APIM Hardware Test Routine

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 12 other vehicles, including the 2018 Lincoln MKZ, 2018 Lincoln MKT, 2018 Lincoln MKC, 2018 Lincoln Continental, and 2018 Ford Fusion. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: This test is designed to check the function of the APIM (SYNC® module) hardware only; therefore, you should only perform this test routine if directed by the Service information. It is very important that no other issues are present with systems or components that interface with the APIM.

The APIM hardware test determines whether the APIM module hardware is functioning as designed or has an identifiable issue. As each block of tests is completed, the results are provided and directions given for the next step. At the completion of the test, a recommendation is provided where the "APIM replacement IS NOT recommended" or "APIM replacement IS recommended".

Within the test routine you will notice that there may be several actions or tests that you may have performed previously in a different procedure or Pinpoint Test (PPT). However, please follow the directions provided as this test routine specifically checks the operation of the module hardware.

For vehicles equipped with SYNC® 3, entry into the bezel diagnostics procedure is necessary. Have the procedure available or be familiar with the steps required to enter the bezel diagnostics prior to beginning this test. Refer to Bezel Diagnostics in the appropriate Information and Entertainment Systems article.

The tools required for this test are:

Rotunda Integrated Diagnostic Software (IDS) software

Vehicle Communication Module (VCM)

Original Multi-Media Interface Tester (MIT), 105-00120-RCA, new Multi-Media Interface Tester (MIT), 105-00120-GEN2, or equivalent .

Fig 1: Identifying Original Multi-Media Interface Tester (105-00120-RCA) And New Multi-Media Interface Tester (105-00120-GEN2)

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

multimedia:A supplement to the article is available.

NOTE: A personal device can also be used for this test only if the device hardware and firmware are present on the Ford Support Website. Ford Support Website

NOTE: On vehicles equipped with a touchscreen without an SD card slot, use the MIT Gen 2 or later version when attempting to pair the tester with the APIM. The MIT Gen 1 must not be used or the test will incorrectly fault the APIM.

A1: CONFIRM THAT THE APIM HARDWARE TEST WAS REFERENCED BY THE SERVICE INFORMATION

NOTE: This test routine is required to validate whether the APIM hardware has an identifiable concern.

You should only be in the APIM hardware test routine if you were directed here from the Service information.

Were you referred here from the Service information?

Yes	No
Go to A3.	Go to A2

A2 : DESCRIBE THE REASON FOR ENTERING THE APIM HARDWARE TEST
- Please explain how you were sent to this test and why.
* - Indicates Mandatory Field

How did you arrive at this test procedure?* [Enter Value]

What was the symptom or reason for navigating to this test procedure?* [Enter Value]

REFER to the appropriate Information and Entertainment Systems article.
A3: INPUT REQUIRED INFORMATION
Input the required information in the provided fields below.

* - Indicates Mandatory Field

Fig 2: Identifying Input Required Information
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Go to A4.
A4: TEST ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
NOTE: Low vehicle battery state-of-charge can affect this test. Battery state-of-charge can be monitored on the scan tool. A red battery icon indicates low vehicle battery state-of-charge.

Carry out the following steps:
- connect a battery charger and set the charge to the appropriate level based on the battery SOC.
- apply the parking brake.
- if equipped with an automatic transmission, place the vehicle in Park (P), or if equipped with a manual transmission, place the vehicle in Neutral (N).
- disconnect all customer devices from the USB port(s), audio input jack (if equipped), Radio Corporation of America (RCA) jacks (if equipped) or Secure Digital (SD) slot (if equipped).
- delete any paired Bluetooth devices from the SYNC® system.
- connect the VCM to the IDS desktop or laptop (do not start IDS).
Go to A5.

A5: PERFORM THE APIM ON-DEMAND SELF-TEST

NOTE: After the APIM self-test is complete, return this step.

Carry out the APIM self-test.

Are any DTCs present?

Yes	No
If Service information diagnostics for the APIM DTCs have not been carried out, REFER to Diagnosis and Testing in appropriate INFORMATION SYSTEM AND ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM article. If Service information diagnostics for the APIM DTCs have already been carried out prior to entering this test, Go to A6.	Go to A6.

A6 : CHECK THE VEHICLE OPTION CONTENT

Determin if the vehicle is equipped with a touchscreen.
Is the vehicle equipped with a touchscreen

Yes	No
Go to A7.	Go to A9.

A7 : VALIDATE THE APIM SOFTWARE VERSION

Press the button below to verify the APIM software.
Validate Software and ESN
Did the validation complete and return, "The module software validation test has completed and the software has been verified"?

Yes	No
Go to A9.	If the software validation completed, CHECK for applicable Ford Service Publications. Go to A9. If the retrieved ESN does not match the Ford database, this may indicate that a new module may have been installed and may need to be programmed to function correctly. Complete the Module Replacement Programming procedure. REFER to - appropriate Information and Entertainment System article. Once the module replacement and programming procedures have been carried out, RE-VERIFY the customer's concern. If a second attempt fails. Go to A8. If the validation was unable to validate the software SELECT the Validate Software and ESN button again. If a second attempt fails to validate the software. Go to A8. If the validation could not retrieve data from the vehicle module (APIM), make sure the vehicle battery is fully charged, the ignition switch remains in the ON state, the IDS Scan Tool connections are intact and the Internet connection is functional (a hardwired Internet connection is recommended). SELECT the Validate Software and ESN button again. If a second attempt fails to retrieve the data. Go to A9. If the server database is unresponsive. SELECT the Validate Software and ESN button again. If the server database is still unresponsive after the second attempt. Go to A9.

Yes

Go to A9.

If the software validation completed, CHECK for applicable Ford Service Publications. Go to A9.
If the retrieved ESN does not match the Ford database, this may indicate that a new module may have been installed and may need to be programmed to function correctly. Complete the Module Replacement Programming procedure. REFER to - appropriate Information and Entertainment System article.
Once the module replacement and programming procedures have been carried out, RE-VERIFY the customer's concern. If a second attempt fails. Go to A8.
If the validation was unable to validate the software SELECT the Validate Software and ESN button again.
If a second attempt fails to validate the software. Go to A8.
If the validation could not retrieve data from the vehicle module (APIM), make sure the vehicle battery is fully charged, the ignition switch remains in the ON state, the IDS Scan Tool connections are intact and the Internet connection is functional (a hardwired Internet connection is recommended).
SELECT the Validate Software and ESN button again.
If a second attempt fails to retrieve the data. Go to A9.
If the server database is unresponsive. SELECT the Validate Software and ESN button again. If the server database is still unresponsive after the second attempt. Go to A9.

A8: UPDATE THE APIM SOFTWARE

Update the APIM software to complete this step.
- On vehicles NOT supported by FDRS, select the SYNC button from the OASIS TAB to start software update.
- On vehicles supported by FDRS, update the APIM software using FDRS scan tool software.
- After the APIM programming has completed, is the concern resolved?

Yes	No
Go to A18.	Go to A9.

A9: CONTINUE THE APIM HARDWARE CHECK

NOTE: After selecting the APIM Test Button below, do not attempt to cancel the routine or the APIM re-enters the test routine whenever an APIM reset is initiated.

NOTE: The APIM Test routine can take up to 10 minutes to complete.

Select the APIM Test button.
APIM Test
Did the test time out or did any test element fail?

Yes	No
If the test timed out, check all internet connections, ensure the battery charger is maintaining battery voltage and vehicle IDS connections are good. If any network connection, low battery voltage or vehicle IDS concerns are found, repeat step A5. If any element of the test failed, Go to A17.	Go to A11.

A10 : MONITOR THE VOLUME UP/DOWN STEERING WHEEL SWITCH INPUT

Turn the audio system on.
Press the volume up and volume down buttons

Fig 3: Identifying Audio Volume Up And Volume Down Buttons
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Does the audio volume respond to the switch positions?

Yes	No
Go to A11.	This test is meant to check the APIM response to the VOLUME switch input. This test will NOT function as designed if the switch or the connection to the APIM (wiring, pins or connectors) have failed. If the VOLUME input to the APIM (wiring, pins or connectors) has not been diagnosed, REFER to appropriate Information and Entertainment System article. If the switch and wiring are confirmed to be operational then this test of the APIM has failed. Go to A17.

Yes

Go to A11.

This test is meant to check the APIM response to the VOLUME switch input. This test will NOT function as designed if the switch or the connection to the APIM (wiring, pins or connectors) have failed. If the VOLUME input to the APIM (wiring, pins or connectors) has not been diagnosed, REFER to appropriate Information and Entertainment System article.
If the switch and wiring are confirmed to be operational then this test of the APIM has failed. Go to A17.

A11 : CHECK THE BLUETOOTH FUNCTION

Connect the MIT Tester (or equivalent) to the vehicle.
Pair the MIT Tester with the vehicle and carry out the Bluetooth test. Follow the MIT Tester operating instructions.
Did the Bluetooth function connect and pair with the APIM successfully?

Yes	No
Go to A12	Clear the MIT pairing within the APIM. If the diagnostics for the Bluetooth function has not been carried out, REFER to the diagnostics in the appropriate service information. If the diagnostics for the Bluetooth function has been carried out, Go to A17.

A12 : CHECK THE APIM USB FUNCTION

Carry out the APIM USB Test. Follow the MIT Tester operating instructions.
Does the USB function pass and play through the audio speakers?

Yes	No
Clear the MIT pairing within the APIM. Go to A13.	Clear the MIT pairing within the APIM. If diagnostics for the USB and Bluetooth functions have not been carried out, REFER to the diagnostics in the appropriate service information. If the diagnostics have been carried out, Go to A17.

A13: CHECK THE VEHICLE OPTION CONTENT

Is the vehicle equipped with a touchscreen?

Yes	No
Go to A14.	Go to A17.

A14 : VALIDATE THE APIM SOFTWARE VERSION

Ignition ON, Engine OFF.
Place the vehicle in REVERSE (R) and observe the FDIM display screen.
Does the FDIM display the rear video camera image?

Yes	No
Go to A15.	If the rear video camera was not previously diagnosed, DIAGNOSE the rear video parking aid. REFER to appropriate Parking Aid article. If the rear video camera was previously diagnosed, Go to A17.

A15 : CHECK FOR APPLICABLE FORD SERVICE PUBLICATIONS, FSAS, TSBS AND SSMS

Enter the bezel diagnostics. Refer to Bezel Diagnostics in the general procedure in appropriate Information and Entertainment System article.
Select APIM Diagnostics>:Location Information>Satellite Signal.
NOTE: Each column in the graph represents an identified satellite and the strength of the signal is indicated by the height of the fill in each column. Refer to the images below for examples of good signal strength and bad signal strength.

Vehicles with touchscreen

Vehicles with non-touchscreen
Observe the satellite indication in the graphs in illustrations.
Are there at least 3 columns (indicating 3 satellites) shown with good signal strength?

Yes	No
Go to A18.	Go to A16

A16 : CHECK THE GPS FUNCTION IN AN OUTDOORS LOCATION

Ignition ON, engine running.
NOTE: With the vehicle is running, wait 1 minute to acquire the satellites.

NOTE: Make sure there is a relatively clear sky and the vehicle is an open area clear of buildings that could obstruct the satellite signals before beginning this test step.
Enter the bezel diagnostics. Refer to the appropriate Bezel Diagnostics general procedure in appropriate Information and Entertainment System article.
Select APIM Diagnostics>Location Information>Satellite Signal.
NOTE: Each column in the graph represents an identified satellite and the strength of the signal is indicated by the height of the fill in eachh column.
Observe the satellite indication in the graph.
Are there at least 3 column (indicating 3 satellites shown with good signal strength?

Yes	No
Go to A18	If GPS input to the APIM was not previously diagnosed. DIAGNOSE the GPS input to the APIM. REFER to appropriate Information and Entertainment System article. If the GPS input to the APIM was previously diagnosed and referenced to this test, Go to A17.

A17 : CLEAR ALL APIM DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES AND RE-CHECK THE APIM OPERATION

Ignition ON, engine OFF.
Clear the APIM DTCs.
Carry out the APIM self-test.
Test the SYNC system for normal operation.
Does the SYNC system operate correctly?

Yes	No
Go to A18.	Go to A19

A18 : APIM PASSED HARDWARE TEST-APIM REPLACEMENT IS NOT RECOMMENDED
- Test results: The results of the test show that the APIM passed and that the APIM hardware has no identifiable issues. Replacement of the APIM hardware has no identifiable issues. Replacement of the APIM in an attempt to resolve a customer reported issue IS NOT recommended.
- For a Ford paid repair, obtain the APIM test validation code by selecting the "Click for Details" button. This validation code is required to claim the APIM hardware test labor operation.
- Make sure APIM hardware test validation code is included.
- When complete, select the "X" in the top right corner to close this procedure.
A19 : DESCRIBE THE FAILURE
- Which manual processes are failing during your diagnosis?
  * - Indicates Mandatory Field
  
  Bluetooth pair/connect [Enter Value]
  
  Voice recognition [Enter Value]
  
  Steering wheel controls [Enter Value]
  
  USB connection [Enter Value]
  
  Display functions [Enter Value]
  
  Line in audio [Enter Value]
  
  Please provide a description of the customer symptom:*
A20 : APIM FAILED HARDWARE TEST-APIM REPLACEMENT IS RECOMMENDED
- Test results: the results of the test show that the APIM failed and that APIM hardware has an identifiable issue. Replacement of the APIM IS recommended.
  INSTALL a replacement APIM and include validation code.
  
  When complete, select the "X" in the top corner to close this procedure.