SYNC2 to SYNC3 upgrade

[jm98]

On 12/27/2020 at 12:23 PM, 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 

 

I would not go with them Chinese sellers. 

[kelshaer]

For my MKZ 2016 3.7 liter, I bought the upgrade package (SYNC 3.4) from ebay seller (Simply Michigan) and did the installation. they said that it is programmed to my VIN number. 

The good new is, the parking assist worked perfectly without any programming. Main issues that I am having and hope someone can help:
1. Another thing is that most of the times when I go to the phone submenus (Speed dials, Incoming, outgoing, history) in the Instrument cluster screen it freezes and doesn't respond anymore. I even can't find any Add to speed dials option in the Sync 3.4 screen.

2. Heating/cooling don't work for the 2 front seats. I can see the controls on the screen but nothing happen when I turn them on. Steering wheel and rear seats are properly functioning tho.

I bought the OBDLINK EX along with a battery charger from Amazon and have the Forscan software ready to go.

Edited January 29, 2021 by kelshaer

[rubyinla]

On 1/16/2021 at 3:29 PM, jm98 said:

I would not go with them Chinese sellers. 

There is a certain hassle but I saved close to $1000 doing the eBay thing.  My unit was brand new and worked fine with only 2 or 3 items that needed tweeking.

 

All these apim's are made in china.  Get a time zone calculator and make an appointed time to hook up with someone on the other side of the world who sets these things up daily.

[SUGAR 3.0TT AWD]

On 5/8/2018 at 9:24 AM, bbf2530 said:

Hi gang. Just found this video tutorial on upgrading a 2013-2016 MKZ from SYNC2 to SYNC3.

Not sure if it has been posted previously. Hopefully it will help MKZ forum members looking to make the upgrade.

Good luck. ?

 

 

The Lincoln dealer wants $3600 from my touch 2 to my touch 3 if I knew a mechanic who woukd to the install here I'd buy from these guys they didn't say if it was the complete infotainment refresh with the buttons and knobs if it was I'd hafta think about that 

[rubyinla]

3 hours ago, BlackBeauty said:

The Lincoln dealer wants $3600 from my touch 2 to my touch 3 if I knew a mechanic who woukd to the install here I'd buy from these guys they didn't say if it was the complete infotainment refresh with the buttons and knobs if it was I'd hafta think about that 

 

There are no knob or buttons involved.  Just the screen, APIM and USB ports.  That's all.  You end up with what you see in the picture in your post.  See my other post about installing the upgrade.

[Slee_Stack]

On 2/5/2021 at 8:10 AM, BlackBeauty said:

The Lincoln dealer wants $3600 from my touch 2 to my touch 3 if I knew a mechanic who woukd to the install here I'd buy from these guys they didn't say if it was the complete infotainment refresh with the buttons and knobs if it was I'd hafta think about that 

$3600 is outright insane.

 

Frankly, I think $1000+ is overpriced.  The China price of $600ish is the max you should pay.

 

$500 or (much) less for APIM/screen/hub/adapter is easy to achieve if you buy a used APIM.

[Multitask]

it's been a year or so since I've looked, but an APIM should be about 300, plus screen ok make it 350-400.

car-part.com is a good place to check... as well as ebay

 

Hub 50, blue fakra antenna 10-30 depending on who you get it from 

 

I've paid about 75 to have it all swapped out... so prices there will vary, unless you are capable of doing that.  ?

if you are going to keep the car, then it's worth it.... but if you plan to trade it in soon, don't bother... dealers dont care that you did the upgrade

[mkz--nick]

I just got a 2014 MKZ and love it, but really want that Sync3. I think I'm going to give this a go. I also hate the touch controls. Does anyone know if I can replace the whole touch interface with the non-touch of a 2017 or so (HVAC)? 

[ter06]

1 hour ago, mkz--nick said:

I just got a 2014 MKZ and love it, but really want that Sync3. I think I'm going to give this a go. I also hate the touch controls. Does anyone know if I can replace the whole touch interface with the non-touch of a 2017 or so (HVAC)? 

you can,  just doing the center stack requires modifications to the bottom portion where it meets. but if you swap the entire center out and the floor console cup holders ect its a direct swap in.  a friend did it in his 15

[Serj Ortan]

On 6/14/2019 at 3:02 PM, ter06 said:

I made the switch - got the apim& screen from car-part for a fantastic price.  all in cost me about $330.  and my park assist still works. 

I

[Serj Ortan]

On 6/14/2019 at 3:02 PM, ter06 said:

I made the switch - got the apim& screen from car-part for a fantastic price.  all in cost me about $330.  and my park assist still works. 

Hi ter06 

Could you give me more details please , 

I’m thinking to do the same thing as you 

I have a 2013 MKZ and I wanna get the screen and module from a 2017 MKZ 

would that work or I would have to program it ? 
also did you buy the separate GPS ANTENNA and the wire adapter for the USB PORT? 

[SUGAR 3.0TT AWD]

On 2/15/2021 at 3:06 PM, Slee_Stack said:

$3600 is outright insane.

 

Frankly, I think $1000+ is overpriced.  The China price of $600ish is the max you should pay.

 

$500 or (much) less for APIM/screen/hub/adapter is easy to achieve if you buy a used APIM.

After having a 2020 base MKZ as a loaner for a week I'm not a fan of the new sync or I just couldn't figure it out. It didn't have navigation it had ANDRIOD auto which if I had unlimited data which I don't I would never use AND the seat doesn't move back as far as mine does (2016) and the steering wheel doesn't move enough that base Lincoln isn't worth 32k sorry the 2 liter turbo is useless it doesn't save gas and it struggles to cool the cabin 

[Slee_Stack]

On 3/3/2021 at 3:17 PM, BlackBeauty said:

After having a 2020 base MKZ as a loaner for a week I'm not a fan of the new sync or I just couldn't figure it out. It didn't have navigation it had ANDRIOD auto which if I had unlimited data which I don't I would never use AND the seat doesn't move back as far as mine does (2016) and the steering wheel doesn't move enough that base Lincoln isn't worth 32k sorry the 2 liter turbo is useless it doesn't save gas and it struggles to cool the cabin 

I'm not sure you'll find many who prefer Sync 2, but if you aren't much of a smartphone user, the appeal of Sync 3 is lesser.  Its still a far superior interface (you won't find a single review that says otherwise) and its available with regular Navigation built-in.

 

Incidentally, google maps uses very little data so it wouldn't drain a limited plan anyway.  Media streaming (or offline downloading) is what kills a data plan.

 

Sync 3 has vastly improved screen responsiveness.  Sync 2 lag was very frustrating to me.  I never really knew what level the heated or cooled seats would turn on to...or if they would even turn on at all.  You really have to press intently on the Sync 2 screen to make it respond.   A second or two later you'll  know if you were successful.  Arrgh!  The newer screen collects less oil/smears too.

 

As to the 2.0T....mine is actually faster than the 3.7 and averages 26+ mpg.  Admittedly, that's with a +30-40 HP tune and AWD.  Its not easy (or cheap) to get extra power out of the 3.7.   The 3.0T is another story....that thing's a monster.    Longevity of a tweaked 2.0T could be a concern, but seeing as my 2015 just turned 50k, I'm not too worried about it needing to last to 200k.

 

I highly doubt Lincoln spent money to change seats, tracks, or the steering column on a final model year vehicle.   Perhaps your loaner had some issues.

 

In the end, its cool that you like your car better than a newer one.   I probably wouldn't buy a newer one just to get features either. However,  I'm more than happy to tweak whatever I already have to make it nicer. Its why I have a tune, Sync 3 and an updated FCIM in my 2015.  For $1k all-in, they are seriously nice upgrades.  Granted I'm also HOURS in since I did all the labor myself.

 

I love Android Auto mainly for Google Maps with its real time traffic and re-route options. Built-in Nav is just terrible about that...even if you pay extra for SiriusXM traffic.

Edited March 20, 2021 by Slee_Stack

[SUGAR 3.0TT AWD]

If your car is tuned it's not stock engine it as far as sync 3 the base sync 3 Is crap as it didn't have navigation and I wrote this post before I realized Google maps doesn't use hardly any data. Either I wasn't used to sync 3 or it's clunky switching between android auto and satellite radio. I could tell Samantha to turn up the heat sync 3 wouldn't in the Base 2020 it was then first 2.0 I drove and wasn't impressed considering it had only 6,000 ,miles onmmit. 

 

I couldn't keep the car in comfort one time I had to floor it CRAZY TAMPA DRIVERS it for stuck in a a low gear I had to pull over stop and take it out of sport. The ONLY thing I like about the car was the adaptive cruise and braking technology and brake hold 

 

So, your car. What was increased with the tune? The reason i kept the loaner in sport was to keep that turbo spooled up. 18.4mpg in town vs my big v6 16.9 

[Slee_Stack]

9 hours ago, BlackBeauty said:

So, your car. What was increased with the tune? The reason i kept the loaner in sport was to keep that turbo spooled up. 18.4mpg in town vs my big v6 16.9 

I bought the tune from Unleashed Tuning.   Ultimately, max HP and torque is increased to around 270HP and 310 Nm torque (with 93 octane at the engine).  Top speed limiter is also removed but I wouldn't ever test that out.

 

The transmission is modified with the tune as well.  Shifts can be VERY firm, particularly in Sport mode.  Supposedly that's better on the transmission and some people prefer the feel.  You can adjust the shift pressure  for each gear change to your liking with the programmer though.  I've dialed mine back closer to a stock feel.  It hasn't fixed the generally crummy 2nd-3rd shift the MKZ 6F35 is known for though. You can get it a little better, but its still there under the right conditions.

[Dima]

Hello. Who would share APIM configurations? I also changed my Sync 2 to Sync 3, only I have problems with the buttons on the steering wheel. I tried to change the configurations according to the instructions, but nothing helped. Lincoln MKZ Hybrid 2013

[SUGAR 3.0TT AWD]

DIMA, had you read my complete post I gave my opinion of the 2020 base model MKZ FWD the entire 2020 base package is crap read it all please 

[Dima]

1 hour ago, BlackBeauty said:

DIMA, had you read my complete post I gave my opinion of the 2020 base model MKZ FWD the entire 2020 base package is crap read it all please 

In your posts, I did not find anything related to the APIM configuration for MKZ 13. Or Maybe I was looking badly. Sorry for my English, maybe I'm not quite clear about it.

[jm98]

Greetings,

 

I have Sync 3 v3.0 18093_Product. Can't connect to Android Auto.  Any suggestions?  I have tried to upgrade to v3.4 but it's throwing internal error "Sync software 3.4 does not match sync hardware."

 

[jm98]

On 10/11/2020 at 3:27 PM, bbf2530 said:

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.

 

On 1/12/2021 at 12:14 PM, kelshaer said:

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?

 

 

 

Yes, I did cleaned up with silicone.  Sorry for late reply on this.

 

[jm98]

Android Auto issue fixed... Simply swapped out USB cable and that fixed it.   I have Sync 3 installed since mid 2020 and just now got Android Auto going with simple USB cable swap fix....

 

[philld]

On 6/14/2019 at 2:02 PM, ter06 said:

I made the switch - got the apim& screen from car-part for a fantastic price.  all in cost me about $330.  and my park assist still works. 

That was my one fear, I heard that you'd lose the parking assistance. If your still works then could you provide the details as to where I can get the unti you have?

 

I 

On 6/14/2019 at 2:02 PM, ter06 said: