john-csi Posted May 25, 2020 Share Posted May 25, 2020 (edited) In order to upgrade from sync 2 to sync 3, both the apim and the touchscreen must be replaced. I bought mine connected together including the connecting wires between them. One reason 3D Tech charges so much is they send you a complete guaranteed package: the apim, the screen, brackets, and everything needed for installation Including the GPS Receiver antenna. I believe it also has the Dual USB connectors for Appleplay and CarPlay, there is also a cable needed for earlier model MKZs. The apim is also pre-programmed for your vehicle. So, it is a plug and play installation. The GPS antenna Is needed because the apim has a separate input connector for it. In the 2017+ models, there is an in-line GPS splitter. The more difficult part is to program the apim. You could do it with Forscan hardware and software. I assume all you need is your VIN specific as-built downloaded software and simply just program the apim. Forscan has all of the information on its website www.forscan.com. I have everything to upgrade, I would like to figure out how to upgrade my other modules as well. I don’t know where to get more information on the vehicle’s software. i spent about $350.00 on a 2019 apim and screen, and about $50.00 for forscan devices, another $12.00 for the GPS antenna, and $60.00 for the correct USB connector. i also bought a 2017 radio cover with the volume and tune controls and would like them to work as well . THAT I NEED HELP WITH. Also, can I use software from a later model similar equipped MKZ as well? Is it illegal to change the electric VIN to a different year? If the VIN is not changed, will the vehicle still automatically update software and maps? thank you. Edited May 25, 2020 by john-csi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multitask Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 sounds like you got some good prices... it's bout what I spent when I did my 2013 FFH, and added the $75 (at the time) to have someone else do the programing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john-csi Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Thank you Mulitask, I bought the apim with the touchscreen from a recycling yard and the rest from Amazon (Forscan devices) and from my dealer (the dual USB socket assembly). There is another online company who also has A reasonable video about this but steers you nowhere when it comes to programmingt the apim. I am almost 95% cripple So I have done nothing about this installation or changing the software. Just getting up is extremely difficult for me. I have the 2013 to 2019 factory wiring diagrams to follow the vehicle progression and through the years found out most newer models are mainly software changes.The mechanics of them have hardly changed at all. However, in 2019 they added a fourth high speed LAN. Making the bringing the total of LANS to five. They also added a police cruiser that is also a hybrid based on the Ford Fusion with different software and lighting. There are many other wires that are not connected as well as a cooled electronics tray in the trunk. It is not a pursuit vehicle, just a hybrid police vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multitask Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 http://www.2gfusions.net/showthread.php?tid=3881 That link is now kinda old, but has a lot of info and Dan is worth the $$$. He has helped me several times, worth his fee for the programing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john-csi Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 Do you know if he works for Ford? I am interested in getting more information about the software in the vehicle. There are also many videos on the Ford F-150 and they mentioned a spreadsheet depicting the different modifications to the truck but also warned that it may not work for every vehicle. It does not hurt to ask, so thank you for the information. I will see if the link works later. Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multitask Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 He does not have anything to do with Ford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john-csi Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 OK. What i need is someone who has extensive knowledge of the software, not necessarily just program the apim. I own a 2016 MKZ hybrid but I have found a 2019 hybrid that is basically identical except for a change in the software. So I need a person who can tell me if the 2019 software can be used or integrated together with my 2016. I went even further by purchasing a 2017 radio cover in order to be able to use the added controls and push-button switches. I have my as-built software from the Ford website, but I also have the software from two newer similar vehicles. I liked the newest version but my vehicle doesn’t have all the same modules as the newest one has. I could easily use the same software that originally came with my car but can the later software be used? The lower Ford models are easily changed but my car has every option available except for four and only one could be a problem. Lincoln will not help. I am even looking into auto schools to see if they have some Ford software classes. Even books would help, but try finding them. Thank you again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syang1368 Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 Hi gents I have a 2016 Lincoln MKZ with Sync 2/Navi. I want to upgrade to a Sync 3 system that I took off from a 2017 MKZ . Do I have to program it to 2016 MKZ VIN ? What if I don't ? Does it work at all ? Grateful for any feedbacks on this .. Thanks Shaobo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ter06 Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 you will need to modify some things for sync in forscan, especially if your features are different than the donor car. heated/cooled seats ect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multitask Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 1 hour ago, syang1368 said: Hi gents I have a 2016 Lincoln MKZ with Sync 2/Navi. I want to upgrade to a Sync 3 system that I took off from a 2017 MKZ . Do I have to program it to 2016 MKZ VIN ? What if I don't ? Does it work at all ? Grateful for any feedbacks on this .. Thanks Shaobo https://sync3programming.com/ Talk to Dan, his service is very useful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syang1368 Posted August 14, 2020 Share Posted August 14, 2020 Thanks you, Multitask Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syang1368 Posted August 16, 2020 Share Posted August 16, 2020 @Multitask, Dan is great, I went to him and his APIM woked like a champ. All, now i have another question, since now my vehicle is a 2016 mkz with a 2017 sync 3, how do I upgrade sync 3 version ? i can use the donor vehicle to download sync 3 update, but didn't seem to work on my 2016 mkz, but if I search sync update using my onw vin it will show sync 3 update. Any advices on that ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multitask Posted August 16, 2020 Share Posted August 16, 2020 2 hours ago, syang1368 said: @Multitask, Dan is great, I went to him and his APIM woked like a champ. All, now i have another question, since now my vehicle is a 2016 mkz with a 2017 sync 3, how do I upgrade sync 3 version ? i can use the donor vehicle to download sync 3 update, but didn't seem to work on my 2016 mkz, but if I search sync update using my onw vin it will show sync 3 update. Any advices on that ? Yea, the down side (if you want to call it that) is that you now have to get a VIN from a donor (wreck), and use that for any updates..... When I had my 2018 FFH, it has the APIM from a 2019 mustang in it, and I used the VIN from another Fusion (went from no nav to having Nav... even updated the maps) ... but most any would work, provided they are the same in features (why I picked the Fusion) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm98 Posted October 7, 2020 Share Posted October 7, 2020 On 8/16/2020 at 12:43 PM, Multitask said: you now have to get a VIN from a dono I jumped in and got kit from eBay from SimplyMichigan US seller. Going to do self upgrade from SYNC 2 to SYNC 3. The kit is preprogrammed with my MKZ VIN. Looking at youtube install to take notes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm98 Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 Just swapped over to SYNC3 today. I will have more photos later. Robert Iggy Cerami 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted October 11, 2020 Author Share Posted October 11, 2020 (edited) Hi jm. Looks like you're doing some good work there. One possible suggestion, while you have all that apart: Perhaps spread a little silicone lubricant gel or a dry Teflon spray on all mating surfaces. Except leather surfaces. Don't use silicone or Teflon on leather). Essentially, anywhere two surfaces will be coming together, where the HVAC ducts mate up to each other, and anything else that may touch. May help avoid squeaks and creaks in the future. Keep us updated and good luck. Edited October 11, 2020 by bbf2530 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivard Posted December 25, 2020 Share Posted December 25, 2020 I'll be doing this in the first part of next year. My sync 2 got a software bug that just keeps the system restarting for about 10 minutes before just turning off. So no radio, nav, or adjusting ALL climate controls. Just purchased a sync 3 upgrade kit from eBay that should be here next week. So the 4DTech video and this forum is giving me an idea of what to expect!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelshaer Posted December 27, 2020 Share Posted December 27, 2020 Happy new year to everyone. This is my first post on the forum and I am sure it will not be the last one. I found many listings on ebay that sell the complete upgrade kits preprogrammed for $650 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multitask Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 7 hours ago, kelshaer said: Happy new year to everyone. This is my first post on the forum and I am sure it will not be the last one. I found many listings on ebay that sell the complete upgrade kits preprogrammed for $650 Was there a question in there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 7 hours ago, kelshaer said: Happy new year to everyone. This is my first post on the forum and I am sure it will not be the last one. I found many listings on ebay that sell the complete upgrade kits preprogrammed for $650 Welcome to the MKZ forum, kelsaher. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drolds1 Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 21 minutes ago, Multitask said: Was there a question in there? The forums are for questions and comments as well. The post qualifies as the latter, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbf2530 Posted December 28, 2020 Author Share Posted December 28, 2020 8 hours ago, kelshaer said: Happy new year to everyone. This is my first post on the forum and I am sure it will not be the last one. I found many listings on ebay that sell the complete upgrade kits preprogrammed for $650 Hi kelshaer. Welcome to the Lincoln MKZ Forum, and a Happy New Year to you also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Multitask Posted December 28, 2020 Share Posted December 28, 2020 15 hours ago, drolds1 said: The forums are for questions and comments as well. The post qualifies as the latter, IMO. I was just asking, in case there was a question. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelshaer Posted December 29, 2020 Share Posted December 29, 2020 Thanks to everyone. P.S. This is a comment and not a question ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelshaer Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 Great stuff. I ordered the upgrade kit and I already have Park assist on my 2016. can you shed some light on how to configure it so that it works with the new SYNC 3 and what extra features that I can get? On 1/14/2020 at 11:21 PM, Jangul said: You need these basic things to perform the upgrade 1. Sync 3 screen(touchscreen NOTcompatible with SYNC2) 2. Sync 3 APIM(electronic module contains all the maps and software) 3. Sync 3 cable between APIM and screen 4. New GPS dongle(not compatible with sync 2) 5. New USB Hub(to enable android auto and carplay) 6. New mounting bracket for USB Hub(allows hub to mount in wider a/v interface hole) 7. A wiring adapter for the new USB hub 8. a. USB elm adapter, laptop, and FORSCAN software to properly configure your APIM . You can get a prep-programmed configuration file for FORSCAN based on your VIN from Dan. or b. a seller who will pre-program the system configuration for your car based on your VIN DDtech will provide all of this in a package. But, you can buy all the parts separately for far less , even a preprogrammed APIM. If you decide to source the parts yourself, you can find pretty much everything from ebay except the wiring adapter which you might as well buy from DDtech, it costs about 50 dollars. You do not need an MKZ specific SYNC3 unit or electronics. You can use the SYNC3 APIM from any SYNC3 vehicles, not just MKZs. You can use a SYNC3 screen from a lot of different Ford and Lincoln vehicles, but some screens WILL NOT be compatible with the MKZ brackets because of how the brackets mount to the frame. There are two types of 8" sync3 touchscreen: 1.recessed and 2. flat . The screen we use is the 8" flat. Those compatible flat type SYNC3 screens can be pulled from the following vehicles: 8" FLAT/STANDARD Ford Fusion Ford Mustang Ford F150 Ford Escape Ford C-MAX Ford Expedition Ford Focus Lincoln MKZ Lincoln MKC If you have park assist, it will require proper FORSCAN configuration of your PAM module to work correctly. You can also upgrade the firmware on your PAM to add extra active park assist features if you have the right programming tools for flashing firmware. If you want factory NAV, you must buy an APIM with factory navigation in it. It doesn't matter whether you had it or didn't have it before you upgrade If you add a non-nav APIM to your NAvigation equipped car, you will not have factory navigation. If you add a Navigation APIM to your non-nav vehicle you will have Navigation. The only componen that determines whteher or not a unit has navigation is the APIM. You can't add NAV maps to a non-map APIM because it has less internal memory. The 2017-2018 SYNC3 APIMs will only naturally upgrade to SYNC3 version 3.0 with the official USB software from Lincoln. A hardware revision adding more memory to the APIM allows upgrades to 3.4 with 2019 and newer vehicles. To upgrade to 3.2 or above requires the newer version of the APIM...officially. Also the Maps may be as old as 2014 and new ones may not be available from Ford/Lincoln for the older SYNC3 APIMS ... officially. Unoffically, you can reformat the older SYNC3 APIM operating system to allow it to upgrade to SYNC version 3.4 AND upgrade the Maps to the newest ones in the process pretty easily thanks to some helpful Russians. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.