Radio Control Panel Upgrade / Retrofit

[JakeK]

Hello,

Just like every other owner of a 2013-2016 MKZ my FCIM (Front Controls Interface Module) is starting to malfunction. After receiving news from my Lincoln dealer that it would cost $1,500 to repair it (labor included) I began looking for other solutions. One idea I had was to buy and install a radio control panel (with physical buttons) from a 2017+ MKZ and retrofit it into my 2013 MKZ Hybrid. 

 

However, the issue is the concern that the screw, brackets, and other structural components are identical to its predecessor.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

 

Thanks!

[bbf2530]

9 hours ago, JakeK said:

Hello,

Just like every other owner of a 2013-2016 MKZ my FCIM (Front Controls Interface Module) is starting to malfunction. After receiving news from my Lincoln dealer that it would cost $1,500 to repair it (labor included) I began looking for other solutions. One idea I had was to buy and install a radio control panel (with physical buttons) from a 2017+ MKZ and retrofit it into my 2013 MKZ Hybrid. 

 

However, the issue is the concern that the screw, brackets, and other structural components are identical to its predecessor.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

 

Thanks!

 

Hi Jake and welcome to the Lincoln MKZ Forum. If you are seriously contemplating that, you should look into making the complete upgrade to SYNC 3, along with the audio etc. There are third party kits available to make this upgrade.

 

Google "Lincoln MKZ AYNC 3 upgrade": https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Lincoln+MKZ+SYNC+3+upgrade

 

Concerning whether the "screw, brackets, and other structural components are identical to its predecessor"? I am not sure. If I had to guess, I would say there likely would be differences. But that is just a guess, and I am just as liable to be wrong as right.

If there are, I would think fabricating brackets to retrofit would not be difficult. They may even be available from third party companies such as Crutchfield. You could give them a call to find out. https://www.crutchfield.com/S-UinwWRNtfBy/

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

Edited August 5, 2022 by bbf2530

[Izzy3906]

Hello Jakek

I have a 2014 and I replaced my fcim with one from a 2019.

The only thing you would have to do is add those two triangle pieces to the side trims because there will be a space of that shape right there.

 

 

 

Edited August 5, 2022 by Izzy3906

[JakeK]

On 8/5/2022 at 10:08 AM, bbf2530 said:

 

Hi Jake and welcome to the Lincoln MKZ Forum. If you are seriously contemplating that, you should look into making the complete upgrade to SYNC 3, along with the audio etc. There are third party kits available to make this upgrade.

 

Google "Lincoln MKZ AYNC 3 upgrade": https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Lincoln+MKZ+SYNC+3+upgrade

 

Concerning whether the "screw, brackets, and other structural components are identical to its predecessor"? I am not sure. If I had to guess, I would say there likely would be differences. But that is just a guess, and I am just as liable to be wrong as right.

If there are, I would think fabricating brackets to retrofit would not be difficult. They may even be available from third party companies such as Crutchfield. You could give them a call to find out. https://www.crutchfield.com/S-UinwWRNtfBy/

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck.

hello thank you! I’m way ahead of you on the Sync 3 upgrade I just got the unit in yesterday - very excited to install it 

[JakeK]

20 hours ago, Izzy3906 said:

Hello Jakek

I have a 2014 and I replaced my fcim with one from a 2019.

The only thing you would have to do is add those two triangle pieces to the side trims because there will be a space of that shape right there.

 

 

 

Oh my god thank you! Did you have to find a module that had the right side buttons (park assist, hazards, etc) that matched perfectly or will it not matter? 
 

also if you remember, what website did you get the unit from?

Edited August 6, 2022 by JakeK

[Multitask]

Just remember one thing, basically you will not be able to update the OS, unless you know what the VIN is for the vehicle you go it out of.  Yes there are hacks out there, and I'm sure people will let you know about them.

But it's best that you get the VIN of the vehicle it came out of, so when you go to the ford site, it knows what update to give you.  ?

[Izzy3906]

On 8/6/2022 at 10:09 AM, JakeK said:

Oh my god thank you! Did you have to find a module that had the right side buttons (park assist, hazards, etc) that matched perfectly or will it not matter? 
 

also if you remember, what website did you get the unit from?

What I did was I copied the FCIM program from mine before I took it out using Forscan and installed it in the new one.

Any buttons that my car didn't have wont work the rest will.

[JakeK]

On 8/7/2022 at 12:12 PM, Izzy3906 said:

What I did was I copied the FCIM program from mine before I took it out using Forscan and installed it in the new one.

Any buttons that my car didn't have wont work the rest will.

Hey,

Was this a straight forward process/ is there a tutorial I could follow? And where do you recommend I buy a Forscan? 

 

Thanks

[bbf2530]

2 hours ago, JakeK said:

Hey,

Was this a straight forward process/ is there a tutorial I could follow? And where do you recommend I buy a Forscan? 

 

Thanks

 

Hi Jake. You can find a how-to video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_AuGTOeO1A

 

And you can purcahse FORScan software here: https://forscan.org/home.html

 

Let us know how you make out and good luck.