2020 Ford Explorer Platinum - No Radio & Navigation Suddenly

[pmmichalczuk]

If the update was successful, it should report itself over time via WiFi. Mine did that once when I was unable to report a successful update using the USB drive. I doubt this would be an antenna issue. I believe the GPS module is under the dash. Even with an antenna issue I believe you should still be able to pick up some kind of signals, weak as they may be. Have you tried playing any music on a USB drive to see if that works?

Peter

Tried playing audio via USB and BT audio from multiple sources - no dice. The audio system is dead/not working - it can see the thumbdrive and cell phone and acts like we can play the audio, but the sound never comes out. This might be something in the rear of the car - looking at wiring diagrams (not real diagrams, but ones I can find on the part websites) it looks like there is a switch module (LB5Z10E928BA) in the rear near where we have had some water ingress issues.

 

[pmmichalczuk]

Just a general update - called around to many more dealers and they are all out several months :-( Because of this, I am taking it upon myself to do some diagnostics since I am impatient and an engineer...

I used ForScan Lite and my OBDLinkMX+ and have the following codes:

===APIM DTC U0184:00-0B===
Code: U0184 - Lost Communication With Radio

Status:
- DTC Present at Time of Request
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC

Module: Accessory Protocol Interface Module
===END APIM===

===DSP DTC U0184:00-0A===
Code: U0184 - Lost Communication With Radio

Status:
- DTC Present at Time of Request
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC

Module: (Audio) Digital Signal Processing Module
===END DSP===

===DSP DTC U0237:00-0A===
Code: U0237 - Lost Communication With Digital Audio Control Module C

Status:
- DTC Present at Time of Request
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC

Module: (Audio) Digital Signal Processing Module
===END DSP===

===RGTM DTC U0184:87-0A===
Code: U0184 - Lost Communication With Radio

Additional Fault Symptom:
- Missing Message

Status:
- DTC Present at Time of Request
- Malfunction Indicator Lamp is Off for this DTC

Module: Rear Gate/Trunk Module
===END RGTM===

EDIT: I just purchased a subscription to ALLDATA - will be digging through and will update on what I find. Wish me luck! :-D

I am using harness/module diagrams from several part websites to help, but that will only go so far in my adventure. I suspect the water ingress on the passenger rear pillar/window area to be the issue - and I am thinking that some of the water hit something that has to do with the GPS antenna and AM/FM/XM antenna - like the switch/splitter LB5Z10E928BA.

 

[Pedro504]

Tried playing audio via USB and BT audio from multiple sources - no dice. The audio system is dead/not working - it can see the thumbdrive and cell phone and acts like we can play the audio, but the sound never comes out. This might be something in the rear of the car - looking at wiring diagrams (not real diagrams, but ones I can find on the part websites) it looks like there is a switch module (LB5Z10E928BA) in the rear near where we have had some water ingress issues.

Here's pics of the left and right rear sides just past the wheel well. There's a lot of electronics back there, more so on the drivers side..

 

[pmmichalczuk]

Here's pics of the left and right rear sides just past the wheel well. There's a lot of electronics back there, more so on the drivers side..

View attachment 423629 View attachment 423630

Awesome! Yeah - it looks like the ACM (Audio Front Control Module) is in the right rear corner of the cargo area, and the DSP and RGTM are in the left rear side/corner of the cargo area. Looking through ALLDATA to determine shared connections, but it sounds like I will need to start removing some trim and checking pins/connectors. Any guidance on that process? We have 3rd row seating and I hope to not have to remove those seats.

 

[Pedro504]

Awesome! Yeah - it looks like the ACM (Audio Front Control Module) is in the right rear corner of the cargo area, and the DSP and RGTM are in the left rear side/corner of the cargo area. Looking through ALLDATA to determine shared connections, but it sounds like I will need to start removing some trim and checking pins/connectors. Any guidance on that process? We have 3rd row seating and I hope to not have to remove those seat

Here's a test I found elsewhere that might help also.

Turn on the radio / any audio and set sound level about 10. Press and hold the seek forward on the dash panel and seek forward on the steering wheel for approximately 10 seconds. That'll kick off the speaker walk around test. Whether if works or not will give you additional info on what's been affected.

 

[peterk9]

If the test mentioned above doesn't produce any sound, perhaps the issue is with the Audio Control Module.

Peter

 

[DonnaP]

Hi All!

We have a 2020 Explorer Platinum and one morning the beeps/tones sounded different and we were no longer able to turn the radio on and the navigation did not work (red circle/crossed out GPS on the map after a minute or so - location never moved/changed). We were able to pair our phone with the system, but we were not able to hear any audio. I have checked the fuses in the cabin and they were all fine, and it looks like we are using the Sync 3, Software Version 3.4 Build 21194_PRODUCT. We checked the updates and it looked like we had no new updates - but the date of the last checked was from a few days ago (even after clicking the button to scan for updates).

Has anyone else seen this? We called our local dealer and they can't get us in until February 2022... but we would like to use the navigation and radio/Sirius for our upcoming trips.
Thank you!
Paul

Hi Paul

I have been having a similar issue. It seems to be a problem in general witht he navigation and GPS. I have significant delay in the screen and in loading anything, The navigation shows no GPS and this affect Siruis radio. WHen playin AM/FM the radio seems to work. However it can be very sketchy when changing the stations, you cant hear anything....so essentially you are stuck listening to the same channel. Sometimes on the navigation screen it will show me in a location 50-100 miles away! The other issue I am having is the when I shut the vehicle down and open the door the radio will still play for about a minute. (that is when the radio is working.

Here is what my local dealer did so far: Since this issue started in the summer for me: The updated the system 3 different times (cause that is what ford told them to do) It didn't work. So everyone who is trying to update the system to fix this issue it may be a temporary fix....very temporary. The replaced the computer module and the screen. Still having the same issue. Currently my vehicle is sitting at the dealership. I spoke the service manager last week and he told me it was an easy fix and the APN (I think that is what he said) needs to be replaced and it can be done in an hour. I had the same issue of scheduling prior to talking to the service manager since they did not have loaner cars available for a month and half. So I went in this past Tuesday.....and it turned out to be 2 hours of 2 senior techs and ford trying to correct the issue. They finally told me I have to leave the vehicle and managed to find me a loaner vehicle. Here is what they told me: There is apparently some sort of recall coming for this issue. Before they can fix it there are "codes" in the system that they have to address and they were all having difficulty clearing these "codes" The system would not update either. They are going to to keep and keep working on it, for how long...no one knows. Here is my suggestion....there seems to be more and more ford owners with this issue....I have called ford corporate about this issue....I think more owners need to call so that this can be addressed correctly and notify the dealerships of this issue. Everyone is scratching their head on it. I hope this helps anyone encountering this issue.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum Donna.
When you said "APN" I wonder if it is actually the APIM which stands for Accessory Protocol Interface Module?

Peter

 

[DonnaP]

Welcome to the Forum Donna.
When you said "APN" I wonder if it is actually the APIM which stands for Accessory Protocol Interface Module?

Peter

Hi Peter...Thanks. And yes I am sure I didn't get that correct and it is the APIM But I will update everyone once they figure out what is going on

 

[steweod]

This issue is likely compounded by the fact that one similar issue was fixed with a software patch but dealers wouldn't follow the update procedure and would just replace modules. Something like half of the modules sent in Ford Corp noticed they were not updated and once updated ran correctly. Or something like that.... so Ford had to send a message to dealers that if it happened moving forward the dealership would be charged for all the parts and warranty wouldn't pay for anything.

Oh the irony of the situation.

 

[Andron78]

Hi guys. too often we try to explain problems with our crooked hands. And maybe everything is simpler? this is a quote from the operating instructions... 324 page
Battery Management System (If
Equipped)
The battery management system monitors
battery conditions and takes actions to
extend battery life. If excessive battery
drain is detected, the system temporarily
disables some electrical systems to
protect the battery.
Systems included are:
• Heated rear window.
• Heated seats.
• Climate control.
• Heated steering wheel.
• Audio unit.
• Navigation system.
A message may appear in the information
displays to alert you that battery
protection actions are active. These
messages are only for notification that an
action is taking place, and not intended to
indicate an electrical problem or that the
battery requires replacement.

 

[TwinLakeDad]

Hi Peter...Thanks. And yes I am sure I didn't get that correct and it is the APIM But I will update everyone once they figure out what is going on

I realize this is an old post, but wondering if DonnaP ever found the root cause of the audio problem and were you able to get it completely fixed?

 

[peterk9]

I realize this is an old post, but wondering if DonnaP ever found the root cause of the audio problem and were you able to get it completely fixed?

Welcome to the Forum.
The member, DonnaP, was last seen here on January 24, 2022, so likely isn't following any longer.

Peter

 

[TwinLakeDad]

Welcome to the Forum.
The member, DonnaP, was last seen here on January 24, 2022, so likely isn't following any longer.

Peter

Thanks, yep - I saw that, but hoping to get clarity on solution as I have the "no audio/ no volume controls/ no GPS in my 2020 Explorer ST. I replaced the battery already, but no dice on solving the problems. I also have an AC failure (only 7 volts showing at compressor) so wondering if the Battery monitor system is causing the faults, but I don't have many of the other issues normally present with battery monitor system failure. I have a Snap-On scanner so I pull codes and I also have FORscan - I have lots of diagnostic tools at my disposal, but having a very time figuring out the root cause. I recently purchased an ACM from a local salvage yard to try swapping that and see if I get audio back. Any other insights appreciated

 

[peterk9]

Did you let the vehicle sit undisturbed for 8 hours after replacing the battery? Not saying that is the cause of the issues you're having.

Peter

 

[TwinLakeDad]

No, I simply replaced the battery...

 

[TwinLakeDad]

Did you let the vehicle sit undisturbed for 8 hours after replacing the battery? Not saying that is the cause of the issues you're having.

View attachment 456775

Peter

Where did this instruction comes from? I have looked through the Ford service manual and I don't see any of this noted in there

 

[peterk9]

Where did this instruction comes from? I have looked through the Ford service manual and I don't see any of this noted in there

It came from your Owner's Manual.

Peter

 

[TwinLakeDad]

I would try the soft reset first, ...

I replaced the ACM and my problem has been completely resolved. Quick note to anyone looking to replace the ACM- it is on the passenger side at the very back of the vehicle in the cargo area- you need to remove the panel for access. If buying a unit off of eBay or from another salvage yard make sure that your part number in your vehicle currently matches exactly to the part number that you are getting because there are a number of variations and just because the vehicle you're getting it from is the same year and model does not mean that it's going to work properly. Honestly, the hardest part of my project with the ACM was getting the trim panels back in place

 

[peterk9]

^^ You combined your reply with the member's quote.