2011 Fiesta: Installing Android head unit and want to swap radio control panel to simplify

[axispaxdeo]

I have a 2011 Fiesta SES with Sync and am going to replace it with an Android head unit. Since I won’t need many of the original radio control panel buttons (for example Sirius button), I wanted to swap the button panel with one that was used for cars that had Sync 3. I tried the new panel prior to connecting the new head unit and the door lock and hazard buttons work, but the volume, tuning, source, and sound buttons don’t work and the buttons aren’t lit up. Perhaps the pinouts are different. Does anyone know the pinouts for the 2011 Fiesta control panel and the newer control panel pinouts for those that used the simplified panel for Sync 3?
Thank you, in advance, for your help. Here are some pics…

 

[axispaxdeo]

Do you think swapping my original that had the Sirius button with this version that has a Media button would work?

 

[axispaxdeo]

Basically, I’m wondering if I can swap part number AE8T18K811BA with AE8T18K811BB.

 

[Handy Andy]

There is such a fine line here.

It would require the SYNC unit that is under the Glovebox, to also get changed - why? Look at the keyboard from both.

Then check the connector the keyboard uses - you'll see why I'm saying this.

The programming and pin-out connections are different - which means the support upgrade route might be more hassle and effort than to keep the older system operational.

 

[axispaxdeo]

There is such a fine line here.

It would require the SYNC unit that is under the Glovebox, to also get changed - why? Look at the keyboard from both.

Then check the connector the keyboard uses - you'll see why I'm saying this.

The programming and pin-out connections are different - which means the support upgrade route might be more hassle and effort than to keep the older system operational.

Thanks for your reply. Gotcha. So it sounds like that Sync box is necessary to interpret the key presses and, therefore, any control panel is, in essence, tied to the sync box that came with it. Bummer. I saw this video

and got curious — but, perhaps, those two panels shared the same sync version/box.

Do you think the 2013 version that looks like my 2011 version but has the “Radio, Media, Phone, Sound, Menu” on the left instead of my “CD, Radio, Sirius, Aux, Phone” would work? I think that also had Sync 1.

 

[Handy Andy]

In a word, no - but not impossible, just tedious.

Why? That Ford worked with Microsoft in several years concurrent with the introduction of the SYNC system. So the upgrades and the switchover - even with similar vehicles - are quite different for their Audio Head units were changed and developed to not process Tone Volume and Balance internally - but thru the use of the SYNC unit. Also helped develop Hands free connectivity - lets you talk to the system and make it work thru Voice commands - so it takes a totally different upgrade approach than a simple keyboard swap,

 

[axispaxdeo]

Thanks again for the info. Yeah — I’ve had my 2011 Fiesta for several years now. Got it when it only had about 16k miles on it and now it has 61k. I have just found it tedious to press the Sync button and say “Bluetooth Audio” every time to have it connect to my phone. I know — first world problems. Making matters a little more difficult, my aux port is a bit loose and crackly, making a solution via the aux some work of replacing that by prying out the middle plastic between my seats. Hmm. So, wanting CarPlay and an easier connection, I’m moving away from SYNC to this newer system. Hoping it turns out better than what I’ve been experiencing over the years Thanks again for your reply.