We performed the SYNC 1 --> SYNC 3 conversion last weekend on my sons Focus MK3 ST.

We decided to use a SYNC 2 --> SYNC 3 upgrade kit from AliExpress which we bought with quite some (new year) discount. The upgrade kit was ordered on VIN number and contained the correct parts for a Focus MK3. To save costs I made all the missing wiring myself using connectors and connector pins that were also sourced from AliExpress.




Next to the upgrade kit we bought a dedicated USB cable which was almost the same price as a normal male mini UST to male mini USB cable.

To complement the parts that were needed I bought a min condition (like new) fascia and control panel from Ebay.

Because we did not have the metal brackets we had custom brackets 3D printed in solid ABS by a 3D print shop. On printables.com a user named @Printus_192314 offers the required files for free: Sync 3 bracket for Ford Focus by Printus | Download free STL model | Printables.com

We were very satisfied with the result of the 3D printing. Nice and strong brackets with a smooth finish. Highly recommended.

The APIM was configured and fully updated on the kitchen table. It can be switched on by sensing the correct CANbus message. At the same time I also performed the Fmods Jailbreak.

I also converted the blank button to a fully working button by cutting the tabs that prevent the button from being pushed and soldering the connector pins to the circuit board.

Once the button was fully working I decided I wanted to have the unlock/lock icon on the button. Since we have an engraving laser at work (which is mainly used for engraving stainless steel nameplates) I took some time during my lunch break to experiment with its settings. No one at work even considered it to be suitable for engraving automotive buttons and the (Chinese) documentation of the laser was extremely limited. So it took quite some effort to figure out the best speed, power and frequency settings. For the icon, I took some pictures of an original Focus MK3 unlock/lock button and modified these into a high resolution .png file. Once the icon was finished I wrote a python script to convert the logo into a .svg file format that the engraving laser can work with.

After I figured out which settings to use I started testing on some spare buttons from an old MK3 radio panel. These are just some examples. I almost ran out of buttons before the results were satisfactory. Too much power and the plastic will melt/burn. Too little power and the black coating will not be fully removed. Failing to focus the laser correctly will result in blurry/unsharp icons. In other words: a lot of variables to take into account.

Once I was satisfied with the actual icon and its dimensions it was time to start with the real thing.

The size and position of the logo is similar to the other icons (front and rear window heating icons).

The result looks very good. Just like the rest of the buttons the unlock/lock icon is nicely illuminated.


We kept the original 10-Speaker Sony SYNC 1 ACM. The only disadvantage is that you will not have TMC (on SYNC 1 the TMC is controlled by the FCDIM, on SYNC 3 the TMC is controlled by the ACM). Apart from that all is fully functional.

By hugely benefiting from the new year discounts we were able to keep the costs low. We were able to perform the full conversion for less than €400,-. This includes all P&P costs, taxes and import costs, 3D printing, etc.

On 1/9/2026 at 2:55 PM, dontpannic said:

A bit late to the game but the factory fitted Sync 1 reversing camera does work with Sync 3. It just needs coding in, and some ASBUILT changes to get the dynamic parking lines working.

Hi.

Could you please advise me how to change ASBuilt to make the original rear camera work in a Focus MK3 2013? I switched from Sync1 to Sync3, everything works except the rear camera :-(

It's been a long time and I no longer have Forscan. However - you should be able to use the drop down configuration rather than having to modify the ASBuilt. As long as the camera is enabled and the wiring is correct in your harness, then it should "just work".

The only issues I had which required asbuilt changes were:

Parking sensors not appearing on camera display:

7D0-02-02 xxxx-*xxx-xxxx

change * to 2

Dynamic Parking Lines:

Check your IPMB AsBuilt with Forscan

AsBuilt Line: 7B1-03-01 19C8 9D

Mine was 51CB D5.

I used your settings and the screen is still black. But the parking sensors are showing up front and rear and the parking assist is also not working.

Hi everyone, I posted on another thread as well but this one seems more appropriate.

I have a U2101 (no communication with central config) DTC on the new sync 3 APIM and my stock ACM (EU sony 9 speaker sync 1 version). I have programmed the APIM to match my car as much as I could and I have modified the central config values mentioned in the original guide but I still have these errors. While I was trying to find the "touchscreen N/A" in the BCM I had plaed around with the navigation and in car entertainment etc but these didnt seem to do anything apart from through park assist errors so I reverted these back.

I have absolutely no idea what could be causing these errors and its getting a bit frustrating as I have been trying to find a fix for about 6 hours in total now (across the last weekend).

Does anyone have any ideas?

For the record, my sync 3.4 unit was from a titanium focus and it went into my titanium navigator so I haven't copied as built files from other cars as there wasnt much on the APIM that needed changing. My ACM also wont show on Forscan - I can scan it for DTCs and perform a module reboot but I cant configure it.

Does anyone have any ideas? - I will happily try any suggestion at this point.

Many thanks

That error will always stay but doesn’t affect the operation of the ACM. Also, European spec ACM’s cannot be coded.

@dontpannic Ok thanks, do you have any idea about the APIM error? I have just gotten home so I will try and attach some pictures in a minute

I tried to attach my APIM and central config files but it wouldn't let me :(

Hi again, so I have just managed to fix the error (for now, I will do a scan again in a day or two). It was the navigator/traveler assistance option in my central config - it needed to be set to "high end nav with colour touch screen". I don't know how I missed this providing the fact I went through every option one by one about 8 times. I still have the ACM error but by the sounds of it there is nothing I can do about it.

Many thanks,

EDIT: I thought it was fixed but upon a fresh connection with the car, its back

You just have to keep checking the APIM config, it might be worth starting over and only selecting the correct options that match your car in the drop-down menus rather than ASBUILT.

Correct - the ACM error will always be present, there's nothing you can do about it, the EU modules aren't codable. I even tried a firmware update on the module and although the firmware update went through OK, the error was still there.

Ok so shall I load up my backup I took before editing anything or just go through it option by option. Also, can I just confirm that it is the APIM config that is causing the error and nothing to do with the central config?

@dontpannic since I dont have a donor car, would I just be able to load my sync 1 apim configuration into the sync 3 apim? I know it seems like a bit of a dumb question but I thought of it just so I could get the main spec from my car and then I can make some small changes afterwards.

Hi all- my Daughter has just bought her first car, a 2015 focus zetec. She wanted to retrofit sync3. So she bought one. Now for the problem, plugged it all in powerd it up all works fine. If she turns the ignition on the screen goes very dim, we can still hear the sound. does anyone know how to fix it? Been told it could be to do with the programming in the apim.T i a- Rob

I encountered this problem when messing with my as-built to get the parking assist working. I managed to correct the issue but I cant remember how. There is a brightness setting in sync 3 settings, if you can see the screen enough to do it. Alternatively (on my car at least) my sync 3 retrofit was linked to my instrument cluster brightness level and if I had the instrument panel brightness all the way down, I could hardly see the screen - hence why I always keep my cluster lights bright. You could always look through the cyan labs APIM as-built database to see if anything relates to brightness.
Sorry, I am no means an expert, I completed my retrofit 2 and a bit weeks ago and like yourself, was asking for a lot of help