Rearview Camera Problems

[nlopez2518]

Yeah what a joke! Typical dealer B.S. It takes not even a half hour to do so should be a snap as long as you are careful not to pull too hard on the trim piece when removing it.

Gotcha! Thanks again, this will be my Saturday project.

 

[jahnny]

Sounds good, if you have any questions just let me know. Thanks

 

[nlopez2518]

Yeah what a joke! Typical dealer B.S. It takes not even a half hour to do so should be a snap as long as you are careful not to pull too hard on the trim piece when removing it.

Hopefully since I'm buying the camera from the dealer I won't need any programming done.

 

[jahnny]

Yeah let me know. I am not going to give the dealership any $ to program mine. Don't care about the zoom or turning indicators. Just glad it works again. Can't believe it has to b programmed in the 1st place. No reason for that. Dealer has to make it difficult so you are forced to buy from them and pay ridiculous prices.

 

[peterk9]

Hopefully since I'm buying the camera from the dealer I won't need any programming done.

When rearview cameras are replaced you will need to have the dealer configure once it is installed so that you have the correct guidelines setup for your model, if you want them.

Peter

 

[Flying68]

Backup Camera Unavailable Please Contact Dealership

Anyone else experience this failure? Just started happening the other day. Works fine one time then doesn't the next. Haven't yet done a delayed reboot or master reset yet. I have a feeling it is most likely a software issue, but a loose cable may also explain it.

 

[FordIVTteam]

Hi FlyinG68,

This normally doesn't indicate a software issue. I suggest making an appointment with your dealership so they can diagnose and correct this for you.

Rebecca

 

[peterk9]

Anyone else experience this failure? Just started happening the other day. Works fine one time then doesn't the next. Haven't yet done a delayed reboot or master reset yet. I have a feeling it is most likely a software issue, but a loose cable may also explain it.

It seems that the earlier models are beginning to experience issues with their rearview cameras. In most cases the only fix for this has been to replace it.

I have also merged your thread with this existing one.

Peter

 

[dco43054]

Anyone else experience this failure? Just started happening the other day. Works fine one time then doesn't the next. Haven't yet done a delayed reboot or master reset yet. I have a feeling it is most likely a software issue, but a loose cable may also explain it.

I've not had this ever happen. Mine has always come on.

I'd try pulling the negative battery cable for 30 seconds and really reset everything. If that doesn't fix it, I'd guess a cabling or hardware problem.

 

[Flying68]

Was quoted $105 for labor to replace the camera. Part cost was ~$145. Probably going to pull it out this weekend and check the connectors and clean it really good just in case it has some contamination causing the problems considering it has seen its share of dust/dirt and slush/snow in the last month.

 

[Flying68]

So just a quick update. The camera started working again after a change in weather. I went ahead and pulled off the trim to check it out anyway. Caked in mud, every wire and connector was absolutely just covered in mud. Starting to think that a freeze thaw cycle may have gotten some contamination in the connector or in the camera module itself and corrected itself as it dried out.

So I cleaned the mount, connector, and camera module then put some silicone caulk around the camera module where the plastic is pressed together, then wrapped the wire connector with vinyl tape from the camera module all the way down past where the wires exit the back of the connector. Will see if this corrects the issue.

 

[bet66]

Backup Camera Unavailable Please Contact Dealership!

I just had this start happening to my 2011 Explorer XLT also. I am very disappointed to learn about all these camera failings on this site and not a word from Ford. I have less than 20k miles on this vehicle so I am inclined to believe this is not a "wear and tear" issue.

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum bet66.:wavey:
I think that if you check back through this thread you'll see that most of the members with this issue have 2011 and 2012 models. I think the only solution seems to be to replace the camera. I wonder if those with 2013 models will also soon begin to have the higher failure rate.

Peter

 

[FordService]

I just had this start happening to my 2011 Explorer XLT also. I am very disappointed to learn about all these camera failings on this site and not a word from Ford. I have less than 20k miles on this vehicle so I am inclined to believe this is not a "wear and tear" issue.

Making an appointment at your dealership is going to be the best next step, bet66. I'll be able to research options to help once you've had this diagnosed. Keep me in the loop.

Crystal

 

[Flying68]

Pulled out the camera and it's getting power and ground and a reverse signal. Don't know what all the other multiple wires are for so didn't know what kinds of values they should see.

Well after about a week my camera went blank again and hasn't come back for at least 10 days. Got around to trying to diagnose it. I was getting the following voltages in both park and reverse (checked with and without camera connected):
Pin 1 (grn?): 12±0.5 from independent ground, unchanged while working
Pin 2 (wht): 8±0.5 from independent ground, unchanged while working
Pin 3 (blk): 0.01, ~0.8 while working
Pin 4 (red?): 0.01 ~0.8 while working
Pin 5 (orng?): 0.0 (ground, checked by getting same voltage on Pin 1 and Pin 2), unchanged while working
Pin 6 (bl/stripe?): 0.0 (??, did not get any reading when cross checking with Pin 1 & 2), unchanged - still couldn't figure out what it is for

Colors are my best guess as the lighting is bad, the wires are dirty, and I am red/green deficient so I have a hard time distinguishing some shades.

jahnny, I am curious which one you identified as the reverse signal or does anyone have access to a wiring diagram that can confirm what each pin is and what the proper voltage should be at each pin. I have a feeling 3&4 are the camera video out signals, maybe 6 is the zoom signal (it is a striped wire)?

I also opened the case on the camera itself. It isn't sealed, maybe it was glued (badly) from the factory but using a little screwdriver I was able to pop the top right off, it is held together with by the pins from the connector to the circuit board. I didn't see any bad solder joints or obvious failures. The camera lens is separate from the circuit board. The sensor sits on the bottom of the circuit board just above the lens.

So if it is a camera failure, it isn't an obvious failure, and considering how easy it was to open the case I didn't see any contamination.

Guess I will be going with my original plan and have them check/replace it at the next oil change.

2/23 edit: So the camera came back on Sunday, while cold and snowy, was still working this evening so I tore into it again to check voltages and those are reported above. Pretty sure pins 4 and 5 are the video out wires. Still don't know what the 8V signal is or what the last wire is for. Interestingly, the guidelines did not appear while I was working, but once the tailgate was shut they came back on. Word of caution to anyone wanting to check theirs, the battery drains fast with ignition on, even with lights, climate, and audio off. I kept my battery charger connected the whole time on the 10 amp output and it still drains.

 

[Kimisme]

Ok thanks a lot. The dealership is trying to charge me $450 to replace the camera when the camera itself only cost 125 from them.

I started getting the same error message 2 days ago. I called the dealership and they told me it would cost $650 for them to replace it! I think we will try to replace ourselves and take it to them to program it. They tell me it will cost $110.

 

[TMack2300]

rear camera (fuzzy pic)

this is about the 3rd or 4th time i put XSport in reverse and the back up camera screen has lines going through it and is really fuzzy.
Has anyone had or heard of these issues with the back up camera??
thanks Richard

 

[dco43054]

So I cleaned the mount, connector, and camera module then put some silicone caulk around the camera module where the plastic is pressed together, then wrapped the wire connector with vinyl tape from the camera module all the way down past where the wires exit the back of the connector. Will see if this corrects the issue.

Did you clean the connector contacts and put some dielectric grease on the connector? Mud on wires won't cause a problem so long as the insulation is intact, but a little corrosion in the connector could.

 

[TMack2300]

i read a lot here!

anyone just have fuzzy lines going through screen?? mine has not said see dealer or completly went out yet..

annoying............. only have 20k miles on car... its intermittent so cant take to dealer... thats a waste of time.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[FordService]

anyone just have fuzzy lines going through screen?? mine has not said see dealer or completly went out yet..

annoying............. only have 20k miles on car... its intermittent so cant take to dealer... thats a waste of time.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi TMack2300,

If this issue becomes more regular, I'd get it in front of your dealership so they can diagnose. Do you have a maintenance visit coming up soon? You can mention it to your tech so you don't have to make a special trip. Keep us in the loop; if you decide to get your dealership involved, let me know and I'll escalate this to your regional customer service manager.

Crystal