APIM locked out

[pstroke]

Took our 21 First Edition in to have updates and recalls done. Found out this morning that the "APIM is locked out".

Can someone explain exactly what that means? What can be done to fix? We are scheduled to leave town on Thursday and those plans appear to be up in the air.

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[bshaw]

The APIM has a hardware security feature that is designed to thwart hackers / modders.

I forget the exact details, but its something like 20 failed attempts and/or if 20 days elapse after failing an attempt, the APIM will permanently lock itself to the current software version it has installed. It won't be bricked in the sense you can't use it, but it will be impossible to update via software and will have to be installed with a replacement APIM hardware.

Did you buy your '21 as a used car?

 

[pstroke]

No. We ordered when they were first announced and one of the first ones in North Texas to take delivery. Been pretty trouble free for almost 20K miles. We anxiously awaited the Blue Cruise update and decided to have all updates done while at the dealer, including recalls.

 

[bshaw]

No. We ordered when they were first announced and one of the first ones in North Texas to take delivery. Been pretty trouble free for almost 20K miles. We anxiously awaited the Blue Cruise update and decided to have all updates done while at the dealer, including recalls.

Has it been to the dealer for updates before, or you've just been getting OTAs since purchase?
Possibly on a prior visit, the dealer received an error when attempting the update and didn't follow thru to resolve it.
I've not heard of an APIM locking for any reason except a failed update attempt and then letting the clock run out.

 

[pstroke]

It has been to the selling dealer before but we since have moved and took it to local dealer where we are currently located (full time RV'ers.)

From memory, one of the early updates was supposed to correct the OTA update issue becuase we were not receiving. I do not think it was ever corrected.

We travel full time and normally tow the Bronco behind the motor home. The Mach E has been staying in storage since October 22 and only driven monthly when I fly back into town. It has been trouble free since we purchased.

The selling dealer tried to perform the Blue Cruise update last year but it never worked and we were not interested in pushing the issue since we knew we would be traveling anyway.

 

[Mach-Lee]

The selling dealer tried to perform the Blue Cruise update last year but it never worked and we were not interested in pushing the issue since we knew we would be traveling anyway.

They locked your APIM then because they didn’t follow through within 20 days.

 

[bshaw]

The selling dealer tried to perform the Blue Cruise update last year but it never worked and we were not interested in pushing the issue since we knew we would be traveling anyway.

Yep, this is likely what likely locked your APIM. Unfortunately, by not pursuing it, the security feature kicked in and disabled itself. The selling dealer really should have been persistent so this didn't happen.

I suppose it should be replaced by Ford since you are still under warranty though. Also, they designed the rather heavy handed disabling logic.

 

[pstroke]

So, if the APIM is bricked as you say, is the car still operable but not able to accept updates?

 

[bshaw]

So, if the APIM is bricked as you say, is the car still operable but not able to accept updates?

Yes, exactly. You won't be getting the BlueCruise updates later this year either.

Even if you don't care about APIM feature updates, this is going to affect the eventual resale value of the vehicle. Try and get a dealer to replace the APIM under warranty so your car value is not permanently diminished.

 

[pstroke]

I will get the APIM replaced. We are going to Traverse City, MI and as long as Ford will provide wheels as part of the Premium Care that I bought and the dealer in Michgan can repalce it, they can keep it as long as they want once we get to Michigan. I just can't wait for the new APIM here as we are scheduled to leave Thursday morning.

 

[Mach-Lee]

I will get the APIM replaced. We are going to Traverse City, MI and as long as Ford will provide wheels as part of the Premium Care that I bought and the dealer in Michgan can repalce it, they can keep it as long as they want once we get to Michigan. I just can't wait for the new APIM here as we are scheduled to leave Thursday morning.

Good luck, APIMs can sometimes take a few weeks on backorder.

 

[pstroke]

The dealer opened a COPUS (?) case with Ford to get the APIM expedited. Dealer claims that FMC will not send the APIM claiming that it is a programming issue and not a hardware issue. I just want my car back!

 

[Ford Motor Company]

It has been to the selling dealer before but we since have moved and took it to local dealer where we are currently located (full time RV'ers.)

From memory, one of the early updates was supposed to correct the OTA update issue becuase we were not receiving. I do not think it was ever corrected.

We travel full time and normally tow the Bronco behind the motor home. The Mach E has been staying in storage since October 22 and only driven monthly when I fly back into town. It has been trouble free since we purchased.

The selling dealer tried to perform the Blue Cruise update last year but it never worked and we were not interested in pushing the issue since we knew we would be traveling anyway.

Hi there! If you'd like to, go ahead and send us a private message with your VIN and preferred dealer info and I’ll look into this concern on my end. Thanks!

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