How Do You Wire Up A Backup Camera

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A rear-view camera, also known as a backup camera, lets you see what's behind your vehicle without having to look backwards. Though the device comes standard with many new car models, y'all can add together a rear-view camera to your vehicle if it didn't come up with 1.

1
Buy a mountable fill-in photographic camera for your specific vehicle. For condom, make sure you purchase a device specifically designed to exist a rear-view camera. Purchasing 1 made for your specific vehicle will arrive easier to install than a standard aftermarket camera. So y'all can install it easily, look for a camera that mounts onto or directly behind your license plate.^[1]
- Wait for backup cameras at consumer electronics stores.
2
Get an external monitor if you want to keep your existing rear-view mirror. An external backup monitor is a modest video screen that mounts onto your windshield similarly to a GPS. Though they take upwardly more space than internal monitors, external monitors are far easier to see and can be easily replaced if necessary.
- If you'd like, you lot can utilize a standard video monitor instead. However, continue in heed that it may not have nonetheless features equally devices designed for utilize with backup cameras.
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3
Purchase an internal monitor for a less obtrusive device. An internal fill-in monitor is a fully operation rear-view mirror that houses a small screen inside the glass. Some internal monitors clip on top of your current rear-view mirror, but others replace your original mirror entirely.^[ii]
- Most internal monitors shut off and disappear when not in use, making them a perfect choice if yous want to preserve your car's looks.
4
Buy power and video cords if your camera and monitor didn't include them. For about rear-view photographic camera installations, y'all'll need camera and monitor splitter cords with connectors for video and power cables, 2 bare wire power cables, and an RCA video cable.^[iii]
- About installation kits include these cables, but some may require you to purchase them separately.
- Some camera models employ wireless transmitters instead of standard video cables.
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1
Take off your rear license plate. Using a Phillips caput screwdriver, remove each of the screws holding your rear license plate in place. Then, pull the plate off and set it bated.^[4]
- Make certain you place the screws in a safe place so you don't lose them.
ii
Remove your trunk'southward interior panel. Pop open up your trunk and expect for a solid interior console covering the opposite side of your license plate mounting expanse. And then, insert a trim removal tool or other thin device backside the panel and pry it off.^[five]
- Removing this panel will expose the car's rear wiring chambers.
3
Drill a small hole in the license plate mounting area. Brand sure there are no obstructions between the license plate mount and the rear wiring bedchamber. Then, create a small hole in the car using a ability drill equipped with a loftier-speed twist drill bit. Line up your hole and so information technology is straight behind where your camera's power and video cable will go.^[6]
- To figure out where to brand the hole, hold your camera up to the area you intend to mount it. Then, note the spot where its splitting cord sits.
- Create a hole that'south large plenty to fit your camera'due south ability and video cable.
- If you come across any obstructions, try to remove them. If you can't, see if you can make a hole nearby.
- For most jobs, you'll demand a drill bit that has a bore betwixt ^ane⁄₈ and ¹⁄_iv in (0.32 and 0.64 cm).
four
Place a rubber grommet effectually your camera cable. Before running your camera cable into the car, skid a condom grommet onto information technology near the non-splitting end. These small condom washers, bachelor at almost home improvement stores, volition keep the wire in place and prevent leaks.^[vii]
- Cull a grommet that's just large enough to fit inside the drilled hole.
5
Run the camera cable into your trunk. Pull the splitting end of your camera's video and power cable through the drilled hole into the trunk of your car. Make sure you pull it tight so the rubber grommet lodges into the drilled hole.
- Your camera cablevision should run from the outside of the machine to the inside of the car.
vi
Locate your auto's 2 reverse low-cal wires. Reverse light wires are the cords that connect your motorcar'south tail lights to the dashboard. They claw directly into your vehicle'southward tail lights and are ordinarily located in the hatch or trunk of your motorcar.
- These cords look different for every vehicle and then, if you tin't find them, consult your owner'due south transmission for model specific information.
7
Strip and separate your car's reverse light wires. Using a wire stripper or pliers, peel back the rubber roofing the wires. Then, use a screwdriver or other thin tool to poke a hole through the centre of each exposed wire, separating the individual wire strands.^[8]
- For safe, make sure you do this while the car is turned off.
viii
Fuse your camera wires with the reverse light wires. Adhere ane of your bare wire cables to the camera string's power connector. Then, poke your bare wires through the center of the exposed opposite low-cal wires and twist them together. For safety, brand sure y'all wrap the combined wires in electric tape.^[9]
- Make sure you poke your positive (usually cherry) blank wire through the positive reverse low-cal wire and the negative (commonly black) bare wire through the negative reverse lite wire.
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1
Road your camera'south video cablevision to the forepart of the machine. Connect your RCA cable to the camera cord'south video connector if necessary. Then, run it through your vehicle to the area by the fuse box. Depending on your vehicle model, you'll usually exist able to do this by peeling dorsum the machine's headliner or side panels and pulling your cable through the exposed sleeping room.^[10]
- For certain trucks, you lot may need to run the video cable through the vehicle's frame rail.
- In most cars, you'll find the fuse box underneath the steering bicycle.
2
Fix external monitors to the front windshield. If you're installing an external monitor, offset attach your device'due south included mountain to the windshield by following the manufacturer'southward included instructions. Then, hook your monitor onto the mount.
- Most external monitors apply a suction mount, though others may come up with a more complex mounting system.
3
Attach internal monitors to the rear-view mirror or mirror mount. For certain internal monitors, you'll need to clip the new device onto your electric current rear-view mirror. For others, you'll need to accept off the mirror and slide your monitor into the pre-existing mirror mountain.^[11]
- Some internal monitors may come with their own mounting organisation that you lot'll accept to attach to the automobile's front windshield.
4
Run the monitor's splitter cable to the fuse box. If necessary, hook your monitor'due south power and video cable into the device. Then, road the cable from the monitor to the area next to the fuse box.^[12]
- If you'd like, employ a trim removal tool to pop out the headlining panel directly above your windshield. So, run your cable through the exposed chamber.
5
Connect your monitor'due south photographic camera cable to the RCA cable. Later routing your monitor's splitter cablevision, connect the video end of the cable to your camera's RCA cord. Then, wrap the connected cords with electrical tape to hold them together.
- If your RCA and video cables take the same ends, y'all may demand to purchase an RCA male to female person converter cord. You tin discover these at virtually electronic stores.
6
Adhere your monitor'south ability cablevision to a fuse tap. Connect your remaining bare wire cable to the backup monitor'south power cord. Then, push the positive (usually red) cease of the bare wire cable into the open up end of a fuse tap. Finally, crimp the 2 cables together with a pair of pliers.^[13]
- A fuse tap is a minor cable that converts a blank wire into a fuse bespeak. You can detect them at about automobile role stores.
- If you'd prefer, you can get out the bare wire cable off and connect your photographic camera's power cable to a cigarette lighter adaptor. Then, plug this adaptor into your car'due south cigarette lighter receptacle for power.
seven
Plug the fuse tap into the fuse box. Locate your fuse box and open up it up. So, plug your fuse tap into an open fuse prison cell. If necessary, check your fuse box's lid or your vehicle'south instruction manual to see which slots are open.^[14]
- Later attaching your fuse, consider taping all your wires together using electric tape to become them out of the style.
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1
Connect your backup camera to its ability and video cable. Render to the back of your car once you've installed the rear-view monitor and all the necessary camera cords. Close the trunk if necessary, then connect the backup camera to its power and video cable.
- Your camera'southward power and video cable should be sticking out of the hole yous drilled in the license plate mounting area.
2
Mountain the camera to your license plate. If the camera attaches to the front of your license plate, set it to the plate past following the manufacturer'due south included instructions. If the photographic camera attaches to the back of your license plate, line the device up with the plate'southward fastener holes and thread screws through them.^[15]
- In nigh cases, y'all tin can attach a rear-view camera to the dorsum of your license plate using the screws y'all removed from the machine earlier.
3
Reattach your license plate and trim panels. Using a Phillips head screwdriver, put your rear license plate back on your vehicle. Once you've reattached information technology, give the license plate and backup camera firm tugs to brand sure they're secure.
- If you haven't already, reattach your automobile's interior trunk panel and other trim panels past pressing them back onto the vehicle.
4
Test the camera to make sure everything works. Before using your new camera on public roads, test it in a prophylactic surface area similar your driveway. If it turns on, identify a large, durable object like a trash can behind the camera to see how distorted the image is. If it does non plow on, read your installation manual for troubleshooting information.
- In many cases, rear-view camera malfunctions are acquired by loose or improperly connected wires.
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Add New Question

Question

I hooked the photographic camera upwards and it just flickers. Any advice?

You may want to ensure all cables and connections are secured tightly. Double bank check that all connections are correct. If this doesn't work, check to meet if the camera chosen is in skillful shape and isn't physically damaged.
Question

Suzuki installed reverse parking camera in my Swift Dzire Zxi. But the photographic camera shows upper view and not the ground below. What tin can I do ?

Make sure that the photographic camera is installed the right manner (not upside downward), and check the position of the photographic camera mounted. Accept information technology back to the dealer that installed it and ask them to bank check the alignment and fit.
Question

What is the best elevation for a reversing camera?

There is no optimal height for a back-up photographic camera. The platonic summit is based off the specific car or vehicle that you take and your personal preferences, along with its intended awarding. Some back-upwards cameras are placed on large service trucks so that they can line up to trailer hitches easier, some are to prevent a blindspot on the road. Depending on your application, information technology can be placed at whatsoever height. Well-nigh reversing cameras are a "wide view" style and the specific height location does not always affect the way information technology functions.
Question

So if I hooked up all the wires correctly merely still no power, is it a fuse tap that I need to splice into the wires for it to work correctly?

Shannon Phillips

Customs Respond

Check your earth or footing it may exist bad. Use your multimeter to encounter if the ground is okay.
Question

Is information technology still okay to connect the back-up camera to the opposite light with cars that have auto lighting? Or, would I need to connect to the reverse wire on the gearbox?

Shannon Phillips

Community Answer

Yes, that will be fine, that how it is supposed to be washed. Look for an auto electrician if you demand someone to call.

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Though most car dealers and mechanics will non install aftermarket backup camera systems, many audio and electronic shops will.

Make certain you turn the car off before working with bare or stripped wires. If you demand to touch on exposed wires while the car is on, put on a pair of shock-resistant rubber gloves.

Things You'll Need

Rear-view photographic camera
Rear-view monitor
Connector cables
Phillips head screwdriver
Trim removal tool
Power drill with high-speed twist bit
Condom grommet
Wire stripper or pliers
Electrical tape
Fuse tap

About This Commodity

Article Summary 10

To successfully install a rear-view camera, first remove your vehicle's rear license plate and interior trunk panel. Using a ability drill, punch a small hole through the exposed license plate mounting area and run your camera'southward power and video cord through it. Attach a bare wire power cable to your camera'southward power connector, then strip your car's reverse light wires and splice them with your bare wire ability cable. To learn how to mount the rear-view camera and backup monitor, ringlet down!

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