Is your Ford radio acting up? You are not alone. Thousands of Ford owners run into Audio Control Module problems that turn a daily drive into pure frustration. At CBoardRepair, we specialize in professional ACM repair that gets your audio system working like new without dealership pricing.
What is the ACM (Audio Control Module)?
Think of the ACM as the DJ for your car. It handles radio tuning, audio output to the speakers, and timing for the clock. On most modern Fords, the SYNC computer is a separate module called the APIM, while the ACM is the hardware that turns those commands into actual sound. Ford service literature and bulletins reference both modules, and many audio complaints are resolved by updating or repairing the ACM itself.
Common Ford ACM problems we fix
These are the symptoms our customers report most often:
- Blinking or flashing clock:
The time display flashes continuously and never sets correctly. Ford documented cases where the fix involves the ACM, including time and date reset after ACM reprogramming.
- No sound:
The radio powers up, sources change, but there is silence from the speakers. Ford service messages also describe cases with no audio and no communication with the ACM.
- Radio will not power on:
Complete system failure with a dark screen or a unit that restarts.
- Loud pops or static:
Popping at startup or distorted audio. Ford issued a bulletin about static popping and distorted sound that is addressed by ACM actions.
- No volume control or source control:
Volume does nothing or sources will not switch.
- AM or FM reception issues:
Weak tuning or a stereo to mono change that does not behave normally. Ford’s bulletin describes stereo to mono changes on FM for certain builds.
Why these issues happen
Inside the ACM are power regulators, tuners, and audio output stages. Heat, vibration, and aging components can cause intermittent power, failed output channels, or corrupted settings. Replacing the entire unit often requires vehicle programming. Repairing your original module keeps your factory configuration intact. Ford’s module programming documentation and ACM-related service procedures confirm that replacement units require programming with Ford tools such as IDS or FDRS, while your original module typically goes right back in. Ford Service Content+1
Quick checks before you remove the ACM
- Check radio and amplifier fuses
- Disconnect the battery for 5 minutes and reconnect
Compatible Ford vehicles we service
Coverage commonly includes 2009 to 2022 Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury models:
- Ford F‑150
- F‑250
- F‑350
- Transit 150/250/350
- Transit Connect
- Fusion
- Focus
- Escape
- Edge
- Explorer
- Fiesta
- Taurus
- Mustang
- Flex
- C‑Max
- Milan.
If your model is not listed, contact us. We likely service it too.
Why repair your ACM instead of replacing it
- Save hundreds:
Repair is typically far less than a replacement unit and dealer programming
- Keep your original settings:
No VIN mismatches or feature losses in most cases
- 24 hour turnaround:
We repair and return ship within one business day of receipt
- Lifetime warranty:
Coverage for the ACM faults we repair for as long as you own the vehicle
- Stronger than stock:
We correct the failure and reinforce known weak points
Our simple 3 step mail‑in repair process
Step 1: Select and buy the repair service you need.
Step 2: Safely remove the faulty part from your vehicle. Include a note with your
- Order Number
- Contact Details (Phone & Email)
- Return Address
- A brief description of the problem.
Step 3: Ship your part to us at CboardRepair, 517 Quanah Parker Road, Rogersville, MO, 65742.
We'll repair your item as soon as it arrives and aim to have it back on its way to you within 24 hours.
What you get with CBoardRepair
- Board‑level diagnosis and repair
- Replacement of failed components with premium parts
- Rework of weak solder joints and stressed connectors
- Bench testing for power, outputs, and communications
- Lifetime warranty on the faults we repair
- Friendly support from technicians who do this work every day
Evidence you can trust
Ford has published guidance that ties real world audio faults to the ACM. For example, a Ford bulletin covers static popping, distorted sound, and even FM stereo to mono behavior where the corrective action is to reprogram the ACM and then reset time and date. Another official service message documents newer vehicles that lose audio and default chimes to the instrument cluster when communication with the ACM or DSP is lost. These are classic ACM fault patterns that our repair service addresses at the circuit level. Ford Service Content+1
Supported Ford ACM part numbers
Do not worry if yours is not listed. If the label format looks similar, we can likely help.
Ford Edge ACM Part #s
-
FT4T Series:
FT4T-19C107-BA, FT4T-19C107-BB
FT4T-19C107-BC, FT4T-19C107-BD
FT4T-19C107-BE, FT4T-19C107-DD
FT4T-19C107-GA, FT4T-19C107-GB
FT4T-19C107-GC, FT4T-19C107-GD
FT4T-19C107-KA, FT4T-19C107-KD
Ford Escape ACM Part #s
-
CJ5T Series:
CJ5T-19C107-AG, CJ5T-19C107-CG
CJ5T-19C107-CE, CJ5T-19C107-DE
CJ5T-19C107-DH, CJ5T-19C107-EA
CJ5T-19C107-EB, CJ5T-19C107-EC
CJ5T-19C107-ED, GJ5T-19C107-KA
Ford F150 ACM Part #s
-
9L3T Series:
9L3T-18C869-BD, 9L3T-18C869-BE
9L3T-18C869-BJ, 9L3T-18C869-BK
9L3T-18C869-DA
-
AL3T Series:
AL3T-19C157-AC, AL3T-19C157-AD
AL3T-19C157-AE, AL3T-19C157-AF
AL3T-19C157-AG, AL3T-19C157-AH
AL3T-19C157-BB, AL3T-19C157-BD
AL3T-19C157-BE, AL3T-19C158-AH
-
BL3T Series:
BL3T-19C107-BA, BL3T-19C157-AA
BL3T-19C157-AB, BL3T-19C157-BA
BL3T-19C157-BB, BL3T-19C157-BC
BL3T-19C157-BD, BL3T-19C157-BE
BL3T-19C157-BF, BL3T-19C157-BG
BL3T-19C158-AA, BL3T-19C158-AB
BL3T-19C158-AC, BL3T-19C158-AD
BL3T-19C158-AE, BL3T-19C158-AF
BL3T-19C158-AG, BL3T-19C158-BA
BL3T-19C158-BB, BL3T-19C158-BC
BL3T-19C158-BD, BL3T-19C158-BE
BL3T-19C158-BF, BL3T-19C158-BG
-
CL3T Series:
CL3T-19C107-AA, CL3T-19C107-AB
CL3T-19C107-AC, CL3T-19C107-AD
CL3T-19C107-AE, CL3T-19C107-AF
CL3T-19C107-AG, CL3T-19C107-BA
CL3T-19C107-BB, CL3T-19C107-BC
CL3T-19C107-BD, CL3T-19C107-BE
CL3T-19C107-BF, CL3T-19C107-BG
CL3T-19C157-AA, CL3T-19C157-AB
CL3T-19C157-AC, CL3T-19C157-AD
CL3T-19C157-AE, CL3T-19C157-AF
CL3T-19C157-BB, CL3T-19C157-BD
CL3T-19C157-BG, CL3T-19C158-AG
CL3T-19C158-BA, CL3T-19C158-BG
-
EL3T Series:
EL3T-19C107-GA, EL3T-19C157-AA
Ford Flex ACM Part #s
-
DA8T Series:
DA8T-19C107-BA, DA8T-19C107-BB
DA8T-19C107-BC, DA8T-19C107-BD
DA8T-19C107-BE, DA8T-19C107-BF
DA8T-19C107-GA, DA8T-19C107-GB
DA8T-19C107-GC, DA8T-19C107-JA
DA8T-19C107-JB, DA8T-19C107-JC
DA8T-19C107-JD, DA8T-19C107-PA
DA8T-19C107-PD, DA8T-19C107-PE
Ford Fusion ACM Part #s
-
FS7T Series:
FS7T-19C107-YA, FS7T-19C107-YB
FS7T-19C107-YC -
DS7T Series:
DS7T-19C107-BJ, DS7T-19C107-BL
DS7T-19C107-BM, DS7T-19C107-CC -
KS7T Series:
KS7T-18D818-YB -
LS7T Series:
LS7T-18D818-ZC -
HS7T Series:
HS7T-19C107-ZD, HS7T-19C107-ZE
Ford Mustang ACM Part #s
-
DR3T Series:
DR3T-19C107-AA, DR3T-19C107-AB
DR3T-19C107-AC, DR3T-19C107-CA
DR3T-19C107-CB -
CR3T Series:
CR3T-19C107-AA, CR3T-19C107-AB
CR3T-19C107-AC, CR3T-19C107-CA
CR3T-19C107-CB, CR3T-19C107-JA -
ER3T Series:
ER3T-19C107-AA, ER3T-19C107-AB
ER3T-19C107-AC, ER3T-19C107-CA
ER3T-19C107-CB, ER3T-19C157-CA
Ford Taurus ACM Part #s
-
DG1T Series:
DG1T-19C107-CC, DG1T-19C107-CG
DG1T-19C107-DC, DG1T-19C107-DD
DG1T-19C107-DE, DG1T-19C107-DF
DG1T-19C107-DG, DG1T-19C107-FA
DG1T-19C107-FD, DG1T-19C107-FE
DG1T-19C107-HA, DG1T-19C107-JA
DG1T-19C107-JB, DG1T-19C107-JC
DG1T-19C107-JD, DG1T-19C107-JE
DG1T-19C107-JF, DG1T-19C107-JK
DG1T-19C107-LE, DG1T-19C107-LF
DG1T-19C107-NA, DG1T-19C107-NB
DG1T-19C107-NC, DG1T-19C107-ND
DG1T-19C107-NE
Transit Connect ACM Part #s
-
DT1T Series:
DT1T-19C107-AB, DT1T-19C107-AC
DT1T-19C107-AD, DT1T-19C107-AE
DT1T-19C107-AG, DT1T-19C107-AH
DT1T-19C107-CF
Additional earlier ACM part numbers we often see
AL3T19C157AC, AL3T19C157AD, AL3T19C157AE, AL3T19C157AF, AL3T19C157AG, AL3T19C157AH, BL3T‑19C157‑BA, CL3T‑19C157‑AC, EL3T‑19C157‑AA, 9L3T‑18C869‑BD, 9L3T‑18C869‑BE, 9L3T‑18C869‑BJ, 9L3T‑18C869‑BK, 9L3T‑18C869‑DA
How our repair compares to replacement
Repair:
Keep your original module and vehicle‑specific configuration. In most cases there is no reprogramming when you reinstall.
Replacement:
New or used ACMs often require configuration and module programming with Ford IDS or FDRS and may still not match your vehicle’s options perfectly. motorcraftservice.com+1
Installation tips after repair
- Disconnect the negative battery terminal before reinstalling
- Seat connectors fully until they click
- After reconnecting the battery, let the system boot and then test AM, FM, Bluetooth, and any external amplifier function
Frequently asked questions
How long does the repair take
We complete most ACM repairs within 24 hours of receiving your module, then we ship it back right away.
Will I need dealer programming after the repair
In most cases no. Because you are keeping your original ACM, your VIN match and settings stay intact. Ford’s own procedures show that modules require programming when they are reprogrammed or replaced, which is why keeping your unit avoids that extra step.
Is this compatible with Ford SYNC
Yes. The SYNC computer is the APIM and the audio hardware is the ACM. Our repairs work with SYNC because we repair the hardware that actually sends sound to your speakers.
My chimes now come from the cluster and there is no radio sound
That pattern shows up in official service messages when the vehicle cannot communicate with the ACM or DSP. A repaired ACM resolves the root cause in many cases.
What does the lifetime warranty cover
It covers the ACM faults we repaired for as long as you own the vehicle. It does not cover new damage from water, impact, or tampering.
How can I reach you?
Text/Call 417-241-4456 or send a email to support@cboardrepair.com
Ready to get your Ford radio working again
Do not let a faulty ACM ruin your drive. Order your Ford ACM repair, send in your module, and enjoy a working radio again within days.4
Notes for curious owners and technicians
- Ford’s TSB 13‑1‑13 documents audio popping and stereo to mono behavior resolved by ACM reprogramming and time or date reset. This shows why clock issues and pops can be ACM related. Ford Service Content
- A Ford Special Service Message for 2020‑2021 vehicles documents “audio inoperative” with chimes switching to the cluster when the vehicle loses communication with the ACM or DSP. That is classic no‑sound behavior from a failed or offline ACM. NHTSA
