2016 XLT 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
as the title says, i'm having issues with the electrical system. everything else works beautifully. I know i am not the first to mention this, but i would like to start a new thread with the information i know so far to try and sort out a fix. There are three main issues to sort out in order of importance and difficulty fixing.
1. sync system (sync 1)
2. backup camera
3. blower motor intermittent stop
Sync system
This issue has been reported by multiple users. We all have the same symptoms, which are that the radio works and the xm radio works, but none of the actual sync features work. The strangest part is that these issues are intermittent. for me, it seems that it works more often (though not reliably) in the cold, such as when we have 20 degree mornings the sync features work fine but not at lunch when the temp gets up to 70. Through my research i have determined this means there is some problem with the APIM.
However, SYNC 1 APIMs are expensive, even on ebay, and are not guaranteed to work/require some minor hacking to be able to use with your expedition if they came out of another vehicle. maybe you could get one at a pick and pull but the compatibility would still be an issue afaik. I also have no been able to find any kind of guide on how to replace the APIM even if i did get another one.
therefore i would like to avoid replacing the APIM unless it's absolutely necessary. i have some concept that this may be a ground problem, and its also been reported by some users that their dealers stated there were corroded wires in the console causing the issue, but there was no resolution in the thread that this was brought up in.
(
https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/2017-ford-expedition-electrical-problem.48598/)
this thread also has other issues unrelated to the sync though, things i am not experiencing.
any advice on this one would be appreciated. currently i have a Bluetooth speaker on my dash that works ok but its not a pleasant or long term solution.
2. backup camera
the backup camera goes through periods of working and not working. sometimes it is glitchy, and does not display right on the multimedia screen. its distorted and the colors are messed up. my guess is there is some kind of electrical issue, and a thread also mentions that there is a youtube video of an explorer having a similar issue, that poor drainage in the rear hatch caused the connector to become corroded.
im hoping i dont have to tear the rear hatch apart as i have already had to somewhat do this before, causing damage to the clips, because the (i assume anyways due to the poor work done on it before i bought it) chimpanzee that owned it before me had disconnected all of the windshield wiper lines at the front and back.
3. blower motor
i am having the same issue as many people with needing to kick the wiring when it cuts out suddenly. this issue in particular has been rather sporadic recently, but when summer first started to get hot it was a thing pretty much every time i started the vehicle.
this one is the lowest priority for me because i know about multiple possible issues with it, including the "fire risk" recall for which ford is supposedly working on manufacturing new parts in order to fix. but if it could possibly be caused, along with everything else, by a bad ground, it would be nice if it was fixed as well.
Overall I am in love with the idea of the expedition as an overlanding platform with decent ground clearance once modified. Towing capacity and the surprising efficiency of the 3.5 Ecoboost are nice bonuses. but I want to get it right before i start working on extra stuff like a lift kit, roof rack, tires, bumper replacement, and internal modifications.
thanks if you choose to read all of this and please go easy on me as this is pretty much my first post here.
