APIM update question

[RumPunch]

Recently purchased the new dash with the 12" screen, using the existing 8" APIM.

I went out and purchased a 12" APIM and i am looking to install it.

Do i need to 'program' the 12" APIM with the prior data from the APIM? I purchased a OBD adapter, but i am a little out of my element here.

Help would be greatly appreciated!

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[Ducati1098]

You’ll probably need FDRS and forscan. I’ve never done this swap, but there are threads floating around where others have.

 

[rugedraw]

Recently purchased the new dash with the 12" screen, using the existing 8" APIM.

I went out and purchased a 12" APIM and i am looking to install it.

Do i need to 'program' the 12" APIM with the prior data from the APIM? I purchased a OBD adapter, but i am a little out of my element here.

Help would be greatly appreciated!

It is not that simple. Sure, you can copy the a/b data from your old APIM to the new one and everything will most likely seem to work on the surface. However, if the P/N and/or the software of the APIM you swap in is not a perfect match to software/hardware your truck is currently on, as soon as your truck syncs up with the server, it will corrupt the data and cause huge problems getting updates in the future for all the Sync related modules.

Unless you bought an APIM from a company that specializes in these things and they programmed it on a bench specifically for your truck, the chances that APIM will match up perfectly with your truck are very slim.

 

[RumPunch]

It is not that simple. Sure, you can copy the a/b data from your old APIM to the new one and everything will most likely seem to work on the surface. However, if the P/N and/or the software of the APIM you swap in is not a perfect match to software/hardware your truck is currently on, as soon as your truck syncs up with the server, it will corrupt the data and cause huge problems getting updates in the future for all the Sync related modules.

Unless you bought an APIM from a company that specializes in these things and they programmed it on a bench specifically for your truck, the chances that APIM will match up perfectly with your truck are very slim.

I did purchase it from a company that specializes in APIM so i know its the appropriate model/sync version. I was told to get the usb component to write the current code on the current apim to that one. Just trying to understand what else is needed here? Someone mentioned forscan? Its over my head..

 

[rugedraw]

I did purchase it from a company that specializes in APIM so i know its the appropriate model/sync version. I was told to get the usb component to write the current code on the current apim to that one. Just trying to understand what else is needed here? Someone mentioned forscan? Its over my head..

Awesome! I would contact then for instructions if you have any doubts before you start. Some of these guys can even remote into your laptop and do it for you. Typically, you copy the a/b data from your current APIM before you put in the new one so you can flash it onto the new one with FORScan. The USB drive is used for programming the APIM; not writing the config.

 

[RumPunch]

Awesome! I would contact then for instructions if you have any doubts before you start. Some of these guys can even remote into your laptop and do it for you. Typically, you copy the a/b data from your current APIM before you put in the new one so you can flash it onto the new one with FORScan. The USB drive is used for programming the APIM; not writing the config.

Got it, the Forscan part is where i get confused. Do i need a subscription? Something additional to purchase - i got pretty confused. I planned on bringing it to a shop to handle, as i think accessing the APIM is a bitch. hopefully not a MASSIVE lift for the tech..

 

[rugedraw]

Got it, the Forscan part is where i get confused. Do i need a subscription? Something additional to purchase - i got pretty confused. I planned on bringing it to a shop to handle, as i think accessing the APIM is a bitch. hopefully not a MASSIVE lift for the tech..

FORScan is free for a 2 month license or $12 for a year or for the beta version that allows you to write firmware to certain modules. The free one will work for what you need to do, and a FORScan cable is cheap, too. $30-$60 depending on the one you get.

However, I would again recommend you get clear instructions on what needs to be done from the provider before you guys dive in. Copying the ab file from your 8" APIM and flashing it to the 12" APIM literally takes seconds to do, but if they mentioned something about a USB, then idk what that's for.

 

[Brian_B]

Most of the time, with a new Module, they have to be PIMed with FDRS.

I don't know exactly what PIM stands for - but most modules ship blank with no software at all, and the FDRS PIM procedure loads up the factory default software based on the VIN of the vehicle. This will also populate all the values you see in Forscan with factory defaults.

Forscan can only see and adjust existing settings, it can't write new code, or add new parameters. FDRS is required to do that.

Now, APIM may be an exception to that, I'm not sure. Most new modules are shipped this way though.

So if where you are buying it from can pre-program it, great. If not, you will likely need FDRS (which costs money to license from Ford), and a FDRS-compatible adapter (it is much more specific than Forscan is with compatibility).

SYNC 4 has no USB file loading or upgrade capability that I'm aware of.

 

[Ducati1098]

Most of the time, with a new Module, they have to be PIMed with FDRS.

I don't know exactly what PIM stands for - but most modules ship blank with no software at all, and the FDRS PIM procedure loads up the factory default software based on the VIN of the vehicle. This will also populate all the values you see in Forscan with factory defaults.

Forscan can only see and adjust existing settings, it can't write new code, or add new parameters. FDRS is required to do that.

Now, APIM may be an exception to that, I'm not sure. Most new modules are shipped this way though.

So if where you are buying it from can pre-program it, great. If not, you will likely need FDRS (which costs money to license from Ford), and a FDRS-compatible adapter (it is much more specific than Forscan is with compatibility).

SYNC 4 has no USB file loading or upgrade capability that I'm aware of.

PMI which stands for programmable module installation.
It basically pulls all the information off the old module before replacing it, then programs it into the new one.

 

[Brian_B]

Hmm.. now that i think about it more, 2 things

PMI would pick up the old 8" version anyway, since that's what would be on your VIN lookup

But, I don't know if APIM is 8" or 12" specific, I thought it was basic and "advanced nav / HD radio".... maybe that coincides with 8" and 12" screens though.

 

[Ducati1098]

Hmm.. now that i think about it more, 2 things

PMI would pick up the old 8" version anyway, since that's what would be on your VIN lookup

But, I don't know if APIM is 8" or 12" specific, I thought it was basic and "advanced nav / HD radio".... maybe that coincides with 8" and 12" screens though.

It would be specific. But there’s clever ways to trick the PMI procedure. For example how I was able to install and program the MY25 cluster

 

[rugedraw]

A PMI will pull either the files of the last known software or the next/latest available files for said vehicle and module based on whether the user selects yes or no when FDRS asks if it is the original module or not. The APIM in particular is not a module you want to get creative with if you want to preserve the integrity of the data on Ford's side for both your vehicle and the donor vehicle of the APIM, and the donor vehicle of the files, too. I'm all for workarounds and unconventional methods, but with FORScan and with the vehicle offline with the TCU unplugged; not FDRS.

@RumPunch What we're talking about has nothing to do with your situation. Just make sure you got it from a reputable company and you'll be fine.

 

[RumPunch]

A PMI will pull either the files of the last known software or the next/latest available files for said vehicle and module based on whether the user selects yes or no when FDRS asks if it is the original module or not. The APIM in particular is not a module you want to get creative with if you want to preserve the integrity of the data on Ford's side for both your vehicle and the donor vehicle of the APIM, and the donor vehicle of the files, too. I'm all for workarounds and unconventional methods, but with FORScan and with the vehicle offline with the TCU unplugged; not FDRS.

@RumPunch What we're talking about has nothing to do with your situation. Just make sure you got it from a reputable company and you'll be fine.

Thanks for the feedback, i just want to make sure I'm on the right path.

I have the New APIM module and a OBD USB tool where i think i take the existing APIM module, make the connection with Windows laptop, using FORscan (which i can use the 2 month free subscription). Then Copy the existing data and then writing that data onto the new APIM and install the hardware.

Am i missing anything else here, don't want to fk it up...

 

[rugedraw]

Thanks for the feedback, i just want to make sure I'm on the right path.

I have the New APIM module and a OBD USB tool where i think i take the existing APIM module, make the connection with Windows laptop, using FORscan (which i can use the 2 month free subscription). Then Copy the existing data and then writing that data onto the new APIM and install the hardware.

Am i missing anything else here, don't want to fk it up...

Correct. Open the connection with FORScan, click the microchip button, then highlight APIM (as built) and hit the play button on the bottom left. Scroll to the bottom and do a save all. FORScan will save the abt file in the FORScan folder. Swap in the new APIM, and then repeat the process but select load all instead and select the file and flash it.

At the risk or sounding redundant: Get clarification from the company you bought it from. If they provided you with some kind of written instructions, message it to me and I will gladly look at it to see if it entails anything other than flashing the a/b data.

 

[RumPunch]

Correct. Open the connection with FORScan, click the microchip button, then highlight APIM (as built) and hit the play button on the bottom left. Scroll to the bottom and do a save all. FORScan will save the abt file in the FORScan folder. Swap in the new APIM, and then repeat the process but select load all instead and select the file and flash it.

At the risk or sounding redundant: Get clarification from the company you bought it from. If they provided you with some kind of written instructions, message it to me and I will gladly look at it to see if it entails anything other than flashing the a/b data.

First, really appreciate your support man it's really kind of you. The direction i received from the company are as below:

"

Here setup your pc with this guide https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N6JyjDNqLipl8Gc2L62GWT864eDEeRmNdutPoX6iXtQ/edit?usp=drivesdk

Once setup with FORScan BEFORE removing that module, connect to the car, go to the computer chip tab and choose APIM (as built format). Hit “SAVE ALL” at the bottom. Save it. Then install the new module, connect to the car again with the computer, same apim as built format and hit “LOAD ALL”. Once you select the file hit ok to any warning then hit “WRITE ALL”

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