Looking for some confirmation regarding radio ACM compatibility. Trying to replace my non-Sony ACM with SYNC 1 model number BM5T-18C815-HM.

This post mentions that the last letter of the model number can be anything

Could someone confirm if, for example BM5T-18C815-HF would work? The plug layout is identical. As I'm struggling to source one ending with `M` at a reasonable price.

HF may work as plug and play or you may need to upgrade the HFs firmware to current level using FORscan and a paid license, then it'll work OK

8 minutes ago, DaveT70 said:

HF may work as plug and play or you may need to upgrade the HFs firmware to current level using FORscan and a paid license, then it'll work OK

Thanks Dave, if I'm looking for a complete plug and play - would it be only the same model in that case?

When I replaced mine I was after a HM, best I could get at he time was a HL, took a chance and luckily it worked ok.

1 hour ago, KenM said:

When I replaced mine I was after a HM, best I could get at he time was a HL, took a chance and luckily it worked ok.

Good to know that another could work, think I'll give HK a shot as there is one for a good price locally from the same year Focus as mine.

Like I say, it'll probably be OK, if you loose some functionality then update firmware

Just to update the thread, I tried the one ending HK and it worked without issues. SYNC BT is working fine.

I was just typing out a reply and realised you were doing a like for like swap so what I said in the post would be useless...

but - for info -

In the last part of the part number, the first digit is the type / feature set of the unit, and the last digit is the revision number.

I believe H is for the non-Sony, 6 speaker output ACM, and my Sony 9 speaker output ACM was an X. BVC/Sync 1 have the same ACM's, it's basically just the speaker outputs. As long as that digit matches then it will work and support the same things as your previous one. Newer revisions may have certain improvements over older revisions so personally I would only ever try to go the same or newer (higher) on the last letter, but it really doesn't matter.

Similarly with Sync 3 compatible ACM's - L units are the 6 speaker stock units, Y is the 9 speaker unit (rare as rocking horse *****), and Z is the 10 speaker unit with subwoofer connector. I sourced a Z to use in my 9 speaker car in the end as the L sounded peculiar driving 9 speakers.

I saw reference above to updating the firmware, however, Euro-ACM's cannot be modified at all via Forscan - no firmware upgrades or coding changes. Hence why with a Sync 3 upgrade you will always have a DTC generated by the ACM. I believe USDM ACM's are able to be coded which gives them options for running line level outputs on the rears to power aftermarket amps and subwoofers - over here we get a processed output so driving aftermarket kit never sounds as good as it should, but we can't effectively use those over here - different radio frequencies, and they don't have DAB/TMC over there, and we don't get Sirius over here.

 

 

16 hours ago, dontpannic said:

I saw reference above to updating the firmware, however, Euro-ACM's cannot be modified at all via Forscan - no firmware upgrades or coding changes.

I updated the firmware fine on my 2017 Focus ACM, it had the issue where it would start in AM frequency. No issues

2 hours ago, DaveT70 said:

I updated the firmware fine on my 2017 Focus ACM, it had the issue where it would start in AM frequency. No issues

Interesting, last time I looked on ForScan I didn't have the option for firmware updating the ACM. I did the APIM no problem. Might have to take another look.

Coding is a definite no-no though unfortunately, would be nice to turn off the DSP options completely and grab line level outputs for an aftermarket amp.