Cameras are great when they work as they should. It becomes stressful to work with a camera that is not working. Learn how to troubleshoot a reverse camera appropriately to save you stress. Check out the following tips.
Why is my reverse camera not working
Several things could be causing your reverse camera not to work as expected. You will have to identify the issue by first diagnosing it depending on the answers you get to apparent questions. These include:
Back camera showing no signal on the display
This happens because of several reasons, including the Wi-Fi camera requires a reset.
- You may also need to check fuses and power cables at the back of the car’s trunk panel. It is possible that a fuse may have blown and that a wire is frayed or disconnected.
- Check the wiring if you use a wired backup camera, as this is likely to be the issue.
- Only remove the dashboard display as your last resort when all else fails to work.
- Make sure to reset the entire system before troubleshooting the wiring.
Back up camera is black and white.
This is the other common problem that occurs with reverse cameras.
- The static white and black lighting may be caused by a frayed wire or a faulty connection.
- Ensure the cables and connections in your backup camera are firmly connected and not damaged
- Repair all damages
Back up camera screen is black.
- Check the display to ensure that it is powering. If not, then the problem starts here.
- Refer to the wiring damage of your car before proceeding.
- Double-check the monitor, especially if you installed it yourself. The monitor should not be damaged or improperly connected.
- Ensure you allow reversing detection by connecting the reverse wire to the reverse light +ve lead when installing the camera
- In case the display shows no signal, then the camera may be the problem. There is a need to check and replace it.
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Poor image quality
The reverse camera may also display inferior images. The motivation here is to capture the image at the back of the vehicle hence needs it to be as clear as possible. Unfortunately, the image may be fuzzy, showing several issues. First, it could be dirty and needs to be wiped and cleaned. Ensure you do this during winter and dusty seasons when the dirt is likely to accumulate on the camera more.
- Fails to show an image, or the camera fails to come up during reversing.
- This is a serious concern since the camera should come up automatically as you reverse the vehicle. Failure to do so shows that there is a problem within the system. To fix it:
- Check the manual given by the supplier to confirm proper setup and installation.
- Check proper wiring to avoid loose and poor attachments and connections of wires, as this may affect the delivery of images.
If the display still fails to power, then the issue could be with the display itself and not the camera. Look into this possibility and resolve it.
How do I know if my backup camera is bad?
It is important to tell when the backup camera is okay or not. Reverse cameras may be faulty, but before concluding this, one must understand the details and know-how to troubleshoot them correctly.
Fortunately, there will be signs pointing to such faults. To confirm or conclude that the camera is faulty and needs fixing, follow the steps below:
- Start by checking the external lenses. A blurry camera may be caused by dirty from mud during a rainy day or other types of grime that get to the camera. Fix this by simply wiping off the dirt and using the camera as usual. If you can, get back up cameras with auto cleaning features to spare yourself the stress.
- Look into the inside condensation. When there is moisture inside the camera’s lenses, it may malfunction. Note that the small electronic elements inside the camera are sensitive to moisture and will certainly suffer. Once you realize this issue, consider microwaving some dry rice and letting the camera sit in the rice for a short while to remove all the moisture. Once done, find the crack where the moisture gets in and seal it.
- Consider faulty connections. Once the camera misbehaves, find out if there any loose or faulty connections triggering such mishaps. Faulty connections may be responsible for the numerous issues your backup camera faces, and proper fixing may restore the appropriate connection and restore the display.
- Try to trace the issue back to the source. In case most of the other DIY solutions fail to yield any results, consider bringing in an expert for a more mechanical diagnosis that traces the issue back to the source. It is important to locate a repair and fix it, which is easy when dealing with manual cameras. Wireless cameras may be tricky but still not impossible.
- Replace the camera. Sometimes when all attempts to restore the camera fails, then it may be beyond repair. Consider replacing the camera if it gets to this point.
How do I reset my backup camera?
Most car cameras are passive units that don’t require any resetting. If the guidelines are off or misaligned, you can only do modifications in your infotainment system by accessing the reverse camera settings menu. This menu also gives you the option to reset the camera to default factory settings and modify it again as you please.
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Where is the reverse camera fuse?
The camera fuse will be located with the automotive 12V fuses. The fusebox could be under the hood, under the passenger glove box or next to the OBDII connector. Consult your user manual to find the fusebox location and readout. Some boxes have the fuse information printed onto the box while others need you to get the information from the user manual.