Mk3 Prefacelift Sync 2 8" touchscreen upgrade, How to guide with pics!!!

[Steevo25]

Ok, I finally got to the bottom of this DTC if anyone is interested:

U2101 - Control Module Configuration Incompatible

Essentially, the ACM will be programmed exactly to the car it came out of. There is no AsBuilt for the ACM as such (i.e. when you download the AsBuilt for a vehicle, it does not contain the ACM settings. No idea why that is).

But the ACM is setup exactly as per the car it was in. So when you move that ACM in to a new car, the audio configuration of that car has to be identical to the donor car. This includes speaker configuration etc.

Now the problem is that once the ACM throws a DTC, it basically locks out for changes. You cannot go in and modify the ACM config whilst a DTC is active on it. No idea why it is designed like that. Maybe it's something to do with anti-theft or something like that.

So for example. the vehicle mine came out of had 6 Speakers and no centre speaker. My car has 9 Speakers and also a centre speaker.

The only way to stop it throwing the DTC on my car was to change the central configuration to 6 Speakers with no centre speaker. I had to change the following in Focccus:

#73 '6 Speakers'
#120 'Without Centre Speaker'
#125 Set to 'DAB Audio System'
#112 Set to 'High level CD and AM/FM Radio'

Once I made these changes, the DTC cleared.

Now the task ahead is that I would now have to change the ACM config to match my actual car audio and then change items #73 and #120 back to what they were. I have noticed that since I upgraded to Sync3, the sound is not quite as 'full' as it was before so I am wondering if it is using the actual ACM config. The 6/9 speakers don't really matter as such as the extra speakers are in parallel so whether it outputs 6 or 9 it is still hitting the same speakers. What I didn't check is whether my centre speaker was actually working. This is a little risky as once you make the changes to the ACM, it will not match until you change the central configuration again so if you do it wrong, you cannot get back in to the ACM configuration to revert it back whilst a DTC is active on it.

 

[Arismfg]

My APIM is MY19. Software 3.4 works fine.  BTW, I installed a sync 3 ACM from focus 2018 on my focus MK3. Station list issue was fixed. It was crashing on sync 1 ACM (my car was BVC but had sync 1 ACM part number B5M). Did not change anything on sync 3 ACM. Still not sure if my factory ACM had an issue or sync 1 ACM is not fully compatible with sync 3.

[Steevo25]

I can confirm that since installing the Sync 3 ACM, my front centre speaker is now not working. The ACM is behaving exactly as per the car it came out of (6 Speakers and no centre speaker). 

ACM programming seems to be a bit of a dark art with very limited data available for it. Forscan only shows one 4 digit hex byte for the ACM AsBuilt. Mine is 0030. 

So, to get full functionality out the ACM I would need the ACM recoded to the audio configuration of my car. 

Does anyone know of anywhere that does this?

[Arismfg]

4 minutes ago, Steevo25 said:

I can confirm that since installing the Sync 3 ACM, my front centre speaker is now not working. The ACM is behaving exactly as per the car it came out of (6 speakers and no centre speaker). 

ACM programming seems to be a bit of a dark art with very limited data available for it. Forscan only shows one 4 digit hex byte for the ACM AsBuilt. Mine is 0030. 

So, to get full functionality out the ACM I would need the ACM recoded to the audio configuration of my car. 

Does anyone know of anywhere that does this?

If I remember well, there is a BCM option to change number of Speakers. May this have changed for some reaaon

[Steevo25]

Yes, you can change the number of Speakers and specify whether a centre speaker exists or not. But the ACM is pre-programmed so if what you specify in the BCM does not match, it just throws a DTC. Basically, the ACM has to be programmed to the car's speaker layout. 

Just a question, why was it that a Sync1 ACM could not be used with the Sync2/3 system?

[JPW]

Not cheap but here's a full set I found on ebay if anyone is interested in SYNC 3:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Focus-SYNC-3-Radio-CD-Player-GM5T-18B955-SB-Sat-Nav-2015-2018-JM5T-14G370/254857075637?hash=item3b56aa5bb5:g:1H4AAOSwq-BgHWGz

 

[JPW]

Steveo, you mentioned the front speaker isn't working since SYNC3, but are the tweeters in the front/rear door? I know they're just passively connected to the main Speakers but there is a different option in Foccus for the 6 or 9 speaker setup?

 

[Steevo25]

Yes, all the Speakers are there. The front door Speakers and rear Speakers are working but I also have a centre dash speaker. It's the centre speaker that has stopped working. Basically,  the ACM thinks I have a 6 speaker system with no centre speaker even though the BCM says 9 speakers and a centre speaker. 

I have just found a US website that specialises in Sync3 upgrades. I am not sure if I am allowed to link to it on here. Apparently you can use a Sync1 ACM as long as it is post-2013. The earlier ACMs were non-programmable and set at the factory. Even earlier ones only had 1 connector. But all their upgrades use the same ACM that came with the Sync1 system. Mine is a very late 2014 car. 

I may put my original ACM back and see what happens. 

Although not really mentioned on all the upgrade threads, there are different ACMs. There are 6 speaker, 9 speaker, premium sound Sony to name a few. Although these will all work, they will function as set from the donor car they came out of no matter what you set the BCM/APIM to. Any ACM after mid-2013 can be re-coded but there is a severe lack on information on it. If the ACM you install does not match then it will throw a DTC (as it has in mine). You can live with it and I expect most people won't even notice it or care.

[JPW]

My 2012 car which had BVC not Sync 1 had an ACM with one connector as you mentioned. I of course had to swap it out for a sync 3 ACM but luckily the donor car had 9 Speakers so same as mine...

 

Good info!

[Monks600]

Just a thought... I went from the Sony 9 speaker option to sync 2 and replaced the ACM with the one that came with sync 2. I did notice the sound quality dipped quite a bit.

its only just clicked with me, I take it all the Speakers are probably now not working and only the once’s programmed on the sync 2 acm?

really daft question, what’s the easiest way to check all the Speakers are working including the door tweeters? 😂

 

[Steevo25]

Ok, so this is what I have found out so far. Someone may be able to add to this.

For the MK3/3.5 Focus (and other models) there are essentially 3 types of ACM.

ACM 3000nt ICE Pack - Output 4 x 45w and centre speaker to power 9 Speakers. Subwoofer capable.
ACM High Audio - Output 4 x 25w no centre speaker to power 6 Speakers. Subwoofer capable.
ACM Sony - 4 x Line Level Output to interface to external DSP amplifier. No subwoofer (run by external AMP).

Having a Sony front panel does not denote you have the Sony system. The Sony premium system use an external DSP system.

Any of these ACMs will work in a Sync3 upgrade but with various issues.

If you put the Sony ACM in and you have a non-external amplifier 6 speaker or 9 speaker car, you will experience low volume and crackly audio with no centre speaker. Plus the volume will not adjust. All the volume and settings are controlled by the external AMP via CAN bus signals.

If you put a 6 speaker version in a 9 speaker car then you will get no centre speaker and the actual sound will not be quite as full or as loud.

If you put a 9 speaker version in a 6 speaker car then there is the potential to damage the Speakers if you listen at louder volume.

In any event, the BCM configuration has to match the ACM configuration exactly otherwise a DTC will be thrown. Whilst a DTC on the ACM is active, you will not be able to access the full HEX codes on the ACM to re-code. You have to change the central configuration to match the ACM so the DTC can be cleared and then re-code the ACM.

All 3 ACMs are the same with the only difference being the coding on them. They can all be changed from one type to the other.

For the settings, they will be different in Focccus.

73 - Loudspeaker quantities change to either 6 or 9 depending what you have
112 - In car Entertainment change to 14 (3000nt series ice pack) for 9 speakers or 04 (High Level CD and AM/FM Radio) if you have 6 speakers
120 - Centre speaker change to 01 (without) for 6 speaker system or 02 (centre speaker small) if you have the 9 speaker system
123 – Audio Aux Input change the value to 01 (without)
125 – DAB Radio System change the value to 02 (with) or change to 01 (without if you don't have DAB)
154 – Module USB change the value to 01 (without)
157 – bluetooth Handsfree change the value to 01 (without)
172 – Front Display change the value to 09 (DM8 with nav)
214 – ICP change the value to 09 (Unknown) if you use the MK3.5 panel or 08 (Branded ICP/Mini EFP) if you have the Sony US Panel.

I don't have settings for external AMP.

[Steevo25]

14 minutes ago, Monks600 said:

Just a thought... I went from the Sony 9 speaker option to sync 2 and replaced the ACM with the one that came with sync 2. I did notice the sound quality dipped quite a bit.

its only just clicked with me, I take it all the speakers are probably now not working and only the once’s programmed on the sync 2 acm?

really daft question, what’s the easiest way to check all the speakers are working including the door tweeters? 😂

 

@Monks600  All your front and rear Speakers will be working as the tweeters are tied in parallel to the mains. The ACM doesn't separate the frequencies. But your centre dash speaker probably doesn't work anymore and all your main Speakers will be receiving less power from the ACM. That's assuming you got an ACM from a 6 speaker car.

[Monks600]

Just now, Steevo25

14 minutes ago, Monks600 said:

Just a thought... I went from the Sony 9 speaker option to sync 2 and replaced the ACM with the one that came with sync 2. I did notice the sound quality dipped quite a bit.

its only just clicked with me, I take it all the speakers are probably now not working and only the once’s programmed on the sync 2 acm?

really daft question, what’s the easiest way to check all the speakers are working including the door tweeters? 😂

 

@Monks600  All your front and rear Speakers will be working as the tweeters are tied in parallel to the mains. The ACM doesn't separate the frequencies. But your centre dash speaker probably doesn't work anymore and all your main Speakers will be receiving less power from the ACM. That's assuming you got an ACM from a 6 speaker car.

Thanks for the quick reply, yes the ACM module and APIM module came from a 6 speaker setup.

just read your above posts, I take it there may be a way to upgrade the firmware on the ACM to resolve this?

thanks for the posts, you literally jogged my memory and I had a eureka moment followed by ‘oh yeah, that would make sense now’ lol!

[JPW]

Not sure about anyone else with the 9 speaker setup, but I unplugged the centre speaker within a week of getting the car as it makes the sound worse! With the centre removed, the sounds is much cleaner and more bass.

[Steevo25]

For me, I am not that worried about the centre speaker, but since the upgrade, my whole sound is not quite as good as it was before. I am kind of seeing why but what I don't know is how to fix it.

I am finding very little information about ACM programming and there also appears to be a difference as to what Forscan shows for European ACMs against US ACMs. Forscan in the US shows a whole page of information related to the ACM whereas in Europe we only get to see a 4 digit HEX value that no one seems to understand.

[Monks600]

At this point, I’m half tempted to buy the original Sync 1 Sony ACM and put that back in. I know it kills traffic updates or something but not too bothered. I believe someone else did this too!

[JPW]

My sound quality definitely stayed the same with the upgrade from my original ACM.

[Monks600]

Just now, JPW

My sound quality definitely stayed the same with the upgrade from my original ACM.

Sorry - probably already mentioned. Did you come from a Sony sync 1 headunit? If so, did you upgrade to sync 3 or sync 2? Reason I ask, the ACM from a Sync 3 setup is pretty much the same as an original Sony ACM, sound wise. This was noted earlier on near the beginning of this thread. So for me, it’s either a Sony ACM or Sync 3 ACM unless I can program This one or something :)

[JPW]

I went straight from a 2012 ACM (pre SYNC1, bluetooth Voice Control) to SYNC 3. This was my 2012 ACM:

 

 

[Steevo25]

Just a bit of terminology clarification. 

When you say Sony Sync 1 ACM, do you mean a Sync 1 system with the Sony audio panel. Or do you mean a Sync 1 system with the external DSP system?

The former is not the Sony system as such, it is purely a standard ACM with a branded Sony front panel and upgraded Speakers. 

The Sony system has the separate, external DSP system (fitted in the boot I believe but never seen one).

They are different systems and the ACMs are configured vastly differently. The difference would be major exchanging one for the other. On the true Sony system, the ACM is basically a dumb device that just outputs audio to the DSP AMP. The DSP processor does all the work. 

As far as ACMs go outside of the Sony system, I am lead to believe that any ACM from about mid to late 2013 right up until about 2019 are all the same except they are coded slightly differently depending on the car configuration they are being fitted in to. It's the case of getting an ACM that is the same configuration as the audio layout of your car, or getting the current ACM coded to match what you need. 

[JPW]

Neither!

My Focus MK3 did not come with "SYNC" at all. 2011 and 2012 MK3's came with bluetooth Voice Control (BVC) before SYNC 1 was even a thing.

Although the FCDIM, ACM etc are very similar between BVC and SYNC 1, they all needed to match, so you had to have all the components based on BVC or all based on SYNC 1 else there would be issues. Your car was fully based on SYNC 1 so not the same as where I came from.

Sorry, no, I didn't have the "Sony" ACM, just the normal ACM and the Sony front panel with the 9 Speakers.

I believe I must have been one of the very very few that actually converted from non-SYNC to SYNC 3 (That's why I wrote a how-to for it! - a lot more difficult to pull off)

Before I purchased the SYNC 3 components, I checked the VIN number from the 2018 donor car in Ford Etis so was able to see that it also had the 9 speaker setup, same as my car - but indeed I still get the ACM DTC and ignore it 🙂

Hope that clarifies 🙂

[Steevo25]

Sorry @JPW I was referring to @Monks600 when I was saying about the Sony system. I do understand your setup and I actually used a lot of your how-to guide despite it being BVC. 

You may find your DTC clears with the settings I posted above. You were lucky with the 9 speaker setup. So far I cannot find a single MK3.5 that has 9 Speakers. For some reason here they seem to have changed the base configuration for a MK3.5 to 6 Speakers. 

[JPW]

Yeah, I'm gonna dig out the ELM327 cable again and give it a go in daylight 🙂

[Arismfg]

16 hours ago, Steevo25 said:

Yes, you can change the number of speakers and specify whether a centre speaker exists or not. But the ACM is pre-programmed so if what you specify in the BCM does not match, it just throws a DTC. Basically, the ACM has to be programmed to the car's speaker layout. 

Just a question, why was it that a Sync1 ACM could not be used with the Sync2/3 system?

Some people have told me that non-US SYNC 1 ACM would work fine with sync 3 because it does not have any options in asbuilt. In my case stations etc were working fine. Same with forward backward buttons etc and sound was fine with Speakers (I have 6 speakers). Only station list was crashing for unknown reason (as I had BVC, the ACM 26 socket was not used before despite factory sync 1 ACM) . Now using a Focus 2018 sync 3 sat nav ACM and everything including station list work fine. I do not even have access to ACM programming. Never changed anything on any ACM.

In addition, I do not know what you mean by ACM programming because non-US ACM should not have any asbuilt options other than one that is always 0. Only US ACM has asbuilt configurations. And if there is no asbuilt in ACM, how would this affect your sound if cabling remains the same.

Can you take a picture of what you mean by ACM programming?

And where do you see those DTCs you are talking about regarding ACM?

[Steevo25]

Ok, here is what I can confirm:

If you get an ACM from a donor car that has 6 Speakers and then you put it in to a car that has 9 Speakers, the ACM will behave as if the car has 6 Speakers no matter what you configure in the BCM.

If it is true that non-US ACMs cannot be programmed, then it means that the ACMs are configured at the factory and cannot be changed so when getting an ACM, you will need to get the correct ACM for your car.

ALL ACMs will work in your car, but there is some sort of configuration for them. Whether that is done at the factory or whether it can be changed I do not know.

The DTC is in the normal Forscan DTC screen. I do have an AsBuilt for the ACM in Forscan but it only contains 4 HEX digits, not a whole page like the US ACMs.

What I can also definitely say is that the ACM that came with my Sync3 upgrade kit came out of a 2017 MK3.5 Focus that had a 6 speaker system (confirmed by ETIS VIN lookup). When installing it in to my car, there is a noticeable degradation in sound quality and my centre speaker does not work. I also see a DTC in Forscan on the ACM (U2101 - Control Module Configuration Incompatible). If I change my BCM settings to 6 speakers with no centre speaker and set the other settings on the audio as per the donor car then the DTC clears.

Most of the information I got was from US websites and forums so it is perfectly possible that non-US ACMs cannot be configured and do not have a true AsBuilt.

I have just tried putting my original Sync1 ACM back in my car. It seems to work fine and as yet, everything seems to work as it did before and the sound quality has returned to how it was and my centre speaker works again. I now have no DTCs.

Based on my upgrade I can definitely assume that there is a difference between the ACMs. Although both worked in my car, there were hidden issues with the new ACM that I would have probably not known about if I hadn't looked through Forscan.