Hi everyone.

 

First off, what a great guide! I wouldn’t have known where to start with this upgrade without this and the follow-up comments.

 

So, I’ve just upgraded my 2013 Titanium from sync 1 to sync 3 using the harness from AliExpress mentioned in a previous post. Everything seems to have gone to plan except for one thing: I don’t have the parking sensor image or the green/yellow/red lines when I put it into reverse. I still get the beeps, but I don’t get the “Park Pilot” image that I used to have in sync 1. The car just has the 4 rear sensors (no camera and no auto-park features).

 

Does anyone have any suggestions? I’ve tried changing a couple of things on Forscan, but no joy so far. 

3 hours ago, TheAdmiral said:

Hi everyone.

 

First off, what a great guide! I wouldn’t have known where to start with this upgrade without this and the follow-up comments.

 

So, I’ve just upgraded my 2013 Titanium from sync 1 to sync 3 using the harness from AliExpress mentioned in a previous post. Everything seems to have gone to plan except for one thing: I don’t have the parking sensor image or the green/yellow/red lines when I put it into reverse. I still get the beeps, but I don’t get the “Park Pilot” image that I used to have in sync 1. The car just has the 4 rear sensors (no camera and no auto-park features).

 

Does anyone have any suggestions? I’ve tried changing a couple of things on Forscan, but no joy so far. 

I’ve managed to fix it. In case anyone else comes across the same problem, I had to go to:

7D0-02-02 xxxx-*xxx-xxxx 

on APIM asbuilt and change * to 2

Only vaguely on topic here but thought I'd put my experiences of firmware updating both the APIM to MY18.5 firmware (to enable Calm Screen and DAB logos) along with updating the firmware on the ACM to the latest.

APIM firmware was a quick and painless process -  took all of 10 minutes to download and apply the firmware via Forscan. I needed to re-apply the ASBUILT data twice in order to clear the configuration error DTC but after that, all worked fine and error free. I just left the engine running during this process instead of having the car on the charger.

The ACM was a bit more squeaky bum. I left the engine running as I did before but this time the firmware took a lot longer to flash - about 30 minutes start to finish. The log suggested one failure but after a retry it worked fine - HOWEVER, I strongly recommend the battery charger recommendation. The ACM firmware upgrade disables most of the cars functions while it is going ahead - windows wouldn't operate, neither would the locks, HVAC - even the engine start/stop buttton. Leaving the engine running meant that after about 10 minutes of the process, I believe the fuel pump shut off - the engine started rough running and shaking around while it slowly died and I couldn't even put it out of its misery early by pressing / holding the engine stop button. Even the throttle pedal was a no-go.

After the engine died the battery survived long enough to finish the firmware update successfully at which point the car came back to life and I was able to restart the engine - was a bit hairy for a little while though.

Not sure if it's placebo or not but the sound quality does appear to have improved somewhat - a less muddy sound with the centre dash speaker connected.

@TheAdmiral Nice to see you've made the upgrade with success. Maybe I'll need to PM you if it's OK for you😊

What is the configuration of your Focus ? (auto or manual climate, auto parking or juste sensors? )

Is the harness from Ali good in terms of quality, and shiped quickly? I hesitate a little between buying it forum Ali or from @Rowan112 ...

Think I'll do the upgrade this summer, when I'll have the missing parts (fascia and USB Hub).

Hi,

I am looking to go from Sync 1 to Sync 2 in my 2012 focus as I'm not too fussed over the car play etc I havre bought a cheap harness off ebay which has arrived and I'm just weondering if anyone has used one on here and if they actaully work, my sync 2 unit isn't here yet so i can't check that way just don't want to rip the car apart if its not going to work, I can add pictures of the connectors if that would help confirm.

 

Also i have no arm rest in mine and it looks as though the USB hub is all part of the arm rest and doesn't look like it comes out seperate has anyone done it with the no arm rest before and know if it does come out.

On 2/13/2024 at 12:13 PM, smr said:

 

Couldn't find anything to say I'm not allowed to post this so if it's not ok a mod can delete but you may know I was looking at buying a Sync 3 upgrade and did so, fitted successfully and really enjoyed it until my car was written off a couple of weeks ago so I'm selling the complete Sync 3 kit - this includes everything except the USB Hub but as I'm an Android user I didn't need that, and I also didn't buy a radio as you can use your existing one.

So this includes everything as an Android user you'd need - fascia, Sync 3 screen and APIM, Trim, Wiring Loom, GPS and bracket. 

PM me if you're interested in buying.

i can't message as i'm a new user but i'd be very interested as this is next on my task list for Parental Leave - I've got a preface lift Focus 2013 with emergency assist, auto stop-start and manual climate control. It doesn't have parking sensors or rear camera - if this will work please message.

On 3/31/2024 at 1:34 PM, Rennie said:

Hi,

I am looking to go from Sync 1 to Sync 2 in my 2012 focus as I'm not too fussed over the car play etc I havre bought a cheap harness off ebay which has arrived and I'm just weondering if anyone has used one on here and if they actaully work, my sync 2 unit isn't here yet so i can't check that way just don't want to rip the car apart if its not going to work, I can add pictures of the connectors if that would help confirm.

 

Also i have no arm rest in mine and it looks as though the USB hub is all part of the arm rest and doesn't look like it comes out seperate has anyone done it with the no arm rest before and know if it does come out.

Just an update to anyone looking for the harness, the one on ebay I purchased and it was incorrect, I have bought the one mentioned from Aliexpress further back in this thread. I am installing sync 2 at the moment but will be going to 3 in a couple of months.... Went with 2 for now to keep the cost of it all down while working out how to get it working as I am not confident doing the wire changes on the car wiring.

Can you instruct me to connect the turn signal switch on both sides and the door lock switch to this mask?

Hi Team, I wanted to ask if there is still an option to get a customized harness for my Sync1 to Sync3 conversion project which is stalling because of a faulty Chinese harness. 

@Rowan112 Could you perhaps help me with this? I have also tried sending you a PM...

Many thanks to all of you guys for any help!

Best Regards

/Evan

On 4/21/2024 at 9:30 AM, Cartechvvnn said:

Can you instruct me to connect the turn signal switch on both sides and the door lock switch to this mask?

I have bought same front fascia for my sync1 to sync3 conversion. I would really appreciate any help how to modify harness to work with combined hazard/lock switch. 

On 2/5/2024 at 14:54, KorbA said:

Tôi đã mua cùng một tấm chắn phía trước để chuyển đổi sync1 sang sync3 của mình. Tôi thực hiện đánh giá cao bất kỳ sự trợ giúp nào về cách sửa đổi dây để hoạt động với công tắc khóa/nguy hiểm. 

You will need to wire the Front fascia connector OLD to the lock/hazard switch as follows:
Front fascia connector:              ------>>>>        hazard/lock switch:
Front fascia   1       vs               4 hazard/lock switch
2                                           vs                                               1
3                                          vs                                                 5 
5                                              vs                                             3
6                                               vs                                            2 

Great article

I’m trying to test a sync 2 system out of the car, obviously no hs ms or mum buses, I thought I could then just plug it into a car via the odb2 port but the Ford I’m using does not have the m bus connected there, do I need it any other advice many thanks

Big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to contribute to this, especially JPW for such a detailed guide. I know this is now quite an old thread but am looking to do this to my 2012 focus as I am fed up with pulling the fuse for bluetooth constantly. From what others have been saying my park assist and sensors should work just fine with the new sync 3 system but just wondered if anyone could confirm this? 

All that is left for me to do is source the parts, I am having some trouble finding a USB hub, can I use any one from the newer cars? Also, is it required to fit the GPS antenna even if I do not wish to make use of the built in maps. I am also going to go down the Sony Fascia route if I can find one and am assuming this is very similar process?

I also had a question around this comment from JPW, does this mean I will not be able to control my music from the steering wheel, or what change does this cause? It would be a deal breaker otherwise unfortunately. 

On 3/16/2021 at 10:38 PM, JPW said:

Also note, the right-side steering wheel directional buttons are no longer functional as these are now moved to the left-side directional buttons (the ones that used to control your old radio). Again, this is how it works in the newer Focus cars.

Other than this is there anything else that I can expect not to work before making the investment?

 

Many thanks, Ethan

Your park assist and sensors should work fine but will need coding to enable the right number of sensors etc - not too difficult though.

What steering controls do you have at the moment?

If your steering wheel is like this:

Then everything will continue to work exactly as it did before.

 

The things I have noticed since my retrofit:

• Instrument cluster display shows bright white instead of the Ford logo when it starts up / you get in the car
• Upgrading to 3.4 will make the backlight flicker when it's changing brightness
• Upgrading to 3.4 moves the text for the park assist off the top left of the screen when the reverse camera is on

I don't know if the brightness issue is present when fitting Sync 3 to a pre-facelift Focus and NOT upgrading to 3.4.

EDIT: On the GPS antenna - you will still need one if you're using CarPlay and the APIM you buy is a nav one - CarPlay uses the car's GPS when it's connected (found that out yesterday when the car GPS threw a wobbly and threw Apple Maps right off course).

To get around this I think you'll have to try and find a non-nav APIM, but they're fairly rare. An aftermarket GPS antenna is only a few quid though, you might as well put one in.

4 hours ago, dontpannic said:

Your park assist and sensors should work fine but will need coding to enable the right number of sensors etc - not too difficult though.

What steering controls do you have at the moment?

If your steering wheel is like this:

Then everything will continue to work exactly as it did before.

 

The things I have noticed since my retrofit:

• Instrument cluster display shows bright white instead of the Ford logo when it starts up / you get in the car
• Upgrading to 3.4 will make the backlight flicker when it's changing brightness
• Upgrading to 3.4 moves the text for the park assist off the top left of the screen when the reverse camera is on

I don't know if the brightness issue is present when fitting Sync 3 to a pre-facelift Focus and NOT upgrading to 3.4.

EDIT: On the GPS antenna - you will still need one if you're using CarPlay and the APIM you buy is a nav one - CarPlay uses the car's GPS when it's connected (found that out yesterday when the car GPS threw a wobbly and threw Apple Maps right off course).

To get around this I think you'll have to try and find a non-nav APIM, but they're fairly rare. An aftermarket GPS antenna is only a few quid though, you might as well put one in.

Thank you so much for getting back to me on this. I do have the same wheel in the picture and that great to hear everything should work more or less as expected. 

 

Do you think flashing the new firmware to the instrument cluster would fix the ford logo issue, not that I'm overly worried.

 

Also with regards to the coding, is there a different way this needs to be done now that etis means I can't put in any number plate?

 

Really looking forward to giving this a try

I bit the bullet. I've purchased, probably against the advice of everyone ever a kit from China along with the cable previously posted here.

This kit seems really good value for all that includes, some which I intend to sell off to recuperate some of the cost.

I am now trying to source a Sony bezel with sync 2 from US then will give the upgrade a go, I will keep you guys informed if I have any success. 

Am I correct in saying I do not need to replace the ACM for my 2012 focus?

8 hours ago, EJFocus said:

I bit the bullet. I've purchased, probably against the advice of everyone ever a kit from China along with the cable previously posted here.

This kit seems really good value for all that includes, some which I intend to sell off to recuperate some of the cost.

I am now trying to source a Sony bezel with sync 2 from US then will give the upgrade a go, I will keep you guys informed if I have any success. 

Am I correct in saying I do not need to replace the ACM for my 2012 focus?

Depends, if you want navigation traffic & updates yes you will need to, if you’re not too bothered you can leave it as is.

Hi all, I know this is an old thread and this is slightly off topic but does anyone know if this would work on a 2014 fiesta ST 2 with sync 1.1

On 6/14/2024 at 12:42 PM, EJFocus said:

Do you think flashing the new firmware to the instrument cluster would fix the ford logo issue, not that I'm overly worried.

Not sure - I suspect it would, but the new firmware isn't compatible with the MK3 park assist module so you lose the parking sensor beeps etc.

23 hours ago, EJFocus said:

I am now trying to source a Sony bezel with sync 2 from US then will give the upgrade a go, I will keep you guys informed if I have any success. 

Am I correct in saying I do not need to replace the ACM for my 2012 focus?

Let me know how you get on with finding a Sony fascia - these ones retain the central locking button so would be good to know if it's a straight swap and if it can be made to work.

 

No need to replace the ACM if you're not using the stock navigation - you'll lose TMC data if you keep your original one.

6 hours ago, Festamad said:

Hi all, I know this is an old thread and this is slightly off topic but does anyone know if this would work on a 2014 fiesta ST 2 with sync 1.1

Yes I believe it is possible, if you look on YouTube for a NaviUpgrade video on the fiesta you should be able to figure out what you will need. Unsure about where you could source a harness but you might be able to have a go at making your own.

4 hours ago, dontpannic said:

Let me know how you get on with finding a Sony fascia - these ones retain the central locking button so would be good to know if it's a straight swap and if it can be made to work.

Will do, I've managed to find one on eBay US for around £250 which includes the sync 2 screen, APIM and ACM which I am hoping to sell off. Ideally then I can just use the brackets etc from that and keep the Sony bezel.

It is more than I wanted to pay but hopefully the other bits included will make up for it. I'm hopeful that the swap will be straightforward enough in terms of the bezel.

 

Great news about the ACM, I will have a spare but am hoping to leave it alone and save re programming it etc. I have ordered a 32gb model so Europe maps won't fit anyway, I'm thinking I might use the cyan mod tool to strip down the map to just the UK for use in emergencies and I'm happy to live without TMC for this purpose.

Android auto and apple carplay are my main motivators behind this after all!

Thanks for the advice!

Pictures to follow

Successfully installed everything with the Sony bezel and almost everything is working. 

Currently I have reverse camera enabled which I don't have, can't hear the voice prompts and have an issue whereby when tuning the radio I get a loading loop.

I am going to do some coding and report back, I'm hoping this will fix most of the issues.

Also I'm trying to replace the trim around the air vents so that it matches my original. When removing the old trim pieces there is one clip on both sides I can't for the life of me get off. 

Has anyone got any tips on how to remove these?