therefore discussing different situations than what I was discussing.

For example, in your first example: No, we actually can not download the same SYNC 3 update "...as many times as you want". This issue has occurred many times with owners who downloaded a SYNC 3.0/3.4 update, had an unsuccessful installation, were advised by us to try a clean download and installation, but discovered they could not download the update again, because they deleted the files from their computer and did not save the email which had the file download link. And once successfully downloaded, the file is usually not available on the SYNC 3 update website.

In your second example: I was clearly discussing SYNC 4 OTA update capability and the ability for SYNC 4 to download and install OTA/on-the-fly updates to the PCM/TCM/and many other vehicle systems. Both capabilities which are far in excess of SYNC 3 capabilities. And even if a vehicle owner upgrades their SYNC 3 Fusion Sport to SYNC 4 modules, that formerly SYNC 3 equipped Fusion Sport will not be able to receive any downloads via OTA, nor download SYNC 4 updates from the Ford SYNC website, since the VIN will not match the SYNC 4 equipment. In the same manner that SYNC 3.0 vehicles that were upgraded to SYNC 3.4 can not update via the Ford SYNC 3 update website.

In addition, is there even an official/factory Ford SYNC 4 update website available for manual downloads and installations via USB in existence yet? https://www.ford.com/support/category/sync-and-technology/ford-power-up-software-updates/

Not everyone understands this technology, and the major differences between SYNC 3 and SYNC 4 as well as you and some members here do. So helping others to understand what are in my opinion major limitations to this SYNC 4 upgrade, is not a moot point. Again, in my opinion. If you think it is a moot point, you are entitled to your opinion. But the facts are still the facts, and I do my best not to inject my "opinion" into factual discussions. And if/when I do, I clearly state it is my opinion.

DaMiFo, again, with all due respect, if you believe a SYNC 4 imposter vehicle will ever be able to receive OTA updates (cellular data, not WiFi), and/or download SYNC 4 updates from an official Ford SYNC website (not third party websites), I would be all eyes to read your explanation as to how, since not even SYNC 3.0 to SYNC 3.4 swapped vehicles are able to do so.

For the umpteenth time, I am not telling others not to perform this upgrade. Only providing correct information as to the major limitations of this SYNC 4 upgrade for those interested. Everyone is free to do whatever they wish with their own vehicles. Therefore, the information I provided is correct concerning the subjects I was discussing, not what you mistakenly believed I may have been discussing. And if what I actual wrote is properly read, and we can stick to those subjects I was clearly discussing and not get off into the weeds, it would save us all a lot of grief.

Hopefully that makes the information I was trying to provide more understandable and we can move on. Especially since the reality is that virtually nobody will ever actually perform this SYNC 4 upgrade.

Good luck. 🍻

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DaMiFo

· #42 · 4 d ago

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Slav77

· #43 · 4 d ago

For sync4 to work properly, you need to replace with apim, gwm, tcu and acm (or add APIM Pin 28 to ACM C240A Pin 4 and APIM Pin 27 to ACM C240A Pin 5). of course, online updates may not work, but by purchasing online access to frds, you can prepare a usb with an update to the vin number, so you need to change the vin to the donor number in your car for the time of the update.

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Slav77

· #44 · 4 d ago

and the prepared update will be not only for apim , but above all for gwm and may be for pcm so that the gwm , tcu , apim , pcm modules can communicate with each other correctly. of course, there will be no Internet network, so you have to make it work with a subscription in tcu.

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bbf2530

· #45 · 3 d ago (Edited)

Slav77 said:
For sync4 to work properly, you need to replace with apim, gwm, tcu and acm (or add APIM Pin 28 to ACM C240A Pin 4 and APIM Pin 27 to ACM C240A Pin 5). of course, online updates may not work, but by purchasing online access to frds, you can prepare a usb with an update to the vin number, so you need to change the vin to the donor number in your car for the time of the update.

Slav77 said:
and the prepared update will be not only for apim , but above all for gwm and may be for pcm so that the gwm , tcu , apim , pcm modules can communicate with each other correctly. of course, there will be no Internet network, so you have to make it work with a subscription in tcu.

Hi Slav97. That was what I was attempting to tell other members. OTA updates (what I consider to be a major feature...in my opinion) will not be a viable option. And getting the majority of features to work will be a major undertaking. Far deeper and likely far costlier than most owners would be willing to go. And still missing major features. Heck, many owners still have problems getting the SYNC 3 updating instructions to work. I can only imagine the daunting task many would have in attempting all the hardware, software, subscription and other modifications necessary to get this upgrade working anywhere near properly (i.e. as it works in a vehicle factory equipped with SYNC 4).
But all of that of that aside, I wish anyone who wants to give it a try the best of luck and hope it works for them, since SYNC 4 is a major upgrade to SYNC 3.0/3.4, and many of the features you say are working are good additions (i.e. the enhanced voice controls, native wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto etc.).

If any of that was previously not clear in my explanations, I can certainly understand the confusion and my apologies. 🤗

However, no matter what, thanks for being the test subject for this major upgrade and providing all the information as you go along. And I hope you can get the Climate Control system and any other currently inoperative features to work.

Keep us updated and good luck. 🍻

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ColoradoGuy

· #46 · 3 d ago

bbf2530 said:
Hi Slav97. That was what I was attempting to tell other members. OTA updates (what I consider to be a major feature...in my opinion) will not be a viable option. And getting the majority of features to work will be a major undertaking. Far deeper and likely far costlier than most owners would be willing to go. And still missing major features. Heck, many owners still have problems getting the SYNC 3 updating instructions to work. I can only imagine the daunting task many would have attempting all the hardware, software, subscription and other modifications necessary to get this upgrade working properly.
But all of that of that aside, I wish anyone who wishes to give it a try the best of luck and hope it works for them, since SYNC 4 is a major upgrade to SYNC 3.0/3.4, and many of the features you say are working are good additions (i.e. the enhanced voice controls, native wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto etc.).

If any of that was previously not clear in my explanations, I can certainly understand the confusion and my apologies. 🤗

However, no matter what, thanks for being the test subject for this major upgrade and providing all the information as you go along. And I hope you can get the Climate Control system and any other currently inoperative features to work.

Keep us updated and good luck. 🍻

Mental note to self. Don't even think about trying this.

. But I appreciate those who do want to do it, and the dialogue by well-meaning members on the pro's and con's.

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thelastsumurai

· #47 · 3 d ago

bbf2530 said:
Hi DaMiFo. Where did I state it was a different operating system? Where did I even mention the words "operating system"? I stated "a far more complex system" and "an entirely upgraded system." And both are true. If read correctly, every statement in my post (which you quoted) is 100% true. Therefore, please read my posts more carefully and do not say I made statements or inferred anything that I did not.

This is not anything like upgrading MFT to SYNC 3. It is not even SYNC 3.0 to SYNC 3.4. SYNC 4 is a far more complex and integrated system, connected into nearly all computer programmable aspects of our vehicles.

The only untrue and/or misleading statements in my or your posts was you stating "SYNC 4's main added features are things like OTA software updates and some minor features that pretty much just collect data about the vehicle owner's use habits..."...and you stating (guessing) that "The issue is most likely the inability to get the hardware.", and that since it is all such a minor upgrade that "nobody has really even had the desire to look into it". Opinions are not necessarily facts.
The SYNC 4 system is a complete upgrade. Forget about sourcing the APIM/screen etc. That would be a piece of cake compared to the rest of the necessary parts/components/work. SYNC 3 vehicles would not even have the necessary/proper modules, wiring harnesses, connectors, processing ability, programming or the ability to accept copied programming without tearing the vehicle apart to R&R major system components. Not "minor" ones. etc.

If someone only wants to try and integrate the larger screen, then yes, that is certainly "possible". But having SYNC 4 functionaity is not realistic at all.

So to repeat...I stated it is a "far more complex system". I did not state or infer it is a different operating system. And it is a far more complex system. SYNC/SYNC 3 is simply an infotainment system. Even by Ford's own description.
SYNC 4 gives the vehicle the ability to obtain OTA updates for major systems, such as the PCM/TCM and powertrain etc. etc. This can not be performed by SYNC 3 at all.
Essentially. almost anything that can be computer updated/upgraded will now be able to be done OTA by SYNC 4, as the updates/upgrades become available. A multitude of things we now need to go to a Dealer to have updated/upgraded will no longer require Dealer visits. In a similar same manner as Tesla vehicles. So what I stated was completely true.

That is a major upgrade over SYNC 3. And all major automotive experts, journalists and sources agree on that fact.

So no...The issue is not "...most likely an inability tot get the hardware". And OTA updates to major Engine/Powertrain/infotainment and other systems are not "a minor feature". It is a leap and a bound more than SYNC 3's basic infotainment system control.

And again, please read posts more carefully before commenting that something is untrue when it was not even stated in the first place. That is simply a basic courtesy.

Sorry if I seem agitated. But it sometimes gets a bit tedious having to correct this type of thing, when a proper reading would have saved everyone some time.

Dude, chill out. We're all "friends" here. I can't believe your aggressive response.

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bbf2530

· #48 · 3 d ago (Edited)

Hi tls. I do consider members here to be "friends". Or at least as good of friends as one can be with people we don't know other than on the Interent. So I am not sure what your point is? You dug up a post from a year and a half ago, which other than being in this same thread, is completely out of context in this current discussion.
And other than containing very correct information which again was incorrectly contradicted by others back then as it was now, does not even apply to the current conversation.

On the other hand, I will thank you for quoting that post of mine from a year and a half ago, since along with the latest replies, proves the original premise that SYNC 4 can not be fully integrated into a SYNC 3 equipped vehicle. Which is what this entire thread is about in the first place. 🤗

And my replies have been very polite, not "aggressive", my fellow dude. Providing facts and correct information to help others is not "aggressive", it is what we are all here, as friends, to do. So why don't we all return to doing that.

EDIT- I also would like to wish you and all of our other friends here a very nice Memorial Day weekend!
And a huge thank you for those who have served...and sacrificed!

Good luck. 🍻

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