Reverse camera black screen, no grid lines

[JgenG]

Was wondering if anyone has experienced a complete black screen when you shift into reverse. There are no grid lines or warning message that usually pops up when you shift into reverse, just a black screen. The screen is on. The way i see it it could be 3 things
1) Issue with the head unit.
2) Harness issue
3) camera issue
I m hoping its the third one. Any input on what it may be is appreciated.

 

[EdP]

Was wondering if anyone has experienced a complete black screen when you shift into reverse. There are no grid lines or warning message that usually pops up when you shift into reverse, just a black screen. The screen is on. The way i see it it could be 3 things
1) Issue with the head unit.
2) Harness issue
3) camera issue
I m hoping its the third one. Any input on what it may be is appreciated.

When it happened on my 2015 is was #1. Fortunately, still under warranty.

 

[Andyj]

Very likely a wiring harness issue in the trunk where the wires enter the trunk lid, a common failure with a reasonable fix. even a diy well documented on this site. That's the first thing I would check.

 

[JgenG]

When it happened on my 2015 is was #1. Fortunately, still under warranty.

You had a completely black screen with no grid lines or warning message?

 

[JgenG]

C

Very likely a wiring harness issue in the trunk where the wires enter the trunk lid, a common failure with a reasonable fix. even a diy well documented on this site. That's the first thing I would check.

please point me in the right direction, link to the repair would help. Thank you

 

[Andyj]

do a search for trunk wiring harness or rear lights. There are several threads. the wires get pinched when the trunk opens and closes cracking the insulation and wiring including possibly the rear. amera video cable. No need to replace the entire harness for $5K just splice in some wires.

 

[greekgeek]

Not sure camera wire can be spliced, iy is different from the other wires,, but indeed the trunk harness is a great place to check. I also had the black camera screen show up. First they discussed replacing the camera, but j dont think they did. They eventually replaced the wiring harness.

 

[JgenG]

Not sure camera wire can be spliced, iy is different from the other wires,, but indeed the trunk harness is a great place to check. I also had the black camera screen show up. First they discussed replacing the camera, but j dont think they did. They eventually replaced the wiring harness.

Did you have grid lines and warning message or completely black screen?

 

[greekgeek]

Did you have grid lines and warning message or completely black screen?

Completely black screen. Intermittent.

 

[bigpapainscotia]

Back up camera is gone if the screen is only black when you put it in reverse. Hope you have some type of warrenty it can get very expensive.

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[JgenG]

Back up camera is gone if the screen is only black when you put it in reverse. Hope you have some type of warrenty it can get very expensive.

I have the extended warranty that covers back up camera, but not harnesses. Even if it's the harness, I can splice it in the trunk (if the trunk harness is he issue)

 

[joegr]

Not sure camera wire can be spliced, iy is different from the other wires,, ...

Shielded coax can be spliced, it just takes greater care in what you are doing. Alternately, you could cut out the bad section and put RCA connectors on each of the cut ends and connect a small patch cord between.

 

[greekgeek]

Shielded coax can be spliced, it just takes greater care in what you are doing. Alternately, you could cut out the bad section and put RCA connectors on each of the cut ends and connect a small patch cord between.

Nice! That is good to know, thx.

 

[JgenG]

The problem turned out to be the trunk harnesses. I found 2 wires that were completely broken off and a third missing the insulation. Fixed all 3 wires per the TSB and re- routed the harness by removing the metal bracket.

Thank you all so much for your valuable input. I really appreciate it.

now I got to cancel the dealership appointment.

 

[Andyj]

The problem turned out to be the trunk harnesses. I found 2 wires that were completely broken off and a third missing the insulation. Fixed all 3 wires per the TSB and re- routed the harness by removing the metal bracket.

Thank you all so much for your valuable input. I really appreciate it.

now I got to cancel the dealership appointment.

Bingo! Good news. especially not having to deal with the dealer which would probably quote $5K and tear up your whole interior to replace the full wiring harness.

 

[Markymark]

Is there any other known failure mode for the wiring of the backup camera other than the harness in the trunk?

I have just the black screen and no gridlines.

I followed the TSB and checked out the harness and wires in the trunk area, but I did not spot any broken wires.

Where does the harness run to from the trunk? Is there a connector located somewhere accessible?

Many thanks.


EDIT: It appears from the manual that the camera wiring goes to something called the PGS unit, located behind the glovebox. I'll see if the splice went all the way to the PGS unit.

 

[JgenG]

Is there any other known failure mode for the wiring of the backup camera other than the harness in the trunk?

I have just the black screen and no gridlines.

I followed the TSB and checked out the harness and wires in the trunk area, but I did not spot any broken wires.

Where does the harness run to from the trunk? Is there a connector located somewhere accessible?

Many thanks.


EDIT: It appears from the manual that the camera wiring goes to something called the PGS unit, located behind the glovebox. I'll see if the splice went all the way to the PGS unit.

Were you able to fix your issue ? The camera wires are in a sheath similar to a coaxial cable, maybe the wires are broken inside the sheath. You may have to open up the insulation to get a better look at the camera wires.

 

[Markymark]

Were you able to fix your issue ? The camera wires are in a sheath similar to a coaxial cable, maybe the wires are broken inside the sheath. You may have to open up the insulation to get a better look at the camera wires.

Naw. The camera works intermittently, and I can't access the wire the tech used to replace the shielded ground.

I have to assume that after working on my car for 6 weeks and finally discovering the short in the shield, he did a proper job on the soldering.

My last option is to look at the harness in the trunk again, but I already did that and didn't spot anything. It would be extremely helpful to know if the harness has connections that I can check continuity on, but no one here seems to have that info. There's also a short in the trunk lid switch that I haven't been able to find either.

 

[JgenG]

Naw. The camera works intermittently, and I can't access the wire the tech used to replace the shielded ground.

I have to assume that after working on my car for 6 weeks and finally discovering the short in the shield, he did a proper job on the soldering.

My last option is to look at the harness in the trunk again, but I already did that and didn't spot anything. It would be extremely helpful to know if the harness has connections that I can check continuity on, but no one here seems to have that info. There's also a short in the trunk lid switch that I haven't been able to find either.

Naw. The camera works intermittently, and I can't access the wire the tech used to replace the shielded ground.

I have to assume that after working on my car for 6 weeks and finally discovering the short in the shield, he did a proper job on the soldering.

My last option is to look at the harness in the trunk again, but I already did that and didn't spot anything. It would be extremely helpful to know if the harness has connections that I can check continuity on, but no one here seems to have that info. There's also a short in the trunk lid switch that I haven't been able to find either.

When you checked the trunk harness, did you cut open insulation to check the condition of the wires inside? The trunk harness I noticed was in this additional protective covering like a coax cable. Also, I'm sure you already did but did you check passenger side harness from the trunk hinge to all the way along the side of the trunk?