I've checked fuses but found they are good (unless you tell me of another one to check) Hopefully I don't have to pull the dash apart. Please tell me some ideas!
Year and Sync system if you know it.
If all you get is a dead screen then the APIM is a prime suspect. It's not an unknown failure. When i got the dead screen in my '12 Edge I was able to get a replacement APIM from "AllThingsSync". I believe they are out of Chicago. They were the most reasonably priced at the time and offer a 12 month warranty. They also offer system upgrades if that might interest you.
No, not really. My Edge has the larger screen so it may differ from the base model.
Basically you remove the trim from around the screen/etc, remove 4 bolts, pull the unit out, unplug the wiring, remove the fasteners holding the APIM to the back of the screen and remove it. Install is the reverse.
You give them your VIN and they preprogram it so it's pretty much plug-and-play.
In my case "they" were AllThingsSync.
If by remotely you mean an over the internet connection, then, no. They program it in their shop to your VIN and ship it to you ready to install. You just boot it up and do the initial set up. As I recall it was all on screen instructions.
Mine came and went for a couple of months before dying. I don't remember the procedure but there is a process to do a hard reset that sometimes helped. Google could probably tell you if, or how, yours might work.