Derko Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 I just bought a 2010 Fusion Hybrid with 102,000 km on it. I like the car except for the fact that whenever the Sync system (6 cd changer) is used or kicks in there is an awful lot of static. I spend a lot of time commuting in my car and generally listen to audiobooks or music from my iPod and this ability was one of the main reasons why I was looking at the Ford's. I've tried playing audio files through the iPod (tried 3 different cables), through bluetooth (iPhone 4 iOS7 and BB Z10), and also through a usb drive connected to the usb port. All have the static. Also, whenever the Sync system kicks in like when it says "bluetooth connected" the static is there too. I've tried the master reset and pulling the Sync fuse (left it out for 5 minutes with the car off, then ran the car for 5 minutes with it out, and then put it back in) and still no change. I've uploaded an audio file illustrating the static: https://www.dropbox.com/s/vtzdmvb5mrdor78/Sync%20Static.m4a I was hoping that someone might be able to shed some light on this and how to fix it. According to Syncmyride.com my car has the latest software (v3.1). Any help would be greatly appreciated. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Sounds like a problem with the head unit itself or the wiring harness. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derko Posted March 9, 2014 Author Share Posted March 9, 2014 If it's a problem with the head unit or the wiring harness then shouldn't the static be there when I'm listening to am/fm or sat radio? Those seem to be working fine. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Good point. It sounds like the APIM is the source or the APIM wiring to the head unit. Radio and sat are built into the head unit. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derko Posted March 9, 2014 Author Share Posted March 9, 2014 Is this something that will require me to go to the Ford dealership and have a tech look at? I wish I had thought to check out the USB and not just the am/fm on the test drive... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 You could check the connections from the head unit to the other components looking for a bad wire or connection. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derko Posted March 10, 2014 Author Share Posted March 10, 2014 Thanks, I wouldn't even know where to begin to start taking apart to have a look or what to check. Would you know where I could find that information? Is there anything else that this problem could be caused by? A bad ground maybe under the good? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 I'd start with a local stereo shop. It could be a bad ground. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derko Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 Thanks, I'll keep you updated. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derko Posted March 18, 2014 Author Share Posted March 18, 2014 So, I called some local stereo shops in the area and none of them were willing to look at the Sync system. So I took it back to the Ford dealership. It took them a day and a half to diagnose it (they claimed issues with their computer network and internet for the delay). They've determined that the APIM needs to be replaced as it's gone bad. They did eventually get in touch with Techline and that's what they were told. They've asked me if I want to replace it, I asked for the price... APIM = $495 Labour & Program = $150 Total with Taxes and Enviro Fees = $735 CDN I am not sure if it's worth fixing at that price. However, the Sync system is one of the reasons I went with the Fusion. I did ask them if I could get a working APIM out of a wrecked vehicle and they told me no as they are VIN specific and once programmed cannot be reprogrammed to another VIN. The only way to fix it is to get a new blank APIM from Ford and then they would program it. Is this correct? If so, is there a cheaper way to get a new blank APIM? I am seriously wishing I had tested the system when I was test driving it. Between this and the $1000 in repairs to the M/E cooling system caused by a pinhole leak in the rad hose that became apparent the day after I bought it, maybe I should have bought a different one...The small used car lot I bought it from is not willing to help cover any of the repairs. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derko Posted March 19, 2014 Author Share Posted March 19, 2014 Does anyone know if it is possible to reprogram an APIM/Sync module from a junkyard/wrecker car to a different VIN? Like I said above, I was told that it couldn't be done, and if I tried to use an APIM that was programmed with a different VIN, then it would cause all kinds of other problems in the vehicle as all of the modules talk to each other and the wrong VIN would upset stuff. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
borland Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 That sucks. I'd be worried that you took it to the wrong Ford dealer. You'd want to be sure that any repairs guarantee to fix the stated problem. $735 Canadian is about $654USD. That's probably a typical repair bill for a dealership. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derko Posted April 16, 2014 Author Share Posted April 16, 2014 An update on this, I decided to have the APIM replaced at the dealership with a new one. They installed it and the static has gone and everything seemed great...Until I tried to use the voice commands and make a phone call. The steering wheel controls didn't work and when I called someone through the head unit, I could hear them but they couldn't hear me. I discovered this after the dealership had closed for the day. So I took it right back in the next morning and told them of the issue hoping they could fix/look at it that day. They weren't able to but they called Ford about the issue. Apparently they were under the impression that the new APIM came pre-programed to my VIN and thus just popped it in the car, checked for static and away I went. I told them it most likely wasn't programmed but they wanted to check with Ford first, which took a number of days. What they ended up forgetting to do was actually program the APIM. Once that was done a couple of days later, the voice commands, steering wheel, and microphone all work now. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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